Lab-grown diamonds are a popular alternative to natural diamonds that are, as the name suggests, grown in a lab. They’ve become increasingly popular, and you’ll find them listed alongside natural diamonds in stores and online when shopping for rings and other jewelry. 

But what’s the difference between the two? And what’s the right choice for you? 

Lab-grown diamonds are, as the name suggests, grown in a lab. They’re made in a scientific, laboratory setting, using one of two main processes. Both methods simulate what happens in nature when diamonds are formed. The result is a lab-grown or synthetic diamond that looks identical to a mined stone in cut, clarity, size, shape, and hardness. 

With so many of the same characteristics as a mined stone, what’s the difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds? How exactly are they made? And how do you choose which one is right for you?

We go into the specifications of each type and what you may want to know when evaluating whether to buy one or not.

7 Key Differences Between Lab-Grown Diamonds & Natural Diamonds

When it comes to deciding what type of diamond is right for you, one of the main considerations is whether to go with a lab-grown or natural stone. As far as looks are concerned, the two stones are not distinguishable to the naked eye. 

So what are the differences? And what should you be thinking about when it comes to deciding which one to buy for your next piece of jewelry?

1 - Origin 

Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions deep within the Earth's mantle. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using technological processes that mimic these natural conditions over a few weeks or months. Keep reading to learn more about the two main processes for making lab-grown diamonds!

2 - Cost

Similar to natural diamonds, when you’re shopping for your perfect diamond, the prices can vary. Very broadly speaking, lab-grown diamonds may cost less than natural diamonds. This can be due to shorter supply chains and less intensive labor and mining processes. The market prices for lab-grown diamonds are subject to many of the same supply and demand that can impact the acquisition cost for jewelry companies like Sarah O. 

3 - Environmental Impact

Lab-grown diamonds are often assumed to be more environmentally friendly as they do not require mining. They are, as the name suggests, grown in a laboratory environment. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a lesser environmental impact than a natural diamond. 

The creation or manufacturing process has its own set of trade-offs when it comes to energy, resources, and environmental footprint. Diamond mining has come a long way in terms of regulatory compliance and visibility. When buying a natural diamond, make sure to ask about the Kimberley Process.

4 - Purity and Quality

Because of the lab environment where lab-grown diamonds are made, there is greater control over the process. Lab-grown diamonds can often be produced with fewer defects and higher clarity. But natural diamonds have a wider range of variety and specifications that make them unique. 

5 - Traceability

It is easier to trace the origin of lab-grown diamonds since they are created in specific facilities by certain manufacturing companies. In contrast, natural diamond tracing is not as straightforward. The trading of natural diamonds has a highly political and cultural history throughout many parts of the world. Not all diamonds have a clear origin story, making it difficult to ensure ethical acquisition. 

6 - Supply

The supply of lab-grown diamonds can be scaled up or down relatively quickly in response to market demands. After all, they are made based on demand. Whereas the supply of natural diamonds is limited to existing mines, the resale market, and new geological discoveries.

7 - Color and Type

Lab-grown diamonds can be more readily engineered to exhibit certain colors or qualities through controlled adjustments in the manufacturing process. In contrast, natural diamonds' colors and types are determined solely by natural geological processes. This makes natural diamonds wholly unique and one-of-a-kind.

8 - Investment and Resale

Natural diamonds typically hold better long-term value and are more traditionally accepted as precious gems, which can affect their resale value compared to lab-grown diamonds. The market is fluid, but generally speaking, natural diamonds are a better long-term investment.

9 - Certification and Grading

Both lab-grown and natural diamonds can be certified and graded by gemological laboratories, but they are often classified differently to distinguish their origins in the certification process. 

10 - Rarity

Natural diamonds are often marketed and perceived as a symbol of luxury and rarity, which is deeply embedded in cultural traditions. The fact that each mined stone truly is unique in its own way, they are considered a rarer stone than a lab-grown diamond.

Benefits of Buying a Lab-Grown Diamond

If you’re looking for a diamond that can be customized for your specific needs, whether that’s an engagement ring or a fine piece of jewelry, lab-grown diamonds are a great option. Because of control over the production process, you can opt for a very specific set of criteria when it comes to choosing the clarity, size, color, and cut of a lab-grown diamond. 

Some other benefits of buying a lab-grown diamond include: 

- Lower Cost

- Environmentally Friendly

- Ethical Assurance

- Guaranteed Quality

- Ready Availability

- Customization 

2 Main Methods for Growing Lab Diamonds

Several key factors determine which process to use when creating diamonds in a lab. The two main methods for creating lab-grown diamonds are HPHT and CVD - both of which mimic natural processes but the outputs can be quite different.

Considerations like diamond clarity, color, shape, size, cost, and production time all come into play when deciding which process is used. 

Method #1 - High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) 

The HPHT mimics the natural conditions that create diamonds deep under the surface of the Earth. A small diamond seed is placed in carbon, the primary element that diamonds are made of, and then subjected to high temperatures (over 1,400°C) and pressures (approximately 5 GPa).

Manufacturers use a press (belt press, cubic press, or split-sphere press) to create the required high-pressure and temperature environment. The outcome is the growth of the diamond around the initial seed, which can then be cut and polished just like any mined diamond.

Advantages: High clarity, smaller diamonds for industrial use (cutting, lasers, etc.), unique color and clarity characteristics, cost-effective choice with a quicker growth cycle 

Method #2 - Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

A key difference between the two methods is the process of ionization used with CVD. The CVD method involves placing a diamond seed in a sealed chamber and heating it to around 800°C. The chamber is filled with a carbon-rich gas ionized into plasma using technology similar to microwaves or lasers.

The ionization breaks the molecular bonds in the gases, and the pure carbon adheres to the diamond seed and slowly crystallizes. It’s a longer, slower growth process, but this method allows for larger, higher-clarity diamonds. It also allows for more control over the chemical impurities, which can influence the color and other properties of the diamond.

Advantages: Larger, exceptionally clear, and often colorless diamonds, ideal for premium quality at a more accessible price point

Other FAQs about Lab-Grown Diamonds

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? 

Yes! A lot of people ask this question and need to learn exactly how lab-grown diamonds are made. But the answer is simple. A lab-grown diamonds start from a small trace amount of natural diamond material and are grown in a lab to a bigger size with specific characteristics (that can be influenced by the introduction of other gasses, pressures, etc. during the process). But it’s the same carbon makeup as a real diamond. 

Think about it like a mushroom found in the woods versus a mushroom grown in a greenhouse. Both are mushrooms, one has been helped to grow, from a spore (similar to a seed), and the other was found naturally in its habitat.

Can a jeweler tell if a diamond is lab-created? 

Yes! But only with specialized equipment like a spectrometer. Often, lab-grown diamonds have laser-inscribed identifiers and specific crystal patterns that form during the lab processes that are visible under magnification. 

What are the disadvantages of lab-grown diamonds?

Resale value, perception and prestige, limited sizes and colors, and market saturation are the four biggest areas of concern for lab-grown diamond skeptics. While there is evidence to debunk most of these, there is no getting around the fact that the history of natural stones is far longer than the recent boom of man-made diamonds. 

Will lab-grown diamonds hold their value?

While it is impossible to say what lab-grown diamonds will be worth in the future, it is important to know that the market for lab-grown diamonds is stable. The demand for lab-grown diamonds continues to increase, for many of the positive economic and ethical benefits we’ve outlined.

What is a diamond seed made out of?

A diamond seed, used at the beginning of the lab-grown diamond-making process, is a crushed powder made of diamond material, 99% carbon, and some nitrogen. It’s the small amounts of the elements present in natural diamonds.

Check out our FAQs page for all the other answers to your questions. Plus, to get more information on different types of stones, gems, and jewelry types, visit the Sarah O. blog!