LAB GROWN DIAMONDS VS NATURAL DIAMONDS
How do Lab Grown Diamonds Compare to Natural Diamonds?
You might think lab grown diamonds are the new kids on the block, but they've actually been around for over 70 years!
Check out our handy guide below to learn the differences between lab grown and natural diamonds.
What is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond is made in a lab using tech that mimics the heat and pressure deep within the Earth where natural diamonds form. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically the same as natural diamonds.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real?
Absolutely! Lab grown diamonds are 100% real diamonds. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. That means they look and sparkle just the same as natural diamonds. Even expert gemologists need special equipment to tell them apart!
How Are Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds Made?
Lab grown diamonds are created in labs over several weeks, using methods like High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) to mimic the natural diamond-forming process. These techniques recreate the extreme conditions that turn carbon into a beautiful diamond.
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth over millions of years under intense pressure and heat. While both methods produce genuine diamonds, the lab grown process is much faster (and much kinder on the planet!).
How to Tell Lab Grown from Natural Diamonds
It’s impossible to tell with the naked eye. Specialised equipment and tests are needed to distinguish between lab grown and natural diamonds, usually done under 30x magnification.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified?
Yes, lab grown diamonds are certified just like natural diamonds. They come with grading reports from reputable gemological laboratories, so you can be confident in the quality and authenticity of your purchase. All our diamonds are certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world's largest independent lab for testing and grading diamonds. This certification ensures that every diamond we handpick meets the highest standards of quality - standards we’d be proud to wear ourselves!
Sustainability of Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds take the sustainability lead. They require far fewer resources to produce and eliminate the need for mining, which can harm the environment. With minimal land disruption and reduced carbon emissions, lab grown diamonds are the more eco-friendly choice.
According to one recent study, natural diamonds produce 57,000 grams of green house gas
emissions per carat, vs lab grown diamonds at just 0.028 grams per carat.
Ethical Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds
While initiatives like the Kimberley Process have made natural diamonds more ethical, lab grown diamonds are the clear choice. Free from the ethical issues associated with some mined diamonds, such as conflict funding and environmental damage, lab grown diamonds offer peace of mind.
With lab grown diamonds, you know exactly where your stone comes from and that it was created responsibly.
How Does the Price Compare Between Lab and Natural Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds offer value for money - you can get a bigger, higher-quality stone for a fraction of the price of a natural diamond. Plus, lab grown diamonds often have fewer inclusions and impurities, resulting in higher clarity and overall quality.
Why Lab Grown Diamonds Outshine Cubic Zirconia
Lab grown diamonds and cubic zirconia (CZ) may look similar, but they’re worlds apart! While cubic zirconia is a shiny, affordable imitation made of crystal, lab grown diamonds are made from carbon, just like natural diamonds. CZ is often colourless and flawless, but scratches easily, and its sparkle is far less intense compared to a lab grown diamond.
What Sets Lab Grown Diamonds Apart from Moissanite
Originally discovered in nature, moissanite is now created in labs but is very different from a lab grown diamond. Moissanite displays colours ranging from grey to brown to yellow, and its rainbow-like sparkle can make it easy to spot as something other than a diamond. On the other hand, lab grown diamonds are so similar to natural diamonds that you’d need specialised equipment to tell them apart!
Why Choose a Lab Grown Diamond?
We’re here to give you the facts, not the pressure. Choosing a lab grown diamond means getting a beautiful diamond that’s also sustainable and ethically sourced. Plus, you get more bang for your buck, allowing you to enjoy a bigger and better diamond for your budget.
We Are Here to Help
We make your diamond journey simple by offering only the highest quality stones - ones we'd proudly use ourselves. No guesswork, just confidence in getting the best.