Lab Grown Diamonds Vs Natural Diamonds: All You Need To Know
For years, we've seen diamonds as the ultimate symbol of luxury, love, and commitment—the go-to choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry. Their brilliance and durability have always impressed us. But guess what? We've noticed the diamond world is changing! More and more consumers, including us, want options that are sustainable and ethically sourced.
That's where lab grown diamonds come in! These are created in labs using advanced technology and they sparkle just as much as natural diamonds. They have all the same physical and chemical properties, so we know we won't miss out on that sparkle.
As Stella McCartney says, “Luxury should not cost the earth.” High-end products shouldn’t harm our planet, and lab grown diamonds do just that—beautiful, sustainable, and ethically sourced.
In this post, we'll get into the nitty-gritty of lab grown vs. natural diamonds, their origins, properties, costs, and environmental impact. Let's talk!
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are diamonds made in a lab rather than being mined from the Earth. Think of it like a factory where they recreate the natural conditions that make diamonds underground, using special machines to apply heat and pressure. These diamonds look just like the natural ones you find in jewelry stores.
One big advantage is that they are traceable. Since they are made in controlled environments, you can be sure they are ethical and don't come with the environmental or human rights issues linked to traditional diamond mining. You also have more options in terms of size, color, and clarity because the process can be adjusted.
Lab grown diamonds are also more eco-friendly. They don't require digging into the Earth, which reduces environmental harm and supports fair labor practices. While making them does have some environmental impact, it's still less than mining diamonds. That's why people who care about the environment often prefer them—they can enjoy diamond jewelry without feeling guilty.
At CaratBee, we are dedicated to offering lab grown diamonds to our customers, upholding our commitment to eco-friendly and ethical practices for both our buyers and the planet.
What Are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds take billions of years to form deep in the Earth’s mantle, shaped by intense heat and pressure, and they’re brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions. Their beauty comes from their unique history and rarity, making them symbols of love and timelessness. When it comes to natural vs. lab grown diamonds, the main differences lie in where they come from and how they’re made, which can be important to consumers based on their values.
Key Differences Between Lab Grown and Natural Diamond
Origin and Formation
Natural diamonds are formed deep in the Earth’s mantle, where they endure extreme heat and pressure for billions of years. Talk about nature's greatest treasure! This intense process reaches temperatures of 1600°C and pressures of 80,000 atmospheres—definitely not easy to replicate. These geological wonders make their way to the surface through volcanic eruptions and are found in igneous rocks known as kimberlites.
The journey of natural diamonds from the Earth’s depths to our hands is a fascinating tale of geological time. Now, when we're comparing lab diamonds and natural diamonds, it's important to think about your options for buying diamond jewelry. Lab grown diamonds are a product of modern technology. Created in a lab, they mimic the conditions under which Earth’s diamonds form using methods like HPHT or CVD.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Both natural and lab grown diamonds are made of pure carbon atoms arranged in a diamond cubic lattice, sharing the same physical properties like hardness, brilliance, and fire. Their hardness allows them to cut through almost anything, making them useful in industrial applications.
While cubic zirconia mimics the look of diamonds, true diamonds have unmatched durability and brilliance. Lab grown diamonds are real, whereas diamond simulants lack the same sparkle. Gemological tests like infrared and Raman spectroscopy can identify if a diamond is natural or lab-created.
Price and Value
One big difference between the two is the price. Lab grown diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds of the same quality. This price gap is thanks to the efficient and cost-effective lab processes that produce these gems quicker and more sustainably than traditional mining. Since lab grown diamonds replicate the natural conditions under which diamonds form, they are chemically and physically identical to their mined diamond counterparts.
Environmental Impact
Let's discuss the environmental impact of diamonds:
- Natural Diamonds: Mining leads to habitat destruction, water pollution, and significant carbon emissions. It consumes about 40 billion gallons of water annually, displacing communities and wildlife, and raises concerns about dangerous labor practices.
- Lab Grown Diamonds: These offer a more ethical alternative, using fewer resources and less water and energy. While the production process can still be carbon-intensive, it does provide a chance for better sourcing.
Ultimately, whether you prefer natural or lab grown diamonds, there’s plenty to consider about their environmental and ethical implications!
Here is a concise table highlighting the key points of differentiation.
| Key Difference | Lab Grown Diamonds | Natural Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Origin and Formation | Created in controlled labs using HPHT or CVD techniques. | Formed naturally over billions of years on the Earth. |
| Physical and Chemical Properties | Identical structure (pure carbon, diamond cubic lattice) and properties (hardness, brilliance). | Natural diamonds are composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a cubic crystal structure. |
| Price | Generally 60-80% cheaper due to efficient production processes. Based on recent market prices, a high-quality 1-carat lab grown diamond (E/VVS2) generally ranges from $800 to $1,200. | Natural diamonds are generally pricier because of their mining process and rarity. According to the latest market prices, a 1-carat natural diamond (E/VVS2) typically costs about $6,000. |
| Environmental Impact | Lower impact, less resource and water usage in production. | High impact from mining, leading to habitat destruction and pollution. |
| Traceability and Ethics | Easily traceable, often seen as more ethical. | Sourcing can be associated with human rights and environmental issues. |
Pros and Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds
Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Cost-Effective: Lab grown diamonds cost significantly less than natural diamonds of the same quality due to the efficient and controlled process.
- Customization: The lab allows for more control over the process of creating the diamond, so customization in size, color and clarity. More options for the consumer to choose from.
- Traceability: Since lab grown diamonds are grown in a controlled environment, origin can be tracked, transparency and authenticity.
- Ethical and Sustainable: Lab grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment, avoiding the ethical and environmental issues of traditional mining.
Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Perceived Value: Lab grown diamonds have the same physical and optical properties as natural diamonds, but are perceived as less valuable. Partly because lab grown diamonds are new and natural diamonds have prestige.
- Resale Value: While improving, resale value of lab grown diamonds still lags behind natural diamonds, especially for larger or higher quality stones.
- Energy Consumption: Lab grown diamonds require a lot of energy, especially for HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) method. The environmental implications of producing lab diamonds are significant, with debates over sustainability and the carbon-intensive nature of the production process. But technology and energy efficiency is improving.
Pros and Cons of Natural Diamonds
Pros of Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds have historical value because each diamond takes billions of years to form through geological processes, adding an emotional touch to Earth’s past. Do natural diamonds have investment potential? Yes, absolutely.
Their rarity and limited supply lead to price increases, making them costlier than their counterparts. The rarity of these natural diamonds makes them more valuable and a favorite among buyers. Who wouldn’t want to own something unique and rare in nature?
Cons of Natural Diamonds
The rarity and limited supply of natural diamonds lead to an increase in their price, which is 60 - 80% higher than lab grown diamonds. Another concerning factor is the ethical questions involved. Extracting diamonds from nature requires extensive processes, including the exploitation of lands with heavy machinery. This exploitation renders lands unusable, taking hundreds of years to recover.
Furthermore, many countries have reported child labor and unsafe conditions in mining areas, posing risks of injury or death to workers. Another drawback of natural diamonds is the complexity of their supply chain. Determining the origin of natural diamonds can be challenging, making it difficult to ensure they are ethically sourced.
Lab Created Diamonds Certification
When you’re buying a diamond, whether it’s lab grown or natural, certification is a must! The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are the go-to places for getting your lab grown diamonds certified.
A diamond certificate provides a detailed report on important details like cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. And don’t worry—lab grown diamonds are the real deal! They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. These factors, known as the 4Cs, really determine a diamond’s quality and value. So, when you go for a certified lab-created diamond, you can feel good knowing you’re getting authenticity and quality!
Why You Should Consider Diamond Certification:
Resale value: - A certified diamond usually has a higher resale value than non-certified stones.
- Certification validates the diamond's quality and boosts diamond market.
- Potential buyers often prefer certified stones for authenticity assurance.
- Increased demand for certified diamonds can lead to better return on investment.
- Certification is essential for those considering the long-term value of their purchase.
Quality: Certification ensures the diamond meets established quality standards, assessed by professional gemologists.
- Certification ensures the diamond meets quality standards.
- Factors include cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
- Guarantees a beautiful and worthwhile investment.
- Provides peace of mind with a rigorously examined stone.
Transparency: A certified diamond comes with a grading report that discloses all essential details.
- A certified diamond comes with a grading report.
- The report provides transparency about characteristics.
- Includes information on quality attributes and treatments.
- Helps buyers make informed decisions and fosters trust.
Peace of mind: When you get a certification from recognized institutions, you know you’re getting the real deal. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds—they have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural ones.
Both GIA and IGI are trusted names in diamond grading, but IGI has been certifying lab grown diamonds for a bit longer, so they often offer more detailed grading criteria for those stones.
Just a reminder: A certification isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s an important document that protects your investment and guarantees you have a top-quality diamond!
Should I Buy a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring?
So when it comes to choosing between a lab grown diamond and a natural diamond for an engagement ring it all comes down to what matters most to you. Take Sarah for example. She’s weighing up her options and trying to decide what resonates with her.
On one hand Sarah is leaning towards lab grown diamonds because they are more budget friendly and she can get a bigger stone without breaking the bank. She likes how transparent the lab grown process is and feels good knowing it’s a more sustainable option which fits with her eco conscious values. Plus lab grown diamonds have that same sparkle as natural ones thanks to thorough certification processes so they are definitely appealing to her.
But then there’s the romance of natural diamonds pulling her in. She loves the idea of owning a gem that’s taken billions of years to form, each one with its own story from deep within the Earth. The rarity and investment potential of a natural diamond are big factors for her especially with her future plans in mind. The thought of passing down a natural diamond engagement ring to future generations has sentimental value she can’t ignore.
In the end whether Sarah chooses lab grown or natural diamond both have their pros. It all comes down to what matters most to her – budget, ethics, nostalgia or investment potential. Whatever she chooses she just needs to feel connected and confident in her decision!
If you're like Sarah and prefer sustainable options that align with eco-conscious values, then you should explore our collection of lab grown diamond rings at CaratBee. By purchasing from our website, you benefit from competitive pricing, a wide selection, and the assurance of ethical sourcing (with Certification). Make a buy today and feel confident in your choice!
Conclusion
It’s all about what matters most to us—our values, budget and lifestyle. We love lab grown diamonds for being an ethical and affordable option that has the same sparkle and quality as natural diamonds but without the environmental cost of mining. We’re drawn to the timeless charm and luxury of natural diamonds knowing they can be a smart investment since they took millions of years to form.
Ultimately it’s about what feels right for us. Whether we’re going for eco-friendly lab grown stones or classic natural gems we’re committed to providing personalized service and expert advice to help you find the perfect symbol for your love story!
