Choosing a diamond should feel exciting. But with so much information and some rather strong opinions around laboratory-grown and natural diamonds, it can sometimes feel confusing. At Lulu and Boo, Corinne has chosen to offer her diamond designs in both, offering you the choice.
What is the difference? Are laboratory-grown diamonds real diamonds? And does one make a better choice than the other?
I believe you should understand what you’re buying and feel comfortable with your decision. Here is a straightforward guide to help you choose.
The main difference is how they are formed
A natural diamond forms within the Earth. A laboratory-grown diamond is created by people using specialist technology. Both are diamonds, with the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical and optical properties. Their different growth conditions leave characteristics that only specialist testing can identify.
That means the decision is about more than appearance. It can involve your budget, your feelings about a stone’s origin and what matters most to you in a piece of jewellery.
What is a natural diamond?
Natural diamonds formed deep within the Earth under intense heat and pressure, typically billions of years ago. They were brought towards the surface by ancient volcanic activity and are recovered through mining.
For some people, that extraordinary history is a large part of their appeal. Wearing something created by nature long before we existed carries a certain romance.
An existing natural diamond can also be passed down, bought second-hand or reused in a new design. A family diamond brings its own, much more personal history with it. Corinne is very happy to work with your exisiting diamonds. Have a look at the remodelling page.
What is a laboratory-grown diamond?
A laboratory-grown diamond is grown in a controlled environment.
There are two main methods:
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High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): uses intense heat and pressure to grow a diamond.
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Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD): uses a carbon-rich gas to build diamond crystal onto a small diamond seed.
Both methods produce diamond material that can be cut and polished for jewellery.
Laboratory-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are different from diamond lookalikes such as cubic zirconia and moissanite, which are different materials with their own properties.
Can you see the difference?
Generally, you cannot reliably distinguish a laboratory-grown diamond from a natural diamond simply by looking at it, even if you are a jeweller.
Specialist gemological laboratories use advanced equipment to identify the differences in their growth characteristics. A basic diamond tester cannot reliably tell you whether a diamond is natural or laboratory-grown.
Both can have beautiful sparkle. Being laboratory-grown does not automatically make a diamond flawless, and being natural does not automatically make it more beautiful. Each stone deserves to be considered individually.
Why do laboratory-grown diamonds cost less?
Laboratory-grown diamonds generally cost considerably less than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality. Their production can be expanded as technology improves, rather than depending on finding and recovering suitable natural stones.
For you, this may mean choosing a larger diamond within your budget, or leaving more room for the design and craftsmanship of the setting.
A natural diamond’s higher price reflects a different market, including its natural origin and the availability of stones with particular characteristics. Paying more does not necessarily mean a visibly better looking diamond.
What about long-term value?
It helps to separate sentimental value from resale value.
A diamond can become precious to you because of who gave it to you, what it celebrates or the memories it carries. Either origin can have that meaning.
Resale is a different matter. Laboratory-grown diamond prices have fallen substantially as production has increased, which affects the second-hand market. Natural diamond prices have also fallen meaning a natural origin does not guarantee that you will recover your purchase price.
For an ordinary jewellery purchase, I would encourage you to choose something you will love wearing rather than rely on a future resale figure.
Is one more environmentally friendly or ethical?
This deserves a more thoughtful answer than a simple label.
Laboratory-grown diamonds avoid the extraction involved in diamond mining, but growing them requires substantial energy. Their environmental impact depends partly on how that energy is generated and how the producer operates. “Laboratory-grown” does not automatically mean environmentally friendly.
Natural diamond mining also has environmental and social impacts. For either option, useful questions include:
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Where did the diamond come from?
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How much can the supplier tell me about its journey?
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What evidence supports any environmental or ethical claims?
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What is known about working conditions throughout the supply chain?
A grading report helps explain a stone’s identity and quality. It should not be mistaken for proof of every environmental or ethical claim made about it.
If you already own a family diamond, reusing it is another option to explore, particularly if you love the stone but its current setting spends more time in a drawer than on you.
Which should you choose?
A natural diamond may appeal to you if you feel drawn to its ancient origins, value the idea of a gemstone formed by nature, or want to continue the story of an inherited stone.
A laboratory-grown diamond may appeal to you if you want diamond’s appearance and properties at a lower price, would like a larger stone within your budget, or enjoy the technology behind its creation.
With either option, ask for a clear description of what you are buying. For a significant centre stone, discuss the gemological report with your jeweller.
A diamond that feels right for you
Jewellery is deeply personal. You might fall in love with the history of a natural diamond, the possibilities a laboratory-grown diamond opens up, or a family stone you have known all your life.
My role is to explain the options clearly and help you find a piece that feels like you.
If you’re considering a diamond piece for yourself or someone you love, get in touch. We can talk through your ideas, your budget and what matters most to you, and explore the possibilities together.