Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamonds: What Makes Them Special?
Diamonds have captivated humans for centuries, symbolizing status, luxury, and enduring love. Their extraordinary properties make them unique: composed of pure carbon, diamonds are the hardest natural substance, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale. In the context of natural vs. lab-grown diamonds, their unmatched sparkle, brilliance, and fire set them apart as gemstones.
Natural diamonds, formed deep within the Earth’s mantle over millions of years, are prized for their rarity and timeless appeal. Lab-grown diamonds, created in just weeks using advanced technology, share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, making them indistinguishable to the naked eye.
Whether natural or lab grown, diamonds are special for their durability, beauty, and versatility. Lab grown options add value through affordability, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability. These factors collectively ensure diamonds remain unparalleled in their significance and allure.
Determining the Value of Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamonds
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Carat
Color
Natural diamonds are graded for color on a scale from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colorless diamonds are the rarest and most valuable. In the context of natural vs. lab grown diamonds, lab-made diamonds can be created in a variety of colors, including colorless (D-F range), near-colorless (G-J range), and fancy colors like blue, yellow, pink, and green. The controlled growth process allows for precise color manipulation and intensity. Additionally, some diamonds undergo post-growth treatments, such as high-temperature annealing, to enhance or alter their color, often labeled as “color-enhanced”.
Clarity
Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes. Natural diamonds form under extreme pressure deep within the Earth, often leading to unique inclusions that tell a geological story. Lab grown diamonds, formed in laboratories using techniques like HPHT or CVD, typically have fewer inclusions since the conditions can be managed. This gives lab diamonds a higher chance of achieving better clarity grades at a lower cost compared to natural diamonds.
Cut
The cut refers to how well the diamond has been shaped to reflect light. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are cut by skilled craftsmen, and the quality of the cut determines brilliance and fire. Since lab-grown diamonds are often produced with fewer inclusions and imperfections, they may allow for a more precise cut. Natural diamonds, depending on their raw form, may present challenges that can impact the cutting process. That said, an expertly cut natural diamond can be just as dazzling as its lab-grown counterpart.
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. Lab grown diamonds are more affordable per carat compared to natural diamonds, making it easier to obtain a larger stone for the same price. Natural diamonds, especially those of larger carat weights, are considered rarer and thus command higher prices. While both types of diamonds offer a range of carat sizes, lab diamonds provide a cost-effective way to achieve the look of a substantial, eye-catching stone without the premium associated with natural diamonds.
Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamond Treatments
Natural Diamond Treatments
Laser Drilling
Laser drilling removes dark inclusions in natural diamonds by creating tiny channels to reach the imperfection and either dissolve it or lighten its appearance. This improves clarity without compromising the diamond's structural integrity.
Fracture Filling
In this process, cracks or fractures in a natural diamond are filled with a glass-like material to make them less visible. This enhances clarity, though the treatment is not permanent and requires careful handling.
High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT)
HPHT treatment alters the color of natural diamonds by exposing them to extreme heat and pressure, replicating the conditions under which diamonds form. It can turn yellowish diamonds into colorless or fancy-colored ones.
Irradiation
Irradiation exposes diamonds to radiation to alter or enhance their color, resulting in vibrant shades like blue, green, or pink. This treatment is often combined with annealing for stability.
Foil Backing
This treatment is used very rarely. It is done to improve the appearance of the color of the diamonds.
Lab Grown Diamond Treatments
HPHT Annealing
Similar to natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds undergo HPHT annealing to improve or adjust their color. This process removes discoloration caused by inclusions during growth, resulting in brighter, more consistent hues.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Overgrowth
CVD diamonds can be reprocessed by adding a thin layer of diamond material over the original to improve clarity or remove surface blemishes. This ensures a flawless appearance in lab grown stones.
Color Enhancement
Lab grown diamonds may be treated with methods like annealing or irradiation to create more vivid or desirable colors, especially for fancy-colored diamonds like pink, blue, or yellow.
Clarity Enhancement
Although rare for lab grown diamonds, inclusions that occur during the growth process can be minimized with techniques similar to fracture filling, ensuring a cleaner appearance.
Caring for Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamonds
A well-known advertising slogan expertly defines a diamond's timeless appeal, icy beauty, and durability. Ranking ten on the Mohs scale of hardness makes diamond extremely resistant to scratching. Their great toughness provides safety against chipping, breaking, or cracking, whether they are natural vs. lab grown diamonds.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are safe for cleaning most diamonds, except those with fissure filling treatment, foil backing, or laser drilling. Excessive heat, formed under conditions of high temperature and high pressure, does not harm the gem.
While diamonds last forever, it is essential to clean diamond jewelry regularly. A simple cleaning procedure keeps diamond jewelry looking great for longer. Use lukewarm water with dish soap and a soft brush to remove dirt. Rinse with fresh, cool water. A dry cloth can soak the moisture and save the sheen of the gemstone.
Diamond is the only stone that can scratch another diamond. So, do not store two pieces of diamond jewelry together. Similarly, avoid storing other gemstone jewelry with diamond as a diamond can cause serious damage. A jewelry box with compartments or soft cloth pouches are excellent homes for this jewelry.
Who Can Wear Diamond?
A timeless symbol of love, eternity, and elegance, natural vs. lab grown diamonds remain the most cherished choice for engagement rings and bridal jewelry. Their unmatched brilliance makes them an ideal pick not only for rings and earrings but also for pendants, necklaces, and bracelets, offering versatility that suits any style.
From royals to celebrities, diamonds have long been a staple of high fashion, gracing solitaire rings, dazzling tiaras, and statement bracelets. This radiating gemstone effortlessly complements every color in your wardrobe. Whether it’s a vibrant green, bold orange, deep red, or classic black, diamond jewelry adds the perfect touch of glamour to elevate any look.
Diamonds also carry rich symbolism and tradition. As the traditional gift for a 10th wedding anniversary, they mark milestones with beauty and brilliance, making them a meaningful token of enduring love.
Whether for a grand occasion or everyday elegance, diamonds are the ultimate choice for those who cherish timeless sophistication.
How Does Diamond Compare to Other White Stones?
When it comes to brilliance, fire, and timeless allure, natural vs. lab-grown diamonds stand in a league of their own. Their colorless charm and dazzling sparkle make them one of the most coveted gemstones in the world. While other white stones like white topaz and Cambodian zircon have their unique appeal, none can truly replicate the unmatched fire and brilliance that diamonds offer.
Lab grown diamonds, composed of pure carbon, are identical to natural diamonds in chemical, physical, and optical properties, offering the same durability and sparkle. On the other hand, cubic zirconia, made of zirconium dioxide, provides a more affordable option but lacks the durability, brilliance, and long-lasting clarity of diamonds, as it can cloud over time.
Moissanite, composed of silicon carbide, is another alternative. While it’s highly durable and even more brilliant than diamonds in some aspects, it lacks the natural authenticity and iconic sparkle that diamonds are loved for. Lab grown diamonds come the closest to natural diamonds, sharing their pure elegance and brilliance, while cubic zirconia and moissanite serve as accessible alternatives with their own distinct characteristics.
Whether natural or lab grown, diamonds remain the ultimate symbol of luxury and brilliance, standing apart from other white stones for their timeless beauty and unmatched fire.
Where Does Diamond Come From?
Diamonds are treasures of the Earth, originating either naturally over billions of years or in laboratories through advanced technology. In the context of natural vs. lab grown diamonds, natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle under immense heat and pressure. Over time, volcanic eruptions bring these precious stones closer to the surface, where they are mined. Renowned diamond mining locations include South Africa, Russia, Canada, Botswana, and Australia, each producing diamonds with unique characteristics and qualities that contribute to their global allure.
Lab grown diamonds, on the other hand, are a marvel of modern innovation. Using advanced techniques like High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), scientists replicate the natural diamond formation process in a controlled environment. These lab grown diamonds can be created in just a few weeks, offering the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.
While natural diamonds are revered for their rarity and connection to Earth’s history, lab grown diamonds provide a sustainable and ethical alternative. With their identical composition and brilliance, they offer an eco-friendly choice that appeals to those seeking both beauty and responsibility.
Whether naturally mined or expertly crafted in a lab, diamonds continue to symbolize love, eternity, and the marvels of nature and human ingenuity.
Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamond Properties
What Does Diamond Mean?
A symbol of love and a part of eternity, the diamond is mentioned in various beliefs and myths. In Rome, it was believed that a soldier wearing a diamond on the left arm would be offered courage and protection. In the ancient Hindu culture, diamonds were said to contain the power of lightning. There are also beliefs that diamond possesses metaphysical properties that boost mental health and act as a remedy for poison.
Disclaimer: The information presented is for information purposes only and should not replace the advice of a trained medical professional.
Is Diamond A Birthstone?
According to the modern US birthstone list, diamonds are the modern birthstone of April. While diamond is known for its captivating brilliance, its colored counterparts make for a contemporary birthstone choice.
Lab Grown Diamonds Facts
MOHS HARDNESS
10
COLOR
Colorless, yellow, brown, pink, green, blue
TREATMENT
Natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds may undergo treatment to enhance color and clarity
ALSO KNOWN AS
Colored diamonds are known as fancy diamonds
Natural vs. Lab Grown Diamond FAQs
Q. Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
A. Yes, these diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.
Q. How are lab grown diamonds made?
A. They are made using either the High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods, both of which replicate the natural diamond formation process.
Q. How do lab grown diamonds differ from natural diamonds?
A. The main difference is their origin. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, while loose lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory over a period of weeks.
Q. Are lab grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?
A. Yes, they are typically 30-40% less expensive than natural diamonds of the same quality and size.
Q. Can you visually tell the difference in quality and appearance between natural vs. lab grown diamonds?
A. No, it is impossible to tell the difference between natural vs. lab grown diamonds with the naked eye. Specialized equipment is needed to distinguish them.
Q. Do lab grown diamonds have inclusions like natural diamonds?
A. Yes, they can have inclusions, though they may differ in type and pattern from those found in natural diamonds.
Q. Are lab grown diamonds environmentally friendly?
A. Yes, they are more environmentally friendly than natural diamonds, as they do not require large-scale mining, which can negatively impact ecosystems.
Q. Do lab grown diamonds require certification?
A. Yes, they are often accompanied by a certification from reputable gemological institutes detailing their quality and characteristics.
Q. Are lab grown diamonds prone to clouding or discoloration over time?
A. No, they do not cloud or discolor over time. They maintain their brilliance and clarity, just like natural diamonds.