A lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond look as alike as two drops of water. Yet there are differences, and they determine which stone suits which customer. In this article we compare everything side by side: composition, appearance, hardness, price, resale value and origin.
1. What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown diamond, also called a laboratory-grown diamond, is a diamond that grows in a specialised laboratory instead of deep in the earth. It is made of pure carbon with the same crystal structure as a natural diamond. Chemically and physically it is a diamond, not an imitation.
There are two growth methods: CVD and HPHT. Read more in our article on CVD and HPHT.
2. The differences in a table
| Feature | Lab-grown diamond | Natural diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon | Pure carbon |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 |
| Appearance | Indistinguishable to the naked eye | Indistinguishable to the naked eye |
| Formation | A few weeks in a laboratory | Millions of years in the earth |
| Price | A fraction of a natural stone | Considerably higher |
| Resale value | Low | Higher, but not guaranteed either |
| Mining | None | Yes |
| Certification | Often IGI, also GIA | Often GIA, IGI or HRD |
3. Can you see the difference?
No, not with the naked eye. Even an experienced jeweller cannot see the difference with a loupe. That requires specialised equipment that looks at growth patterns, fluorescence and trace elements. A standard diamond tester reads “diamond” for both stones.
That is why lab-grown diamonds above roughly 0.30 carat are often marked with a laser inscription on the girdle, and the certificate clearly states that the stone is laboratory-grown.
4. Quality: the same 4 Cs
Both types are graded on carat, cut, colour and clarity. Lab-grown is not automatically better or worse. There are excellent and average stones of both. However, the supply of large, colourless and clean stones is much wider in lab-grown, and therefore more affordable.
5. Price and resale value
The biggest difference is price. A lab-grown diamond costs a fraction of a comparable natural diamond, and prices have fallen further in recent years. What exactly determines the price, you can read in our article on the price of a lab-grown diamond.
On the other hand, the resale value is low. Lab-grown is a stone to wear, not an investment. Be honest about that with your customers: it builds trust.
6. Origin and sustainability
Lab-grown diamonds are created without mining, and their origin is easy to trace. Production does require a lot of energy, and the impact depends on how that energy is generated. A nuanced story is stronger than a slogan.
7. Which stone for which customer?
- Lab-grown suits customers who want a large, beautiful stone within their budget, and who mainly want to wear it.
- Natural suits customers for whom rarity, tradition or the story of millions of years is decisive.
Show both side by side and let the customer choose. Tips for that conversation can be found in the 5 questions every customer asks.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lab-grown diamond a diamond or an imitation?
It is not an imitation. A lab-grown diamond is chemically and physically a diamond. Cubic zirconia and moissanite are different materials. Read more in moissanite, cubic zirconia or lab-grown diamond.
Can a lab-grown diamond discolour?
No. A lab-grown diamond does not discolour and does not lose its sparkle.
Does a jeweller have to disclose that a diamond is lab-grown?
Yes. Under the international standard ISO 18323, it must be clearly stated that the stone is a laboratory-grown diamond, using terms such as “laboratory-grown”, “lab-grown” or “synthetic”.
Lab-grown jewellery for your store
Noam Jewels supplies lab-grown jewellery to jewellers from the Antwerp diamond district: more than 1,500 designs in 14k and 18k gold, delivery in 2 to 3 weeks and white label. Create your B2B account or book a call.
Lab-grown jewellery for your collection
Straight from the Antwerp diamond district, exclusively for professional jewellers.
- 1,500+ designs in 14k and 18k gold
- Delivery in 2 to 3 weeks
- White label, under your own name
