Diamond guide
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What Is the Difference?
Both are real diamonds. Here is how they differ in origin, price and value, and how to decide which one is right for you.
F & C Golden Gate Jewelers Editors 2 min read
Shopping for a diamond today usually starts with one question: lab-grown or natural? The good news is that there is no wrong answer. Both are real diamonds, and both can be beautiful for a lifetime.
They are the same material
A lab-grown diamond is pure carbon arranged in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond. It has the same hardness, the same fire and the same sparkle. Even a trained jeweler needs specialized equipment to tell them apart.
The real difference is origin
Natural diamonds formed deep in the earth over billions of years. Lab-grown diamonds are grown in a few weeks using carefully controlled heat and pressure, or a process that builds the crystal layer by layer.
What it means for your budget
Lab-grown diamonds typically cost far less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. Many shoppers use that difference to choose a larger center stone, a better cut or a more detailed setting.
How to choose
- Choose lab-grown if you want the most size and sparkle for your budget.
- Choose natural if the rarity and story of an earth-made stone matter most to you.
Whichever you pick, ask for an independent grading report so you know exactly what you are buying.
