You're shopping for a diamond. Maybe an engagement ring, maybe a tennis bracelet, maybe earrings for a milestone birthday. At some point, you hit the question: lab grown or natural?
The short answer is that both are real diamonds. They look identical, test identical, and grade identical on the 4Cs. The differences are in how they're made, what they cost, and what they mean to you.
This guide breaks down every practical difference so you can make the right call for your budget, your values, and your jewelry.
What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond is a diamond created in a controlled laboratory environment. It has the exact same crystal structure, chemical composition (pure carbon), and physical properties as a diamond mined from the earth. It is not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite. It is a diamond.
The Federal Trade Commission updated its definition of "diamond" in 2018 to include lab grown stones, removing the requirement that a diamond must be "natural." The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades lab grown diamonds using the same 4Cs system it uses for mined diamonds.
How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
Two methods produce gem-quality lab grown diamonds:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
This method recreates the conditions deep in the earth's mantle where natural diamonds form. A small diamond seed is placed in a chamber with carbon material. The chamber is heated to around 1,500°C and pressurized to roughly 1.5 million pounds per square inch. Over several days to weeks, carbon atoms crystallize around the seed, growing a rough diamond.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
A thin diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas (usually methane). The gas is heated to extreme temperatures, breaking down the molecules. Carbon atoms rain down onto the seed and build up layer by layer, forming a diamond crystal. CVD diamonds tend to have fewer metallic inclusions than HPHT stones.
Both methods produce diamonds that are optically, chemically, and physically identical to mined diamonds. Even trained gemologists cannot tell the difference without specialized equipment that detects trace differences in growth patterns.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds "Real" Diamonds?
Yes. This is the single most important fact in this entire guide.
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. They have the same refractive index (2.42). They have the same thermal conductivity. They will pass a diamond tester. They are graded by GIA and IGI using the same criteria.
The only difference is origin: one formed underground over billions of years, the other formed in a lab over weeks. The end product is the same material.
Price Comparison: Lab Grown vs Natural
This is where the two diverge significantly. Lab grown diamonds typically cost 60% to 80% less than natural diamonds of equivalent size and quality.
Here's what that looks like in practice for a 1-carat round brilliant, G color, VS1 clarity:
| Specification | Natural Diamond | Lab Grown Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| 1ct Round, G, VS1 | $4,500 - $6,500 | $800 - $1,500 |
| 1.5ct Round, G, VS1 | $8,000 - $12,000 | $1,200 - $2,500 |
| 2ct Round, G, VS1 | $14,000 - $22,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
The price gap means that for the same budget, you can get a significantly larger or higher-quality lab grown diamond. A budget of $3,000 might get you a 0.7ct natural diamond or a 1.5ct lab grown diamond of the same grade.
Browse lab grown diamond engagement rings and natural diamond engagement rings to compare pricing across our collection.
Quality Comparison
Both lab grown and natural diamonds are graded on the same 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
| Quality Factor | Natural Diamond | Lab Grown Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Excellent to Poor (varies) | Excellent to Poor (varies) |
| Color | D (colorless) to Z (light yellow) | D (colorless) to Z (light yellow) |
| Clarity | FL to I3 | FL to I3 |
| Hardness | 10 (Mohs scale) | 10 (Mohs scale) |
| Brilliance | Identical refractive index (2.42) | Identical refractive index (2.42) |
| Certification | GIA, IGI, AGS | GIA, IGI |
| Diamond Tester | Pass | Pass |
A well-cut lab grown diamond will outperform a poorly cut natural diamond in brilliance and fire. The quality of the individual stone matters far more than its origin.
Durability: Will It Last?
Both score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. That makes diamond the hardest known natural material. Lab grown diamonds are equally scratch-resistant, equally durable, and will last just as long as mined diamonds. There is no difference in wearability or longevity.
Your lab grown diamond engagement ring will look the same in 50 years as the day you bought it. The same is true for a natural diamond ring.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
This is a nuanced topic. Here are the facts:
Natural Diamond Mining
- Open-pit and underground mining disturbs land and ecosystems
- The Kimberley Process (established 2003) certifies diamonds as "conflict-free," but critics argue its definition of conflict is too narrow
- Mining provides livelihoods for roughly 10 million people worldwide, particularly in Botswana, Russia, Canada, and Australia
- Carbon footprint varies widely by mine: Canadian mines tend to have lower environmental impact than some operations in other regions
Lab Grown Diamonds
- Require significant energy to produce (especially HPHT), but the footprint is generally smaller than mining
- No land displacement or ecosystem disruption
- No conflict supply chain concerns
- Some producers now use renewable energy, further reducing environmental impact
Neither option is perfectly "green." But lab grown diamonds avoid the land disruption and supply chain risks associated with mining.
Resale Value
This is the one area where natural diamonds have a clear advantage.
Natural diamonds retain roughly 30% to 50% of their retail purchase price on the secondary market. Rare stones (large carat, exceptional color/clarity, or fancy colors) can appreciate over time.
Lab grown diamond resale values have dropped significantly as production has scaled up and prices have fallen. A lab grown diamond purchased today may be worth considerably less in five years, simply because new production will offer the same quality at lower prices.
If long-term financial value matters to you, natural diamonds are the stronger choice. If you're buying jewelry to wear and enjoy rather than as an investment, the resale difference may not matter.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Natural Diamond | Lab Grown Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon crystal | Pure carbon crystal |
| Hardness | 10 (Mohs) | 10 (Mohs) |
| Appearance | Identical | Identical |
| Certification | GIA, IGI, AGS | GIA, IGI |
| Price (1ct, G, VS1) | $4,500 - $6,500 | $800 - $1,500 |
| Resale Value | 30-50% of retail | Low and declining |
| Environmental Impact | Higher (mining) | Lower (lab energy) |
| Ethical Concerns | Kimberley Process certified | No supply chain risk |
| Emotional Value | Billions of years old | Weeks old |
| Availability | Finite supply | Unlimited production |
Which Should You Choose?
There is no universally right answer. The best choice depends on what matters most to you.
Choose a natural diamond if:
- The geological origin and rarity of the stone is meaningful to you
- You want the strongest possible resale value
- You're purchasing a stone as a long-term investment
- Tradition and heritage are part of the purchase decision
Choose a lab grown diamond if:
- You want the largest or highest-quality stone for your budget
- Environmental and ethical sourcing is a priority
- You're buying jewelry to wear, not to resell
- You want a GIA-certified diamond without the premium price
Many buyers today choose lab grown diamonds for everyday jewelry (earrings, tennis bracelets, pendants) and natural diamonds for milestone pieces like engagement rings. Others go all-in on lab grown. Both approaches make sense.
Explore our full collection of lab grown diamond jewelry and natural diamond jewelry, or browse all engagement rings to compare styles side by side.
About Riyanika Jewels
Riyanika Jewels offers both natural and lab grown diamonds set in 18K solid gold. Every diamond in our collection is GIA certified. We ship free to the United States and offer a 30-day return policy on all orders. Whether you choose natural or lab grown, you're getting a real diamond in a setting built to last.
Want something made for you? Set your chosen stone in a custom engagement ring or design your own ring from scratch with our bespoke team.