Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds: What's the Real Difference?

Lab grown and natural diamonds are both real diamonds: same carbon crystal structure, same hardness, same fire and brilliance. The difference is entirely in where the carbon crystallised — one forms over a billion years or more under the earth's mantle, the other forms in a matter of weeks inside a controlled chamber that reproduces that same pressure and heat.

Can you actually tell them apart?

Not with the naked eye, and not with a standard jeweller's loupe either. Distinguishing a lab grown diamond from a natural one requires specialist equipment that detects trace growth patterns and inclusions invisible to the eye — the kind of equipment used by gemmological labs, not retail jewellers. This is exactly why certification matters: the certificate is the only reliable way to know what you're actually buying.

The difference that actually matters: price

Lab grown diamonds typically cost 60-80% less than a natural diamond of equivalent size, cut, colour and clarity. That gap exists because natural diamonds are finite and extraction is expensive, while lab grown supply can scale with demand. In practice, this means a customer can buy a noticeably larger or higher-clarity stone for the same budget by choosing lab grown.

Certification

Both types should come with independent certification — IGI and GCAL are the two labs most commonly used for lab grown stones, GIA for natural. The certificate confirms the 4Cs (carat, cut, colour, clarity) and, for lab grown stones, explicitly states the diamond's origin. Never buy an uncertified diamond of any real size, lab grown or natural — there's no way to verify what you're paying for otherwise.

Resale and rarity

This is where natural diamonds still hold an edge. Because natural stones are finite, they've historically held resale value better than lab grown stones, whose wholesale price has fallen as production has scaled up — a lab grown diamond bought several years ago is generally worth less on resale today than the same stone would cost new now, since lab grown prices keep dropping as supply increases. If long-term resale value matters more to you than upfront cost, that's a real factor to weigh. It's worth noting, though, that diamonds of any origin are a poor investment vehicle compared to simply keeping the cash, and almost no one buys an engagement ring expecting to resell it.

Which should you choose?

There's no wrong answer — it's a genuine trade-off, not a quality question. Choose lab grown if budget or size is the priority and the origin story doesn't matter to you. Choose natural if provenance and long-term rarity matter more than getting the largest stone possible for the price.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?

Yes. It has the same chemical composition and physical properties as a natural diamond. The only difference is where and how it formed.

What is the price difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds typically cost 60-80% less than a natural diamond of the same carat, cut, colour and clarity.

Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?

Not as well as natural diamonds. Lab grown wholesale prices have been falling as production scales up, so resale value tends to be lower than the original purchase price.

Are lab grown diamonds certified the same way as natural diamonds?

Yes, reputable lab grown diamonds are certified by labs such as IGI or GCAL, with the certificate stating the diamond's lab grown origin. Natural diamonds are typically certified by GIA.

Can a jeweller tell a lab grown diamond from a natural one by eye?

No. Specialist gemmological equipment is required to distinguish them reliably — this is why a certificate, not a visual inspection, is what confirms origin.

We cut and set both natural and lab grown diamonds in solid 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold, made to order in our own workshop. Browse the full diamond collection or start with our engagement rings if you're choosing a setting first.