What is the difference? Which one should you choose?
In the last few years, controversy has swirled around lab-grown diamonds in the jewelry industry. While some jewelers have taken the stance of “natural only”, others, like ourselves, have decided to let the customer choose what best suits their budget and preferences by educating them on the pros and cons of both. So, what is the difference between them, and why is it so controversial? To sum up, the largest distinguishing factor is length of formation, and it is quite the disparity - from a few weeks to a billion years.
Natural Diamonds
What sets natural diamonds apart from its synthetic counterpart is the sheer fact that their journey to creation started literally billions of years ago, and we aren’t exaggerating in the slightest! They’re also formed deep within the Earth, typically about 125 miles from the crust and are then brought to the surface through volcanic activity. Because of their protracted length of formation, the Earth’s supply of natural diamonds is finite, making them more rare and thus, more valuable. Some diamond lovers believe that these and other gemstones hold a certain spiritual essence that could never be replicated in a lab due to its extensive natural fabrication in the Earth, such as inspiring enlightenment or increasing abundance, among many others.
Laboratory-Grown Diamonds
While natural diamonds take just a few billion years to form, laboratory-grown diamonds are made within a few weeks. Due to their ease of manufacturing, they can be mass-produced, making them more affordable than natural diamonds. It is important to understand that lab-grown diamonds are neither imitation nor simulants. They are composed of the exact same elements as natural diamonds, including their physical, chemical, and optical qualities. A person cannot discern a natural diamond from a lab-grown with the naked eye because special equipment is required to test its origins.
There are two kinds of processes to form diamonds in a lab, HPHT (high pressure high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition). The former is more expensive and is typically used for smaller stones, 0.10 ct or less. The latter is more widely used and involves carbon precipitating from a plasma cloud onto a HPHT seed crystal. Subsequently, the synthetic diamond forms as the carbon deposit builds.
Best Option for You
Since we want our customers to feel comfortable and secure in any product they purchase, the more you understand what you are buying, the more confidently you can make the best decision for your personal style and preferences. If you are looking at your jewelry purchase as an investment, natural diamonds are the better choice as they have an estimated resale range of 20-60% more than lab-grown. However, lab-grown diamonds are almost always in the higher quality range because they adhere to the industry standard. Their color is usually E-F (colorless) and clarity typically being around VS2 (very slightly included). Natural diamonds have a much wider range of quality due to their natural variations in diverse properties. For engagement rings especially, many couples prefer natural diamonds because of their representation of “forever love”, preferring their stone to have the ancient metaphysical properties that natural diamonds inherently possess. If you are looking for more information, contact us to schedule a consultation so that we can provide you with all the information you need to make the decision for your piece with clarity and ease.