The key difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds lies in their formation and history.
Natural Diamonds are created deep within the earth over billions of years, under immense pressure and heat. They are mined from volcanic rock formations known as kimberlite pipes and often contain trace elements like nitrogen or boron, which influence their color. Inclusions—tiny trapped materials—give each natural diamond its unique characteristics.
Lab Grown Diamonds are formed in controlled environments that mimic natural diamond conditions. Using either high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods, these diamonds are produced within weeks. They share the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds but lack impurities and inclusions.
Natural diamonds have a long-standing history in the jewellery industry, making them a classic and cherished choice. Formed deep within the earth over billions of years, they are a finite and precious resource, valued for their rarity. Each natural diamond carries distinct characteristics, including inclusions—tiny traces of minerals trapped during formation—that make every stone truly unique. Throughout history, natural diamonds have been symbols of love, wealth, and beauty, spanning cultures and eras. Meanwhile, lab-grown diamonds share the same chemical and optical properties as their natural counterparts, making them visually identical and indistinguishable through traditional gemological methods.
Lab-grown diamonds offer a modern, ethical, and cost-effective alternative to natural diamonds. They are typically 50% more affordable while maintaining the same brilliance and quality. With a lower environmental impact, they eliminate the need for mining, reducing deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Their customizability allows for a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit individual preferences and budgets. As conflict-free diamonds, they avoid human rights concerns sometimes associated with mining. Visually, they are indistinguishable from natural diamonds, sharing the same chemical and optical properties, making them a stunning and responsible choice.
Lab-grown diamonds are made with carbon, crystallized in an isotropic 3D form.
According to GIA, the following is the timeline of when lab-grown diamonds were first developed and later made available on the market.
1950s: Synthetic diamonds were first produced using the high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) method. This method was used for industrial purposes, telecommunications, laser optics, and more.
1970s: The American company, General Electric, created the first gem-quality synthetic diamonds. These synthetic diamonds had acceptable clarity and were appropriate sizes to be set into jewellery.
Mid-1980s: Other manufacturers started growing commercial quantities of gem-quality synthetic diamond crystals. Initially, these lab-created diamonds were small and displayed a yellowish or brownish color. Over time, these synthetic diamond’s quality, clarity, and color improved.
2000s: Diamonds were created using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which requires lower pressure and temperatures in comparison to the HPHT method.
The CVD technique grows synthetic diamonds using temperatures between 700°C to 1300°C and lower pressures. Carbon-infused gas is pumped into a vacuum chamber, depositing onto a diamond seed, crystallizing as synthetic diamond. The size of the synthetic diamond depends on the time allowed for growth using this method.
Mid-2010s: Commercial quantities of colorless lab-grown diamonds became readily available in the jewellery market around the mid-2010s, set into different designs just like its natural counterpart. Both HPHT and CVD continue to be popular methods of synthetic diamond production today.
Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties and are grown under the same temperature and pressure conditions, but without the conflict and questionable ethical practices. Lab grown diamonds are often of better quality mainly due to the highly controlled environment and fully monitored process.
Absolutely! Lab-grown diamonds have the same composition as natural diamonds. They have the same hardness rating and durability as natural diamonds.
Yes. Just like naturally mines diamonds, lab grown diamonds can be insured.
The best certification for diamonds created in labs is the IGI. They give specific grading for certain qualities like clarity, color, and many more. Other reliable grading systems are GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (The American Gen Society), HRD (Hoge Raad Voor Dimant meaning Diamond High Council), GCAL (The Gem Certification & Assurance Lab) and CGL (Certified Gemological Laboratory of Europe).
Lab-grown diamonds start with a tiny diamond “seed” placed in a high-pressure, high-heat chamber that replicates natural diamond formation. As crystallization occurs, the diamond grows and matures. Once ready, precision lasers cut the stone, and expert labs polish and grade it—just as they do for natural diamonds. With a single trusted source certifying both lab-grown and earth-mined diamonds, quality control remains consistent across all diamonds entering the market.
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