Can you figure out the difference between these two diamonds? Of Course not! Believe it or not, both are bona fide diamonds, but their origins tell different tales—one born from the depths of the Earth, the other crafted in a laboratory. They may look identical, but what sets them apart? 

Well, there's more to the differences and similarities beyond the trick of origin. Let's uncover them one by one! 

Origin:

• Natural diamonds: Born from the fiery depths of the Earth's crust over millions of years turns coal into sparkle.
   
• Lab-grown diamonds: Crafted in a controlled lab environment, these sparklers skip the geological process and  are made in a controlled lab using methods like Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).
  
  

Cost:

• Natural diamonds: Rare and exquisite, but prepare to break the bank for these beauties.
  
  
• Lab-grown diamonds: offers a wallet-friendly alternative, typically priced 30-50% lower than their natural counterparts.
  
  

Availability:

• Lab-grown diamonds: The controlled environment of labs allows for the production of lab-grown diamonds in larger quantities.
  
  
• Natural diamonds: Limited edition gems, thanks to the mining hustle.
  
  

Sustainability:

• Lab-grown diamonds: While they diamonds sidestep the environmental and ethical concerns of mining, their production requires significant energy consumption, raising sustainability questions.
  
  
• Natural diamonds: They've got that natural charm but come with a side of environmental and ethical concerns.
  
  

Physical Features:

• Lab-made diamonds: A carbon copy of their natural counterparts, minus the mining hassle.
  
  
• Typically boast fewer inclusions and often achieve higher clarity grades compared to their natural counterparts.
  
  

Durability:

• Natural and lab-created diamonds: Tough as nails with a Mohs hardness rating of 10 - they're here to stay, folks!
  
  

Still Confused? 

Now, your decision boils down to personal preference and budget. Natural diamonds exude luxury and uniqueness, while lab-created ones offer affordability, sustainability, and equal allure.

If you're still torn between natural and lab-created diamonds, take a glance at the table below.

Natural vs. Lab-Created Diamond Benefits:

Lab-grown diamonds look like natural ones and are best for jewellery, yet natural diamonds hold sentimental value, often becoming cherished heirlooms. 

What is the Process of Creating a Lab-grown Diamond? 

Lab-grown diamonds are produced through two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT):

• Developed in the 1950s, this is the original technique for crafting lab-grown diamonds.
• A tiny diamond seed is embedded in carbon, then subjected to pressures of around 1.5 million pounds per square inch and temperatures exceeding 2,700 Fahrenheit.
• The molten carbon forms a diamond around the seed, which is later cooled.
• HPHT diamonds often exhibit a yellowish tint due to nitrogen exposure during their formation, along with darker metallic inclusions that can make them magnetic.
  
  

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD):

• Developed in the 1980s, CVD is a more cost-effective method compared to HPHT.
• A small diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gases, which are ionized into plasma.
• The plasma breaks down the gas molecules, allowing pure carbon to adhere to the seed and form a new diamond.
• CVD diamonds grow in a cubic shape with a single direction of growth.

Both methods yield diamonds with identical optical, physical, and chemical properties as natural ones. However, distinct characteristics resulting from these laboratory processes can be discerned upon close examination, especially in their rough crystal state.

How to Know if Your Diamond Is Natural? 

To differentiate between a natural diamond and a lab-grown one, traditional gemological methods and conventional "diamond detectors" fall short, as both possess identical properties. However, if you're uncertain about the authenticity of the gemstone, here are some tips to help you verify it and confidently enjoy the benefits of wearing diamonds:

Growth pattern: 

One distinguishing factor is the growth morphology of the diamonds; natural diamonds formed over millions of years have different growth patterns compared to diamonds created in a lab. 

Clarity Check:

Natural diamonds may contain visible inclusions, while lab-grown diamonds typically have fewer imperfections.

Size Check:

Lab-grown diamonds are often larger and more budget-friendly than natural diamonds due to their controlled production process.

Price Check:

Lab-grown diamonds are generally less expensive than natural diamonds due to their mass production.

Check for Growth Lines or Bubbles:

Lab-grown diamonds tend to have fewer and smaller inclusions compared to natural diamonds.

Certification:

Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be certified by reputable gemological laboratories like GIA, SGL or IGI.

Both types of diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties and are graded using similar criteria for cut, color, and clarity. However, only lab testing can guarantee 100% authenticity of the gemstone. 

Did You Know? 

Almost every lab-grown diamond is of premium quality, often qualifying as type IIa, which is considered the best form of diamond in the market. 

FAQs

1. Can a Jeweller tell that a diamond is lab-grown?
No, only trained gemologists and specialized equipment can detect the subtle differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

2. Do lab diamonds change color over time?
No, lab-grown diamonds maintain their color over time. They have the same properties as mined diamonds and do not change in color.

3. Why are lab-grown diamonds more affordable than natural diamonds?Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable because the production process is faster and less expensive than mining natural diamonds. Additionally, lab-grown diamonds skip the mining process, reducing costs associated with extraction and transportation.