Shopping for diamond jewelry can be an intimidating process. After all, you’re investing money in jewelry that you’ll keep for decades and likely pass down to loved ones, so you want to choose a meaningful piece. While shopping for diamonds, you might hear the term “lab grown” and think to yourself, “what is a lab grown diamond?” After this question, you may even ask, “are lab diamonds real?”
In this guide, we’re breaking down all you need to know about lab diamonds versus lab diamonds, and how to make the perfect pick for your jewelry preferences.
Lab Diamond vs. Natural Diamond: What’s The Difference?
On the surface, there may not look like there’s much of a difference between a lab grown diamond and natural one. The key distinguishing factors come from their genetics and how they are created.
A lab diamond – as the name suggests – are created in a lab. These diamonds are made with one of two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
Both methods use extremely high temperatures and a specialized process to create natural-looking diamonds in a lab setting with the same chemical composition natural diamonds have. So while lab diamonds are man-made, they’re still real diamonds!
Natural diamonds, on the other hand, are not man-made. Instead, they are sourced naturally from the earth and then cut with precision to make the beautiful diamonds you see in jewelry.
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Lab Grown Diamonds |
Natural Diamonds |
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Made by man in lab settings. |
Sourced naturally from the earth. |
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Formed from high temperatures methods. |
Formed from the earth’s natural high temperatures deep underground. |
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Contains the same chemical properties as natural diamonds. |
Contains pure carbon from the natural creation process. |
Types of Lab Diamonds
Once you start shopping for diamond jewelry, like a diamond ring, you’ll notice that there are two main types of lab diamonds: simulants and cultured.
Simulant lab diamonds are not real diamonds. Whereas real lab diamonds are made with carbon like natural diamonds, simulant diamonds are made with materials like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
This type of lab diamond is meant to create a “real looking” piece of diamond jewelry without containing real properties of diamonds. Basically, with simulants, you’re getting a piece of jewelry that looks like a diamond without the cost of a diamond since the gemstone is not real.
Cultured lab grown diamonds differ from simulants with their real diamond properties. Cultured diamonds are the gemstones made from one of the two specialized processes (HPHT or CVD).
When a diamond is created in a lab by either HPHT or CVD, a gemologist is essentially recreating the environment diamonds grow in naturally to create the precious gemstone. These diamonds are made with 100% pure crystalized carbon – the same chemical composition as a natural diamond – to create a real gemstone.
Benefits of Lab Diamonds
There are several benefits of choosing a lab grown diamond versus a natural diamond, especially when it comes to cost.
Natural diamonds are known to have hefty price tags because of their rarity and value. Lab grown diamonds are still precious gemstones since they are real, but cost anywhere from 10%-30% of what natural diamonds cost since they’re manufactured. Simulants cost even less since they don’t contain real diamond properties at all.
Another benefit of lab diamonds is that they’re more eco-friendly and ethical compared to natural diamonds. Sourcing natural diamonds requires tons of land destruction to search for the gemstones, which damages natural habitats. Since lab grown diamonds are made in a controlled setting, they help preserve more of the earth and keep habitats intact.
Which Is Better For You?
Wondering if a lab grown diamond or natural diamond is better? Choosing between the two all comes down to personal preference and what you want in a diamond. The main way to distinguish which type of diamond suits you is to consider your priorities.
If budget is a leading factor in your decision then a lab grown diamond will be the better option. Lab grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds since they’re made in lab settings and not sourced naturally from the earth.
If having a completely rare and unique diamond is most important to you, then you’ll want a natural diamond. Natural diamonds take billions of years to form deep in the earth’s surface, which increases their value.
But if you want a diamond that is environmentally friendly, a lab diamond will suit your preferences since their creation doesn’t disrupt natural habitats and require an exponential use of natural resources.
Find Your Perfect Diamond Today
Ready to find your new sparkly best friend? Adorn your outfits with the perfect finishing touch from our stunning lab grown diamond collection.
At Ferko’s we pride ourselves in creating beautiful jewelry that complements your style and adds a sophisticated touch to any outfit. Shop from our selection of lab grown rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more to wear investment pieces everyday that elevate your style.