Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamonds

Whether you're in the market for an engagement ring or just a beautiful piece of jewelry, you've likely come across the debate surrounding natural diamonds versus lab-grown diamonds. Both have their pros and cons when it comes to value and ethics. Let's take a closer look at how they compare.

Natural Diamonds

Diamonds that are mined from the Earth's crust are considered natural diamonds. They were formed over billions of years through immense heat and pressure. Natural diamonds have been prized throughout human history for their rarity and beauty.

Pros:

• Rarity gives them a higher value and prestige
• Every natural diamond is truly one-of-a-kind with unique flaws and characteristics  
• Long history and tradition associated with natural stones
• Value remains and appreciates over time.

Cons:  

• Much more expensive at first due to rarity and labor-intensive mining process
• Mining can have environmental and humanitarian impacts

Lab-Grown Diamonds  

Also called engineered, cultivated, or synthetic diamonds, these are grown in highly controlled lab environments using advanced technological processes to mimic natural diamond growth. The result is a stone that is chemically and structurally identical to a mined diamond.

Pros:

• Usually 20-50% cheaper than natural diamonds of the same quality
• More eco-friendly with less environmental toll from mining
• Allows reliable and consistent quality control   

Cons:

• Less valuable and viewed by some less "real" than mined diamonds
• Newer technology may still have future innovations, which may devalue lab grown ones more.
• Will not appreciate in value the way natural diamonds can, and instead depreciate in value as more lab grown diamonds flood market.
• Unlikely to be used as heirloom

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, lab-grown and natural diamonds have the same stunning visual properties that make them highly desired gemstones. For those concerned about environmental impacts or looking for a relatively lower price point, lab-grown diamonds are an appealing option. But for those who place more emphasis on rarity and tradition, a mined natural diamond may hold more value. Whichever you choose, both can make a beautiful piece of jewelry to last a lifetime.