Lab Created vs. Mined Diamond: What Sets Them Apart? | Lab-Grown-Diamonds.net

The concept of producing diamonds in a laboratory may seem too fantastical to be real. For centuries, alchemists were captivated by the idea of chrysopoeia— the transformation of lead into gold. Today, chemists exceed this dream, not by creating gold, but by morphing graphite (a form of carbon) into dazzling diamonds! Lab-grown diamonds share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as their natural counterparts. So, what distinguishes them?

May 25, 2023

Lab Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds – An Expert’s Perspective

A “diamond,” by definition, is a mineral composed of “crystalized carbon in an almost pure, tetrahedral, isometric system.” Lab diamonds, in terms of material and structure, are mirror images of natural diamonds.

Specialists, such as those at the Gemological Institute of America, confirm that lab diamonds are indistinguishable from natural diamonds.

The only element of cloning in cultured diamonds is the environment they are created in. This environment emulates or replicates the same conditions found in the organic environment that naturally forms diamonds deep within Earth – which we typically obtain through mining.

Natural Diamond Ring

Lab Grown Diamond Ring

Lab Diamonds vs. “Authentic” Diamonds – What’s the Difference? Lab diamonds are actual diamonds, although you might be implying earth-mined diamonds. The key distinction between lab diamonds and earth-mined diamonds lies in their formation. Natural diamonds are formed deep within Earth’s mantle, over a span of centuries at a slow pace. Conversely, lab-grown diamonds are formed in either a High Pressure High Temperature chamber or a Chemical Vapor Deposition chamber.

The first-ever manufactured diamond was produced in 1954, and most lab diamonds used in jewelry today were grown within the past 1-5 years. Also, due to the environment in which natural diamonds are formed, it’s common for a diamond to contain trace amounts of nitrogen and some marks or impurities known as inclusions. In contrast, with today’s advanced technology, jewelers using the CVD method can grow an almost flawless diamond in under 30 days.

Earth Mined Diamonds:

• are formed 150-200 km below Earth’s surface
• take billions of years to form
• grow in a diamond shape
• contain trace amounts of nitrogen
• may contain some marks or impurities called inclusions

Lab-Grown Diamonds:

• are formed in a chamber
• take days to form
• grow in a cube shape (CVD diamonds)
• contain no nitrogen (CVD diamonds)
• are almost entirely flawless

For a detailed analysis of lab-grown diamonds and the two distinct processes used to create them, check out Our Complete Guide to Lab Grown Diamonds!

Is a lab-grown diamond a genuine diamond? Yes, a lab-grown diamond is a genuine diamond! So, let’s explore what constitutes a real diamond. A stone must meet two criteria to be classified as a diamond: chemical composition and crystal structure.

Chemical composition: Diamonds are composed solely of carbon atoms—only carbon. No other elements from the periodic table are found in the diamond’s molecular structure. On the other hand, imitation diamonds and diamond substitutes—like cubic zirconia and moissanite—are entirely different substances and therefore, visually distinct.

Crystal structure: A diamond also has a unique molecular structure: the carbon atoms are arranged tetrahedrally, akin to a pyramid. This structure is what makes a diamond incredibly hard and transparent, unlike carbon graphite.

Regardless of whether it was discovered in the earth or produced in a lab, any gemologist will categorize this particular type of material as a real diamond.

Can you discern the differences between lab and natural diamonds? No, there is no visible difference between a cut and polished lab diamond and a natural diamond. Lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical.

A raw, uncut lab-grown diamond appears visibly different from a raw natural diamond due to their growth methods. Naturally formed diamonds assume the infamous diamond shape (resembling two pyramids connected at the base, or two triangles when depicted two-dimensionally). HPHT diamonds grow as what’s called a cuboctahedron, with 14 sides. CVD diamonds are easily recognized for their cubic shape. However, once a diamond is cut and polished, no visible differences can be detected with the naked eye.

Can a jeweler determine if a diamond is lab-grown? Yes, jewelers can differentiate between lab-grown and natural diamonds using specialized equipment. Even though jewelers can’t discern the difference with their naked eyes, they can utilize several techniques to identify a natural, HPHT, or CVD diamond. Because they are grown differently, each type of diamond has unique growth patterns, thermal conductivity, and spectroscopy (the absorption and emission of light and other radiation), as well as distinct types of inclusion or impurities.

So, with advanced equipment (that includes powerful microscopes, UV light, X-rays, and features that can detect wavelengths, fluorescence, and phosphorescence), IGI, GIA, and other high-end jewelers can ascertain if your diamond was sourced from the ground or from a lab.

Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds? Yes, lab-grown diamonds are typically sold at lower prices compared to natural diamonds. However, this is not a reflection of the quality (as lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds) but rather a reflection of the supply chain for earth-mined diamonds.

The supply chain for natural diamonds is heavily manipulated by monopolies, and the process from mining to sales involves several intermediaries. These monopolies have spent decades persuading consumers of the inherent value of diamonds extracted from the earth through strategic marketing. Without the traditional markup, lab-grown diamonds are more reasonably priced and can cost around a quarter of what natural diamonds do!

Do lab-grown diamonds hold less value than natural diamonds? No, lab-grown diamonds offer better value for money due to their low markups. Generally speaking, if you purchase earth-mined diamond jewelry from a popular brand intending to resell it, you probably will not recoup the money that you initially paid.

Traditional luxury jewelers impose substantial markups on their products. Why would they buy a diamond from you at the same price (that you paid a 10x or 20x markup for), when they could source a new diamond from a dealer for 5 or 10% of the price you paid? (FYI, our markups are significantly lower than that!)

If there is any difference in resale value between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond, in our opinion, it’s only relevant for particularly large or special, naturally occurring diamonds reflecting the scarcity of such naturally occurring stones. Though, it is uncertain whether the market will continue to value scarcities like this as lab-grown diamonds become increasingly prevalent.

If we can create the beautiful diamond jewelry of our dreams, and they look, smell, and behave like mined diamonds, AND we know that they’re conflict-free…well, we’re not too bothered about scarcity!

Shop Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Bar Stud Earrings – Lucia Solitaire Diamond Ring Lab Grown Diamonds – 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Bar Stud Earrings – Lucia

Lab Grown Diamonds – Solitaire Diamond Ring

Diamond Pave Band – Miriam 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Stud Earrings – Trillium Lab Grown Diamonds – Diamond Pave Band – Miriam

Lab Grown Diamonds 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Stud Earrings – Trillium

Do lab diamonds qualify as real diamonds in tests? Yes, lab diamonds test as real diamonds. They are chemically, structurally, and optically equivalent to diamonds found in nature; the significant difference is that they are formed more rapidly in a chamber that simulates the processes occurring in nature.

The International Gemological Institute and the Gemological Institute of America grade lab diamonds the same way they grade natural diamonds, using the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. If you wish to have your diamond graded, you can send it to either and have it returned with a report.

For instance, GIA will not only inform you if your diamond is lab or earth-mined but also employ slightly varied terminology and imagery for a lab diamond report card.

Are lab-grown diamonds more eco-friendly than natural diamonds? Lab-grown diamonds are deemed more eco-friendly than natural diamonds because their production and sourcing processes do not necessitate mining. Mining impacts local ecosystems, and labor and social issues surround diamond mining in several countries. More often than not, diamonds significantly contribute to financing violence and criminal activities.

However, it’s worth noting that the lab-grown diamond production is energy-intensive as it requires high heat and pressure to form diamonds in a lab. That said, manufacturers are continuously optimizing production processes. We are still in the early years of lab-grown diamonds, and we anticipate that this industry will only become more efficient in the future.

Which diamond is superior, lab-grown or natural? Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and visually identical to natural diamonds, and neither one is objectively superior to the other.

It’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.

Some individuals prefer lab-grown diamonds because they are more affordable, sustainable, and guaranteed conflict-free.

Some individuals prefer natural diamonds because they appreciate the sense of romance.

At Lab-Grown-Diamonds.net, we adore that lab-grown diamonds provide diamond aficionados everywhere with stunning, high-quality, and conflict-free diamond jewelry that is truly affordable! Not to mention the fantastic options in terms of clarity, carat, color, and cut, characteristics that are not as attainable with mined diamonds.

Feel free to fall in love with the breathtaking designs in our Diamond Collection because, we only use high-quality, 100% conflict-free lab-grown diamonds!