Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: Which Is Right for You?

Purchasing a diamond involves more than selecting a shape and understanding the 4 Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat). Whether you choose a pre-designed setting or create a custom piece of jewelry, you’ll also need to decide if a natural or lab-grown diamond is right for you.

Most people know there are real diamonds and synthetic diamond look-alikes, but many don’t realize that real diamonds can be natural or lab-grown. 

This is especially common to overlook when shopping for jewelry online, where there is often little guidance from an experienced jeweler. One reason being there is no visible difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

But just because natural and lab-grown diamonds look the same doesn’t mean there aren’t differences to consider before making a purchase of this significance.

In this blog, the diamond experts at Grogan Jewelers by Lon explain how natural and lab-grown diamonds compare so you can determine which option is right for you.

The Science Behind Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds

Natural and lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemical and physical structure. Both are made primarily of pure carbon arranged in the same crystal lattice, which gives them the same sparkle, clarity, and durability.

The difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is not how they look, but how and where they are created. One develops naturally within the Earth, while the other is formed above ground under carefully controlled conditions that replicate natural conditions.

How Natural Diamonds Develop Over Time

Natural diamonds develop deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure over billions of years. Under these conditions, carbon atoms bond together to form diamond crystals, which are later carried closer to the surface through volcanic activity.

Because this process occurs naturally and without human intervention, no two natural diamonds are exactly alike. Differences in pressure, temperature, and surrounding conditions contribute to variations in clarity, color, and overall quality.

Once near the surface, diamonds are extracted through mining, then sorted, cut, and polished to enhance their brilliance before being graded and certified.

How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Formed

Lab-grown diamonds are formed by recreating the conditions under which natural diamonds are believed to develop, but in a controlled laboratory setting that allows a diamond crystal to grow in a matter of weeks rather than over billions of years.

Two primary methods are used to create lab-grown diamonds:

• High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): Uses intense heat and pressure to grow a diamond from a small diamond seed, most closely replicating the natural conditions under which diamonds form inside the Earth.
  
  
• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Grows a diamond by depositing carbon atoms layer by layer onto a diamond seed inside a controlled chamber, using lower temperatures and allowing for precise control during the growth process.

Regardless of the method used, the result is a high-quality diamond that is chemically, physically, and visually identical to a natural diamond.

Once grown, the diamond is then cut, polished, graded, and certified using the same standards applied to natural diamonds. As with natural diamonds, quality is determined by cut and finishing, not by how the diamond was created.

Comparing Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

When comparing a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond with the same cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, there is no visual difference. Both are also chemically identical, with the same crystal structure and physical properties.

So, if everything about the diamond appears the same, why would someone choose a lab-grown diamond instead of a natural one, or vice versa?

There isn’t one single reason. Most buyers weigh several considerations, including price, long-term value, and ethical factors tied to how the diamond is created.

The Budget Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds

One of the most significant differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds is price, with lab-grown diamonds typically costing less. That pricing gap is largely tied to how each diamond is created and brought to market.

Natural diamonds form over billions of years and require mining, sorting, cutting, and transportation before reaching a jewelry store. That longer, more complex supply chain, combined with the scarcity of high-quality natural diamonds, contributes to higher costs.

Lab-grown diamonds are produced in a controlled environment and can be created in a matter of weeks. While they still require cutting, polishing, and grading, the production process is more predictable, which often results in lower consumer prices.

Exact price differences vary based on the specific diamond and current market conditions, so it’s difficult to say exactly how much less you can expect to pay for a lab-grown diamond compared to a natural diamond. Some industry sources point to significant savings, while others note more moderate differences.

Takeaway: Because lab-grown diamonds are less expensive to produce, they generally offer greater size or higher quality for the same budget. Exactly how much you will save depends on the diamond and market conditions at the time of purchase, though prices have historically trended downward as production technology and supply have expanded.

The Value Retention and Investment Potential of Natural Diamonds

While lab-grown diamonds offer greater affordability at the time of purchase, there is a trade-off in long-term financial value. Lab-grown diamonds do not currently hold the same resale or long-term value characteristics as natural diamonds.

Natural diamonds form naturally over billions of years and cannot be produced on demand. This limited supply has historically helped support more stable pricing over time, particularly for higher-quality or rarer stones.

Some people also view natural diamonds as heirloom pieces meant to be passed down rather than resold. For these buyers, the appeal is not tied to resale, but to ownership over time and the idea of choosing something that carries lasting rarity and permanence.

Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are produced in a controlled environment and can be created as needed. Because production can scale with demand, pricing tends to adjust over time, which can result in lab-grown diamonds retaining a smaller portion of their original purchase price on resale.

Takeaway: Natural diamonds tend to hold monetary value more consistently over time due to their rarity and limited supply. Lab-grown diamonds often offer more size or quality upfront, but typically retain a smaller portion of their original purchase price on resale. Buyers focused on investment potential may lean toward natural diamonds, while those prioritizing upfront value may prefer lab-grown.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

For some buyers, ethical considerations tied to how a diamond is made also factor into the buying decision. While both natural and lab-grown diamonds are made from the same material, they involve different interactions with the Earth, production processes, and supply chains. 

Natural diamonds must be mined from the Earth, which can raise questions for some buyers about environmental impact, land use, and labor practices, depending on where and how the diamonds are sourced. The natural diamond industry includes a wide range of operations and oversight standards that can vary by region. 

Lab-grown diamonds are created without mining, which appeals to buyers who prioritize production methods alongside price and appearance. Because they are grown in a controlled environment, some buyers view lab-grown diamonds as an alternative that may avoid certain concerns associated with mining. 

Takeaway: Environmental and ethical considerations mean different things to different buyers. Some prioritize avoiding mining and favor how lab-grown diamonds are produced, while others place importance on sourcing practices and the natural origin of a diamond.

Visual Differences: Do Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds Look the Same?

To the naked eye, lab-grown and natural diamonds look the same. When viewed side by side with the same cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, there is no visible difference in brilliance, sparkle, or overall appearance.

This is true for consumers and trained jewelers alike. A jeweler cannot identify the difference by sight alone. Distinguishing between the two requires specialized gemological equipment capable of detecting subtle growth patterns or trace elements formed during creation.

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds have been sold for centuries and considered by many to be the traditional standard in fine jewelry. Lab-grown diamonds, which are also real diamonds, have only become widely available at fine jewelry stores over the last few decades, but are trending in 2026.

Disclaimer: Information regarding value retention and resale is based on historical market trends and is intended for educational purposes only. Future market conditions are unpredictable, and resale value is not guaranteed. Actual value depends on the specific characteristics of the diamond, certification, and current market demand at the time of resale

Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Do lab-grown diamonds get cloudy over time?

No. Lab-grown diamonds do not become cloudy or lose their brilliance over time. Like natural diamonds, they maintain their appearance with proper care and cleaning.

Are lab-grown diamonds as durable as natural diamonds?

Yes. Both lab-grown and natural diamonds rank a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them equally durable for everyday wear.

Do lab-grown diamonds have any resale value?

While lower than natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds do have resale value. You can generally expect to recoup a portion of your original purchase price depending on the stone’s quality, certification, market trends, and the platform you use for the sale.

Resale value also depends on the metal used in the setting. For example, depending on current metal prices, gold and platinum settings have historically retained value independent of the diamond and are often easier to resell or recycle than silver or mixed alloys.

Do lab-grown diamonds come with certifications?

Lab-grown diamonds are graded and certified by the same leading gemological labs as natural diamonds (like GIA or IGI) using the same standards, including cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Can lab-grown diamonds be fancy colors?

Yes, just like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are available in a range of natural and vivid colors, including pinks, blues, and yellows.

Final Thoughts from Your Local Diamond Experts

When trying to decide between buying a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond, neither is better than the other. Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are real diamonds that offer the same brilliance, durability, and beauty. The choice depends on your priorities.

If tradition, rarity, or long-term value matter most, a natural diamond may be the right fit. If you want a larger diamond for less money, or if you have personal concerns about the environment or ethics, a lab-grown diamond might be a better choice.

When you purchase a diamond at Grogan Jewelers by Lon, you don’t have to decide alone. Our team has the experience and knowledge to help you compare options and choose the diamond that’s right for you.

We offer a wide selection of both natural and lab-grown diamonds to choose from that are
all supported by our 3-Point Promise:

• A complimentary lifetime warranty
• An on-site jeweler with same-day repair capabilities
• Interest-free financing with no money down

Visit one of our family-owned and operated locations in Brentwood, Tennessee (close to Nashville), Huntsville, Alabama, or Florence, Alabama (near Muscle Shoals) to compare both options and get trusted guidance from a team with decades of experience guiding customers through the diamond-buying process.