The Difference Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds

Hingham Jewelers offers both lab grown, and natural, diamonds. We want our clients to be educated about each, so they can make the decision that's best for them.

What is a Lab-Created Diamond?

A lab-created, or lab-grown, diamond is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a stone that is man-made in a laboratory. It can typically be created in a matter of weeks.

Natural diamonds, which you’ll see filling our showcases, form over millions of years, deep within the earth. The process requires extremely high pressure and high temperatures.

The chemical composition of a lab-created diamond, and a natural diamond, is virtually the same. The main difference is how it forms, and how long that formation takes.

How Can You Tell a Diamond is Lab-Created?

With the naked eye, identifying a natural diamond from a lab-created diamond is almost impossible.

Under a microscope, you can see many lab-created stones are laser inscribed with “LG” indicating they are laboratory grown.

Without an inscription, rigorous testing must be done on a stone to confirm its origin.

The nonprofit Gemological Institute of America, the authority on stone quality and certification, is one lab that does this testing. Any stone that is lab created will be labeled as such on an official grading report.

What are the Pros of a Lab-Created Diamond?

Since lab-created stones can be grown by scientists over the course of weeks, the cost of lab-created stones is far lower than natural diamonds. That allows customers to potentially get a larger stone for a lower cost.

Some customers also feel as though lab-created diamonds offer a more sustainable option, since natural stones take millions of years for the earth to create.

What are the Cons of a Lab-Created Diamond?

Lab-created diamonds have dropped in value, as production continues to increase. If you aren't aware of this at the time of purchase, it can be an unpleasant surprise. Lab-created stones can be equated to something like a big screen television--the price goes down year after year as the technology becomes more advanced, and less expensive to produce.

Some couples also find lab-created diamonds "less romantic" since they are grown in a lab by human intervention, as compared to natural diamonds which form on their own over the course of millions of years.

Is Cubic Zirconia the Same as a Lab-Created Diamond?

No! Cubic zirconia, which many people know as a CZ, is not the same as a lab-created diamond. An imitation diamond, like a CZ, has a different chemical makeup. Remember, lab-created diamonds have essentially the same chemical properties as a natural diamond.

So Should I Buy a Lab-Created Diamond?

You should only purchase a lab-created diamond if you are fully educated on what you are purchasing.

At Hingham Jewelers we pride ourselves on being upfront with anyone who shops with us. We will walk you through the pros and cons of a lab-created stone, as we have done here, until you feel comfortable making a decision.

To start your diamond search, schedule a consult with one of our bridal specialists. We recommend you make an appointment so we have time devoted just to you.