Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds
The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about two of the world’s most remarkable stones — their origins, value, cost, and the truth behind each choice.
For centuries, a diamond was a single, singular thing — born of the earth, impossibly rare, and deeply symbolic. Today, the market offers a second option: a diamond grown in weeks, in a laboratory, that is chemically and physically identical. The question is no longer which is “real.” Both are. The question is: which is right for you?
Natural Diamonds
Forged over billions of years beneath the Earth’s surface under extreme heat and pressure. Each stone is a geological marvel — uniquely imperfect, entirely unrepeatable, and imbued with natural history.
Lab Grown Diamonds
Created using advanced CVD or HPHT technology, replicating the exact conditions that form natural diamonds. The result is a chemically identical stone — with the same carbon lattice structure, hardness, and brilliance.
How Each Diamond Comes to Be
Billions of Years in the Making
Natural diamonds form 100 miles below Earth’s surface, where temperatures exceed 2,200°F and pressures reach 725,000 pounds per square inch. Carbon atoms crystallize over 1–3 billion years, then volcanic eruptions bring them closer to the surface via kimberlite pipes. Mining, sorting, cutting, and polishing complete the journey.
Weeks, Not Billions of Years
Lab diamonds are created through two primary methods: CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) — where a diamond seed is placed in a carbon-rich gas chamber and layers of diamond crystal build up — or HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) — which mimics Earth’s natural conditions in a controlled environment. Both produce genuine diamond crystal structures.
The 4 Cs Still Apply
Natural diamonds are graded identically to lab diamonds on Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. GIA, IGI, and HRD certifications apply to both. The grading system itself does not distinguish origin — only the certificate notation does.
Chemically Indistinguishable
A lab diamond is not a simulant (like moissanite or cubic zirconia). It is pure crystalline carbon — 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, with the same refractive index and optical properties as a mined diamond. Only advanced spectroscopic equipment can identify the difference.
The Complete Comparison
| Attribute | 🌍 Natural Diamond | 🔬 Lab Grown Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% crystalline carbon | 100% crystalline carbon |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 — hardest natural material | 10 — identical hardness |
| Brilliance & Fire | Exceptional; nature-formed | Exceptional; identical optical properties |
| Origin | Earth’s mantle, mined | Laboratory reactor (CVD or HPHT) |
| Formation Time | 1–3 billion years | 2–12 weeks |
| Rarity | Rare; finite supply | Not rare; producible on demand |
| Price (1ct, G/VS2) | $5,000 – $8,000+ | $800 – $2,000 |
| Resale Value | Retains 20–50% of value; appreciates over decades | Very low resale market; depreciating rapidly |
| Environmental Impact | Mining disturbs ecosystems; ongoing industry reforms | Lower land disruption; high energy consumption |
| Certification | GIA, IGI, HRD — fully certifiable | IGI, GCAL — fully certifiable; noted on cert |
| Detectability | Unique inclusions; natural growth patterns | Requires specialized spectroscopy to detect |
| Ethical Concerns | Conflict-free sourcing now standard (Kimberley Process) | No mining conflict concerns |
| Symbolic Value | Deeply embedded cultural & sentimental significance | Growing acceptance; especially with younger buyers |
| Customisation | Limited to what nature provides | Colour & size can be more precisely controlled |
Understanding the Cost Difference
Lab grown diamonds currently sell for 60–85% less than their natural counterparts of equivalent grade. Here’s how the price gap looks across common specifications.
*Approximate retail prices. Actual pricing varies by supplier, cut quality, and market conditions. Contact Shreeji Diamond for accurate wholesale pricing.
Honest Pros & Cons
Natural Diamonds
- Unmatched rarity — each stone is one-of-a-kind
- Strong historical resale and investment value
- Deeply symbolic cultural and emotional significance
- Heirloom quality — passes down through generations
- Unique inclusions serve as natural “fingerprints”
- Significantly higher price point
- Mining still carries environmental and ethical complexities
- Less size/colour flexibility for budget-conscious buyers
Lab Grown Diamonds
- 60–85% lower cost for identical visual quality
- More sustainable — no large-scale land mining
- Conflict-free by origin
- Allows larger carat size within a given budget
- Certified by IGI, GCAL — fully transparent
- Rapidly declining resale value
- Not rare — supply is unlimited
- Still energy-intensive to produce
- Some buyers find them less emotionally resonant
“At Shreeji Diamond, we believe both natural and lab grown diamonds have their place. A natural diamond carries the story of the Earth itself. A lab grown diamond offers that same beauty with greater accessibility. The right choice depends on what a stone means to you.”
— Shreeji Diamond, Bangkok · Since 2000Which Diamond Is Right for You?
Choose Natural If You…
- Value rarity and the romance of a billion-year journey
- Are buying for investment or long-term asset value
- Want to pass it down as a family heirloom
- Appreciate the unique character of natural inclusions
- Are purchasing for a cultural ceremony where origin matters
- Want the prestige associated with a mined diamond
Choose Lab Grown If You…
- Want maximum size and sparkle within your budget
- Prioritize ethical and environmental considerations
- Are buying for personal everyday jewellery
- Prefer a larger, more impressive stone at a lower price
- Are a younger buyer for whom tradition matters less
- Want a conflict-free stone with full certification
Find Your Perfect Diamond
with Shreeji Diamond
Bangkok-based natural diamond manufacturers with over 30 years of expertise. We offer both natural and lab grown diamonds, GIA & IGI certified, across all shapes and carat sizes.