Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds

The same material, a different origin

A laboratory-grown diamond is not an imitation. It is crystallised carbon with the same cubic lattice as a mined diamond, the same 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the same refractive index and the same dispersion. Optically, chemically and physically it is a diamond.

What separates the two is where and how quickly the crystal formed: over billions of years beneath the earth's mantle, or over weeks inside a reactor. That difference is invisible in the finished stone but decisive in the price.

Shop lab-grown diamonds

Side by side

Attribute	Lab grown	Natural

How lab grown diamonds are made

Two production methods dominate. Both yield genuine diamond; they differ in the conditions used to persuade carbon to crystallise.

HPHT - High Pressure, High Temperature

HPHT recreates the conditions of the earth's mantle. A small diamond seed is placed with pure carbon into a press that applies immense pressure at temperatures well beyond a thousand degrees Celsius. The carbon melts and crystallises onto the seed. It is the older of the two methods and remains widely used.

CVD - Chemical Vapour Deposition

CVD takes the opposite approach: low pressure, high control. A seed plate sits in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is energised into a plasma, freeing carbon atoms that settle onto the seed and build the crystal layer by layer. The finer control over the growth environment is why CVD is favoured for high-purity material.

Which one should you choose?

There is no universally correct answer - the two serve different priorities.

Choose lab grown if

Size and quality per unit of spend is the priority. The same budget reaches a significantly larger stone, a higher clarity grade, or both. It is also the practical route for matched sets and calibrated goods, where consistency across many stones matters and natural supply is unpredictable.

Start with lab-grown

Choose natural if

Rarity and long-term value retention matter more than carat weight. A mined diamond carries a geological provenance that cannot be reproduced, and the secondary market for natural stones is far more established.

Start with natural

Frequently asked questions

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. A laboratory-grown diamond is pure crystallised carbon with the same cubic crystal structure as a mined diamond. It has identical hardness, refractive index, dispersion and thermal conductivity. It is a diamond in every material sense - the difference is where it formed.

Can a jeweller tell the difference between lab grown and natural?

Not with the unaided eye or a standard loupe. Distinguishing them requires specialised laboratory instruments that detect differences in growth patterns, strain and trace elements. This is precisely why reputable lab grown stones are laser-inscribed and certified.

How much cheaper are lab grown diamonds?

Laboratory-grown diamonds typically sell for substantially less than mined diamonds of comparable grade - commonly a fraction of the price. The exact gap moves with production capacity and market conditions, so always compare current per-carat pricing at the specific grade you need.

What is the difference between CVD and HPHT?

Both produce genuine diamond. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) recreates the pressure and heat of the earth's mantle. CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) grows a crystal layer by layer from carbon-rich gas in a vacuum chamber, which gives finer control over purity.

Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?

Resale value for laboratory-grown diamonds is generally lower than for natural stones, and the category is younger, so long-term secondary-market data is limited. Buyers prioritising size and clarity per unit of spend tend to choose lab grown; buyers prioritising rarity tend to choose natural.