Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds
As part of our promise to you, we offer both natural and lab grown diamonds for our couture collection and bespoke jewellery. Laboratory diamonds have risen in popularity due to their affordability and have made the world of diamonds more accessible - which we love!
How are they made?
All diamonds are made up of tightly fused carbon atoms that have been subjected to intense heat and pressure. For natural diamonds, this process happens over millions of years deep within the earth’s crust. For lab diamonds, this process is simulated in a machine called a ‘press’ and takes just a matter of weeks.
It all starts with a slither of a natural diamond which is subjected to intense heat and pressure, after which a rough diamond is produced. This rough diamond is then cut, polished, graded and certificated - just like a natural diamond. We use only Type 2A lab grown diamonds which are chemically the most pure. Lab diamonds are chemically, structurally and visually identical to mined diamonds. The only difference is the origin and price!
Your Choice
Both natural and lab diamonds are visually, chemically and structurally identical - even a trained gemologist cannot tell them apart without specialised equipment. A good analogy is lab grown diamonds are like ice from your refrigerator, while natural diamonds are like ice from a glacier.
Ultimately, the choice between lab grown and mined diamonds depends on individual preferences, values, and priorities. Some will prioritise ethical considerations and cost savings, while others may place a higher value on the rarity and provenance of mined diamonds.
Lab diamonds sparkle just the same as mined diamonds, once they have been cut correctly. We offer IGI and GIA certificated lab grown diamonds. The lower price point of lab diamonds often means you may be able to purchase a larger and better quality diamond.
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Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! They are made of tightly-bonded carbon atoms, just like natural diamonds except it’s in a lab instead of in the earth's crust. They respond to light in the same way and are just as hard as natural diamonds. Lab diamonds are then cut, polished, graded and certificated - just like a natural diamond.
Yes they are. Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds also measure 10 on Moh’s Scale of hardness.
Yes, and we advise you to always buy a diamond with a certificate. We only work with GIA and IGI certificated lab grown diamonds. Once the GIA started certificating lab diamonds, we knew they were here to stay! Lab diamonds are graded by size, colour, cut and clarity just like natural diamonds.
Lab diamonds can be significantly less expensive than mined diamonds. It depends mainly on the carat weight - there is less of a price difference with smaller diamonds, but with larger solitaires for example, the price difference can be dramatic. We can offer your jewellery quotation with both natural and lab grown diamonds.
Natural diamonds are considered to be more valuable than lab grown diamonds due to their rarity and geological origin. As lab diamonds become more popular and available, their long term value may not hold up as well as a natural diamond.
