Mined Vs Lab Grown

A Personal Perspective

When I first entered the jewellery industry back in 2009, the only diamonds and gemstones I worked with were natural mined stones. It wasn’t until 2019 that I sold my first laboratory grown diamond, as we got asked more and more to supply them. In those years, I’ve witnessed countless conversations about the two types of diamonds, and in my experience, the industry often focuses on the wrong things when comparing them.

As a jeweller committed to providing customers with beautiful pieces that suit their individual needs, it’s not our place to dictate which is "better" — both natural and laboratory grown diamonds come with their own considerations. Our role is to help you find the best diamond within your budget and in line with what you’re looking for. We don’t believe in perpetuating notions that a natural diamond is the only choice. This mindset is elitist and also misleading. Natural diamonds aren’t as rare as some would have you believe.

What excites me most about laboratory grown diamonds is how they’ve made diamond engagement rings accessible to so many more people. A decade ago, owning a 2ct natural diamond ring was out of reach for many, but now, thanks to lab-grown diamonds, that dream is within grasp for more couples than ever before. It’s wonderful to see how the beauty of diamonds is no longer a luxury enjoyed by just a small percentage of people — it’s now an option for many. Lab grown Diamonds also lend themselves perfectly to beautiful occasional jewellery such as earrings, tennis bracelets and diamond necklaces. These pieces would have been priced out of reach for many consumers when only natural diamonds were used, but are now accessible to many thanks to lab grown diamonds (and gemstones).

Can you tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds?

To the naked eye, laboratory grown and natural diamonds look exactly the same. They have the same chemical composition, hardness, durability, and refraction index. As a result, they sparkle just as brilliantly. After looking at thousands of both over the years, I can confidently say that if the diamond is well-cut and clear, there’s no visual difference between them. Most jewellers can only tell the difference by checking the laser inscription on the girdle of the stone that will give the diamond grading report number.

Mined diamonds tend to have more character - by this I mean natural inclusions within the stone, and hints of colour. The ever improving technology used with lab grown diamonds means they all look more or less the same - bright white, free from obvious inclusions. This can be a consideration if someone is looking for a quirky, characterful stone.

Are laboratory grown diamonds more environmentally friendly and sustainable?

Although there's no official definition for sustainability, it generally refers to the use of a resource in a responsible manner. Within the lab grown diamond sector we can see a lot of greenwashing happening where sweeping statements are made about how lab grown diamonds are totally eco friendly and the ethical choice for consumers.

Diamond mining isn't considered sustainable. There's a limited amount of this material in the Earth. Mining at current rates will one day deplete this resource. Open-pit diamond mining displaces millions of tonnes of earth and can destroy local eco-systems. On the other hand, lab-created diamonds are far less limited. The ingredients for producing diamonds through both high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes are available in much greater quantities.

Producing diamonds in a lab is also less damaging to ecosystems, wildlife, and human populations than mining diamonds. Lab grown diamonds have less of an impact on their immediate surroundings than mined diamonds.

It is true however than manufacturing lab grown diamonds uses vast amounts of electricity and energy often powered by fossil fuels. I only work with suppliers who have been certified by a third party to be using sustainable practices and are carbon neutral or working towards being so.

Are natural diamonds a good investment?

Due to some clever marketing, the notion that a diamond is an investment has been perpetuated falsly for many years. Like a car, a diamond ring is a depreciating asset since it loses a large portion of its value the second you buy it. A diamond ring is bought to be worn, loved and hopefully passed down to the next generation. It shouldn’t be purchased with the thought that it may appreciate in value. Natural diamond prices have declined steadily over the past number of years due to the increasing popularity of lab grown diamonds. Unless you are purchasing a beautiful rare coloured diamond, or exceptionally high specification white diamond, and buying them from the right people, you are unlikely to see a return on your investment. Gold prices on the other hand have been increasing month on month for a number of years now and is seen as a much safer investment.

Both natural and laboratory grown diamonds have their merits. Neither is an "investment" in the traditional sense, and both are equally beautiful, sparkling symbols of love and commitment. The choice ultimately depends on your priorities — whether that’s the sentimental value of a natural diamond, the cost savings and size options of a lab-grown diamond, or the ethical considerations that matter most to you.

At the end of the day, buy what feels right for you and your budget, and let the true value of your diamond lie in the moments and memories it will create, rather than in any financial return.