We get this question more than almost any other: should I choose a lab-grown diamond or a natural one?
The short answer is that both are real diamonds. They have the same crystal structure, the same hardness (Mohs 10), and the same brilliance. A trained gemologist cannot tell them apart without specialized equipment. The differences come down to how they were made, what they cost, and what matters most to you.
We work with both lab-grown and natural diamonds every day in our Colorado studio, so we have a practical perspective on this question. Here is what we think you should know.
They Are the Same Material
This is the most important thing to understand: lab-grown diamonds are not imitations. They are not cubic zirconia, moissanite, or crystal. They are diamonds, made of pure crystallized carbon arranged in the same atomic structure as any diamond pulled from the earth.
The Federal Trade Commission updated its definition of "diamond" to include lab-grown stones, and both the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute) certify them using the same grading criteria. When you hold a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond side by side, they look, feel, and perform identically.
At Erin Gallagher Jewelry, our lab-grown and natural diamonds are both hand-selected for G+ color and VS-F+ clarity. We apply the same quality standard regardless of origin.
How They Are Made
Natural diamonds formed billions of years ago, deep in the Earth's mantle under extreme heat and pressure. Volcanic activity eventually brought them closer to the surface, where they are mined from rock formations called kimberlite pipes.
Lab-grown diamonds are created using one of two methods. The HPHT process (High Pressure, High Temperature) places a small diamond seed in a chamber with a carbon source and subjects it to conditions similar to those found deep underground. The CVD process (Chemical Vapor Deposition) uses carbon-rich gas in a sealed chamber, depositing carbon atoms onto the seed layer by layer. Both methods produce a finished diamond in a matter of weeks.
The resulting stones are chemically, physically, and optically identical. The only reliable way to tell them apart is with specialized laboratory equipment that detects subtle differences in growth patterns and trace elements.
How Price Compares
This is where the biggest practical difference shows up. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost significantly less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. Prices have come down further over the past several years as production capacity has increased.
What that means for you: if your priority is getting the largest or highest-quality diamond for your budget, lab-grown gives you more room. If you are shopping for a tennis bracelet, a pair of studs, or an anniversary band where total carat weight adds up quickly, the savings can be substantial.
In our collection, many pieces are available in both options. For example, our tennis bracelets, hoop earrings, and anniversary bands can be configured with either lab-grown or natural diamonds, so you can compare directly.
Durability and Longevity
Both types of diamond rate a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. That makes them the hardest natural substance known and the most durable option for jewelry that gets worn every day. Lab-grown diamonds do not fade, cloud, or degrade over time. They will look exactly the same in 50 years as they do today.
Care instructions are the same for both: clean with mild soap and warm water using a soft brush, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia, and store pieces individually to prevent them from scratching softer gemstones.
The Value Question
Natural diamonds hold their value differently than lab-grown diamonds. Because natural diamonds are finite (no new ones are being formed on any human timescale), they maintain a price floor supported by scarcity. Lab-grown diamonds can be produced in increasing quantities, which is why their prices have trended downward over time.
This matters most if resale value is a priority for you. If you are buying a piece to wear and keep for years, the daily experience of wearing it is identical either way. If you are buying with the idea that the stone should hold or appreciate in value, natural is the stronger choice.
Our honest take: most of our customers are buying diamond jewelry to wear, to mark a moment, or to give as a gift. For those purposes, both options deliver.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
Lab-grown diamonds avoid the environmental disruption of mining, and their production does not involve the labor concerns sometimes associated with diamond mines in certain regions. That said, growing diamonds in a lab requires significant energy, and the environmental footprint depends on how that energy is sourced.
Natural diamond mining has also evolved. Many major producers have adopted stricter environmental and labor standards, and certification programs like the Kimberley Process address conflict diamond concerns.
Neither option is perfect, and the best choice depends on what matters most to you. At our studio, we use recycled precious metals across our entire collection regardless of which diamond type you choose.
How We Work with Both
We started offering lab-grown diamonds because our customers asked for them, and because we believe in giving people real choices. Here is how we approach it:
- Both options are hand-selected to the same quality standard: G+ color, VS-F+ clarity
- Both are set in 14K gold (yellow, white, or rose) and handcrafted in our Colorado studio
- Product listings clearly indicate "Diamond-Lab" or "Diamond-Nat" so you always know what you are getting
- Many pieces, including our bracelets, earrings, and bands, are available in both
If you want to mix and match, that works too. Some customers choose natural diamonds for milestone pieces like an engagement ring or anniversary band, and lab-grown for everyday jewelry like studs or layering necklaces. There is no wrong way to do it.
Quick Comparison
| Lab-Grown | Natural | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon | Pure carbon |
| Hardness | Mohs 10 | Mohs 10 |
| Brilliance | Identical | Identical |
| Certification | GIA / IGI | GIA / IGI |
| Price | Significantly lower | Higher |
| Resale value | Lower, trending down | Stronger long-term |
| Origin | Lab (weeks) | Earth (billions of years) |
| Environmental impact | No mining; energy-intensive | Mining; improving standards |
The Bottom Line
If someone tells you lab-grown diamonds are fake, they are wrong. If someone tells you natural diamonds are overpriced, that is an oversimplification. Both are real diamonds with real beauty, and the right choice depends entirely on your priorities: budget, values, sentiment, or some combination of all three.
We are happy to help you decide. Browse our full diamond collection to compare options, design something custom through our GemBar, or reach out if you want a jeweler's perspective on your specific situation.
Every piece ships gift-ready from our studio in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Free shipping on orders over $150.
For stone-specific buying guides and care instructions, visit our Birthstone Guides resource.