Craighill

FAQ: What is the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds grown in a laboratory environment which replicates the conditions of earth’s natural diamond formation process. Regarding their chemical composition, lab-grown and mined natural diamonds are indistinguishable.

Lab-grown and natural mined diamonds are the exact same, they only differ in origin.

Lab-grown diamonds can only be identified as such in a laboratory environment and cannot be told apart by the human eye or even a microscope. Natural diamonds form in all directions whereas lab grown diamonds form upwards on a flat surface. As a result, lab grown diamonds have a slightly different internal graining which can only be identified by special laboratorial equipment which tests the diamond’s formation direction.

The production of lab-grown diamonds is still a process of great intricacy. It takes approximately one week for a lab-grown diamond that is 1.00ct in weight to form. The initial set up costs for a laboratory as well as the shorter time it takes to produce lab-grown diamonds over the excavation process of natural diamonds results in lab-grown diamonds being less expensive.

Both natural and lab-grown diamonds undergo the exact same cutting and certification process. Lab-grown diamonds are carefully cut, polished, inspected, and certified the same way a natural diamond is. All of our diamonds both lab-grown and natural come with either GIA (The Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (The International Gemological Institute) certificates.

Have further questions or inquiries? Book an appointment to speak with our certified gemologist and jewelry designer here.