When it comes to choosing a Diamond, you may have heard about Laboratory Grown Diamonds, both these and Natural Diamonds are beautiful in their own way. When thinking about which to choose, it comes down to you as a buyer, what you value and what you are looking for.
For us at Allum and Sidaway, we will always champion Natural Diamonds for their rarity, intrinsic beauty and their fascinating journey. Laboratory Grown diamonds have their place too and it’s important that you understand the difference between them and choose the one that is right for you. As Your Diamond Destination, our team of diamond experts are on hand to help you find the perfect diamond for every occasion.
So which to choose? We’ve outlined the differences below in our easy to understand guide to help you gain a better understanding of Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds.
The Creation of the Diamond
The main difference between Natural and Lab Grown diamonds is how they are made. Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years, deep within the Earth. That rarity gives them a unique emotional and material value which we think adds to the romance of these exquisite stones. Laboratory Grown are created in a lab, just as their name suggests. They are grown using advanced technology that mimics natural conditions in just a few weeks!
What are the Diamonds Made of?
Both Natural and Laboratory Grown diamonds are 100% carbon and have exactly the same physical, chemical and optical properties. In fact to the naked eye they are visually identical. Trained gemmologists need specialist tools to tell them apart. As they are made of the same properties they both have exactly the same types of inclusions and lasting hardness.
Prices to suit all budgets
It's no secret that Lab Grown Diamonds carry a cheaper price tag than Natural Diamonds, generally 30-70% cheaper. However, whilst natural diamonds’ value may increase over time, the price of Lab Grown Diamonds has become lower in the past couple of years, as production expands & improves, and they become more widely available . On this basis, resale value for Lab grown diamonds is uncertain.
So if you’re looking at your diamond as an investment that you can treasure for generations to come, Natural Diamonds would be the unparalleled choice.
Lab Grown Diamonds is becoming a popular choice, not just for rings but for pendants, earrings and bracelets too. Lab Grown makes for affordable prices so please do let our team know if you see something you like but would prefer Laboratory Grown Diamonds.
Environmental differences
Laboratory Grown diamonds are generally seen as a more ethical and environmentally friendly option. That said, the energy used can vary depending on the production methods of the diamond. As you might imagine it takes an incredible amount of energy to grow a diamond. With naturally mined diamonds; there are different environmental factors to consider from the mining operation, but these are also often accompanied by educational, health, housing infrastructure that can improve the lives of whole communities.
