Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What's the Difference?
Lab-grown and natural (mined) diamonds look the same, wear the same and are graded on the same 4Cs. Here's how they compare.
| Lab-grown diamond | Natural diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Real diamond, grown in a lab | Real diamond, mined from the earth |
| Look and sparkle | Same | Same |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Grading | 4Cs; we use IGI | 4Cs |
| Price | Typically much lower for the same size | Typically higher |
| Disclosure | Must be labeled lab-grown | Sold as "diamond" |
Can you tell them apart?
Not by eye. Telling a lab-grown diamond from a mined one requires specialized laboratory equipment. That's why disclosure and grading reports matter.
Which should you choose?
If you want the most diamond for your budget, lab-grown is the clear choice. If having a stone formed in the earth matters to you, choose natural. At Jewelexcess, lab-grown pieces always say "Lab-Grown" in their name, and pieces with natural diamonds simply say "Diamond."
Shop lab-grown diamonds · Read: Are lab-grown diamonds real?