Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

Nature’s Difference No. 1:
Natural diamonds were created by the heat and pressure of the Earth, from 1 to 3 billion years ago. Unlike natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are produced with microwave reactors in a matter of only a few weeks.

Nature's Difference No. 2:
The value of natural diamonds comes from their uniqueness and rarity as a billion-year-old gem. Laboratory-grown diamonds can be manufactured much more quickly than the natural process that took millions of years to form natural diamonds. Through rapid technological developments, a one carat lab-grown diamond can be produced in three to five days or up to two weeks. Natural diamonds on the other hand are rare and finite, the total amount of natural diamonds 1 carat and larger recovered in a year would only fill one exercise ball. This is why most people would only consider a natural diamond to be an heirloom.

Nature's Difference No. 3:
Natural diamond companies are committed to controlling and reducing their environmental impact, as well as protecting, through conservation projects three times more land than they use. Researchers are using the rocks in which diamonds are found called kimberlite to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, in a ground-breaking research program with the aim to reach carbon neutrality within this decade.
The environmental impact of a one carat polished natural diamond is about the same as the environmental impact in manufacturing 3 smartphones.

Nature's Difference No. 4:
Every natural diamond is unique, like a fingerprint. Just like everything in nature, no two natural diamonds are identical, unlike mass-produced lab-created diamonds or synthetic diamonds.

Nature's Difference No. 5:
The natural diamond industry supports the livelihood of 10 million people globally. Together, the world’s leading diamond producers create $16 billion net positive socioeconomic and environmental benefits annually in countries where they operate–80% of which stays within local communities.* Learn more here.

Find more information about natural diamonds at https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/

Lab-Grown Evidence #1:
Lab-Grown diamonds are composed of the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds. In fact, it requires very specialized equipment to distinguish between them. Beeghly and Co. Jewelers has invested in this equipment for our Gemological Lab and our staff of gemologists are trained to discern the differences.

Lab-Grown Evidence #2:
Lab-Grown diamonds can be graded at independent gem labs using the same criteria as natural diamonds. Lab-Grown diamonds available for sale should be accompanied by a grading report or inscribed on the diamond identifying them as such.

Lab-Grown Evidence #3:
At present there are two procedures for “creating” lab-grown diamonds: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). While both methods produce large numbers of diamonds in a matter of weeks, they sometimes exhibit differing degrees of Phosphorescence (after being exposed to UV light it will glow a different color – usually blue or orange) or Nuance (blue tint). Currently GIA is not listing either effect on their grading reports. Also, up to 70% of CVD diamonds receive Post Growth Treatment to remove noticeable brown or yellow tints. The treatment is stable and is not affected by heat from a jeweler’s torch or steam cleaner. Post Growth Treatment is listed on GIA & IGI grading reports under the additional comments section.

Lab-Grown Evidence #4:
While the costs associated with “Lab-Grown Diamond” production are much lower than typical natural diamond mining, they do require large amounts of energy. Efforts towards sustainability through climate neutrality initiatives and clean technology are being made by ethically concerned companies.

Lab-Grown Evidence #5:
Lab-Grown Diamond purchasers can reasonably expect to pay between 1/3 and 1/4 of the price of nature diamonds. As production of Lab-Grown Diamonds increases, expectations are the prices may continue to drop. An important fact to consider, the resale value of Lab-Grown diamonds is uncertain.

Find more detailed information on Lab-Grown diamonds, via the GIA website here: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/laboratory-grown-diamond/