Lab-grown and natural diamonds, explained.
What separates the two, how the 4Cs work, and how to read a grading report, so you can choose with confidence.
Same crystal. Different story.
Neither choice is wrong. Some clients want a stone with geological history; others want a larger diamond for the same budget.
Natural vs lab-grown at a glance.
| Natural | Lab-grown | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed in the earth over millions of years | Grown in a laboratory over a few weeks |
| Composition | Pure carbon crystal | Pure carbon crystal, identical |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Grading report | GIA | IGI |
| Price | Higher for the same size and grade | Lower for the same size and grade |
| Resale | Holds some value on the secondary market | Limited resale market |
How diamonds are graded.
The 4Cs, in plain terms.
Cut
How well the diamond is shaped to return light. Cut has the largest effect on sparkle, so we never trade it away to save money.
Colour
How colourless the stone is, graded D to Z. Stones in the G to J range look white once set, especially in yellow or rose gold.
Clarity
How many natural marks are inside or on the stone. Most clients choose a grade where nothing is visible without magnification.
Carat
The weight of the diamond. Two stones of the same weight can look different in size depending on shape and cut.
Shapes we work with.
Shape changes the whole character of a ring. These are the cuts we source most often, and we can find others on request.
Diamond questions.
See all questionsCan you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural one by eye?
No. They look the same; only specialized testing equipment can tell them apart.
Which grades give good value for money?
An excellent cut with colour and clarity just above where flaws become visible usually gives the most look for the money. We show you examples at your consultation.
Do your diamonds come with reports?
Yes. Natural centre stones come with a GIA report and lab-grown centre stones with an IGI report.
See the difference in person.
We bring natural and lab-grown stones to your consultation so you can compare them side by side. Bring any old jewellery too: we accept it as a trade-in toward your new diamond.