LAB-GROWN VS. NATURAL DIAMONDS
A Gemological Perspective
A Guide from Owner Dave Hall
After more than 40 years in the diamond business, I’ve been witness to a lot of growth and development within the industry. I attained the title of Senior Member Master Gemologist Appraiser through the American Society of Appraisers in the late ’80s and have I’ve spent my career working with both local Seattle clients and customers around the world since to curate and create the highest quality jewelry pieces — engagement rings, tennis bracelets, necklaces, studs and more — that hold memories, commemorate important milestones and celebrate joyful occasions.
We select and sell both natural, conflict-free mined diamonds as well as lab-grown diamonds at Seattle Diamonds. As a client-focused business owner, I feel it’s my responsibility to share my knowledge and provide you with information to make the right decision in your journey.
A Tale of Two Sources
Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, where they have taken 1-3 billion years to form deep beneath the surface, under immense heat and pressure.
Lab-grown diamonds are created over 3-4 weeks in labs in China, India and Singapore by methods that simulate natural diamond formation.
Differences — and Similarities
Lab-grown diamonds have similar physical properties to natural diamonds and may appear identical to the naked eye but can be distinguished with specialized equipment. The patterns created by the rapid production of diamonds in labs cannot fully mimic the exact octahedral growth pattern in natural diamonds.
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are extremely hard and durable, sharing the highest rating on the Mohs scale (10).
Both kinds of diamonds exhibit similar brilliance and fire.
Specialty or fancy color diamonds can easily be created in lab-grown diamonds, whereas they are very rarely found naturally. Fancy color natural diamonds sell for high prices due to their rarity.
Looking for a quick breakdown chart? Find a summary below.
Impact and Footprint
Many people assume that lab-grown diamonds are inherently lower impact and more ethical than natural diamonds. However, it’s a much more complicated discussion. The energy footprint required to grow diamonds in labs is substantial, requiring a large amount of electricity and water throughout the process. Because the majority of labs are based in locations that rely on fossil fuels like coal to fire power plants, I have concerns about their heightened emissions. Lower regulations in these countries also potentially allow for the release of contaminants through the water used to cool the labs’ machinery. There are some labs that now work under zero-footprint claims with full carbon neutrality. This is a developing subset of the industry, one that I imagine will continue developing.
Mining of any product comes with environmental impact, though the diamond industry has taken many steps to reduce its footprint and to make efforts to replenish the locations from which the stones are taken, such as reforestation. However, this offset is difficult to measure, and so it is not simple to compare the two sources’ impacts, though many sources claim to. These comparisons don’t always take the full process of mining or lab production into consideration. This is an ongoing challenge, one steeped in issues.
Cost and Value
Lab-grown diamonds are generally much lower in cost than natural diamonds, and their value continues to drop as the market is flooded with more and more product as supply rises. Many retailers receive a very high margin on lab-created diamond sales, which retain little to no resale value and can be thought of as a consumable luxury good only.
Natural diamond prices are heavily influenced by the major producers of the market and depend on the quality of the piece. The natural diamonds I source are at Seattle Diamonds are ideal cuts that showcase the best quality possible and retain their value over time.
These thoughtful pieces can also be a powerful cultural and emotional investment for our clients, symbolizing love, commitment and longevity as they bring together partners, families and future generations.
My Recommendation
My intent is to help you find the right diamond — one that will bring you long-term happiness and value, not just a moment in time — providing meaning and value to you and your loved ones. Contact Seattle Diamonds today to discuss what type of diamond is right for you. We’re so excited to work with you.
