Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?

If you’re shopping for a diamond—whether for an engagement ring, a meaningful gift, or just because—you’ve probably encountered two main options: lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds. While they may look the same at first glance, they differ in how they’re made, their pricing,, and even the way people perceive them.

At Buchroeders Jewelers, we offer both options and are here to help you understand the key differences, so you can confidently choose the diamond that’s right for you.

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds, also known as man-made or synthetic and mass-produced diamonds, are created in laboratories that mimic the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions found deep within the Earth. Scientists use advanced technology to grow diamonds from a small carbon seed in just a few weeks.
There are two main methods:

• High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): Recreates the natural diamond formation process by applying extreme pressure and heat.
• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Involves placing a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber and filling it with carbon-rich gas that bonds layer by layer to form a diamond.

The result is a diamond that is physically, chemically, and optically identical to one mined from the Earth.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds are created deep within the Earth’s mantle over a span of one to three billion years. They form under intense pressure and heat, and are brought closer to the surface through volcanic eruptions. These diamonds are then mined, cut, and polished before being set into jewelry.
Their natural origin and ancient age give them a romantic allure and a sense of permanence that many people find emotionally meaningful.

Price Point: Which Is More Affordable?

Price is often a deciding factor when choosing between lab-grown and natural diamonds.

Lab-Grown Diamonds are typically 30% to 50% less expensive than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. This makes an ideal product for buyers who want more size, higher clarity, or custom cuts on a tighter budget. The method offers more value for your investment when size and sparkle are priorities.

Natural Diamonds are priced higher due to their rarity and the time-intensive formation process and are perceived as more valuable and traditional. Market prices can vary based on availability, carat weight, and quality of natural diamonds. 

In short, lab-grown diamonds are often more budget-friendly, while natural diamonds come with higher prestige and long-term value.

Clarity:

Clarity refers to how many inclusions or blemishes a diamond has. These imperfections affect the stone’s overall appearance and price. For more information on clarity visit our Diamond Education page.

Created in controlled settings, lab grown diamonds provide in fewer inclusions.  Labs tend to produce high clarity grades,, which offers, more affordable at higher clarity levels

Natural Diamonds inclusions are naturally formed and part of the stone’s geological history. Each imperfection adds uniqueness, often called a diamond’s “fingerprint.” However, higher clarity grades command significantly higher prices

If you’re focused on getting a clean, nearly flawless stone without exceeding your budget, lab-grown diamonds are often the better option. But if you value the authenticity of naturally formed imperfections, a natural diamond may be more appealing.

Variety: What Shapes and Colors Are Available?

Both types of diamonds are available in a wide range of cuts and colors, but there are key differences.

Lab-Grown Diamonds come in all popular shapes: round, oval, cushion, emerald, and more. Additionally, fancy colored diamonds (blue, pink, yellow) are more affordable and available. A buyer can also customize shapes and sizes and often have them produced on request, making unique and unconventional cuts more readily available to the consumer.

Fancy shapes cut from Natural Diamonds may be harder to find or more expensive.  The cut of a diamond will depend on the size and shape of it in its rough state. Furthermore, naturally occurring colored diamonds are extremely rare and costly. Each natural diamond will be completely unique in shape and hue. 

Lab-grown diamonds offer greater consistency and availability, especially for modern or custom designs. Natural diamonds bring a level of rarity and individuality that’s hard to replicate.

Ethics and Sustainability

Ethical sourcing and sustainability are top concerns for many modern diamond buyers.

Created in a lab without mining, means minimal environmental disruption, but they do give off substantial carbon emissions.  All lab-grown diamonds are fully traceable from lab to showroom, so there’s no worries about poor mining practices. 

On the other hand, at Buchroeders, we only source conflict-free natural diamonds through verified ethical channels. Modern, reputable mining operations will often support local communities and environmental initiatives.  Buyers look for certification to ensure ethical sourcing and Buchroeders provides it. Ethical natural diamonds still hold strong appeal for buyers who value origin and tradition.

Pros and Cons of Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Still unsure about your options? Here’s a quick breakdown of the comparisons of natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.

Which Diamond Is Right for You?