Lab-Grown
vs Natural
“Should I buy a lab-grown or a natural diamond?” It is one of the most common questions we hear — and for good reason. Both are real diamonds. Both sparkle beautifully. Both can be the perfect centrepiece for an engagement ring or a piece of fine jewellery. The difference lies in how they came into being, what they cost, and what they mean to you. This guide lays out the facts so you can make the choice that feels right.
At Aardvark Jewellery, we help customers choose the right diamond — whether lab-grown or natural — from our workshop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Both are real diamonds with real brilliance. This guide lays out the facts so you can make the choice that feels right.
What Are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds formed deep within the earth’s mantle, roughly 150 to 200 kilometres below the surface, under extreme heat and pressure. The process began between one and three billion years ago — long before complex life existed on the planet. Volcanic eruptions eventually carried these crystals closer to the surface, where they are recovered through mining.
Every natural diamond is unique. No two share exactly the same combination of size, shape, colour, and internal characteristics. This individuality, combined with their extraordinary age, is a large part of what gives natural diamonds their enduring emotional and financial value. They have been treasured for centuries as symbols of commitment, status, and permanence.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory using one of two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). Both processes replicate the conditions under which natural diamonds form, producing stones that are physically, chemically, and optically identical to their mined counterparts.
The key difference is time. Where natural diamonds took billions of years to develop, a lab-grown diamond can be created in a matter of weeks. The resulting stone has the same crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and the same brilliance. Even trained gemologists cannot distinguish between the two without specialist equipment.
How Do They Compare?
The similarities between lab-grown and natural diamonds far outweigh the differences, but there are several important points worth understanding before you decide.
Appearance
Identical to the naked eye and under standard gemological magnification. Both exhibit the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation. You will not be able to tell one from the other by looking at it, and neither will anyone else.
Certification
Both can be independently certified by respected grading laboratories such as IGI. The same grading criteria — cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight — apply to both.
Price
Lab-grown diamonds are typically 50–90% less expensive than natural diamonds of equivalent quality and size. For the same budget, you can often choose a noticeably larger or higher-quality lab-grown stone.
Resale Value
Natural diamonds have historically held their value well, with a well-established secondary market, however recently they have begun to decline due to the popularity of lab grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds tend to depreciate more quickly as production technology improves and supply increases, but bear in mind, the cost of them initially is much lower. For example, a lab grown diamond may cost £500 and its equivalent natural £4000. If the lab grown depreciates by 50% and the natural by 20%, you have lost £250 on the lab and £800 on the natural. Therefore, initial price is the main factor when considering depreciation.
Environmental Impact
Lab-grown diamonds avoid land disruption from mining but require significant energy to produce. This energy is often sourced from renewable outlets. Natural diamond producers have made considerable progress in land rehabilitation, carbon neutrality targets, and responsible water management.
Rarity
Natural diamonds are a finite resource — the earth will not produce more in any human timescale. Lab-grown diamonds can be produced in virtually unlimited quantities. For some buyers, geological heritage is an important part of the appeal.
Ethical Considerations
Both lab-grown and natural diamonds can be ethical choices. What matters most is transparency — knowing where your stone came from and how it was produced.
The natural diamond industry has transformed significantly since the introduction of the Kimberley Process in 2003. Today, the vast majority of natural diamonds are sourced responsibly, and many mining operations provide vital employment and infrastructure in their local communities. Lab-grown diamonds sidestep mining concerns entirely, though the energy and labour practices of individual laboratories vary.
Every diamond we sell — whether lab-grown or natural — is conflict-free and fully traceable.
At Aardvark Jewellery, we work with trusted, vetted suppliers from our workshop in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, and we are always happy to tell you where any stone in our collection comes from.
Which Should You Choose?
There is no universally “right” answer — the best choice depends on what matters most to you.
Whichever you choose, you are getting a real diamond with real brilliance. Neither choice is wrong. The most important thing is that your stone feels meaningful to you.
Key Takeaways
Both are real diamonds — lab-grown and natural diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical.
Significant price difference — lab-grown diamonds typically cost 50–90% less than natural diamonds of equivalent quality.
Natural holds value better — natural diamonds have a well-established resale market; lab-grown stones depreciate more quickly.
Ethics depend on sourcing — both can be ethical choices when purchased from a transparent, responsible supplier.
No wrong answer — the best choice depends on your priorities, whether that is budget, heritage, rarity, or values.