How Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Compare to Real Diamonds?

If you’re buying diamonds, there are many different factors you’ll need to consider. How many carats do you want it to be? Would an emerald or princess cut be better?

What about whether or not it’s grown in a lab? In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have exploded in popularity. While they were once considered by many to be inferior, today, they’re widely used and accepted.

But how do lab-created diamonds stack up to the real thing? That’s what we’re going to be looking at today. Read on for a comprehensive lab vs natural diamonds comparison.

Lab vs Natural Diamonds

Obviously, the biggest difference between lab-grown diamonds and real diamonds is their provenance. Natural diamonds are found near the earth’s surface in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, and China. Mining techniques are used to retrieve them.

Lab diamonds, meanwhile, are created inside a machine that uses extreme pressure and heat. The machine replicates the conditions under which real diamonds are created.

Another big difference is the price. A real diamond can be as much as three times more expensive than a lab-grown diamond. This is because mined diamonds are so rare and tricky to source.

The look of both types of diamonds is very similar. You’ll almost never be able to tell the difference between real diamonds and lab-created diamonds. An expert with a magnifying glass might be able to distinguish the two, but that’s it.

If you’d like to check out some shining examples of lab-grown diamonds for yourself, you can shop Noah James Jewellery here. You’ll see they look exactly like diamonds, and the same is true when you’re looking at them up close.

In terms of toughness, how do the two differ? In fact, lab diamonds and real diamonds are exactly as tough as each other. Diamonds are the toughest substance known to man, and this is true of both natural and lab-grown versions.

Why Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Now that we’ve finished our comparison let’s look at some of the reasons people choose to buy lab-grown diamonds. While being indistinguishable to the naked eye from real diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are available at a fraction of the cost. This is a big motivator for many people.

As well as this, the diamond industry can be somewhat problematic at times. When you buy a lab-grown diamond, you can be sure it was ethically sourced. The same can’t always be said for mined diamonds.

Picking the Perfect Piece of Jewelry

Whether you’re talking about real diamonds or lab-grown diamonds, the purchase of precious gems represents a big investment. That’s why you should think long and hard before deciding what type of jewelry—and what kind of diamond—you really want.

If you’re looking for more beauty, fashion, or style tips, we’ve got plenty for you. Check out the rest of our articles on these topics now.