Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds

Lab-grown and natural diamonds are chemically and optically identical, sharing the same crystal structure and brilliance, having the same physical properties.  They are the only materials that score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. The International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) both classify lab grown diamonds as real diamonds.  The only difference lies in their origin.

According to science, Natural diamonds form over billions of years beneath the earth’s surface, with the youngest being 1 billion years old and the oldest being 3 billion, while lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technology that replicates the finished product thru HPHT or CVD process. 

Both natural and lab-grown are graded using the same standards for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Choosing between them depends on personal preference.

To explore available options, view our collection of lab-grown diamonds or browse our selection of natural diamonds.

For grading and reports, see our guide to GIA vs IGI diamond certification.