Written by Callum Booth | 22 September 2023
Diamonds, as the phrase goes, are forever.
Whether as a gift, a keepsake, or a family heirloom, diamonds continue to mesmerise people worldwide. Yet while the appeal of diamonds has remained consistent in recent years, the market itself hasn’t. The precious gems may still be one of society’s greatest status symbols, but how they’re produced has undergone a sea change — thanks to the growth of lab-grown diamonds.
Their rise means anyone looking to purchase one of these precious stones now has more options, but which type of diamond is right for you? Should you opt for a natural diamond? A lab-grown one? What are the benefits and downsides of both? Making this decision can feel overwhelming, but, luckily, we’re here to simplify things for you. Before we get there though…
What’s the difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds?
In simple terms, natural diamonds are gemstones that have been excavated from the earth. These are formed over billions of years when carbon is subjected to high levels of heat and pressure. Once natural diamonds are discovered near the earth’s surface, they’re mined, processed, and can be utilised for a variety of purposes, from jewellery to tools. Lab-grown diamonds are different. As the name suggests, these are created by humans in a lab.
Most commonly, scientists mimic the natural conditions that produce diamonds — specifically high amounts of pressure and heat — in a controlled environment. And it’s remarkably effective. To the human eye, there’s no visual difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds, even with magnification. The final forms of lab-grown and natural diamonds are identical, and it’s only by using highly specialised equipment that any difference can be found.
So, with this in mind, let’s compare the pros and cons of lab-grown and natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are just as beautiful as natural ones
Which diamonds cost more?
Lab-grown diamonds are generally cheaper than natural diamonds. Putting precise figures on this is tough, but various sources suggest human-made diamonds are between 30% and 90% cheaper than natural ones. That is a fair chunk of change. This price difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds will likely continue to rise. When the technology was first created, making lab-grown diamonds was more expensive than the mined variety, but as the process has advanced, it’s become increasingly economical to create the precious stones in a lab. We can expect that as tools and processes continue to improve, lab-grown diamonds will get cheaper still.
Mining, on the other hand, will always require some outlay, as it’s a process that involves investing in scouting, people power, and heavy machinery. Things can get less expensive, but probably never as much as making the precious stones in the lab. What this means is, unlike the past, there are opportunities for people with all sorts of budgets in the diamond world. Whether you get something lab-grown or natural, there’s more chance than ever of finding something that looks beautiful, makes you happy, and suits your wallet.
What type of diamond is best for reselling?
Life has a strange way of throwing you unexpected curveballs. You may not be planning to sell any of your diamonds or jewellery, but the future is a mysterious creature, and you can never be certain what’s around the corner. So, what happens if you want to recoup some of your investment and sell your diamonds? Well, this isn’t the best news for lab-grown diamonds: they don’t have much resale value. At Catawiki, sellers can list second-hand jewellery with lab-grown diamonds, but experts cannot give them a price estimate.
Things are rosier for natural diamonds though. It’s estimated they hold about 50% of their purchase value. If you're someone who likes to be cautious about big purchases, or maybe want something that can hold value down the generations, natural diamonds are a safer bet.
A rare Cartier watch from circa 1925, set with 22 diamonds. It was auctioned on Catawiki in 2017
Are lab-grown or natural diamonds more responsible?
Excusing the pun, natural diamonds have had a rocky history. Thankfully though, there has been a lot of improvement in the industry over the past 20 years. The rise of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme means you can be quite certain that buying a natural diamond is far more responsible than it was in the past.
But if that’s still not enough? Then it could be worth looking towards lab-grown diamonds. As these are quite literally made in laboratories, you can be certain that they were created in the most responsible way possible. The diamond industry has made leaps and bounds in accountability over the past few decades, but the rise of lab-grown diamonds means that there are even more fair options available for people.
Which type of diamond is more prestigious?
There’s a reason we’re still talking about diamonds today: humanity still holds them in high esteem. They’re a status symbol, something that speaks to refined taste and wealth. Although a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond look identical, how they’re made isn’t, and for many that’s important. When you buy a natural diamond, you’re purchasing a geological marvel, a material miracle that has taken billions of years to form. It’s unique and tied innately to the planet.
This has a different emotional weight to something made in a laboratory. It might not be logical, but humans aren’t always. Sometimes it’s about how things feel, and, to many, natural diamonds seem more authentic and genuine. Having said that, lab-grown diamonds are also a symbol of human ingenuity, of the incredible ability of our species to create something that, previously, would’ve been unimaginable to make.
For many, lab-grown diamonds have the same allure as natural ones, so their prestigiousness is, on some level, simply about how you view the matter. They’re both a lasting symbol of elegance.
The Hope Diamond is among the most expensive natural diamonds in the world. Photo by Julian Fong
What’s the most aesthetically pleasing diamond?
As we’ve discussed: lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are as gorgeous as one another! We’ll call this one a draw.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong choice when you’re choosing between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds, it’s all about personal preference and what appeals to you specifically. Lab-grown diamonds are as visually stunning as natural diamonds, yet have an array of in-built advantages, such as a lower cost and being potentially more responsible. On the other hand, natural diamonds have their own positives, such as a strong resale value and a level of prestige that man-made stones can’t quite match. Just know that whatever diamond you eventually choose, you’re going to get a gem.
Explore our Lab-Grown Diamond Collection or browse our selection of natural diamonds