The main differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds lie in their origin and formation:
- Formation – Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over millions of years through natural geological processes, while lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments in a matter of weeks using high-pressure, high-temperature or chemical vapor deposition methods.
- Origin – Natural diamonds come from mines, whereas lab-grown diamonds are created by replicating the conditions that facilitate diamond growth within a lab setting.
- Cost – Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds due to their controlled production process, while natural diamonds’ prices are influenced by rarity and the cost of mining.
Both types of diamonds share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties, making it challenging to differentiate them without specialised equipment or certification.