Home › Guides › Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds: What Is Really Different? Lab grown diamond guide Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds: What Is Really Different? Both are real diamonds. The difference is where they were formed, what they cost and how they hold value. Here is a straight comparison so you can choose with confidence. By Vinay Mutha, in the diamond trade in Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai since 1999 · Updated 6 Nov 2026 On this pageThe short answerSide by sideWhy people choose lab grownWhen a natural diamond may suit you betterLab grown is not the same as an imitationHow to buy well The short answer A lab grown diamond is a real diamond: pure carbon arranged in the same cubic crystal as a diamond from a mine. It has the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same way of bending and reflecting light, and the same sparkle. The only difference is its origin: one grew in a controlled laboratory over a few weeks, the other formed deep inside the earth over a very long time and was mined. In 2018 the US Federal Trade Commission removed the word "natural" from its definition of a diamond, so a lab grown diamond may be called a diamond, as long as its origin is clearly disclosed ("lab grown", "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created"). Side by side Lab grown diamondNatural (mined) diamond What it is made ofPure crystallised carbonPure crystallised carbon Hardness, brilliance, fireSameSame Can you tell them apart by eye?NoNo – a gem lab needs special instruments Grading (4Cs)Graded on cut, colour, clarity and carat (IGI)Graded on cut, colour, clarity and carat (GIA, IGI and others) Certificate wordingSays "Laboratory-Grown" and is laser inscribed on the girdleSays natural Price for the same size and qualityMuch lowerMuch higher Resale / buy-back valueLow – plan to keep itHigher, but still below the retail price you paid OriginTraceable to the growerDepends on the mine and supply chain Why people choose lab grown A bigger or better diamond for the same budget. The money that would buy a small mined stone can buy a larger lab grown diamond, or the same size in a higher colour and clarity. Same look, same daily wear. Because it is diamond, it does not get cloudy or scratch the way imitations do. It is ideal for engagement rings and everyday pieces. Clear origin. Each certified stone can be traced to a lab report with its own number. When a natural diamond may suit you better You want a stone mainly as a store of value or to pass on as an investment. Rarity itself matters to you or to the person receiving it. We have worked with natural diamonds in Zaveri Bazaar since 1999 and today we make lab grown diamond jewellery. Our honest view: buy a lab grown diamond because you love wearing it, not as an investment. Lab grown is not the same as an imitation Cubic zirconia (CZ) and moissanite only look like diamond. CZ is much softer and loses its shine, and moissanite is a different mineral with a different, rainbow-like sparkle. A lab grown diamond passes a diamond tester because it is diamond. Always ask for a grading report from a known lab such as IGI. Read our guide to IGI certificates. How to buy well Decide the shape first. See all shapes: round, oval, pear, emerald. Choose the carat size that fits the design and your budget. For a sparkling, white look, colour D–F and clarity VS1 or better are a safe choice. Our 4Cs guide explains why. Pick 14K or 18K gold in rose, white or yellow. See 14K vs 18K gold. Check the certificate number on the lab's website before you pay. Ready to look? Browse lab grown diamond rings or engagement ring designs. Frequently asked questions Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?Yes. It is pure carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, with the same hardness, brilliance and fire. Only its origin is different, and that is written on its certificate.Can a jeweller tell a lab grown diamond from a natural one?Not by eye or with a normal loupe. Gem labs use special instruments to see growth features. That is why every certified lab grown diamond has a report and a "Laboratory-Grown" laser inscription.Does a lab grown diamond keep its value?Lab grown diamonds have low resale value, and their prices have come down over the years. Buy one to wear and enjoy, not as an investment.Will a lab grown diamond turn cloudy or lose its shine?No. It is diamond, so it stays as bright as the day you bought it. Dirt and oil can dull any diamond, but a simple clean brings the sparkle back. More guidesHow Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made? CVD and HPHTIGI Certificate Guide: How to Read and Verify a Lab Grown Diamond ReportThe 4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds, Made Simple14K vs 18K Gold: Which Is Better for Your Diamond Jewellery?Diamond Shapes Guide: Find the Shape You LoveHow to Clean and Care for Your Diamond Jewellery