A diamond is the world’s most enduring symbol of love. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary or adding sparkle to an everyday moment, there are now more ways than ever to find the diamond that tells your unique story.
Today, lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular as a more affordable alternative to natural diamonds. Learn more about how lab-grown diamonds compare to natural diamonds, and explore some of the most popular alternatives so you can find the option that’s right for you.
Lab-grown diamonds possess the same optical, chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. To the untrained eye, natural and lab-grown diamonds are virtually indistinguishable. What sets them apart, however, is their origin and the time taken to form.
Natural Diamonds:
Natural diamonds are formed over millions to billions of years from carbon deposits buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface. These carbon atoms are exposed to intense heat and immense pressure within the Earth’s mantle, gradually crystallising into diamond over geological time. Eventually, volcanic eruptions transport these precious stones closer to the surface through narrow volcanic pipes, where they can then be mined.
Because this natural process is so time-consuming and cannot be replicated on demand, the supply of natural diamonds is limited, contributing to their rarity and high market value. Each diamond is essentially a fragment of the Earth’s ancient history — a geological time capsule.
Lab-Grown Diamonds:
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic, man-made or lab-created diamonds, are produced in controlled laboratory environments using advanced technologies that replicate the natural diamond-forming process. These diamonds are created from the same carbon material as natural diamonds and possess identical chemical, physical and optical properties.
As their production is not limited by nature’s pace, they are effectively unlimited in supply, making them a more accessible and affordable option compared to natural diamonds of the same size and quality. If you value innovation and style without compromising on brilliance, lab-grown diamonds may be the perfect choice.