Lab grown and natural diamonds are identical in chemical composition (pure carbon), physical structure (cubic crystal lattice), and optical properties (brilliance, fire, scintillation). The only difference is origin: natural diamonds form over billions of years underground; lab grown diamonds are created in weeks using advanced technology. Lab grown diamonds cost 60–80% less and are certified by the same international bodies. The primary trade-off is resale value — natural diamonds have a more established secondary market.
Starting with the most important point
Let's be direct about something the jewellery industry often dances around: lab grown diamonds are not imitation diamonds. They are not diamond simulants. They are not 'almost' diamonds.
They are diamonds - grown in a laboratory rather than extracted from the earth, but chemically and physically the same material. Once that conflation is cleared up, the comparison becomes a much simpler question.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Property | Lab Grown | Natural |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Pure carbon (C) | Pure carbon (C) |
| Crystal structure | Cubic | Cubic |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 |
| Refractive index | 2.42 | 2.42 |
| Grading standards | IGI / GIA (4Cs) | IGI / GIA (4Cs) |
| Price (1ct, VS1, E-F) | ₹25,000–₹60,000 | ₹1,00,000–₹2,50,000+ |
| Resale value | Developing market | More established |
| Detectability | Requires lab equipment | N/A |
How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)
A diamond seed crystal is placed in a sealed chamber. Carbon-rich gases are introduced and energised, causing carbon atoms to deposit layer by layer onto the seed, gradually building a diamond crystal. This process takes two to four weeks and is the most widely used method for gem-quality stones.
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
A diamond seed is placed in a press and subjected to extreme pressure (approximately 1.5 million pounds per square inch) and temperature (approximately 1,500°C). Carbon dissolves and solidifies around the seed. The result is a Type IIa diamond - the purest category.
Can Anyone Tell the Difference?
Under normal circumstances, no. A trained gemologist examining a lab grown and a natural diamond under standard tools cannot reliably distinguish between them by appearance alone.
Only specialised laboratory instruments using photoluminescence spectroscopy or infrared spectroscopy can identify a lab grown diamond with certainty. The appropriate way to establish provenance is through certification - not visual inspection.
The Price Difference: What It Means
A 1 carat D-colour Excellent-cut VS1 lab grown diamond: approximately ₹35,000–₹50,000. The same specification in a natural diamond: approximately ₹1,50,000–₹2,50,000.
This price gap is not a quality gap. It is a supply chain and scarcity gap. For buyers, this means the budget that would buy a 0.5ct natural diamond will purchase a 1–1.5ct lab grown diamond of equivalent or better cut, colour, and clarity.
The Environmental Reality
Natural diamond mining has documented environmental impacts: land clearing, groundwater disruption, carbon emissions from heavy machinery, and social displacement. Lab grown diamonds require significantly less land and cause no mining-related displacement. However, the energy demands of production are substantial - the environmental benefit depends on the energy source used.
Resale and Long-Term Value
The secondary market for natural diamonds in India is more established than lab grown. The secondary market for resale is less predictable when it comes to lab grown diamonds.
If you are purchasing with resale as a significant consideration, natural diamonds retain more secondary market structure. If you are purchasing to wear and enjoy, the resale differential becomes academic.
Which Is Right for You?
Choose lab grown if:
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Wearability and budget efficiency are your priorities
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You want the best-looking stone your budget can buy
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Environmental responsibility matters in your decision
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You are self-gifting or purchasing for daily wear
Choose natural if:
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Resale value or investment potential is a significant factor
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You are purchasing in a traditional family context where natural provenance carries social meaning
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You have a specific preference for the geological heritage of the stone
Explore Mija's collection of IGI-certified lab grown diamonds - every piece graded to the same standards as the finest natural diamonds in the world, and designed to be worn every day of your life.
FAQ SECTION — PEOPLE ALSO ASK
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They are graded by the same international bodies (GIA, IGI) using the same criteria.
Can you tell a lab grown diamond from a natural diamond?
Not with the naked eye or standard jewellery tools. Only specialised laboratory equipment using spectroscopic analysis can reliably distinguish them. Certification documents the origin transparently.
Do lab grown diamonds shine the same as natural diamonds?
Yes. Brilliance, fire, and scintillation are functions of cut, refractive index, and light performance - which are identical across lab grown and natural diamonds of equivalent cut quality.
Are lab grown diamonds certified in India?
Yes. IGI is the most widely accepted certification body for lab grown diamonds in India. GIA also certifies lab grown diamonds. Insist on certification for any stone above 0.25ct.
Why are lab grown diamonds so much cheaper?
Production economics rather than quality. Natural diamonds carry the cost of geological rarity and a complex mining and distribution supply chain. Lab grown diamonds are produced in a controlled environment with increasing efficiency.
Will lab grown diamond prices keep falling?
Production costs have been declining. Retail prices for finished pieces incorporate design, craftsmanship, metal, and service - which don't follow the same trajectory. Significant price collapse at the retail level is not expected.