Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds
When choosing a diamond, one of the biggest questions people ask today is: “Should I buy a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond?”
The truth is — both are 100% real diamonds.
Lab diamonds and natural diamonds are made of the same material: pure crystallised carbon. They share the same chemical, optical, and physical properties. They sparkle the same, test the same, and are graded by the same independent laboratories such as GIA and IGI.
The difference lies only in their origin: one formed deep in the Earth over billions of years, the other created in a high-tech laboratory using advanced science.
What are natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are the traditional choice, formed 1–3 billion years ago under immense heat and pressure around 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. Volcanic eruptions brought them closer to the Earth’s crust, where they were eventually mined.`
• Rarity: Each natural diamond is a geological miracle — no two are the same.
• Tradition & Symbolism: For centuries, natural diamonds have symbolised love, commitment, and status.
• Value Retention: Natural diamonds tend to hold higher long-term value, partly because of their rarity.
However, mining has raised questions around environmental impact and ethical sourcing, which is why many customers now explore lab-grown alternatives.
What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab diamonds are not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are true diamonds, grown in a controlled environment that replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form.
Two main methods are used:
• HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature): Mimics the natural growth process with extreme heat and pressure.
• CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition): Uses carbon-rich gases and plasma to grow diamond crystal layer by layer.
Both methods produce diamonds that are chemically and optically identical to mined ones.
Round Cut
The undisputed classic. With 58 perfectly aligned facets, it offers maximum fire, brilliance, and versatility. It is the most popular choice for its timeless appeal and unmatched sparkle.
Cushion Cut
A square or rectangular cut with softly rounded corners, reminiscent of a pillow (hence the name). It combines a classic, romantic feel with a brilliant or more antique "crushed ice" faceting pattern for a soft, glowing sparkle.
Asscher Cut
A square Emerald cut, often described as an "octagonal hall of mirrors." It features high, dramatic step facets and a smaller table, creating a mesmerizing, deep and complex visual effect with a vintage feel.
Heart Cut
The ultimate symbol of romance. This is the most technically challenging and rarest fancy cut. A well-executed heart cut should be perfectly symmetrical with a clearly defined cleft between the two lobes.
Oval Cut
An elongated version of the round brilliant cut. It offers the same classic brilliance and fire but in a more unique and flattering shape that makes the finger appear longer and more slender.
Emerald Cut
A rectangular cut with stepped facets and clipped corners. Its defining feature is its elegant "hall of mirrors" effect, offering broad, flashing planes of light rather than scattered sparkle. It emphasizes clarity and sophistication.
Marquise Cut
An elongated cut with pointed ends, also known as the "navette" (little boat) shape. It is designed to maximize carat weight, creating the illusion of a larger size and flattering the finger by making it appear longer and more slender.
Trillion Cut
A trilliant diamond has a triangular shape with pointed ends and three-sided facets for maximum brilliance and sparkle. Its distinctive, dynamic look enhances the elegance of the finger.
Princess Cut
A contemporary square-shaped cut known for its sharp, clean lines and exceptional brilliance. It is the most popular fancy shape, offering a modern and geometric look with a high sparkle factor.
Radiant Cut
A brilliant-cut square or rectangle. It masterfully combines the elegant outline of an emerald cut with the fiery, faceted sparkle of a round brilliant. Its trimmed corners make it durable and perfect for any setting.
Pear Cut
A romantic hybrid cut, combining the round brilliant and the marquise shapes. It features a single pointed end and a rounded end, resembling a teardrop. It is a graceful and flattering shape that also makes the finger appear longer.
Baguette Cut
A rectangular, elongated diamond with trimmed corners is sleek and sophisticated, enhancing finger length and accentuating the engagement ring's setting with a contemporary and chic look.
Every diamond is unique, but all are judged by the same universal standard: the 4Cs – Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat.
This grading system, established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), allows you to understand a diamond’s quality and compare one stone with another.
Learning the 4Cs will help you choose a diamond that matches both your taste and your budget.
1. Cut – The Sparkle Factor
This Cut is often called the most important of the 4Cs, because it determines how much light a diamond reflects and how brilliantly it sparkles.
A diamond’s cut is not about its shape (round, oval, princess, etc.) but rather how well the stone’s facets are proportioned, polished, and aligned.
Excellent/Ideal Cut: Maximises brilliance and fire. Light enters the stone, reflects internally, and returns to your eye in a burst of sparkle.
Good Cut: Still shines, but may lose some light leakage.
Poor Cut: Appears dull and lifeless, even if colour and clarity are good.
Always prioritise cut — a well-cut diamond can look larger and more dazzling than a bigger, poorly cut one.
2. Colour – The Shade of Brilliance
Diamonds are graded on their lack of colour. The less colour, the rarer and more valuable the stone.
The GIA colour scale runs from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown):
D–F: Colourless – icy white, the rarest and most valuable.
G–J: Near colourless – excellent balance of quality and value, still appearing white when set in jewellery.
K–M: Faint tint – a slight warmth visible, often chosen for vintage or yellow gold settings.
N–Z: Noticeable colour – more budget-friendly, with a soft champagne or warm tone.
Colour is most noticeable in larger diamonds. For smaller stones, you can often go lower on the colour scale without seeing much difference.
3. Clarity – The Purity Within
Clarity measures how free a diamond is from inclusions (internal marks) and blemishes (surface marks). These natural characteristics form during the diamond’s growth, whether in Earth or in a laboratory.
The GIA and IGI clarity scale includes:
FL/IF (Flawless/Internally Flawless) – Ultra-rare, no inclusions visible even under 10x magnification.
VVS1–VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included) – Minute inclusions, nearly impossible to spot.
VS1–VS2 (Very Slightly Included) – Minor inclusions visible only under magnification, excellent value.
SI1–SI2 (Slightly Included) – Inclusions may be noticeable under magnification, but usually not to the naked eye.
I1–I3 (Included) – Visible inclusions that may affect beauty and brilliance.
Many customers find VS1–SI1 offers the best balance — eye-clean without paying a premium for flawless grades.
4. Carat – Size and Weight
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size, although the two are closely related.
1 carat = 0.2 grams.
As carat weight increases, so does rarity and price — but so does visibility of cut, colour, and clarity. Carat weight should be balanced with the other Cs.
A 1.5ct diamond with an excellent cut will often look more stunning than a heavier 2ct stone with poor cut or clarity.