Popularity
Natural Diamonds are far more popular at present
than lab grown diamonds.
Many people prefer natural diamonds because they are traditional, naturally produced and have a higher value and thus some people view them as more desirable. Natural diamonds also offer more variety and in some instances investment grade diamonds such as Argyle diamonds or rare Blue diamonds or just simply very large high quality diamonds can appreciate and/or be an investment*.
Lab Grown diamonds are growing in popularity due to their relative low cost as well as the fact that they are visually identical to a natural diamond. They also tend to be higher clarities ie VS++
Some people also prefer lab grown diamonds due to their perceived positive environmental impact. There is less disruption to the environment to produce a lab grown diamond.
Economics
Lab grown diamonds do not have as large an industry as natural diamonds and do not support as many people economically. In some countries the mining of natural diamonds and other commodities (Australia
is a major commodity exporter) are the primary thing they produce and thus they have positive impacts economically and socially. In some countries both the local communities and country would not have the opportunity to gain employment and an improved quality of life without the industry.
Lab grown diamonds do not support as many people economically however they are an environmentally clean alternative and they are much cheaper which allows customers, who otherwise might be priced out of buying a natural diamond, the ability to purchase a beautiful lab grown diamond at a price that suits them.
Structure
Lab Grown diamonds, also called HPHT or CVD diamonds, have a similar structure to natural diamonds (they are in fact a diamond). In general all lab grown diamonds are Type 2B diamonds meaning they are stronger than most natural traditional diamonds. To a degree this is splitting hairs though as all diamonds are very strong.
Value
Natural diamonds are far more valuable than a lab grown diamond. Natural diamonds hold their price and several types of natural diamonds such as certain coloured stone sand argyle diamonds are extremely valuable and even appreciate. There is an element of supply and demand and scarcity in relation to diamonds (and investment grade ones) in general, hence the cost.
How are they created
Heat & pressure are the common denominators between natural and lab diamonds.
Natural diamonds develop over a very long time (millionsof years) via heat and pressure and are made from pure carbon. They need to be mined in most cases and there are considerable resources & costs associated with them. A natural diamond is a commodity and the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. To tell the difference one needs a machine to identify the small atomic differences between the two.
Lab Grown Diamonds are grown using heat and pressure as well as being made from carbon. The timeline for growth is drastically shortened. Most stones tend to be VS+ and one can cut any shape out of the rough diamond produced.
Please Note Lab Grown diamonds are distinct from diamond imitations such as synthetics which may include cubic zirconias, zircon, moissanite . These simulants do not share the same chemical structure of natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds nor the physical properties of the Natural or Lab Grown Diamonds. We do not stock nor sell simulant/synthetic diamonds of any type. This is company policy.