Natural Diamonds:

How are natural diamonds made? Diamonds form deep within the earth. Under extreme temperatures and pressure carbon becomes diamonds. They were brought to the surface with a rock called kimberlite a volcanic rock.

Diamonds can vary greatly in quality and price. During the 1940’s and 1950’s the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) developed a universal grading system and thus -- the standards for the 4Cs were born; carat, color, clarity, and cut. According to the GIA.edu website, “GIA's mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism through education, research, laboratory services, and instrument development.” READ MORE ON OUR BLOG: About Diamonds

Lab-Grown Diamonds:

Lab-grown diamonds are not the same material as CZs or Moissanite but it is a diamond. The difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds is growth time. Lab-grown diamonds take between two and eight weeks and natural diamonds take billions of years. Chemical Composition for both is carbon; Refractive Index is 2.42 for both; Hardness is 10 for both; durability is excellent for both and both have inclusions/blemishes.

Because the lab-grown diamonds are grown in a lab they can be 30%-50% less than their natural counterparts giving customers the ability to purchase higher carat total weights at a more affordable price.

Moissanite:

Moissanite was discovered in a meteorite crater in Arizona in 1893 by Henri Moissan. Currently Moissanite is created in a lab with strict standards which make for beautiful uniform stones. Moissanite is strong enough for daily wear and will not chip, crack or break easily. Moissanite is also an exceptionally sparkly stone this is because bends and reflects twice the amount of light as other stones. Although moissanite looks like other colorless stones it stands in a league of its own.

Compared to a diamond, Moissanite will sparkle more with colorful flashes where a diamond will have white flashes. Moissanite is more durable and less likely to chip or break where a diamond is harder and less likely to scratch.

Mohs Scale of Hardness, moissanite is rated as a 9.25. This is a great score, and higher than any gemstone used in jewelry besides diamonds.

Moissanites shine and reflect light the same as diamonds but a moissanite can cost 3x less than a diamond of the same size.

Our Moissanites are eye-clean, loupe-clean and with colorless or near colorless options.

When deciding between a real diamond (natural diamond) and a lab-grown diamond, consider the following factors:

1. Origin and Composition:

Real diamonds are formed naturally over millions of years deep within the Earth.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technology, but they have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.

2. Cost:

Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30-60% less than natural diamonds of similar size and quality.
If budget is a primary concern, lab-grown diamonds offer significant savings.

3. Environmental Impact:

Natural diamond mining can have a more considerable environmental footprint, including land disruption and water use.
Lab-grown diamonds generally have a smaller environmental impact due to less resource-intensive production.

4. Value and Resale:

Natural diamonds historically hold more long-term value and can sometimes be considered an investment.
Lab-grown diamonds currently have limited resale value and are not regarded as investments.

5. Ethical Considerations:

Natural diamond mining has been associated with ethical issues such as conflict diamonds, though many suppliers now follow strict certification processes.
Lab-grown diamonds avoid these concerns, providing a conflict-free option.

6. Appearance and Quality:

Both real and lab-grown diamonds are visually indistinguishable to the naked eye.
Certification from reputable labs ensures quality regardless of origin.

7. Personal Preference:

Some people prefer the natural origin and rarity of mined diamonds.
Others value sustainability and cost-effectiveness, favoring lab-grown diamonds.

Conclusion:
Choose a real diamond if traditional value, rarity, and potential investment return are important to you. Choose a lab-grown diamond for a budget-friendly, ethically sourced, and environmentally conscious alternative that maintains the same brilliance and quality as natural diamonds.

Updated July 8th, 2025

Natural Diamonds, Lab Grown Diamonds and Moissanite