Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds
Everything you need to know to make a confident, informed decision. We compare lab-grown and mined diamonds on price, quality, durability, ethics, and environmental impact.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?
This is the single most common question we hear at Aurela Diamonds, and the answer is unequivocal: yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They are not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are not "diamond-like" materials. They are genuine diamonds in every measurable sense.
A lab-grown diamond is composed of pure crystallised carbon atoms arranged in an isometric (cubic) crystal structure — the exact same atomic blueprint as a diamond formed deep within the Earth's mantle. This means they exhibit the same extraordinary hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same refractive index (2.417–2.419), and the same spectacular brilliance and fire that have made diamonds the world's most coveted gemstone for centuries.
In 2018, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission updated its definition of "diamond" to remove the word "natural," formally acknowledging that a diamond is a diamond regardless of whether it was formed by geological processes or by technology. Major gemological laboratories including the IGI (International Gemological Institute) and the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grade lab-grown diamonds using the same rigorous 4Cs framework they apply to mined stones.
At Aurela Diamonds, every stone we sell comes with full IGI certification, so you can be confident in the quality, authenticity, and specifications of your diamond.
How Are Lab Diamonds Made?
Lab-grown diamonds are created using two primary methods, both of which replicate the extreme conditions under which natural diamonds form deep within the Earth. The result in both cases is a gem-quality diamond crystal that is chemically and physically indistinguishable from its mined counterpart.
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)
The HPHT method mirrors the natural geological process most closely. A small diamond seed is placed inside a specialised press alongside a carbon source (typically graphite). The chamber is then subjected to pressures exceeding 1.5 million pounds per square inch and temperatures above 1,500°C.
Under these extreme conditions, the carbon source dissolves and begins to crystallise around the seed, atom by atom, forming a rough diamond crystal over the course of several days to weeks. HPHT diamonds tend to have exceptional clarity and are particularly well-suited for producing colourless and near-colourless stones.
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)
CVD is the more modern of the two methods and is widely used for producing high-quality gem diamonds. A thin diamond seed is placed inside a vacuum chamber, which is then filled with a carbon-rich gas (usually methane) and heated to around 800–1,200°C.
The gas is ionised into plasma, breaking the carbon atoms free. These carbon atoms then rain down onto the diamond seed, bonding to it layer by layer and gradually building up a diamond crystal. CVD allows for exceptional control over the growth process and is particularly effective for producing large, high-quality stones with outstanding optical properties.
Both methods produce diamonds that are then cut and polished by master craftspeople using the same techniques applied to mined rough. The finished stones are submitted to independent gemological laboratories for grading, just like natural diamonds. To learn more about how we select and grade our stones, visit our diamond education page.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Full Comparison
A detailed side-by-side look at every property that matters when choosing between lab-grown and mined diamonds.
Price Comparison: How Much Can You Save?
The price difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is substantial and consistent across all carat weights, cuts, and quality grades. On average, a lab-grown diamond costs 50–70% less than a natural diamond of identical specifications.
To put this in concrete terms: a beautifully cut 1.5-carat, G-colour, VS1-clarity natural diamond might cost between $9,000 and $15,000 CAD. A lab-grown diamond with the exact same grade — same cut quality, same colour, same clarity, same carat weight — would typically range from $2,500 to $5,000 CAD. That is a saving of $6,000 to $10,000 on a single stone.
This price advantage opens up several appealing possibilities for couples:
Go Bigger
Upgrade from a 1-carat to a 2-carat stone for the same budget. The visual impact is dramatic.
Go Better
Choose a higher colour and clarity grade. Move from an H/SI1 to a D/VVS1 without breaking the bank.
Save Smart
Put the savings toward your wedding, honeymoon, first home, or simply keep more in your account.
Browse our ready-made collection to see the kind of quality and value lab-grown diamonds deliver, or design a custom ring tailored to your exact specifications and budget.
Environmental Impact
The environmental case for lab-grown diamonds is compelling. Traditional diamond mining is one of the most resource-intensive extractive industries on Earth. To recover a single carat of rough diamond, mining operations displace an estimated 250 tonnes of earth, consume approximately 480 litres of water, and generate significant carbon emissions from heavy machinery, transportation, and processing.
Open-pit diamond mines can span kilometres across and hundreds of metres deep, permanently altering landscapes and disrupting local ecosystems, waterways, and wildlife habitats. The Mirny mine in Siberia, for example, is over 500 metres deep and 1.2 kilometres wide — visible from space. Even after a mine is decommissioned, the environmental damage persists for decades or longer.
Lab-grown diamonds, by contrast, are produced in controlled facility environments with a dramatically smaller physical footprint. While energy consumption is a factor (growing a diamond does require significant electricity), the industry is increasingly powered by renewable energy sources. Many leading producers have committed to carbon-neutral operations, and the energy per carat continues to decrease as technology improves.
Beyond the direct environmental benefits, choosing lab-grown also eliminates the ethical complexities associated with mining, including concerns about labour conditions, community displacement, and conflict financing. Learn more about our commitment to responsible sourcing on our sustainability page.
Which Should You Choose?
The right choice depends entirely on what matters most to you. There is no objectively "better" option — both are real diamonds with identical beauty and durability. Here is a framework to help you decide:
Choose a lab-grown diamond if: You want the largest, highest-quality diamond your budget allows. You care about environmental and ethical sourcing. You want guaranteed conflict-free origins. You would rather invest the savings in your future together. You value the fact that your diamond is a marvel of modern science and human ingenuity.
Choose a natural diamond if: You place a high value on geological rarity and the romance of a stone that formed billions of years ago. You view your diamond primarily as a long-term financial asset. You prefer the traditional narrative associated with mined diamonds.
At Aurela Diamonds, we specialise exclusively in lab-grown diamonds because we believe they represent the future of fine jewellery: the same breathtaking beauty, the same enduring durability, but with a lighter footprint on the planet and a more accessible price point. We would love to help you find your perfect stone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers to the most common questions about lab-grown vs natural diamonds.
Continue Your Research
Explore more resources to help you make a confident decision.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Diamond?
Whether you choose our curated collection or design something entirely your own, every Aurela diamond is IGI-certified, ethically sourced, and backed by our quality guarantee.