At the most basic level, a diamond is carbon that has crystallized under specific conditions to form a crystal structure that is dense and unusually tough, which is why diamonds resist scratching and can hold a sharp polish for centuries.
From a materials perspective, origin doesn’t change any of this. Earth mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds share the same structure, the same durability, and the same optical behaviour. Here is everything you need to know about earth mined vs. lab grown diamonds, comparing all of their differences and similarities.
Earth mined diamonds can range from clear, white and brilliant, to opaque, black and reflective. Most typically for engagement rings, they’ll fall into the first category. They can show small variations that come from natural growth over time. Colour can range from white to warm yellow (and in rare instances pink or blue), and inclusions can range from flawless to visible under magnification to visible with the naked eye. Clients that are drawn to the history from a diamond formed under natural conditions are often drawn to stones that show what some consider ‘flaws’, like visible inclusions or warm tones. To some, this offers a very romantic notion to carry into their engagement rings.
These diamonds are formed far below the Earth’s surface under intense pressure and heat. Long before jewelry existed, volcanic activity eventually carried them closer to the surface, where mining takes place today in regions such as Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
Diamond mining takes significant time, labour, and infrastructure, which plays a big role in availability and cost. That’s why sourcing matters to us. At Alexis Gallery, we work only with ethical and responsible suppliers, because we believe those details are part of the diamond’s story, not an afterthought.
Lab grown diamonds behave exactly like earth mined diamonds, period. This includes everything from light refraction, to wear, chemical structure, and durability. Visually, there is no distinction between the two.
What lab grown diamonds offer is consistency. Higher clarity and colour grades are more common, and size options can feel more accessible. For many clients, especially those designing custom engagement rings, that predictability and availability makes planning easier.
Lab grown diamonds are created using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), two methods that recreate the conditions diamonds need to form. Both approaches start with a small diamond seed and use controlled environments to encourage carbon to crystallize into a finished stone.
With HPHT, the seed is placed inside a press that applies extreme heat and pressure, similar to what occurs deep within the Earth. Carbon melts and gradually crystallizes around the seed as it cools, producing a diamond that grows in a way closely related to natural formation, just much faster.
CVD takes a different approach. The diamond grows inside a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas, which is heated until the gas breaks down and carbon atoms settle onto the seed. Over time, the diamond builds layer by layer, allowing for careful control of the growth process and very consistent results.
Because lab grown diamonds are produced above ground, their environmental impact is generally considered to be lower, and there’s clear visibility into how each stone is made. What you end up with is still a diamond in every scientific sense, ready to be cut and polished, then worn and enjoyed for a lifetime.
You can’t tell by looking at the diamond itself. A lab grown diamond and an earth mined diamond show the same brilliance and are cut using the same standards. Even trained gemologists cannot identify origin without specialized testing equipment. The difference shows up in documentation and sourcing information, not in how the diamond looks.
To ensure transparency, all certified diamonds (earth mined or lab grown) are inscribed with a microscopic serial number on the girdle of the stone. This matches the serial number on the diamond’s appraisal report.
Lab diamonds cost less because they are produced in controlled environments rather than extracted from the Earth. Mining requires significant time, labour, infrastructure, and regulatory oversight, all of which add to cost. Lab production is more predictable and scalable, which keeps pricing lower.
No. Quality is determined by cut, colour and clarity.. Lab grown and earth mined diamonds are graded by the same independent laboratories using the same standards. Each stone should be evaluated on its own merits.
Yes, and they are commonly used in both engagement and wedding rings. Lab created diamonds are just as durable as earth mined diamonds and are well suited for everyday wear. They can be set into any custom design, from delicate solitaires to more complex settings, without compromising longevity or performance.
