Natural vs. Man-made Diamonds

Diamonds have been highly prized for centuries as a symbol of love and commitment. Their durability, brilliance, and rarity make them highly sought after, but now we have two different types of diamonds on the market - natural and man-made diamonds.

What are natural diamonds?

Natural diamonds are mined from the earth and have been formed over millions of years under intense pressure and heat beneath the earth's crust. They are created from pure carbon, which has been compressed and heated at depths of over 100 miles beneath the earth's surface.

The unique geological processes involved in creating natural diamonds make them exceptionally rare and valuable. In fact, it is estimated that only 1 out of every 1 million diamonds is suitable for jewelry.

What are man-made diamonds?

Man-made diamonds, also known as lab-grown diamonds, are created in a laboratory. Scientists use a process called Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) to recreate the natural diamond formation process in a controlled environment.

This process involves placing a seed crystal in a carbon-rich environment - either a gas or plasma - and then applying pressure and heat to the environment. The carbon atoms will then start to crystallize around the seed crystal, forming a diamond.

The resulting diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a natural diamond, but it is typically much cheaper to produce, and the process can be completed in a matter of weeks instead of millions of years.

Natural vs. Man-Made Diamonds

There are several differences between natural and man-made diamonds that may impact your decision when purchasing a diamond.

1. Price

Man-made diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds, as lab-grown diamonds can be made to order, and the process is more efficient than diamond mining. Prices for natural diamonds are heavily influenced by supply and demand, making them more expensive.

2. Diamond Quality

Both natural and man-made diamonds can be of high quality. However, the quality of a natural diamond varies depending on its origin and the specific diamond's characteristics. Man-made diamonds, on the other hand, are of consistent quality as they are created under controlled conditions.

3. Ethical and Environmental Considerations

Diamond mines have a reputation for exploitative labor practices and environmental damage. Man-made diamonds offer buyers an opportunity to avoid purchasing from these sources - lab-grown diamonds do not contribute to mining-related environmental damage and often have more ethical production practices.

4. Rarity and Scarcity

Natural diamonds are rare and valuable because they are difficult to find and extract.