What Is a Diamond? Natural vs Laboratory-Grown – Structure, Science and Pricing

 

A diamond is a solid form of the element carbon in which the atoms are arranged in a crystal structure known as diamond cubic. In this structure, each carbon atom is bonded to four others in a rigid tetrahedral arrangement (sp³ bonding), forming one of the strongest natural materials known.

In its pure form, diamond is:

• Colourless
• Odourless and tasteless
• Extremely hard
• A poor conductor of electricity
• Insoluble in water
• Chemically inert under most conditions

Although graphite is the stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, diamond is metastable and converts to graphite at an almost negligible rate over geological time.

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The Physical and Optical Properties of Diamond

Diamond possesses extraordinary properties:

• Highest hardness of any natural material (Mohs 10)
• Highest thermal conductivity of any natural substance
• Extremely high refractive index (~2.42)
• High optical dispersion, creating the “fire” in gemstones
• Very low thermal expansion
• Exceptional chemical resistance
• High electrical resistance

Because the crystal lattice is extremely rigid, only very small amounts of impurities can enter the structure. These trace elements or structural defects create colour:

• Nitrogen → Yellow
• Boron → Blue
• Crystal defects → Brown
• Radiation exposure → Green
• Plastic deformation → Pink, red, purple

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How Natural Diamonds Form

Most natural diamonds are between 1 and 3.5 billion years old.

They formed deep within the Earth’s mantle at depths of 150–250 km, and occasionally as deep as 800 km, under extreme pressure and temperature. Carbon-bearing fluids replaced minerals with crystallised carbon.

They were later transported rapidly to the surface via volcanic eruptions and deposited in igneous rocks known as:

• Kimberlite
• Lamproite

Historically, diamonds were first mined in ancient India along the Penner, Krishna and Godavari rivers, and have been known for at least 3,000 years.

The word diamond comes from the Ancient Greek “adámas”, meaning unbreakable or invincible.

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The Discovery That Diamond Is Carbon

In 1772, Antoine Lavoisier demonstrated that when a diamond burns in oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide.

Later, in 1797, Smithson Tennant proved that diamond and graphite release the same gas when burned, confirming that both are forms (allotropes) of pure carbon.

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Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

Synthetic diamonds are created using two main methods:

1. HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature)

Replicates natural mantle conditions using pressures above 5 GPa and temperatures above 1,300°C.

2. CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition)

Carbon-rich gases are broken down in a plasma chamber, allowing carbon atoms to deposit layer by layer onto a diamond seed crystal.

Chemically, physically and optically, laboratory-grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds. Both are pure carbon in the diamond cubic structure.

They are distinguished using advanced gemmological techniques such as:

• Spectroscopy
• Growth pattern analysis
• Inclusion study
• Thermal conductivity testing

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Hardness, Toughness and Durability

Diamond is the hardest known natural material, but it is not indestructible.

• It has excellent resistance to scratching.
• It has cleavage planes, meaning it can split if struck in certain directions.
• Toughness (resistance to breakage) is good for a ceramic but lower than many metals.

Its durability makes it ideal for engagement rings and daily wear jewellery.

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Natural vs Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Pricing Comparison (2026 Market Overview)

Although structurally identical, pricing between natural and lab-grown diamonds differs dramatically due to rarity and supply dynamics.

Natural Diamonds

• Finite geological supply
• Mining costs, exploration, labour and environmental compliance
• Graded and traded based on rarity
• Price stability linked to long-term scarcity

In today’s market, a high-quality 1.00 carat natural diamond (G colour, VS clarity) typically trades wholesale in the range of USD $4,500–$7,000, depending on cut quality and certification.

Premium stones (D–F colour, IF–VVS clarity) command significantly higher prices.

Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

• Mass-producible in controlled environments
• Increasing global production capacity
• Rapid technological efficiency gains
• No geological rarity

The same 1.00 carat equivalent (G colour, VS clarity) laboratory-grown diamond now trades between USD $300–$600.

Retail prices decline as production scales.

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Why the Price Gap Exists

The key difference is not chemistry — it is rarity and supply economics.

Natural diamonds:

• Formed over billions of years
• Limited global deposits
• High capital-intensive extraction

Laboratory diamonds:

• Manufactured within weeks
• Scalable production
• Compete with industrial cost structures

As production increases, laboratory diamond pricing behaves more like a manufactured product than a rare natural asset.

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Investment and Resale Considerations

Natural diamonds retain secondary market value more effectively due to:

• Limited supply
• Established global trading networks
• Long-term historical demand

Laboratory-grown diamonds currently have minimal resale value in secondary markets due to continuous price decline and expanding supply.

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A diamond, whether natural or laboratory-grown, is one of nature’s most extraordinary materials — a crystal of pure carbon arranged in a tetrahedral lattice that produces unmatched hardness, brilliance and thermal conductivity.

However, while they are chemically identical, their market dynamics are fundamentally different.

Natural diamonds derive value from geological rarity and billions of years of formation.

Laboratory-grown diamonds derive value from technology, efficiency and accessibility.

Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone buying, selling or investing in diamonds today.

Source: DCLA

HPHT-Processed Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds with Counterfeit Inscriptions

Recently, the Dubai laboratory encountered four stones submitted for update services inscribed with fraudulent GIA report numbers. Inconsistent font styles and placement indicated the numbers were not authentic GIA inscriptions.

Table 1. Comparison of characteristics of submissions with counterfeit inscriptions and their accompanying GIA grading reports.
A careful comparison of their quality characteristics confirmed that these were not the same diamonds as described in their accompanying reports. Although the diamonds were carefully selected to closely match the features listed on the original reports, several subtle differences in their color grades, measurements, and other characteristics were identified (table 1). Even more obvious were the spectral differences between the fraudulent and original stones. The difference in the one-phonon region of the Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy clearly revealed a discrepancy in the diamond types. The diamonds from the original reports were type Ia with aggregated nitrogen impurities, while these submitted stones were all type IIa, confirming they were, in fact, different stones.

On fraudulent diamonds 1 and 2, photoluminescence (PL) spectra produced by 514 nm laser excitation at liquid-nitrogen temperature showed that 637 nm peaks were greater than 575 nm peaks. The 575 and 637 nm peaks are emissions from the nitrogen vacancy center in its neutral [NV]0 and negative [NV]− charge states, respectively. The 575:637 nm emission ratio of intensities of less than 1 (D. Fisher and R.A. Spits, “Spectroscopic evidence of GE POL HPHT-treated natural type IIa diamonds,” Spring 2000 G&G, pp. 42–49), along with other PL features, indicated that fraudulent diamonds 1 and 2 with the counterfeit inscriptions were natural diamonds that had undergone high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) treatment for color improvements.

The visible/near-infrared (Vis-NIR) absorption spectrum for fraudulent diamond 3, on the other hand, showed a 737 nm peak, which corresponds to the unresolved silicon vacancy [SiV]– defect at 736.6/736.9 nm commonly seen in laboratory-grown diamonds using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth method (P. Martineau et al., “Identification of synthetic diamond grown using chemical vapor deposition (CVD),” Spring 2004 G&G, pp. 2–25). The observation of such features led to the determination that this stone was CVD-grown and subjected to post-grown HPHT processing.

Further PL spectroscopy analysis on fraudulent diamonds 3 and 4 using 633 nm excitation confirmed the presence of the SiV– doublet feature on both diamonds. In alignment with the Vis-NIR and PL spectra, DiamondView images of these two fraudulent stones displayed clear striations with interruption layers indicative of CVD growth (figure 1). These patterns are consistent with the step-flow growth structure of CVD-grown diamond, which was also visible under the microscope using crossed polarizers and further supported their laboratory-grown origins. The other two fraudulent diamonds (1 and 2), however, showed a lack of such patterns and demonstrated natural-looking features, which confirmed them as HPHT-processed natural diamonds.

Figure 2. GIA’s standard procedure is to cross out the counterfeit inscription. Image by GIA staff.
Figure 2. GIA’s standard procedure is to cross out the counterfeit inscription. Image by GIA staff.
Considering all evidence, we concluded that two of the four stones were laboratory-grown diamonds, and the other two were HPHT-processed natural diamonds. All four diamonds were not the same natural diamonds as described in their accompanying GIA grading reports. In accordance with GIA procedures, the counterfeit inscriptions were crossed out (figure 2) and new report numbers were assigned. In addition, GIA inscribes “TREATED COLOR” on natural diamonds with post-treatment history and “LABORATORY-GROWN” along with a GIA report number and distinct GIA LG logo on laboratory-grown diamonds.

Deceptive practices have occurred previously in the trade; similar instances of diamonds with fraudulent inscriptions have been reported by GIA (e.g., Summer 2021 Lab Notes, pp. 150–152; Fall 2021 Lab Notes, pp. 258–259). Additionally, non-diamond materials, such as synthetic moissanite, with fraudulent GIA inscriptions have been submitted as diamonds to GIA (Fall 2020 Lab Notes, pp. 424–425; Fall 2022 Lab Notes, pp. 360–361). These cases highlight the importance of verifying inscription authenticity because a fraudulent inscription could be overlooked by simple visual examination. One possible solution is GIA’s Match iD, a device that compares a diamond’s inscription with its grading report in the GIA database.

Source: DCLA

The Future of Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

The Future of Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Market Trends and Industry Outlook

Laboratory-grown diamonds have experienced rapid growth over the past decade, transforming the diamond industry by offering an ethical and cost-effective alternative to natural diamonds. With advances in technology, increasing consumer acceptance, and shifting industry dynamics, lab-grown diamonds are poised to play an even greater role in the future of the jewelry market. But what does the future hold for this evolving sector? Let’s explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of lab-grown diamonds.

The Rise of Laboratory-Grown Diamonds

The market for lab-grown diamonds has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by improvements in production techniques such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) methods. These technological advancements have enhanced the quality, size, and affordability of synthetic diamonds, making them increasingly appealing to consumers and jewelers alike.

According to industry reports, lab-grown diamonds now account for a growing percentage of global diamond sales, with some estimates suggesting they could reach 10-15% of the market within the next few years. As consumer awareness continues to rise, major retailers and brands have started incorporating lab-grown diamonds into their collections, further legitimizing their place in the luxury jewelry sector.

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

One of the strongest selling points for lab-grown diamonds is their sustainability. Unlike mined diamonds, which require extensive land excavation and energy consumption, lab-grown diamonds offer a more environmentally friendly alternative. Many consumers, particularly younger generations, are increasingly drawn to the ethical benefits of lab-grown diamonds, as they avoid the environmental and human rights concerns associated with traditional diamond mining.

In response, major diamond producers have begun investing in sustainability initiatives to differentiate their products, but the perception of lab-grown diamonds as the more responsible choice continues to gain traction. Companies that focus on transparency, renewable energy, and carbon-neutral production methods are likely to see significant growth in this space.

Market Challenges and Consumer Perceptions

Despite their advantages, lab-grown diamonds face challenges that could impact their long-term viability. One of the primary concerns is price depreciation. Unlike natural diamonds, which historically retain value over time, lab-grown diamonds are subject to rapid price declines due to the scalability of production. This could impact their investment appeal and influence consumer purchasing decisions.

Another challenge is brand positioning. While some consumers fully embrace lab-grown diamonds as a legitimate alternative, others still view them as an inferior substitute to natural diamonds. The luxury market thrives on exclusivity, and natural diamonds continue to carry a certain prestige that lab-grown stones may struggle to match.

Industry Response and Future Outlook

Recognizing the shifting landscape, traditional diamond companies have taken various approaches to the rise of lab-grown diamonds. Some, like De Beers, have launched their own lab-grown diamond lines at competitive prices, while others focus on marketing the rarity and uniqueness of natural diamonds. As the industry adapts, we may see a clearer segmentation between high-end natural diamonds and more accessible, everyday lab-grown options.

Looking ahead, technological advancements will continue to shape the future of lab-grown diamonds. Improvements in production efficiency, clarity, and customization could further increase consumer demand. Additionally, the growing acceptance of lab-grown diamonds in sectors beyond jewelry—such as electronics, quantum computing, and industrial applications—will expand their market potential.

The future of lab-grown diamonds is bright, with continued growth expected in both the jewelry and industrial sectors. While challenges remain, the ethical appeal, affordability, and technological advancements in lab-grown diamonds position them as a formidable force in the market. As consumer preferences evolve, the diamond industry will need to adapt, ensuring that both natural and lab-grown diamonds coexist in a dynamic and competitive landscape.

Source: DCLA

New Diamond Verification Device Introduced Natural Vs. Lab Grown Diamonds

A new device, the DiamondProof, can rapidly and reliably distinguish natural diamonds from laboratory-grown diamonds and other diamond simulants.

One of the most common misconceptions in the ongoing debate between natural and non-natural diamonds is that it’s impossible to tell the difference between the two. Research shows that almost half of consumers are unaware that laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) can be detected from their natural counterparts. For consumers who are investing in diamonds and diamond jewelry, this means there is perhaps a lack of assurance that they are getting what they think they are paying for. This spring, with the introduction of a new verification device, the DiamondProof, to retail stores for the first time, consumers will be able to make informed purchasing decisions and distinguish natural diamonds from non-natural diamonds, like LGDs and other diamond simulants, with a zero percent ‘false positive rate’.

Developed by the De Beers Group, the DiamondProof technology can detect the distinct chemical compositions of natural diamonds, allowing for precise and rapid identification. Early adopters of the DiamondProof include some of the largest jewelry retailers in the U.S., and the device will also be available in several independent retail outlets to ensure that any diamond consumer can try out the technology and gain assurance on their jewelry, or diamonds they are planning to purchase. The first DiamondProof prototype instrument was unveiled last June at the JCK show in Las Vegas, the premier jewelry expo for retail professionals. Many quickly jumped on board and ordered the device for their stores, noting the ability to rapidly and easily screen both loose diamonds as well as stones set in jewelry. “Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are two fundamentally different products. Natural diamonds are rare, one-of-a-kind miracles of nature that come to us from the earth through heat, pressure, and time.” notes CEO of De Beers Brands Sandrine Conseiller. “This incredible journey is what makes them the ultimate marker of life’s most profound emotional moments. Consumers should be able to have confidence in such a meaningful purchase, and DiamondProof allows retailers to offer them greater peace of mind. We are in a new era of transparency at retail, and customers deserve to know what they are buying.”

“By rapidly and reliably identifying whether a diamond is natural, DiamondProof is instrumental in enhancing consumer confidence in natural diamond purchases. Consumers deserve clarity and having DiamondProof available in retail settings helps them make informed decisions while appreciating the unique value and story behind each natural diamond. With decades of leadership in synthetic-detection technology, we are committed to providing the level of transparency that consumers expect,” stated Sarandos Gouvelis, SVP, of Pricing, Product and Technology Development at De Beers Group. For anyone looking to evaluate and verify their diamond jewelry or looking for assurance in new diamond purchases, a major retailer near you will soon have a DiamondProof available.

Source: DCLA

Lab Grown Discussions at AGS Confluence

The American Gem Society (AGS) will present panel discussions on lab grown diamond pricing and supply, advances in lab grown identification and the art of natural diamond storytelling.

The three-hour Confluence is an online-only event, featuring three pre-recorded sessions, designed to allow the speakers to take part in a live chat Q&A.

The event is scheduled for 25 September and will be accessible to non-AGS members for a $150 fee. The sessions will remain available, on demand, until 31 December.

The Importance of Diamond Screening: Challenges, Techniques, and Resources covers the latest screening technologies and their limitations, providing guidance on using gemological instruments for verification.

Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Pricing, Supply, and Disclosure explores the complexities of the lab grown diamond market, including pricing dynamics and the importance of transparency.

And The Incredible Story of Natural Diamonds delves into the geological history and mining processes of natural diamonds, featuring insights from experts at GIA , which is sponsoring the event.

AGS is a nonprofit trade association representing a select group of jewelers, independent appraisers, and suppliers in the jewelry industry.

Source: DCLA