How To Tell Lab-Grown VS Natural Diamond?
Mar 9, 2025
The diamond industry has undergone different changes over the past few years. Lab diamonds, an alternative to natural diamonds, have gained massive popularity.
Couples prefer lab diamonds for engagement and wedding rings because they are affordable and similar to natural diamonds. But how to tell lab-grown vs natural diamond?
Which factors or considerations help you with this procedure? Is it for purchasing original natural or lab diamonds? Get further details from Pompeii3.
How To Tell Lab-Grown VS Natural Diamond? Identification And Differences Methods
The following are the differences in how to tell lab-grown vs natural diamond.
Explaining Natural And Lab Diamonds
The following are the definitions to understand natural and lab-created diamonds.
Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds are created for billions of years under extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s Mantle. They are then
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Mined.
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Cut.
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Polished.
Then, they are sold as jewelry. Every natural diamond is unique, having inclusions and characteristics shaped by nature.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
They are man-made diamonds. They are manufactruerd using advanced technology in laboratories. Professionals can produce them within a few weeks instead of billions of years. They have similar properties to natural diamonds, including:
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Physical.
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Chemical.
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Optical.
They are created using two specific procedures in the laboratories.
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HPHT.
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CVD.
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Describing How To Tell Lab-Grown VS Natural Diamond
The following techniques can help you identify lab or natural diamonds.
Laser Inscription
Lab diamonds are inscribed with Lab-Grown or LG on the diamond’s grindle. You should use a microscope or a jeweler’s loupe to see this text. On the other hand, natural diamonds also have inscriptions, but they don’t indicate lab-grown status.
Examination Under UV Light
Natural diamonds fluoresce under UV rays and offer a blue glow. In contrast, lab diamonds, especially CVD-created ones, reflect a yellow, orange, and green fluorescence or have no fluorescence at all.
Look For Metallic Inclusions
You can also use a magnet to see if the diamond attracts to it. HPHT-created lab diamonds have traces of metallic inclusions, and natural diamonds don’t have such inclusions. They have regular mineral inclusions without metals.
Prefer A Diamond Tester
You can also use a thermal conductivity tester to distinguish between natural and lab diamonds. Natural diamonds conduct heat efficiently. On the other hand, lab diamonds show slight differences in heat conductivity. But you cannot wholly rely on this option because it’s not always accurate.
Magnification
You can use the services of a professional gemologist under a microscope. He will check out the specific growth patterns of natural and lab diamonds. Natural diamonds show natural inclusions and irregular patterns. On the other hand, lab diamonds have layered or banded growth structures, especially in CVD diamonds.
Professional Grading Report
The most reliable way is by using the services of a reputable gemological institution. These reports indicate whether a diamond is natural or lab-created with specific characteristics. You can request a certificate from them.
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GIA.
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IGI.
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AGS.
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HRD Antwerp.
Lab Or Natural Diamond, Which One Is The Best?
There are various considerations users have to do to select a specific option.
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When you want affordable, eco-friendly, and bigger diamonds at lower prices, lab diamonds are suitable options.
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When you want a naturally formed, historical significance, and long-term investment option, choose natural diamonds.
Visit online jewelry stores to see countless designs in lab-grown and natural diamonds.
Conclusion
To conclude, how to tell lab-grown vs natural diamond? Various simple and professional checking options are available to ensure you can make the right choice. Whatever option you choose will offer you equal quality brilliance and beauty. They are suitable for daily wear and special occasions.
Next, read about: Great Plain Jewelry.