When buying a diamond, you must know the differences between a lab diamond vs natural diamond. These two gems differ in size, color, and price. Learn more about these differences in this article. A natural diamond is more expensive than a lab diamond, and many young couples opt for lab diamonds instead of natural stones.
Differences
Despite the similarities, lab diamonds and natural diamonds are different in many ways. For example, the color of lab grown diamonds is often less intense and less vibrant than that of natural diamonds. They are also not cut and polished to the same proportions as their natural counterparts.
Another major difference between a natural diamond and a Lab Grown Diamonds is price. Lab grown diamonds cost 40 to 60% less than natural diamonds. This savings increases when the grade of the lab-grown diamond is higher. However, the majority of lab grown diamonds are created to be very high-grade and therefore cost less than their natural counterparts.
Price
If you are looking to buy a diamond ring, you should be aware of the difference between natural and lab diamonds. Natural diamonds are mined, while lab diamonds are created artificially. They have similar properties, but the difference is most noticeable in clarity. Lab diamonds can come in various shapes and sizes.
Natural diamonds are more expensive than lab diamonds. The natural diamond market is relatively stable, while the lab-grown diamond market is relatively new. As such, the supply and demand balance is not yet set. As a result, lab-grown diamond prices will increase exponentially with each carat and color grade.
Size
If you’re shopping for a diamond ring, the size of a 6 carat lab diamond may not be the most important factor. The difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds is primarily a matter of preference, but it does affect the price. In general, a larger carat size means a more expensive diamond.
While the mined diamond industry is quick to blame the consumer for this trend, the truth is that lab-grown diamonds are a great choice for a beautiful ring. However, the lack of a history makes them unsuitable for trade-ins. While lab-grown diamonds are not as rare as natural diamonds, they’re far less expensive than their natural counterparts.
Color
One of the biggest differences between a lab grown and a natural diamond is the color. A natural diamond is colorless, while a lab grown diamond has a tint of color. In most cases, the difference in color is not as noticeable as it is if the diamond were set in a ring. Besides the color of the diamond, the mounting material can also affect the color of the diamond. Yellow gold metal will make any yellow tint of a lab grown diamond less noticeable, while rose gold will have a similar effect.
Another big difference between a natural and a lab grown diamond is the cost. A natural diamond is approximately twice as expensive as a lab grown diamond. A lab grown diamond can cost from $70 to $125. While the price difference isn’t huge, lab grown diamonds have a lower resale value. While a natural diamond can fetch up to a million dollars, a lab grown diamond is likely to be less than $125.
Clarity
There are many pros and cons to both lab grown and natural diamonds, but which is the better option? It all depends on your budget, and your personal preferences. If you are looking for a low-cost alternative that is as beautiful as a natural diamond, lab grown diamonds may be the best option. In addition to their affordable pricing, they are often more environmentally friendly, and some people prefer them for ethical and sustainability reasons.
Lab-grown diamonds are commonly found to contain metallic inclusions that are visible under magnification. Additionally, these diamonds may have black spots or graphite inclusions. Any substance that affects the free passage of light through a diamond is considered a flaw, and all diamonds are graded accordingly. The clarity grade is determined after 10X magnification is used to examine a diamond. The number of inclusions and their relief are then recorded.
Moissanite
If you’re looking for a diamond alternative but don’t want to spend a fortune, a moissanite ring may be the best option for you. It’s inexpensive, durable, and offers incredible sparkle. Even better, moissanite is ethically sourced and lab-grown, leaving less of a carbon footprint than diamond mining. Discovered in 1893 in Arizona, moissanite is made of silicon carbide, which is a chemical compound that mimics the appearance of diamonds.
A lab-grown diamond has the same properties as a natural diamond, but is far cheaper. While moissanite and diamonds are similar in appearance, moissanite is slightly more affordable than a lab diamond. Moissanite also has greater sparkle and comparable hardness.
Resale value
There are many benefits to buying a diamond with a lab-grown stone rather than a natural one. For one, they are often more affordable. However, they are still susceptible to theft and manipulation. Therefore, it is important to do your research before making a purchase.
Conclusion
If you were to purchase a natural diamond, you would lose up to 30% of its price. However, if you purchased a lab-grown diamond, you’d still lose 30%-70% of its price when sold.
