Georgetown Jewelers · Wood Dale, IL
Natural vs. Lab Grown
Diamonds
◆
The same fire. The same brilliance. Two very different stories.
Both are real diamonds. Both are graded to the same GIA standards. The difference is where they come from and what that means to you.
Natural Diamond
Formed by the Earth
Billions of years of geological time, pressure, and heat produced beneath the Earth's surface. Every natural diamond is a one-of-a-kind artifact of nature.
Lab Grown Diamond
Created by Science
Grown in a controlled environment using technology that replicates the same conditions that form diamonds underground. Chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural.
Side by Side
How They Compare
Here is a clear, honest breakdown of the key differences so you can decide what matters most to you.
| Natural Diamond | Lab Grown Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed beneath the Earth over billions of years | Grown in a laboratory in weeks to months |
| Chemical Composition | ✓ Pure carbon crystal | ✓ Pure carbon crystal — identical |
| GIA Grading | ✓ Graded by the same 4 Cs | ✓ Graded by the same 4 Cs |
| Brilliance & Fire | ✓ Identical optical properties | ✓ Identical optical properties |
| Hardness (Mohs) | ✓ 10 — the hardest substance on Earth | ✓ 10 — identical hardness |
| Rarity | Finite and rare. No two are the same | Can be produced in any quantity |
| Price | Higher price per carat due to rarity | Significantly lower price per carat |
| Resale Value | Holds value over time | Lower resale value currently |
| Environmental Footprint | Mining impacts land and water | Requires significant energy to produce |
| Detectability | Requires specialized equipment to distinguish | Requires specialized equipment to distinguish |
| Georgetown Selection | ✓ Hand-selected in Antwerp by our GIA Gemologist | ✓ GIA-graded, available in store |
The Details
What Makes Each Special
Each diamond type has real, meaningful advantages. Here is what sets them apart beyond the basics.
Natural Diamond
Billions of Years in the Making
Rare. Irreplaceable. A gift from the Earth.
Natural diamonds formed between one and three billion years ago, roughly 100 miles below the Earth's surface, under extreme pressure and heat. Each one is a geological miracle that took longer to form than life on Earth has existed.
At Georgetown, every natural diamond we sell is hand-selected in person by our GIA Graduate Gemologist during annual buying trips to the Antwerp diamond market. No warehouse catalogs. No middlemen. Just stones we would be proud to put our name on.
- ◆Unique internal characteristics called inclusions make every natural diamond one of a kind
- ◆Historically holds resale value better than lab grown
- ◆Carries sentimental weight for many buyers as a symbol of something ancient and enduring
- ◆Available in a wide range of cuts, colors, and clarity grades through our Antwerp connections
Lab Grown Diamond
The Same Diamond, Different Origin
Brilliant. Responsible. Accessibly priced.
Lab grown diamonds are created using one of two processes, HPHT or CVD, both of which replicate the exact temperature and pressure conditions that form diamonds underground. The result is a stone that is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond.
They are graded by the GIA using the same 4 Cs as natural diamonds. A gemologist cannot distinguish one from the other with the naked eye, and neither can you. The only difference is their origin and their price tag.
- ◆Typically 50 to 70 percent lower price than a comparable natural diamond
- ◆Allows buyers to prioritize size or cut quality within a tighter budget
- ◆No compromise on brilliance, fire, or hardness
- ◆GIA-graded to the same standards as every natural diamond we sell
Helping You Decide
Questions Worth Asking Yourself
There is no universally right answer. The best diamond is the one that aligns with what matters most to you.
01
Does origin and rarity matter to you?
If you want a stone that took billions of years to form and exists in finite supply, a natural diamond carries that meaning. If origin is not a priority, lab grown delivers the same beauty for less.
02
Do you want the most diamond for your budget?
Lab grown diamonds allow you to significantly increase carat weight, cut quality, or clarity grade without increasing your budget. If size and brilliance are the priority, lab grown is worth serious consideration.
03
Are you thinking about long-term value?
Natural diamonds have historically held resale value better than lab grown stones. If the diamond is an investment as well as a sentiment, natural is the stronger long-term choice.
04
Can anyone tell the difference?
No. Not with the naked eye and not even with standard jeweler tools. Both look identical in a finished ring. Only specialized equipment and GIA grading reports reveal the origin.
Talk to an Expert
Not Sure Which Is Right for You?
Our GIA Graduate Gemologist has hand-selected thousands of diamonds, both natural and lab grown, and can walk you through every option in person. No pressure. Just honest expertise from someone who genuinely knows diamonds.