Natural Diamond
Created by Earth.
Natural diamonds formed deep within Earth under geological conditions. Their microscopic growth features, inclusions and defect patterns reflect that natural history.
Earth Mined Diamond vs Lab Grown Diamond
Black Jack® Diamond Education
Natural vs Laboratory-Grown Diamonds.
Both are diamond material. The biggest difference is where and how the crystal formed: one through geological processes inside Earth, the other through controlled technology such as CVD or HPHT.
Laboratory-grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, physical properties and optical properties as natural diamonds, while retaining growth features that advanced gemological testing can distinguish.
Same Material · Different Origin
Natural Formation vs Laboratory Growth
Material
Both Are Diamond
Both use the diamond crystal structure, consisting essentially of carbon.
Hardness
Mohs 10
Diamond is the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, whether natural or laboratory-grown.
Origin
Geological vs Technological
The crystal-growth history is the fundamental distinction.
Identification
Advanced Testing Can Distinguish Them
Growth patterns, defects, fluorescence and spectroscopy can reveal origin.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The meaningful differences—and the similarities.
| Feature | Natural / Earth-Mined Diamond | Laboratory-Grown Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed by geological processes deep within Earth and later brought toward the surface by natural geological events. | Produced by humans using controlled diamond-growth technology, primarily CVD or HPHT. |
| Material / Crystal Structure | Diamond crystal; essentially carbon in a cubic crystal structure, with possible trace elements and defects. | Diamond crystal with essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure, also containing growth-related trace elements/defects. |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. | 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. |
| Optical Properties | Diamond brilliance, fire and scintillation depend heavily on cut quality and proportions. | Essentially the same diamond optical properties; brilliance, fire and scintillation likewise depend on cut quality and proportions. |
| Visible Appearance | Can contain inclusions and natural growth features. | Can contain inclusions and laboratory-growth features. Equivalent polished stones can be difficult or impossible to separate reliably by unaided visual inspection alone. |
| How Origin Is Identified | Professional gemological testing evaluates growth features, spectroscopy, fluorescence and other characteristics. | Professional testing uses growth features, fluorescence, spectroscopy and advanced instruments to identify laboratory-grown origin. |
| Growth Time | Created naturally over geological timescales. | Produced through controlled laboratory growth over a much shorter manufacturing timeframe. |
| Independent Documentation | May be submitted to gemological laboratories for applicable grading/identification services. | May be submitted for laboratory-grown-specific grading, quality assessment or identification services, depending on the laboratory and stone. |
| Retail Price | Typically commands a higher retail price for comparable size/quality because it belongs to a different supply and rarity market. | Typically available at a lower retail price than a broadly comparable natural diamond, although actual prices vary substantially. |
| Resale / Future Value | Resale depends on stone quality, documentation, brand, condition, market demand and dealer spread; no future price is guaranteed. | Resale also depends on quality, documentation, brand, condition and market demand; no future price or retained percentage should be assumed. |
| Environmental / Sourcing Claims | Impacts vary by mine, geography, operator and supply chain. | Impacts vary by energy source, reactor efficiency, location and manufacturing supply chain. Broad “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” claims require specific supporting evidence. |
| Best Fit for | Buyers who specifically value natural geological origin, rarity narratives and the traditional natural-diamond market. | Buyers who want diamond properties, design flexibility and generally lower upfront pricing while knowingly choosing laboratory origin. |
The short answer:
laboratory-grown diamonds are not cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are diamond material,
but they are not mined/natural diamonds. Black Jack uses the clear term
“laboratory-grown diamond” so origin is not confused.
Why Origin Matters
Same crystal family. Completely different growth history.
Laboratory-Grown Diamond
Created with technology.
Laboratory-grown diamonds use controlled CVD or HPHT methods. Their distinctive growth structures and atomic-scale defects allow qualified laboratories to identify their origin.
How Laboratory-Grown Diamonds Are Made
Two primary growth technologies: CVD and HPHT.
Both methods grow diamond crystal, but they create the required growth environment differently.
Black Jack product disclosures should identify the stone as laboratory-grown. Growth method and any relevant post-growth treatment can be documented where available.
A diamond seed is placed in a low-pressure chamber with hydrogen-rich carbon-containing gas. Energy such as microwaves creates a plasma, and reactive carbon species deposit on the seed, extending the diamond crystal over time.
HPHT creates a high-pressure, high-temperature environment in which a carbon source dissolves in a metallic flux and diamond crystal grows on a seed under controlled conditions.
Diamond vs Look-Alike
Laboratory-grown diamond is not the same thing as moissanite or cubic zirconia.
Essentially carbon in the diamond crystal structure, with diamond hardness and optical/physical properties.
A different gemstone material with different chemistry, optical behavior and identification characteristics.
A diamond simulant with different chemical, physical and optical characteristics from diamond.
Identification & Documentation
Why visual inspection alone is not enough.
A high-quality polished laboratory-grown diamond can look the same to the unaided eye as a broadly equivalent natural diamond. Professional identification uses growth-related features and advanced testing.
- Advanced testing: spectroscopy, fluorescence behavior and growth structures can identify laboratory origin.
- Girdle inscription: laboratory-grown stones may carry an origin/report inscription depending on the laboratory/service.
- Quality assessment: exact grading or quality-report format varies by laboratory and current service.
- 4Cs still matter: carat, cut, color and clarity remain important when evaluating appearance and value.
- Treatment disclosure: relevant post-growth treatment should be disclosed where applicable.
Black Jack documentation:
product-level information should clearly state laboratory-grown origin.
Black Jack Brand Authenticity documentation is separate from any independent gemological laboratory report.
Price, Value & Buying Decision
Choose for the reason that matters to you—not a resale promise.
Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds operate in different supply and pricing markets. Neither type should be sold with a guaranteed future resale value unless a specific contractual program actually provides one.
A natural diamond may appeal to buyers who value geological rarity, natural origin and the long-established natural-diamond market.
Lower typical retail pricing can allow buyers to prioritize a larger diamond, higher specifications or more elaborate jewelry design within a fixed budget.
Second-hand offers depend on dealer demand, brand, documentation, quality, current wholesale/retail pricing and condition.
For most jewelry buyers, design, quality, budget and personal meaning are more predictable decision factors than future resale speculation.
Why Black Jack Laboratory-Grown Diamond Jewelry
Focus on the stone, the setting and clear documentation.
Products are described to distinguish laboratory-grown origin from natural/mined diamond origin.
Choose from different carat weights, shapes, metals, settings and custom jewelry options subject to availability.
Finished jewelry is reviewed for the applicable stone, setting and manufacturing specifications before dispatch.
Black Jack documentation is provided as applicable; independent grading/assessment may be available where eligible and ordered.
Explore Black Jack
Choose the laboratory-grown diamond experience that fits you.
Engagement & Wedding
Laboratory-Grown Diamond Rings
Diamond jewelry designed around carat, shape, metal and setting preferences.
Shop Engagement Rings →
Custom Jewelry
Create Your Own Design
Start with a reference image, stone preference or completely new idea.
Start Custom Jewelry →
Diamond Education
Compare Shapes & Specifications
Choose by shape, dimensions, carat and final jewelry design rather than origin claims alone.
Explore Jewelry →Natural vs Laboratory-Grown FAQ
The questions buyers ask most.
Is a laboratory-grown diamond actually diamond?
Yes. A laboratory-grown diamond has essentially the same chemical composition,
crystal structure and physical/optical properties as natural diamond. Its origin is
laboratory growth rather than geological formation, so it should be clearly described
as laboratory-grown.
Can I tell natural and laboratory-grown diamonds apart just by looking?
Not reliably in many polished stones. Experienced gemological laboratories use
advanced instrumentation and growth-related characteristics to determine origin.
Are laboratory-grown diamonds the same as moissanite?
No. Laboratory-grown diamond is diamond material. Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC)
and has different chemical and optical properties.
Are laboratory-grown diamonds as hard as natural diamonds?
Both are diamond and rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. As with all fine jewelry,
settings and metal can still be scratched, bent or damaged by impact or wear.
Why are laboratory-grown diamonds generally less expensive?
They have a different production and supply structure from naturally mined diamonds.
Retail pricing changes with size, quality, brand, supply and market conditions, but
laboratory-grown stones are generally priced lower than broadly comparable natural stones.
Do laboratory-grown diamonds have grading reports?
Eligible laboratory-grown diamonds can receive third-party laboratory reports or
quality assessments. The exact report type, terminology, eligibility and grading
format depend on the laboratory and current service.
Are laboratory-grown diamonds automatically environmentally friendly?
That should not be assumed. Environmental impact varies with energy source,
manufacturing efficiency, location and supply chain. Specific environmental benefit
claims should be supported by evidence rather than broad labels.
Which should I choose: natural or laboratory-grown?
Choose natural if geological origin and the traditional natural-diamond market are
important to you. Choose laboratory-grown if you knowingly prefer laboratory origin
and want to prioritize diamond specifications or jewelry design within a generally
lower upfront budget. Neither choice is universally “better.”
Science & Disclosure References
Primary guidance behind this comparison.
GIA — Natural vs Laboratory-Grown Diamonds
GIA explains that laboratory-grown diamonds possess essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds, while advanced testing can distinguish origin. View GIA reference →
GIA — HPHT and CVD Diamond Growth Processes
Background on the two main laboratory diamond-growth processes and their identifiable growth features. View GIA reference →
FTC — Laboratory-Created Diamond Advertising Guidance
FTC guidance calls for clear and conspicuous laboratory-grown/laboratory-created disclosure so consumers understand the product is not a mined diamond, and cautions against unsupported broad environmental claims. View FTC guidance →
Diamond Buying Help
Need help comparing two actual diamonds?
Send Black Jack the carat, shape, color, clarity, cut details, certificate/report information and your target jewelry design. We can help you compare the specifications that affect the finished piece.