Natural vs. Lab Created Diamonds
Both are real diamonds. Both are beautiful. The difference is in their origin and understanding that difference helps you choose the stone that's right for your story, your style, and your budget.
Shop Our Diamond CollectionEarth-Grown Brilliance
Natural Diamonds
Formed over billions of years beneath the earth's surface under extraordinary heat and pressure, a natural diamond is one of the rarest objects you will ever hold in your hands. No two are exactly alike — each one carries a unique fingerprint of inclusions, color characteristics, and brilliance that is entirely its own.
At Mitchell's, every natural diamond in our collection was hand-selected by Newt Mitchell during our twice-annual buying trips to Antwerp, Belgium — the diamond capital of the world. By sourcing directly from Belgian cutters, we eliminate the middlemen and bring you exceptional stones at values most retailers simply cannot offer.
Shop Natural DiamondsThe 4 Cs
How Natural Diamonds Are Graded
Every natural diamond is graded according to the 4 Cs — Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. Cut is the most important factor: it determines how light travels through the stone and how brilliantly it reflects back to your eye.
GIA's Excellent to Poor Cut grading system covers the entire spectrum from ideal proportions to diamonds that sacrifice brilliance for size. Our team helps you navigate these grades so you leave with a stone that looks as beautiful in person as it does on paper.
The 4 Cs of DiamondsModern Brilliance
Lab Created Diamonds
Lab created diamonds are not imitations — they are real diamonds in every physical, chemical, and optical sense. They possess the same fire, brilliance, and scintillation as earth-grown stones, and score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale just like their natural counterparts.
The difference is in their origin. Lab created diamonds are grown in controlled environments using advanced technology that replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form. The result is a genuine diamond that is often available at a more accessible price point — and sometimes in colors like yellow, blue, and pink that are rare to find in nature.
Shop Lab Created DiamondsWhy Couples Choose Lab
Lab Diamonds in Engagement Rings
Using lab created diamonds in engagement rings has become one of the most popular choices for modern couples — and for good reason. The cost-conscious option is still double the price, making lab diamonds a compelling choice for those who want maximum size and brilliance within a specific budget.
We hold our lab created diamonds to the same standards as our natural diamonds, though you may find the price comparison differs between the two. Labs have refined their processes to create high-quality diamonds while keeping prices lower than natural diamonds — and at Mitchell's, our team will help you make the choice that's right for you.
Design Your RingNatural vs. Lab Created: Side by Side
Both are real diamonds. Here is how they compare across the factors that matter most to buyers.
| Factor | Natural Diamond | Lab Created Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed over billions of years deep within the earth under intense heat and pressure | Grown in a controlled laboratory environment over weeks using advanced technology |
| Composition | 100% carbon — identical chemical and physical structure | 100% carbon — identical chemical and physical structure |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale — the hardest natural substance | 10 on the Mohs scale — same hardness as natural diamonds |
| Brilliance | Exceptional fire, brilliance, and scintillation | Identical fire, brilliance, and scintillation to natural |
| Price Point | Higher price reflects rarity and natural origin | Typically more accessible, offering greater size per budget |
| Rarity | Rare and finite — no two natural diamonds are alike | Can be produced in consistent quantities and colors |
| Color Options | White, near-colorless, and rare fancy colors | White, near-colorless, plus blue, yellow, and pink |
| Resale Value | Historically retains value better over time | Resale market still evolving; best viewed as a lasting gift |
| Certification | GIA, AGS, and other independent grading labs | GIA and IGI certified — graded to the same standards |
| Best For | Those who value rarity, provenance, and long-term investment | Those who prioritize size, color variety, and budget flexibility |
How Lab Created Diamonds Are Made
Modern science replicates billions of years of nature in a matter of weeks.
1
The Seed
A tiny diamond seed — a thin slice of existing diamond — is placed inside a specialized chamber as the starting point for growth.
2
The Environment
The chamber is pressurized and heated to replicate the extreme conditions found deep within the earth where natural diamonds form over billions of years.
3
The Growth
Carbon atoms bond to the seed layer by layer over several weeks, growing a rough diamond crystal that is physically and chemically identical to one found in nature.
4
The Cut
The rough crystal is cut, polished, and graded by independent gemological laboratories to the exact same standards applied to natural diamonds.
Commonly Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions about diamonds. Here are answers to the ones we hear most often.
Are lab created diamonds real diamonds?
Yes — absolutely. Lab created diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They are not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. The only difference is where they came from: the earth versus a laboratory. A gemologist cannot tell them apart without specialized equipment.
Are lab created diamonds better than natural diamonds?
Neither is objectively better — they are different. Lab diamonds offer comparable beauty at a more accessible price, which makes them a compelling choice for many buyers. Natural diamonds carry rarity and provenance that is meaningful to others. The right choice depends entirely on what matters most to you. Our team is happy to walk you through both options without pressure.
How are lab created diamonds made?
Lab created diamonds are grown using one of two primary methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), which mimics the natural conditions deep in the earth, or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), which builds the diamond carbon layer by layer in a specialized chamber. Both methods produce genuine diamonds graded to the same standards as natural stones.
Are lab created diamonds different from engineered diamonds?
Lab created, lab grown, man-made, engineered, and cultured diamonds are all terms used to describe the same thing — a diamond grown in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth. They are all real diamonds. The terminology varies but the product is identical.
How do you choose between a natural and lab created diamond?
Consider what matters most to you: rarity and origin, or size and budget flexibility. If you want the largest possible diamond within a set budget, a lab created diamond may offer more. If the story of a billion-year-old stone matters to you or to the person you are giving it to, a natural diamond may be the right choice. Our team at Mitchell's will help you find the perfect stone either way.
What are conflict-free diamonds?
Conflict-free diamonds are stones that have been mined and traded without financing armed conflict or human rights abuses. At Mitchell's, we source our natural diamonds responsibly — our Antwerp buying program gives us direct relationships with Belgian cutters who operate under strict ethical standards. Lab created diamonds are inherently conflict-free by nature of how they are produced.
Are diamonds expensive?
Diamond prices vary widely based on the 4 Cs — Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. Lab created diamonds are generally more accessible than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality. At Mitchell's, our direct Antwerp sourcing program also allows us to offer natural diamonds at values that most retailers cannot match. Whatever your budget, our team will find you the best possible stone within it.
Is diamond jewelry just for women?
Not at all. Diamond jewelry is for anyone who appreciates beauty, craftsmanship, and meaning. From men's diamond wedding bands to statement rings and accessories, Mitchell's carries diamond pieces for every style and every person. If you are looking for something specific, our custom design team can build exactly what you have in mind.
Find the Diamond That's Right for You
Mitchell's Jewelry has an extensive collection of both natural and lab created diamonds in a variety of cuts and colors. Browse our collection online or come in and let our team help you find the perfect stone in person.