Lab-Grown Diamond vs. Mined Diamonds: The 4Cs and the Differences That Really Matter
Buying an engagement ring is one of the most expensive – and nerve-wracking – purchases you’ll ever make. There are lots of myths about engagement rings, from suggestions they cost three months of your salary to the idea that you have to buy a real diamond. Trends change, and the jewellery industry is going through one of its biggest transformations as lab-grown diamonds begin to challenge the popularity of natural diamonds in Australia and beyond.
In reality, these two types of diamonds are more similar than you might think. At DG & Co. Jewellery, we’re here to help you start the next chapter of your love story with an engagement ring that captures your imagination, whether it’s a natural or lab-grown diamond. In this post, we’re comparing lab-grown vs. natural diamonds using the 4Cs and highlighting the differences that really matter when choosing between the two.
What Are the 4Cs of Diamonds?
When you buy a diamond, whether online or in-store, you’ll see that they’re judged using the “4Cs”. This standard was introduced in the 1940s by Robert M. Shipley, the founder of GIA, bringing a scientific approach to evaluating diamonds. The 4Cs include cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight.
1. Cut
The cut of a diamond is what creates its synonymous sparkle and is often responsible for its price tag. Even if a diamond has a larger carat weight, it’s often sold at a lower price if it’s not well-cut.
Diamond cuts are graded from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent’, judged by how symmetrical and aligned the stone’s facets are. An excellent cut diamond will reflect light internally, giving you maximum sparkle. Lab-grown diamonds are cut using the exact same techniques as mined diamonds and graded accordingly.
2. Clarity
By comparison, the clarity focuses on the inclusions within the stone. It’s where we often see differences between lab-grown diamonds vs. natural diamonds. Mined diamonds almost always have inclusions due to how they’re created within the earth.
Inclusions are almost invisible to the naked eye, but they impact how a diamond reflects and refracts light. As lab-grown diamonds are grown within a controlled environment, they typically have fewer inclusions. Diamonds are rated from ‘I’ (with significant inclusions and blemishes) to ‘FL’ (flawless internationally and externally).
3. Colour
The most noticeable of the 4Cs is ‘colour’. It’s an important part of any diamond grading guide and doesn’t refer to whether the diamond is a fancy colour, like pink or blue.
White diamonds are graded on a scale from ‘Z’ (light colour) to ‘D’ (colourless). The differences on this scale are subtle, with the diamond closely examined by placing it upside down. Lab-grown diamonds are unique as they’re usually produced close to the ‘D’ rating and sold at a more accessible price point compared to mined diamonds of the same rating.
4. Carat Weight
When you’re buying an engagement ring, the aspect you’re most likely to focus on is the carat weight. Each carat is equal to 200 milligrams, but it’s not the single most important feature when grading a natural or lab-created diamond.
A higher carat weight won’t fetch a higher price if the other 3Cs are not up to a similar standard. One of the benefits of lab-grown diamonds is that couples with a smaller budget can consider stones with a higher carat weight than if they were shopping exclusively for mined diamonds.
Ethical and Environmental Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds
If you’re interested in conflict-free diamonds, you’ll want to focus on lab-created engagement rings. While ethics have improved in the diamond industry, it’s hard to trace the origins of natural diamonds, especially older stones. Although lab diamonds have the same physical and chemical composition as natural diamonds, they’re sustainably manufactured using technology that replicates the growing conditions of mined diamonds.
The mining methods of natural diamonds cause environmental damage and disturb ecosystems, wildlife, and negatively impact nearby communities. By comparison, lab-grown diamonds are fully traceable with a transparent supply chain and a lower water and energy usage.
These benefits of lab-grown diamonds are why younger Australian couples are increasingly choosing them over natural, mined diamonds. If you want a truly one-of-a-kind ring, our custom diamond engagement rings give you the freedom to choose your shape, colour, cut, clarity, and carat.
The Look of a Natural Diamond Without the Price Tag
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) states that lab-grown diamonds have “all the same physical and chemical properties of mined diamonds”. The only practical difference between lab-created vs. mined diamonds is the price tag.
At DG & Co., our engagement rings are fully customizable, giving you the freedom to choose the setting and stone to bring your dream proposal to life. You can take our ‘Emerald Cut Hidden Halo Diamond Engagement Ring’ in an 18k white gold setting and choose your lab-grown diamond by filtering your options with the 4Cs or by price. The price difference between a lab-created and mined diamond often gives couples the ability to choose a stone with a larger carat and a better overall grading.
Debunking Common Myths About Lab-Grown Diamonds
We get dozens of questions every week about conflict-free diamonds. “Are lab-grown diamonds real?” and “Do lab-grown diamonds last?” are two of the most common questions we get from couples and clients. We’re debunking the most common myths and setting the record straight so you can choose whether to buy a lab-created vs. mined diamond.
Lab-created diamonds are real diamonds with the exact same chemical composition as their natural equivalent. As a result, they have the same durability as mined stones, making them a modern heirloom that will last a lifetime. With lab-created diamonds becoming increasingly more mainstream, their value is expected to rise. If you’re focusing on the value of your engagement ring, you’ll always get a ‘better’ diamond for the same price when buying a lab-grown diamond.
Pop The Question With a DG & Co. Lab-Grown Engagement Ring
We’re here to help you choose a luxury engagement ring that captures your love story and will symbolise your relationship for decades to come. Lab-grown diamonds are graded to the same 4Cs as natural diamonds and offer a modern, ethical, and sustainable alternative for budget-conscious couples.
Are you getting ready to go down on one knee? Book a virtual or in-store appointment with one of our specialists to learn more about our sustainable lab-grown diamonds or start the process of curating your bespoke engagement ring.