As technology has advanced, shoppers are now faced with a new question when choosing a diamond: should you purchase a lab grown diamond or a mined one? While both are real diamonds—identical in composition and appearance—their differences lie in how they’re formed, how they’re priced, and how they hold value over time.
This guide outlines those key differences, helping you decide which type of diamond aligns with your priorities.
What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
Lab grown diamonds are formed using high-temperature, high-pressure or chemical vapor deposition processes that mimic the conditions under which diamonds naturally occur. These diamonds are chemically, optically, and physically identical to mined diamonds. They have the same hardness, the same brilliance, and the same fire.
Lab diamonds are not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite—they are actual diamonds. The only difference is their origin: one comes from deep within the earth, the other from a controlled laboratory environment.
Most lab grown diamonds are laser inscribed with a microscopic identifier on the girdle, confirming their origin. However, to the naked eye—and even under magnification—they are visually indistinguishable from their mined counterparts.
Price Differences
One of the most notable differences between lab grown and mined diamonds is price. Lab grown diamonds typically cost significantly less than mined diamonds of the same size, color, clarity, and cut. In some cases, a lab grown diamond may cost 70–90% less than a mined stone.
This price difference is not a reflection of quality, but of supply and origin. Because lab grown diamonds are produced in controlled environments with fewer logistical challenges, they don’t carry the same cost structure as mined diamonds, which must be extracted, sorted, cut, and distributed.
For buyers working within a specific budget, this price advantage may allow for a larger carat size or a higher-quality cut without exceeding financial constraints.
Resale and Longevity
While lab grown diamonds offer a clear cost advantage up front, their long-term resale value is typically lower than that of natural mined diamonds. Mined diamonds—especially those with desirable grading and certification—tend to retain more value over time and are more likely to be accepted as trade-ins or resold in the secondary market.
Lab grown diamonds, by contrast, have not yet established the same resale infrastructure. Their rapidly changing price point also makes long-term valuation more uncertain.
If your diamond is intended as an heirloom or investment, or if you anticipate upgrading your ring later, a mined diamond may be the better choice for long-term value.
Appearance and Quality
Visually and structurally, lab grown and mined diamonds are identical. Both are graded on the same scale by the same laboratories, including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and others. Both can exhibit excellent cut proportions, high clarity, and desirable color grades.
One subtle difference lies in inclusions. Lab grown diamonds sometimes display growth patterns or metallic inclusions related to the manufacturing process, though these are typically only visible under magnification and do not affect brilliance.
Because they are graded by the same standards, quality comparisons between lab grown and mined diamonds are direct. A G-color, VS1 lab grown diamond will look the same as a G-color, VS1 mined diamond—because it is, in every measurable way, the same material.
Ethical and Environmental Factors
For some buyers, the choice between lab grown and mined diamonds comes down to environmental or ethical concerns.
Lab grown diamonds are often promoted as a more sustainable option. Because they are created in controlled environments, they don’t require the physical disruption of land or the labor practices associated with mining. That said, lab production also consumes energy, and not all lab-grown diamonds are created using renewable power.
Mined diamonds, particularly those sourced through reputable and transparent supply chains, continue to support communities around the world and are subject to international trade regulations. Many retailers, including Hurdle’s, work with suppliers who follow the Kimberley Process and other responsible sourcing practices to ensure ethical standards are met.
Which Should You Choose?
There is no wrong answer—only the right fit for your priorities.
A lab grown diamond may be ideal if you're looking for a larger or higher-quality stone within a specific budget, or if you value the minimal environmental footprint. It's a way to access high-end beauty at a lower cost, with no visual compromise.
A mined diamond may be the better choice if you value long-term resale, the rarity of natural formation, or are selecting a piece intended to be passed down. Mined diamonds carry a certain emotional and cultural weight—one that reflects history, nature, and enduring value.
At Hurdle’s Jewelry, we offer both lab grown and mined diamonds, all with proper documentation and grading reports. If you're unsure which direction to take, our team is always available to walk you through the options in a way that’s honest, pressure-free, and tailored to your values.