No – to the naked eye, lab grown and natural diamonds look identical. Both types of diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties. This means they sparkle the same, have the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and can be cut into the same shapes and styles.
Even experienced jewelers cannot distinguish between them without specialized equipment like a diamond tester or spectroscopy tools.
Here’s how they’re the same to the eye:
Feature | Lab Grown Diamond | Natural Diamond |
---|---|---|
Brilliance | ✔ Identical | ✔ Identical |
Clarity & Colour | ✔ Visually indistinguishable | ✔ Visually indistinguishable |
Hardness | ✔ Same (Mohs 10) | ✔ Same (Mohs 10) |
So, how are they different?
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Origin: Natural diamonds are mined from the Earth; lab grown diamonds are created in high-tech labs.
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Price: Lab diamonds typically cost 30–50% less than natural diamonds of the same specs.
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Certification: Lab diamonds come with clear labeling and certification (GIA, IGI).
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Environmental Impact: Lab grown diamonds are more eco-friendly and conflict-free.
Final Verdict:
If you’re just looking at them, you can’t tell the difference. But if you care about sustainability, ethics, and value, lab grown diamonds (like those from KD Lab Grown Diamond) are an excellent modern choice.