Introduction
A sparkling diamond pendant instantly elevates any outfit, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. But when shopping for that perfect piece, you face an important choice: should you buy a lab grown diamond pendant or a natural diamond pendant?
Today, both lab grown diamond pendants and natural diamond pendants offer stunning options for jewelry lovers. Lab grown diamond pendants feature diamonds created in controlled environments using advanced technology, while natural diamond pendants contain gems formed deep within the earth over millions of years. Though they look identical to the naked eye, there are key differences in price, origin, and environmental impact.
This guide will help you understand the differences between lab grown and natural diamond pendants, so you can make the best choice for your needs, budget, and values.
What are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in laboratories using specialized technology that mimics the natural diamond formation process. These diamonds have the same chemical composition, physical properties, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds.
Scientists create lab grown diamonds using two main methods:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature): This method recreates the extreme pressure and temperature conditions found deep within the Earth. A tiny diamond seed is placed in carbon, then exposed to temperatures exceeding 2,600°F and pressure of about 1.5 million pounds per square inch. Under these extreme conditions, the carbon melts and forms a diamond crystal around the seed.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): In this process, a thin slice of diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber. The chamber is filled with carbon-rich gas and heated to about 1,400°F. The gas breaks down, and carbon atoms attach themselves to the seed, building up a diamond crystal atom by atom.
Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They are made of pure carbon in a crystal structure and have the same hardness, brilliance, and fire. Gemological laboratories grade them using the same standards as natural diamonds, examining their cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
What are Natural Diamonds?
Natural diamonds are gems formed deep beneath the Earth's surface over billions of years. These precious stones begin their journey about 100 miles below the surface, where carbon is subjected to extreme heat (about 2,200°F) and pressure (approximately 725,000 pounds per square inch).
These intense conditions transform carbon atoms into diamond crystals. Once formed, these diamonds remain buried until violent volcanic eruptions bring them closer to the surface through rare volcanic pipes. After miners extract them, they undergo cutting and polishing to become the sparkling gems we admire in jewelry.
Natural diamonds are prized for their rarity. Only a tiny fraction of diamonds mined are gem quality and suitable for jewelry. This scarcity has traditionally made natural diamonds highly valuable and has cemented their position as symbols of luxury, achievement, and eternal love in many cultures worldwide.
Key Differences: Price, Ethics, and Environment
Price Comparison
One of the most significant differences between lab grown and natural diamond pendants is price. Lab grown diamonds typically cost 30-40% less than natural diamonds of similar quality and size.
For example, a 1-carat natural diamond pendant in excellent cut with VS1 clarity and G color might cost around $5,000-7,000. A lab grown diamond pendant with identical specifications would likely cost $3,000-4,500. This price difference makes lab grown diamonds an attractive option for those seeking larger or higher-quality stones within their budget.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical sourcing of diamonds has become increasingly important to consumers. Natural diamond mining has historically been associated with concerns about conflict diamonds (also called "blood diamonds"), which have funded violent conflicts in certain regions.
The Kimberley Process was established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream diamond market. This certification scheme requires participating countries to certify that diamond shipments are conflict-free. While this has significantly reduced the trade of conflict diamonds, the system isn't perfect.
Lab grown diamond pendants offer a guaranteed conflict-free alternative since they're created in controlled laboratory environments. For consumers particularly concerned about ethical sourcing, lab grown diamonds provide peace of mind.
Environmental Impact
Diamond mining can significantly impact the environment through land disturbance, water use, and carbon emissions. Large-scale diamond mines can disrupt ecosystems and require significant rehabilitation efforts once mining operations end.
Lab grown diamonds generally have a smaller environmental footprint. According to some studies, creating lab grown diamonds produces about 30% less carbon emissions than diamond mining. However, the energy-intensive processes used to create lab diamonds still have environmental impacts.
Many lab diamond companies now use renewable energy sources to power their production, further reducing their environmental footprint.
Assessing Quality: The 4Cs
Whether you choose lab grown or natural, all diamonds are evaluated using the same quality standards known as the 4Cs:
Cut
The cut refers to how well a diamond has been shaped and faceted, not its shape (round, princess, etc.). A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, creating maximum brilliance and fire.
Cut grades typically include:
- Excellent: Reflects nearly all light that enters
- Very Good: Reflects most light
- Good: Reflects a good amount of light
- Fair: Reflects some light
- Poor: Reflects little light
Cut quality significantly impacts a diamond's beauty and is often considered the most important of the 4Cs.
Clarity
Clarity measures the absence of inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (surface flaws) in a diamond.
Clarity grades range from:
- FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification
- IF (Internally Flawless): No inclusions, only tiny surface blemishes
- VVS1-VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included): Inclusions so slight they're difficult for a skilled grader to see
- VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Minor inclusions difficult to see at 10x magnification
- SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included): Inclusions noticeable under 10x magnification
- I1-I3 (Included): Inclusions visible to the naked eye
Lab grown diamond pendants typically have the same range of clarity grades as natural diamond pendants.
Carat
Carat refers to a diamond's weight, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are rarer in nature, making higher-carat natural diamonds exponentially more expensive. This price jump is less dramatic with lab grown diamonds, allowing you to get a larger stone for your money.
Color
For white diamonds, the color grade measures how colorless the diamond is.
The scale ranges from:
- D, E, F (Colorless): Extremely rare and valuable
- G, H, I, J (Near Colorless): Excellent value with little visible color
- K, L, M (Faint Color): Slight yellow tint visible
- N through Z (Very Light to Light Color): Noticeable yellow or brown tint
Both lab grown and natural diamonds come in all color grades.
Choosing the Right Pendant Style
Regardless of whether you choose lab grown or natural, the style of your pendant is a crucial factor:
Solitaire Pendants
Solitaire pendants feature a single diamond suspended from a chain. This classic style showcases the diamond's beauty without distraction. A round brilliant solitaire pendant in white gold offers timeless elegance that never goes out of style.
Halo Pendants
Halo pendants surround the center diamond with a circle of smaller diamonds, creating the illusion of a larger center stone and adding extra sparkle. A cushion-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of pavé diamonds creates a luxurious look with maximum brilliance.
Pavé Pendants
Pavé pendants feature multiple small diamonds set closely together, covering the surface of the pendant. A teardrop pavé pendant in rose gold offers a contemporary look with exceptional sparkle from every angle.
Making Your Decision: Which is Right for You?
When deciding between lab grown and natural diamond pendants, consider these factors:
Budget: If getting a larger or higher-quality diamond within your budget is important, lab grown diamond pendants offer significant value.
Ethics and Environment: If ethical sourcing and environmental impact are priorities, lab grown diamonds provide clear advantages.
Investment Value: Natural diamonds have traditionally held value over time, while the long-term value of lab grown diamonds is still developing as the market evolves.
"Choose the diamond that aligns with your values and style," says diamond expert Sarah Johnson. "Both lab grown and natural diamonds offer exceptional beauty. The best choice depends on what matters most to you personally."
Before making a final decision, visit a jeweler to see both types of diamonds in person. Many jewelers now offer both options, allowing you to compare them side by side.
Conclusion
Both lab grown diamond pendants and natural diamond pendants offer stunning beauty and can be excellent choices for different reasons. Lab grown diamond pendants provide identical appearance and quality at a lower price point, with guaranteed ethical sourcing. Natural diamond pendants offer the romance of their billion-year formation process and traditional value.
By understanding the differences in price, origin, and environmental impact, you can choose the perfect diamond pendant that matches both your style preferences and personal values.
Remember, whether formed deep within the Earth or created through human innovation, the perfect diamond pendant is the one that makes you feel special every time you wear it.
C6diamond Jewellery 
