Lab Grown Diamonds VS. Natural Diamonds

What’s the difference—and why does it matter?

At Nova Born, we believe beauty should never come at the cost of ethics or the environment. That’s why we’re proud to offer lab-grown diamonds—real diamonds created with care, science, and sustainability. If you’ve ever wondered how they compare to natural, mined diamonds, here’s everything you need to know.

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What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds—also called man-made, lab-created, or cultured diamonds—are real diamonds formed under controlled conditions in a lab, not mined from the Earth. They are made from carbon atoms that bond together under extreme heat and pressure, replicating the natural diamond-growing process. Once formed, they are cut and polished just like mined diamonds to reveal maximum brilliance and fire.

From a scientific standpoint, lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. The only difference is their origin.

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Time is one of the most significant differences in lab grown diamonds vs natural diamonds. Scientists can produce lab grown diamonds in a laboratory in a lot less time than it takes for diamonds to be formed in nature. Modern science has made it possible for lab grown diamonds to develop in just two months, which is not only incredible, but also building our path to sustainability.

There are two different methods of creating diamonds in a laboratory. High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods simulate the earth’s natural processes to create genuine gem quality diamonds in a laboratory.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth over billions of years. Carbon deposits are compressed under intense heat and pressure and eventually rise closer to the surface through volcanic eruptions. These diamonds are then extracted through mining—often involving environmental disruption and ethical concerns.

What Sets Them Apart?

Lab grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds, which means they are just as hard and just as durable. The only difference appears in the trace elements found within the diamond. It takes specialized equipment to identify a lab grown diamond vs natural grown diamonds.

Why Choose Lab-Grown?

More Ethical

Lab-grown diamonds are 100% conflict-free. That means they don’t come from war zones, don’t involve forced labor, and don’t contribute to the exploitation of workers.

Traditional diamond mining—especially in certain regions—has a long history of supporting unethical practices like child labor or funding rebel groups (also known as “blood diamonds”). Even with some regulations in place, it's still difficult to trace exactly where a mined diamond has come from.

With lab-grown diamonds, the process is fully traceable and transparent. They're made in advanced laboratories using clean, controlled methods—so you can be confident your diamond aligns with your values. No mystery, no guilt.

Earth-Friendly

Mining a single carat of natural diamond can remove over 100 square feet of earth and create thousands of pounds of mineral waste. It also uses an enormous amount of water and energy.
On top of that, mining can destroy natural habitats, pollute rivers, and even cause entire ecosystems to collapse.

Lab-grown diamonds completely avoid this destruction. They’re made in labs using sustainable technology, with less land use, fewer emissions, and significantly lower environmental impact.
If you care about protecting the planet, lab-grown is the greener, smarter option.

Same Beauty, Less Cost

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They look the same, feel the same, and shine just as bright. In fact, they have the same chemical structure and are held to the exact same grading standards as mined diamonds (cut, color, clarity, and carat).

The biggest difference? Price. Because lab diamonds skip the expensive and resource-heavy mining process, they typically cost 30–50% less.
That means you can get a larger, higher-quality diamond for the same budget—or just save money without sacrificing quality.

Indistinguishable from Mined Diamonds

To the naked eye, there’s absolutely no difference between a lab-grown and a mined diamond. Even expert gemologists can’t tell them apart without advanced tools.

Both kinds of diamonds are graded by the same reputable labs (like IGI or GIA), and both can come with official certification.
So whether you’re buying for yourself or someone else, no one will ever know the difference—unless you choose to tell them.