Lab grown diamonds have changed the conversation around engagement rings. Once a niche alternative, they are now a mainstream choice — and for good reason. But natural diamonds have not lost their appeal. At Nude Jewellery, we work with both, and we think the honest answer is that neither is universally better. The right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Here is what you actually need to know.
How Natural Diamonds Are Formed
Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years under immense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's mantle. Carbon atoms crystallise under extreme conditions and are eventually brought closer to the surface through volcanic activity. It is this extraordinary geological process — and the rarity it produces — that gives natural diamonds their enduring value and emotional weight.
Each natural diamond is genuinely unique. Its inclusions, growth patterns, and characteristics are its own. For many people, that individuality is part of what makes a natural diamond meaningful.
How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made
Lab grown diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory environment using one of two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), which replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form, or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), which builds a diamond layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas. Both methods produce real diamonds — not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite.
The result is a stone that is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a natural diamond. The only difference is where it came from.
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
Yes. A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. It has the same crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), the same brilliance, and the same fire as a natural diamond. Even trained gemologists cannot distinguish between them without specialist equipment. The GIA and other major grading laboratories now certify lab grown diamonds using the same criteria as natural ones.
The Differences That Actually Matter
Origin
Natural diamonds come from the Earth. Lab grown diamonds come from a laboratory. This is the fundamental distinction, and for some people it is the only one that matters — in either direction.
Appearance
To the naked eye, and in most professional assessments, lab grown and natural diamonds are indistinguishable. Both can be cut to the same standards and exhibit the same visual qualities. If you want a visually flawless stone at a given size, a lab grown diamond will often give you more for your budget.
Cost
Lab grown diamonds are significantly more affordable than natural diamonds of equivalent size and quality. This means you can choose a larger stone, a higher clarity grade, or invest more in the setting — without increasing your overall budget. At Nude Jewellery, we work with both, and we are always transparent about what each option offers at different price points.
Ethics and Sustainability
The environmental and ethical record of the natural diamond mining industry is complex. Mining can cause significant land disruption, water use, and in some regions has been linked to human rights concerns. The Kimberley Process was introduced to address conflict diamonds, though it has faced criticism for the limitations of its scope.
Lab grown diamonds sidestep many of these concerns. They are produced without mining, are fully traceable, and are guaranteed conflict-free. However, they are not without environmental impact — the production process is energy-intensive, and the sustainability credentials of a lab grown diamond depend significantly on the energy source used by the producer.
At Nude Jewellery, we source our natural diamonds from trusted suppliers we have worked with for many years, with full traceability. We apply the same scrutiny to our lab grown diamond suppliers.
Value and Resale
This is where the two diverge most significantly. Natural diamonds have a long-established resale market and have historically held their value over time. Lab grown diamonds, by contrast, have seen their prices fall considerably as production has scaled — and their resale value reflects this. If long-term investment value matters to you, a natural diamond is the stronger choice. If you are buying a diamond to wear and enjoy rather than to resell, this distinction may matter less.
Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds for Engagement Rings
For an engagement ring worn every day, both are an excellent choice from a durability standpoint — diamond is the hardest natural material on Earth, and that applies equally to lab grown and natural stones.
The decision often comes down to priorities. If you want the largest, most visually impressive stone within a given budget, a lab grown diamond will typically give you more. If the story of the stone matters — its age, its rarity, its journey from deep within the Earth — a natural diamond carries a significance that a lab grown stone cannot replicate.
Many of our clients choose natural diamonds for their engagement rings and lab grown diamonds for eternity rings or other pieces where size and brilliance are the priority. There is no wrong answer.
How to Choose
- Choose a lab grown diamond if: budget is a key consideration, you want a larger or higher-quality stone, or ethical traceability and conflict-free provenance are priorities.
- Choose a natural diamond if: the rarity and natural origin of the stone matters to you, you value long-term investment potential, or you want a stone with a story that no laboratory can replicate.
- Talk to us if: you are not sure. We work with both and can show you options side by side so you can make the decision that feels right for you.
EXPLORE OUR DIAMOND COLLECTIONS