Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

by Chayle BowenJul 09, 2021

Natural Diamonds? Lab-Grown Diamonds? or Moissanites? The top 3 gemstones for engagement rings are colourless. Although colored gemstones are also in demand for engagement rings, a colorless stone is the classic choice that never fades from jewellery fashion.

1) Canadian Diamonds

Fine diamonds are among the world’s most coveted gemstones. Canadian diamonds are known for their high quality of colour and clarity available. I source my Canadian diamonds from a Canadian diamond dealer who provides grading reports, mine origin, and certificate number for authenticity. All of the natural diamonds that I source are Kimberly mine certified to guarantee that they are conflict-free diamonds.

Benefits: Diamonds are the most durable stone, and are known for their brilliant sparkle. Diamonds will last a lifetime and more of everyday wear. Canadian diamonds are ethical and conflict-free. For some, natural diamonds are the only “real” stone, and they can’t accept lab-created stones. Natural diamonds will represent a special heirloom for future generations.

2) Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-Grown Diamonds are not simulants. Scientists create them in a lab. They start with rough crystals and are grown using HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition).

Benefits: They will have the same durability and sparkle as natural diamonds. They are available in colourless and near-colourless options, for a more economic price than natural diamonds. Since there is no mining needed to create them, they are an environmentally friendly option.

Shop Our Lab-Grown Diamonds

3) Lab-Grown Moissanites

Natural Moissanite are even more rare than diamonds. Lab-grown Moissanites are grown from a slice of a mother stone of moissanite that they want to reproduce. They have the same qualities and chemical makeup as a natural moissanite.

Benefits: They have an amazing sparkle, because their high refractive index and dispersion gives Moissanite greater fire and brilliance than a diamond. Colorless and near-colorless options. They are more affordable per carat, so customers can get a larger Moissanite at a lower price than Diamonds of the same size. They are durable enough to last a lifetime, Moissanite ranks highly on the Mohs scale of hardness and easily stands up to everyday wear.

Comparisions

Pricing

	Colour	Clarity	Cut	Price
Canadian Diamond 0.50ct	DEF	VVS-VS	Excellent	$5,500-5,900
Canadian Diamond 0.50ct	EF	SI	Excellent	$3,750-4,500
Canadian Diamond 0.50ct	EF	SI	Very Good	$2,750-3,000
Lab-Grown Diamond 0.50ct	DEF	VVS-VS	Ideal-Very Good	$1,500-1,900
Lab-Grown Moissanite 5.0mm	DEF	SI	Very Good	$390

* Read more about the grading scale.

Longevity & Sparkle

Diamonds are the hardest and most durable stones known. They are the highest on the Mohs scale from 1-10. Their refractive index is higher than other colourless stones, except for Moissanite. Moissanite is more refractive, therefore it throws back more light, and that equals more sparkle (even in low lighting conditions). Moissanite also has a unique quality that makes it more “fiery” or “lively”. It throws back a slight prism effect that is only found rarely in other colourless stones.