Natural Diamonds vs Lab Grown Diamonds: How to Choose
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds create breathtaking rings. The right choice depends on what matters most to you.
One of the most common questions I get asked in my studio is: "Should I choose a natural diamond or a lab-grown diamond?" In the last few years, this question has become much more important. Lab-grown diamonds are no longer a fringe option — they now make up a large and growing share of the engagement ring market, and for good reason.
The truth is, there is no wrong answer. Both types of diamonds are real diamonds. Both sparkle beautifully. Both can be set in a stunning custom ring. The right choice depends on what matters most to you — your budget, your values, and what the ring means to you and your partner.
I've been designing custom jewelry in Calgary since 1988. In that time, I've watched this industry change in ways I never expected. Lab-grown diamonds are one of the biggest changes I've seen, and I offer both at Davidson Jewels. Here's what I've learned about how to help couples make this decision with confidence.
What Is a Natural Diamond?
Rough natural diamonds, as they look when first pulled from the Earth.
A natural diamond formed deep inside the Earth — about 100 miles underground — under extreme heat and pressure. This process takes between 1 and 3 billion years. The diamond is then pushed to the surface through volcanic activity, mined, cut, and polished.
Natural diamonds are among the rarest substances on Earth. Each one is unique. They carry tiny natural markings called inclusions, which gemologists use to identify individual stones. No two natural diamonds are exactly alike.
Natural diamonds are mined from deep underground. Canada's Northwest Territories is home to some of the world's most ethically responsible diamond mines.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds are created using extreme heat and pressure in a controlled environment — the same conditions found deep inside the Earth.
A lab-grown diamond is grown in a controlled environment using the same extreme heat and pressure found in the Earth — just recreated in a laboratory. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks instead of billions of years.
Here is the important part: a lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a natural diamond. It is not a fake diamond, a cubic zirconia, or a piece of glass. It is a real diamond — just one that was made in a lab instead of the Earth.
Even expert gemologists need special tools to tell the difference between a natural and a lab-grown diamond. To the naked eye, they look exactly the same.
Natural Diamond vs Lab-Grown Diamond: Side-by-Side
Here is a quick look at the key differences between the two:
| Natural Diamond | Lab-Grown Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Formed deep underground over 1–3 billion years | Grown in a lab in 4–6 weeks using extreme heat and pressure |
| Do they look the same? | Yes — identical sparkle, hardness, and brilliance | Yes — a gemologist needs special tools to tell them apart |
| Price (1-carat, good quality) | ~CAD $8,000–$20,000+ | ~CAD $1,500–$5,000 |
| Holds value over time? | Generally yes — retains resale value | Prices have dropped significantly; resale value is low |
| Environmentally friendly? | Improving — many mines certified responsible | Uses less land, but requires large amounts of electricity |
| GIA certified? | Yes | Yes |
| Good for a budget upgrade? | Smaller stone for the same budget | Larger stone for the same budget |
| Heirloom potential? | High — rare and historically significant | Lower — widely available, prices falling |
The 5 Biggest Factors to Consider
1. Price and Budget
Lab-grown diamonds cost significantly less than natural diamonds. In 2026, a good-quality 1-carat lab-grown diamond might cost between CAD $1,500 and $5,000. The same natural diamond could cost $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
This price gap is a major reason many couples choose lab-grown diamonds. It allows you to get a larger stone, a higher quality grade, or a more elaborate setting — all for the same total budget.
When a couple comes to me with a $5,000 budget, a lab-grown diamond gives them more options. They might get a stunning 1.5-carat lab-grown stone versus a 0.5-carat natural stone of similar quality. That's a big visual difference. If size matters to you, lab-grown is worth considering seriously.
2. Value Over Time
Natural diamonds have traditionally held their value better over time. They are rare, and rarity drives long-term value. If you plan to pass the ring to your children or grandchildren, a natural diamond is likely to retain more of its financial value.
Lab-grown diamond prices have dropped sharply in recent years because they are easier and cheaper to produce. The resale market for lab-grown diamonds is limited right now. This does not mean a lab-grown diamond is a bad choice — but it does mean you should think of it more as a beautiful piece of jewelry than as a financial investment.
3. Environmental Impact
Many people choose lab-grown diamonds because they seem more environmentally friendly. In some ways, this is true. Lab-grown diamonds do not require mining, which reduces land disruption and water use.
However, lab-grown diamonds require a large amount of electricity to produce, and much of that electricity comes from non-renewable sources. The environmental picture is more complicated than it first appears.
On the natural diamond side, the industry has made significant improvements. Many mines today are certified by responsible sourcing programs, and ethical supply chains — like Canada's own diamond mining industry in the Northwest Territories — offer conflict-free, traceable stones.
Canada is one of the world's most ethical diamond producers. Canadian natural diamonds come with full traceability and are mined under strict environmental and labour standards. At Davidson Jewels, I can source certified Canadian natural diamonds for couples who want a natural stone with a clear conscience.
4. Meaning and Sentimental Value
This is the most personal factor, and it matters more than people often admit.
Some people feel a strong emotional connection to the idea that their diamond took billions of years to form. They love the history behind it — the fact that the stone on their finger is older than the dinosaurs. For them, a natural diamond carries a sense of wonder and permanence.
Others feel just as connected to a lab-grown diamond. They love that it was made with modern technology, that it is conflict-free by nature, and that they could get a bigger stone within their budget. For them, the diamond on their finger feels just as meaningful.
Neither feeling is wrong. What matters is how you and your partner feel about it.
5. Appearance and Quality
Ian always recommends buying a GIA-certified or IGL-certified diamond — for both natural and lab-grown stones.
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same system — the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. A lab-grown diamond can be just as brilliant and beautiful as a natural one.
Both types can be GIA certified. I always recommend buying a certified diamond, whether it is natural or lab-grown, so you know exactly what you are getting.
Which One Is Right for You?
💛 Choose a Natural Diamond If…
- You value rarity and the geological history of the stone
- You want the ring to be a long-term investment or heirloom
- You love the idea of a completely unique, one-of-a-kind stone
- You want a Canadian-mined stone with a verified ethical supply chain
- Budget is flexible and the stone's origin matters deeply to you
💙 Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond If…
- You want a larger or higher-quality stone for your budget
- You are less concerned about long-term resale value
- You prefer a diamond that is not mined from the Earth
- You want to put more budget toward the ring setting or design
- You love a big, sparkly diamond but have a moderate budget
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. They are graded the same way and can be GIA certified. They are not cubic zirconia or moissanite — they are genuine diamonds grown in a laboratory.
Q: Can you tell the difference between a natural and lab-grown diamond just by looking?
No. Even professional gemologists cannot tell the difference with the naked eye. Special equipment called a diamond tester or spectroscope is needed to distinguish them.
Q: Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Generally not as well as natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamond prices have dropped significantly in recent years as production has increased. Natural diamonds are rarer and tend to retain more value over time.
Q: Are lab-grown diamonds better for the environment?
It is complicated. Lab-grown diamonds avoid mining but use a lot of electricity to produce. Canadian natural diamonds are ethically and responsibly mined. Ask your jeweller about the specific origin of any stone you are considering.
Q: Does Davidson Jewels offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds?
Yes. At Davidson Jewels in Calgary, we work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds. Ian will walk you through all the options and help you find the right stone for your ring, your values, and your budget.
Q: How much does a lab-grown diamond cost compared to a natural diamond?
Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 60–80% less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality. A 1-carat lab-grown diamond might be CAD $1,500–$4,000, while a comparable natural diamond could be $8,000–$20,000 or more.
The Bottom Line: There Is No Wrong Answer
The right diamond is the one that feels right to you — natural or lab-grown, Davidson Jewels will help you find it.
After 50 years of designing rings for couples in Calgary, I can tell you this: the best diamond is the one that feels right to you.
Some of my clients feel strongly about a natural diamond — its age, its rarity, its journey from deep inside the Earth. Others choose a lab-grown diamond because they can get an incredible stone for their budget and they love the idea of a modern, conflict-free choice. Both couples end up with rings they love and wear with pride every day.
What I care about is making sure you understand the real differences — not myths, not marketing — so you can make a decision you feel great about. That is what a consultation at Davidson Jewels is for.
Ready to Choose Your Diamond?
Visit Davidson Jewels at 533 Riverfront Ave SE in Calgary, or book a consultation online. Ian will show you both natural and lab-grown diamonds side by side and help you find the perfect stone for your custom engagement ring.
Book a Free Consultation