Lab Grown Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know About Ethical Gems

Diamonds may be forever, but the way we choose and wear them is changing. In recent years, more and more modern brides are turning to lab-grown diamonds or lab-created moissanites — celebrating their sustainability, ethical sourcing, and affordability. At the same time, the natural versus lab-grown diamond debate has been one of the most passionate discussions in the jewellery community, raising questions around symbolism, longevity of investment, and personal meaning.

In this guide, we’ll explore natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and moissanite side by side, while also looking at the beauty of vintage stones and the magic of upcycling heirlooms into custom designs. Because in the end, the right choice isn’t just about sparkle — it’s about finding the stone that tells your love story.

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds are treasures shaped over billions of years deep within the earth, which gives them a sense of rarity and permanence that many couples find irresistible. They often contain tiny inclusions or imperfections — nature’s own fingerprint — that make each stone unique. Ethically sourced natural diamonds can feel like a connection to history and tradition, though mining practices still raise questions about sustainability and social impact. For those who choose them, natural diamonds offer a story of endurance, individuality, and timeless beauty, but they may come at a higher cost financially and environmentally.

 

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are physically and chemically identical to natural ones, but created in controlled environments using advanced technology. Because of this, they are typically more affordable and can offer larger sizes and higher clarity grades for the same budget — making them appealing to couples who prioritise sparkle and value. They are often marketed as the more ethical choice, since they avoid mining, but it’s important to note that producing them requires significant amounts of energy, which means their environmental impact isn’t always as clean as it seems. Lab-grown diamonds shine as a modern, accessible alternative, but they raise questions about long-term sustainability and investment compared to their natural counterparts.

 

Lab-Grown Moissanites

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone originally discovered in meteorite fragments, now loved as one of the most brilliant diamond alternatives. With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is nearly as durable as diamond and perfect for everyday wear. One of its greatest advantages is affordability — couples can choose a much larger stone without stretching their budget — and its fiery rainbow sparkle makes it stand out in its own right rather than as a diamond imitation. Because moissanite is created in laboratories, it avoids the ethical concerns tied to mining, though like lab-grown diamonds it still requires energy to produce. For many modern brides, moissanite offers the perfect balance of beauty, durability, and accessibility, with a touch of celestial magic in its origin story.

 

The Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamond Debate

One of the most debated topics in the jewellery world right now is the choice between natural and lab-grown diamonds. At first glance, the two look identical — both have the same chemical composition, hardness, and sparkle. But within the gemstone community, there’s ongoing discussion about what they mean in terms of value, tradition, and symbolism.

Natural diamonds are considered timeless treasures because of their rarity. Formed over billions of years deep within the earth, they carry a sense of permanence and tradition. For some, they are seen not only as a symbol of love but also as an investment — a stone that may retain or even grow in value over time. This perceived longevity is part of what keeps natural diamonds at the top of the hierarchy for many collectors and romantics alike.

Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, appeal to modern brides and grooms for their affordability and ethics. Because they are less expensive to produce, couples can often choose a larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget compared to a mined diamond. This makes lab-grown diamonds particularly attractive to those who prioritise size and brilliance, or who want to spend more on a bespoke setting. However, their resale value is currently lower than natural diamonds, which raises questions for buyers who see their engagement ring as both a sentimental and financial investment.

For many, the decision comes down to priorities: some value the rarity and potential investment of a natural diamond, while others celebrate the accessibility, ethics, and larger stone size possible with a lab-grown diamond. Both options are beautiful, durable, and full of meaning — but they carry different stories, and it’s up to each couple to choose the one that resonates most deeply with their own love.

 

Vintage and Reclaimed Diamonds

These days, many couples also opt for vintage diamonds to avoid new mining. It also connects modern jewellery to history and is a great opportunity to reuse old family heirlooms that feel dated. Using vintage diamonds is a really sustainable way to incorporate diamonds into your jewellery. 

 

Upcycling Heirloom Gemstones

I offer an upcycling service as part of the custom jewellery journey where I can reuse client’s own diamonds (or other gemstones) from old family jewellery to give them a new life. 

Just as I work with recycled silver and gold to incorporate elements of the past into my work, reusing your family gemstones can infuse nostalgia into your custom jewellery to create a modern family heirloom that stretches into the past as well as the future. This can keep loved one’s memories alive, celebrate sustainability, and result in a piece that is both personal and magical.

If you’re interested in transforming old family jewellery into custom modern pieces, please check out my bespoke jewellery upcycling service.

 

How to Decide What’s Right for You

When choosing whether to use natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds or lab-grown moissanites, there’s no right choice. Some people may prefer natural diamonds for their rarity, natural imperfection and perceived higher financial investment, whilst others are drawn to lab-grown stones for their bigger shapes and perfect sparkle. 

Natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, lab-grown moissanites and vintage diamonds all have their own magic. If you’re interested in commissioning a custom piece using any of these types of stones, explore my bespoke jewellery service to learn more. I would love to work with you and make your dream jewellery come to life!