There’s a romance to the real thing. But is a lab-grown diamond just as good? Let’s explore the facts, the greenwashing, and why natural stones still reign supreme.

The rise of lab-grown diamonds and what you need to know

In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have made their way into the spotlight, often marketed as the more sustainable or affordable alternative to natural stones. But with this rise has come a wave of misinformation, especially when it comes to their environmental impact and long-term value.

At Nina’s, we believe in celebrating natural beauty and empowering our clients with honest information. So let’s take a closer look at the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

Formation: Born of time vs. built by machine

Natural diamonds are ancient, formed over billions of years, deep beneath the Earth’s surface, where pressure, temperature, and time converge in a geological miracle. Carried to the surface by volcanic eruptions, every natural diamond is the result of extraordinary natural events and human craftsmanship.

In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are created in just 6-8 weeks. Using high pressure and high temperature inside a metal cube, where pulses of electricity force pure carbon to crystallise. Technically, it’s impressive, but emotionally, it's missing the wonder. These stones are not “mined,” they’re manufactured.

Appearance: Not as flawless as they claim

It’s true, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically similar to natural diamonds. However, they’re not flawless. Just like natural diamonds, lab-created stones often carry inclusions (internal flaws), and under proper testing, their origin is detectable.

While they may appear almost identical to the naked eye, natural diamonds carry one thing that lab-grown can’t replicate: a story written in the earth itself.

Cost vs. value: What are you really paying for?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds usually cost less per carat. That’s because they can be mass-produced. But here’s the thing: lower cost doesn’t mean higher value.

Natural diamonds hold their worth. They are scarce, finite, and historically have strong resale value. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, typically have little to no resale value, with prices decreasing over time as more stones flood the market.

So while you might spend less upfront, what you're buying may not hold its value tomorrow.

Environmental claims: Is lab-grown really more sustainable?

This is where greenwashing often takes centre stage. Lab-grown diamonds are frequently labelled as “eco-friendly”  but the reality is more complex.

The creation of lab-grown diamonds requires huge amounts of electricity, and many labs run on non-renewable energy sources. In fact, some lab-grown production methods have carbon footprints equal to or greater than open-pit mining. 

Meanwhile, the Argyle Mine, with which Nina’s had such a close relationship, was an industry leader in ethical practices and is deep into regenerative programs to restore and revitalise the Kimberley region where it operated.

In other words, natural doesn’t mean irresponsible, and man-made doesn’t mean clean.

The verdict: Is natural better?

We’ll admit it, as natural diamond specialists, we’re biased. But here’s why:

We believe in heritage, not mass production.

We believe in value, not just price.

And most of all, we believe in the magic of the real thing, millions of years in the making, worn close to your heart.

That said, if you're drawn to lab-grown for its size or budget-friendly appeal, we respect that too. At Nina’s, we only sell natural diamonds, but we’re happy to source lab-grown stones on request.

Because at the end of the day, the right diamond is the one that means something to you.

Let’s talk diamonds…real ones.

At Nina’s, we believe a diamond is more than just its sparkle, they’re symbols of time, pressure, beauty, and legacy. And when it comes to the story behind a stone, no one tells it quite like our own in-house GIA-certified Gemmologist, Deb Turner.

Deb’s deep understanding of diamonds, design and her infectious love of legacy pieces make her the perfect person to weigh in on one of the biggest conversations in jewellery today: natural vs. lab-grown.

We asked Deb to share her thoughts on what makes a diamond truly meaningful and why, for Nina’s, natural diamonds will always have the edge.

“As a gemmologist with experience in both natural and lab-grown stones, I can confirm that visual identification without equipment is impossible. While I can readily distinguish diamond simulants like Cubic Zirconia from natural diamonds, lab-grown stones require specialised instruments, which I don't always carry. Therefore, I depend on GIA certifications and our extensive industry experience when sourcing natural diamonds. It's important to note that all our stones undergo thorough assessment with professional gemmology equipment before being stocked.

The dramatic shift in lab-grown stone prices due to supply and demand has led to retailers offering them as incentives with the purchase of natural diamonds. ‘Buy a real diamond and get a man made one free!’

My personal preference is natural stones due to my admiration for nature's remarkable creations over vast timescales. I also find the inclusions, the natural "birthmarks" within, fascinating and useful for identification, such as a green diamond within a white diamond (Renfro N. and Koivula J., 2020).

Ultimately, the value of luxury items is complex, influenced by factors like age, provenance, and rarity. Lab-grown diamonds, lacking these elements, will never hold significant value. Despite their durability, their commonality means they cannot be considered rare.”

Still have questions about lab-grown vs. natural? Visit us in our Dunsborough showroom or give us a call at 1800 878 997.

We’re always here to help you find a stone that feels like forever.

The unique value of coloured diamonds in a lab-grown world

As the diamond industry navigates rapid change, one trend remains clear: natural coloured diamonds continue to command a strong market presence. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, which aim to replicate the look of white stones, natural coloured diamonds offer character, individuality, and geological authenticity that simply cannot be replicated.

As the market for lab-grown stones grows, coloured diamonds are carving out a space defined not by mass production, but by scarcity, sentiment, and enduring value.

GIA introduces new grading system for lab-grown diamonds

FAQs: Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

1. Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically similar to natural diamonds. However, they are man-made in a laboratory over a few weeks, while natural diamonds form over billions of years deep within the Earth.

2. Can you tell the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds?
To the naked eye, no. But Gemmologists can identify lab-grown diamonds using specialised equipment. All Nina’s diamonds are professionally assessed and certified to ensure authenticity.

3. Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Typically, no. Lab-grown diamonds have little to no resale value due to mass production and declining prices. Natural diamonds, on the other hand, are rare and tend to retain their value over time.

4. Are lab-grown diamonds more sustainable than natural diamonds?
Not always. Lab-grown diamonds require large amounts of electricity, often from non-renewable sources. In some cases, their carbon footprint rivals or exceeds that of traditional mining operations.

5. Why are natural diamonds more expensive?
Natural diamonds are scarce and take billions of years to form. Their rarity, heritage, and historical value contribute to their higher price and long-term worth.

6. What is the environmental impact of natural diamonds?
While mining does have environmental effects, responsible operations like the Argyle Mine have led the way in ethical practices and post-closure regeneration programmes to restore the land.

7. Which is better: lab-grown or natural diamonds?
It depends on what you value. If you’re looking for a unique, timeless stone with potential resale value, natural diamonds are an ideal choice. If affordability and size matter more to you, lab-grown may be worth considering.

8. Can I buy a lab-grown diamond from Nina’s?
While Nina’s specialises in natural diamonds, we can source lab-grown diamonds upon request. Our priority is helping you find a diamond that’s meaningful to you.

9. Are lab-grown diamonds considered luxury items?
Not typically. Luxury value is tied to rarity, provenance, and craftsmanship elements that lab-grown diamonds lack. This makes natural diamonds the preferred choice for lasting legacy pieces.