You get identical beauty and durability at 60-80% cost savings, plus guaranteed ethical sourcing. But we understand this is deeply personal, and there are valid reasons someone might prefer natural diamonds.
Why We Think Lab-Grown Usually Wins
The cost difference is life-changing. A 1-carat natural diamond averages $8,000-15,000 versus $1,000-$3,000 for lab-grown. That difference pays for honeymoons, house deposits, or simply avoiding debt. We see couples choosing 2+ carat lab-grown stones instead of 1-carat natural diamonds, and the visual impact is dramatic.
You're getting genuine diamonds, not substitutes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They're graded using the same standards, certified by the same institutes, and last just as long. The Federal Trade Commission removed "natural" from their diamond definition because lab-grown diamonds are authentic diamonds.
The quality is often superior. Controlled laboratory conditions frequently produce higher colour and clarity grades than what natural diamond budgets typically allow. D-F colour and VVS clarity become accessible with lab-grown diamonds, creating stones with exceptional brilliance.
Ethical certainty matters. Lab-grown diamonds eliminate any mining concerns and provide complete supply chain transparency. You know exactly how your diamond was created, and there's no possibility of conflict stones or questionable labour practices.
When Natural Diamonds Might Be Worth It
The origin story resonates emotionally. Some people find deep meaning in diamonds formed billions of years ago through geological processes. The ancient, rare nature of natural diamonds creates emotional significance that lab-grown diamonds can't replicate.
Family expectations and traditions matter. If family heritage or cultural expectations strongly favour natural diamonds, choosing lab-grown might create unnecessary conflict. Sometimes relationship harmony is worth the extra cost.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Market trends favour lab-grown. In 2025, 52% of couples chose lab-grown diamonds, representing a 40% increase since 2019. Younger generations particularly embrace lab-grown options, with only 22% of Gen Z and 28% of millennials considering natural origin important.
Size differences are notable. Average centre stones are 2.0 carats for lab-grown rings versus 1.2 carats for natural diamonds. This reflects how cost savings enable larger stones that create more impressive visual impact.
Our Personal Recommendation
We specialise in lab-grown diamonds and moissanite because we believe they offer exceptional value for modern couples. The combination of authentic diamond properties, dramatic cost savings, and ethical certainty aligns with contemporary values around smart spending and responsible sourcing.
Choose lab-grown diamonds if you want:
- Maximum size and quality within your budget
- Guaranteed ethical sourcing and transparency
- Identical diamond beauty without premium costs
- More money available for other life priorities
- Modern approach to traditional symbols
Consider natural diamonds if:
- The ancient formation story provides important emotional meaning
- Family traditions strongly favour natural stones
- Cultural expectations make lab-grown diamonds problematic
The Real-World Impact
Most couples use lab-grown diamond savings to enhance their engagement ring experience. Some invest in premium settings like platinum or intricate halo designs. Others choose larger centre stones that create more impressive presence. Many simply avoid debt and start their marriage on stronger financial footing.
The visual difference between a 1-carat natural diamond and 2-carat lab-grown diamond is immediately obvious. The quality difference between G-I colour natural diamonds and D-F colour lab-grown diamonds is also noticeable in terms of brilliance and fire.
Addressing the Investment Question
Neither lab-grown nor natural diamonds should be considered investments. Like cars, most diamonds depreciate immediately upon purchase. However, natural diamonds depreciate less and may appreciate over very long periods (only if its a specific cut and size, often larger high quality stones that already cost over 20k), while lab-grown diamonds have minimal resale value.
The "investment" perspective misses the point for most engagement rings. These are symbols of love meant to be worn daily for decades, not financial assets to be traded. The question becomes whether spending significantly more for marginally better value retention makes sense for your relationship.
Our Bottom Line Opinion
Lab-grown diamonds represent better value for most couples because they deliver identical beauty, durability, and symbolism at substantially lower costs. The savings enable choices that enhance the engagement ring experience without compromising on diamond authenticity.
We understand that some people prefer natural diamonds for emotional or cultural reasons, and those are valid choices. However, from a practical value perspective, lab-grown diamonds offer superior benefits for contemporary relationships.
The 52% of couples choosing lab-grown diamonds aren't settling, they're making informed decisions about maximising their engagement ring budget while aligning with modern values around ethical sourcing and financial responsibility.
View our lab-grown diamond engagement rings
Thanks for reading!
Jared & Brie
