| Feature | Natural Diamonds | Lab-Grown Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Originating from deep within the Earth, formed over billions of years & brought to the surface by volcanic activity. | Produced within the controlled environment of a laboratory using HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) methods in a matter of weeks |
| Composition | Carbon structures containing natural inclusions and trace elements like nitrogen | Same carbon structure; shall have lesser nitrogen impurities or feature distinct patterns of linear growth |
| Look | One-of-a-kind sparkling appearance; impacted by natural inclusions and colour variations, resulting in rarer versions | Visually similar to the natural diamonds; may be clearer due to purity, but the growth patterns are likely to be identified under magnification |
| Cost | Higher owing to their rarity (typically 30-50% more) | Lower (30-50% less) because of controlled production |
| Rarity | Extremely rare and one-in-a-million stature; their value is associated with scarcity, sentiment and age | Mass-produced and not rare; this factor reduces long-term value in comparison to natural diamonds |
| Identification | Requires specialised equipment like microscopes, laser inscriptions, etc., for origin identification | Requires specialised equipment to discern the origin as well |