Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds?

Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds Look the Same to the Naked Eye

Natural and Lab Diamonds are physically and chemically identical. Both are made of pure carbon atoms arranged in a crystal structure, which gives them their exceptional hardness and brilliance.

They share the same level of hardness, rated 10 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are the hardest known material and are equally resistant to scratching. The brilliance, or sparkle, of both types of diamonds, is also the same, as they reflect and refract light in the same way.

To the naked eye, there are no visible differences between a natural and a Lab Grown Diamond, making it nearly impossible to tell them apart without specialized tools.

 

How Do Experts Identify the Difference?

The main difference between Lab Grown and Natural Diamonds lies in how they grow. Natural Diamonds develop under intense pressure and heat, causing them to grow in a more complex and irregular way, influenced by the Earth's conditions.

Lab Grown Diamonds have a distinct growth pattern because they are created in controlled environments, such as high-pressure, high-temperature labs or with chemical vapor deposition.

These lab conditions result in a specific structure and formation process that is different from how Natural Diamonds are formed over millions of years deep within the Earth.

Because of these differing environments, the growth patterns, or "morphology," of the diamonds are unique to each process, making it possible for experts to distinguish between the two using advanced tools.

Nitrogen

Natural Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, and during this process, small amounts of nitrogen are often trapped inside. This nitrogen is a natural impurity that gives each diamond a unique signature.

In contrast, Lab Diamonds are created in a lab using methods that don't introduce nitrogen into the diamond's structure. Because of this, Lab Grown Diamonds lack the nitrogen found in Natural Diamonds.

Gemologists can use this difference in composition to help identify whether a diamond is lab grown or natural.

They use specialized equipment to detect the presence or absence of nitrogen, which is a key indicator in their identification process.

Specialized Equipment

Gemologists use specialized equipment to differentiate between Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds:

• Microscope: This allows gemologists to closely examine the diamond's internal features, such as growth patterns and inclusions. These features are unique to how the diamond was formed. Lab Grown Diamonds often have distinct growth patterns that differ from those of Natural Diamonds.
• Spectrometers: These are also used to analyze the light that passes through the diamond. They can detect trace elements (like nitrogen) that are usually present in most Natural Diamonds but may be absent in Lab Grown Diamonds.
• UV light: This is another tool that can reveal certain characteristics, such as fluorescence, which may appear differently in Lab Grown Diamonds compared to natural ones.

GIA iD100

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is always researching and improving ways to distinguish between natural and Lab Grown Diamonds. As part of this ongoing effort, the GIA has developed a specialized screening device to help gemologists identify Lab Created Diamonds. 

The GIA iD100, which costs over $5,000, uses advanced spectroscopic technology that works with the GIA's decades of research in diamond identification. The tool is specifically designed to distinguish Natural Diamonds from Lab Grown Diamonds accurately made using HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) methods.

How You Could Tell the Difference Between a Natural Diamond and a Lab Grown Diamond

You could identify a Lab Diamond by looking at the inscription on the diamond girdle under a microscope. When you buy a diamond from a trusted retailer or wholesaler, it usually comes with a small inscription that provides information about the diamond's origin.

The inscriptions are often very tiny, and to read them, you'll likely need a magnifying glass or a special tool designed for this purpose.

The size of the inscription can vary depending on the diamond's girdle, which is the edge of the diamond. Because of this, you may need magnification of 10x, 20x, or even 30x to see the markings clearly.

 

Explore Mark Broumand's Collection of Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry

At Mark Broumand, we have seamlessly integrated Lab Grown Diamonds into our collection, offering a blend of luxury, sustainability, and affordability. While Engagement Rings are at the core of our Lab Grown Diamond jewelry collection, we also offer Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings.

Each item is meticulously crafted, maintaining our brand's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance. This integration expands our offerings and also sets a new standard in the fine jewelry industry.