Nature vs Synthetic
In recent years, there has been much debate about real and lab-created diamonds. This overview shows you the advantages and disadvantages.
Naturally
mined
Diamond
Natural Diamonds are called the king of gems. As they become more and more rare, diamonds are nowadays considered a good assets.
Lab-grown
diamond
Lab-grown diamonds are not synthetic! Since July 1, 2019, GIA Labratory-Grown Diamond Report and identification no longer use the term "synthetic".
A lab-created diamond is “grown” inside a lab using cutting-edge technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. The result is a diamond that is chemically, physically, and optically the same as those grown beneath the Earth’s surface.
Due to it's eco-friendliness and conflict free status lab-grown diamonds become more accepted. Online Stores like 77Diamonds.com now officially offer lab created Diamond in their assortment.
Real Diamonds
synthetic
Moissanite
The lab-created synthetic moissanite diamond is the best alternative to diamond.
CZ Cubik Zirkonia
The cubic zirconia is perceived as fake because of its lack of fire and is considered the cheapest alternative for diamonds.
Synthetic Diamonds
criteria
Origin
Age
Synthetic
Hardness
Price
Asset
Conflict free
Sparkle
See difference
from eye
Certification
Diamond tester
Presidium
naturally mined
Diamonds
Mined
million years
No
10
High
Yes
No
White
-
GIA, etc
Pass
lab-grown Diamonds
Lab
6 to 10 weeks
No
10
70% less
No
Yes
White
No
same as diamond
Pass
Moissanite
Lab
8 hours
Yes
9.25
cheap
No
Yes
Rainbow
No
expert only
-
Pass
CZ Cubik
Zirkonia
Lab
-
Yes
8.25
very cheap
No
Yes
Rainbow
Yes
-
Not Pass
​
Chemical
Crystalline
Hardness
Refraction
Dispersion
Density/grav
Process
Optic nature
Lustre
naturally mined
Diamonds
Carbon (C)
Cubic
10
2.42
0.044
3.52
Nature
.
.
Lab-grown Diamonds
Carbon (C)
Cubic
10
2.42
0.044
3.52
HPHT or
CVD
.
.
Moissanite
Silicon
Carbide
Hexagonal
9.25
2.648
0.043
3.22
?
Uniaxial
Sub Adamantine
CZ Cubik
Zirkonia
Zirconium
dioxide
Cubic
8.25-8.5
2.147
0.063
5.65-5.95
?
.
.