If you've recently started shopping for an engagement ring or a bespoke piece of fine jewellery in Dublin, chances are you've come across the term "lab grown diamonds" and found yourself wondering — are they real? Are they worth it? And how do they compare to natural, mined diamonds?
It's one of the most common questions the team at The Grafton Vault hears inside our bespoke jewellery showroom in the heart of Dublin. And it's a genuinely important one — because the answer affects not just the look of your piece, but its value, its story, and what it means to the person wearing it.
This guide is designed to give you an honest, clear, and detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about lab grown diamonds versus natural mined diamonds — so that when you walk into our showroom, you can make your decision with complete confidence.
What Exactly Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond. That's the first thing to understand. It is not a simulant like cubic zirconia or moissanite. It has the exact same chemical composition as a natural diamond — pure carbon arranged in a crystal lattice structure — and it exhibits the same optical, physical, and chemical properties.
The difference lies entirely in origin. A natural diamond forms deep within the Earth's mantle over billions of years under extreme heat and pressure. A lab grown diamond replicates that same process in a controlled laboratory environment, typically in a matter of weeks.
There are two primary methods used to create lab grown diamonds:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) — This method mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth. A diamond seed is placed in carbon and subjected to intense pressure and heat until the carbon crystallises around it.
CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) — A diamond seed is placed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionised, breaking down the molecules and allowing carbon atoms to bond to the seed, layer by layer, forming a diamond crystal.
Both methods produce stones that are, to the naked eye and even under professional gemological testing, indistinguishable from natural diamonds. The only way to tell them apart is through specialised equipment.
What Is a Natural Mined Diamond?
A natural diamond is one of the oldest and most extraordinary objects you will ever hold. Formed between one and three billion years ago — in some cases older than life on Earth — natural diamonds are created when pure carbon is subjected to immense geological pressure and temperatures deep beneath the Earth's surface, typically at depths of 150 to 200 kilometres.
They are then brought to the surface through volcanic activity, carried upward in formations called kimberlite pipes. From there, they are mined, cut, polished, and certified before making their way to jewellery showrooms like ours here in Dublin.
Natural diamonds carry the weight of geological time. Each stone is unique — shaped by billions of years of planetary history. That narrative is something no laboratory can replicate, and for many buyers, it is precisely what makes a natural diamond meaningful.
Lab Grown vs Natural: The Key Differences Explained
1. Origin and Story
This is arguably the most significant distinction between the two — and it is entirely emotional rather than physical.
A natural diamond is a relic of the Earth's deep past. It has been forming since long before humans existed. For many couples, particularly those buying engagement and wedding rings, this sense of geological permanence resonates deeply. The diamond you wear on your finger is, in a very real sense, older than the mountains.
A lab grown diamond, by contrast, has a precise, known, modern origin. It was created by human technology in a specific location within the last few years. For buyers who value transparency and modernity, this is actually a positive. The story is clean, traceable, and contemporary.
Neither story is superior. It depends on what you want the stone to mean.
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
As mentioned, lab grown and natural diamonds are chemically identical. Both are graded on the same four criteria — the 4Cs:
Cut — How the diamond has been shaped and faceted, which determines how light interacts with the stone and gives it its brilliance and sparkle.
Colour — Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (completely colourless) to Z (visibly yellow or brown). Both lab grown and natural diamonds span this entire range.
Clarity — This refers to the presence or absence of internal inclusions and external blemishes. Both types can achieve flawless clarity grades, though lab grown diamonds are often produced with fewer natural inclusions.
Carat — The weight of the diamond. Both types are available in all carat weights.
In terms of hardness, refractive index, thermal conductivity, and every other measurable physical property, a lab grown diamond and a natural diamond are identical. They both score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale.
3. Price
This is where the practical difference becomes very clear.
Lab grown diamonds are significantly less expensive than natural diamonds — typically 50% to 70% cheaper for a comparable stone in terms of the 4Cs. This price gap has widened considerably over the past few years as production technology has improved and scaled.
For buyers working with a specific budget, this difference can be transformative. A budget that might buy a 0.8 carat natural diamond could buy a 1.5 carat lab grown diamond of equal or superior clarity and colour. For those who want maximum visual impact, lab grown diamonds offer exceptional value.
4. Resale Value and Long-Term Worth
This is a critical point that any honest jeweller in Dublin will tell you directly, and we believe strongly in that kind of transparency at The Grafton Vault.
Natural diamonds have historically retained some resale value, though it is worth noting that no diamond — natural or lab grown — should ever be purchased purely as a financial investment. Jewellery is not a liquid or reliable investment vehicle.
Lab grown diamonds, however, have experienced a notable decline in resale value as production has scaled and prices have dropped. Because they can be produced in increasing quantities, they do not carry the same scarcity that underpins the secondary market for natural diamonds.
If long-term value retention is important to you, natural diamonds currently hold a clear advantage in this regard.
5. Ethics and Environmental Considerations
This is a topic close to the hearts of many modern buyers, and rightly so.
The traditional diamond mining industry has historically been associated with significant environmental disruption and, in certain regions of the world, deeply troubling human rights issues. Conflict diamonds — also called blood diamonds — became a major ethical concern in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was introduced to address this, critics have argued that it does not go far enough.
Many buyers today choose lab grown diamonds specifically to sidestep these ethical concerns. And it is a valid reason. Lab grown diamonds have no connection to mining communities, geopolitical conflict, or land disruption.
However, it is also worth noting that lab grown diamonds are not without environmental cost. The production process is energy-intensive, and unless the facility is powered by renewable energy, the carbon footprint can be considerable.
On the natural diamond side, the industry has evolved significantly. Many mining operations today — particularly those certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council and sourced from countries like Canada, Botswana, and Australia — are held to strict environmental and ethical standards. A number of natural diamond suppliers now offer fully traceable stones with detailed provenance documentation.
At The Grafton Vault, we source our natural diamonds through certified ethical channels, and we are always happy to discuss the provenance of any stone we work with.
6. Rarity
Natural diamonds are finite. The Earth is not producing more of them at any scale relevant to human timescales. The rarest diamonds — those with exceptional colour, size, or clarity — command extraordinary prices precisely because they cannot be replicated.
Lab grown diamonds, by their very nature, can be produced in any quantity. This lack of scarcity is one of the primary reasons their prices have been falling steadily, and it is also why they do not carry the same cultural and emotional weight as natural stones for some buyers.
Which Is Right for You?
There is no single correct answer. The right choice depends on your values, your budget, and what you want your jewellery to represent.
Choose a natural diamond if:
- The story and geological history of the stone is important to you
- Long-term value retention matters to your decision
- You want something genuinely rare and irreplaceable
- You are purchasing a piece that will be passed down through generations as a family heirloom
Choose a lab grown diamond if:
- You want maximum size and quality within a set budget
- Modern traceability and ethical transparency are priorities
- You prefer a contemporary, technology-forward approach
- You want a stunning diamond ring without compromising on the 4Cs
Both are beautiful. Both are real. And at The Grafton Vault, we will help you find the perfect stone for either path.
Why Bespoke Makes All the Difference
Choosing between a lab grown and natural diamond is only one part of the journey. The other — and in many ways more personal — part is the design of the piece itself.
At The Grafton Vault, we are not simply a jewellery retail shop. We are Dublin's destination for bespoke fine jewellery, and our in-house workshop is where ideas become reality. Whether you come to us with a fully formed vision or just a feeling, our craftspeople will work with you through every step of the design process — from initial sketches and CAD renderings to the final hand-finished piece.
Every engagement ring, wedding band, or bespoke jewellery piece we create is made for one specific person. The metal, the setting style, the diamond shape, the finishing details — all of it is tailored entirely to you. No two pieces from our workshop are the same.
This is the difference between buying a ring and commissioning one.
Visiting The Grafton Vault in Dublin
We are located in the heart of Dublin, and our showroom is open to clients looking to explore bespoke engagement rings, wedding bands, diamond jewellery, and custom-designed fine jewellery pieces.
Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or you are ready to begin designing your perfect ring, we would love to meet you. Our team will walk you through our diamond selection — both natural and lab grown — answer every question you have, and help you understand exactly what is possible within your budget.
There is no pressure, no sales script, and no rush. Just honest conversation about one of the most meaningful purchases you will ever make.
The Grafton Vault | Bespoke Jewellery Dublin Fine jewellery showroom with in-house workshop | Engagement rings, wedding bands, and custom diamond jewellery | Dublin, Ireland
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds? Yes. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural mined diamonds. They are graded by the same international gemological standards and certified by the same laboratories, including GIA and IGI.
Can a jeweller tell the difference between a lab grown and natural diamond? Not with the naked eye. Specialised equipment is required to distinguish between the two — and at The Grafton Vault, we have that equipment right here in our Dublin showroom, so you can get a clear, honest answer without needing to go anywhere else.
Do lab grown diamonds hold their value? Lab grown diamonds have generally not retained value as well as natural diamonds, largely because they can be produced in increasing volumes, which reduces their scarcity and market price over time.
Where can I buy bespoke diamond jewellery in Dublin? The Grafton Vault is Dublin's premier destination for bespoke fine jewellery, offering fully custom-designed engagement rings, wedding bands, and diamond jewellery pieces, all crafted in our in-house workshop.
How long does a bespoke ring take to make? Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the design, but most bespoke commissions at The Grafton Vault are completed within four to eight weeks. We recommend beginning the process as early as possible, particularly if you have a specific occasion or date in mind.
Is it better to choose a lab grown or natural diamond for an engagement ring? This is a personal decision. Natural diamonds offer geological history, rarity, and historically stronger value retention. Lab grown diamonds offer greater size and quality for your budget and modern ethical traceability. Both make exceptional engagement rings. The Grafton Vault team will help you weigh both options without bias.
The Grafton Vault is Dublin's destination for bespoke fine jewellery. Visit our showroom to explore our collection and begin designing your perfect piece.