Lab-grown diamonds have surged in popularity recently due to their lower price points, and as their prices continue to drop and their production scales to industrial levels, lab-grown diamonds could easily become the jewelry equivalent of fast fashion. We’ve gathered some insights from the Natural Diamond Council to explore the differences between natural and lab diamonds for those who are curious:
The Reality of Mass Production: A Global Affair
The manufacturing process behind lab-grown diamonds mirrors the industrial scale that defines fast fashion, flooding the market with an unlimited supply of stones. China and India have built a massive supply chain to support this production, with India polishing over 90% of lab-grown stones worldwide.
This level of mass production fundamentally shifts the market away from rarity and toward accessibility. The result is a product that can be manufactured on demand rather than discovered through geological processes that take billions of years.
The unlimited supply of lab-grown diamonds directly correlates to their rapidly falling prices, transforming lab-grown stones from luxury purchases into accessible accessories. Natural Diamond Council data shows that prices of laboratory-grown diamonds have fallen significantly in recent years. Over the last 10 years, the retail price of a 1.5-carat laboratory-grown stone “has fallen 86% from $10,750 to $1,455.” That’s quite a downward plunge.
The steep depreciation raises significant questions about long-term worth, since diamonds are often an investment. As manufacturers continue to scale production, prices show no signs of stabilizing. They’re following the same downward trajectory seen in fast-fashion apparel, where overproduction drives down value.
The Rarity Factor For Real Diamonds Underscores Thier Inherent Value
The fleeting nature of the lab-grown trend contrasts starkly with the enduring exclusivity and rarity of natural stones. Natural diamonds are incredibly difficult to find, and have been prized for 4,000 years for their perfection and rarity. As the Natural Diamond Council explains, natural diamonds “have only been found in rock over the last 150 years.” The scarcity is so prevalent that the entire annual recovery of 5-carat and above natural diamonds could fit into a single basketball! This geological rarity creates a fundamental difference between a trend driven by manufacturing capacity and timeless value rooted in natural scarcity.
To navigate a long-term investment in a diamond, crunching the numbers clarifies what happens to your investment over time when choosing between the two options; according to Natural Diamond Council research, by early 2023, the retail price of a 1.5-carat natural diamond had increased to $13,625, while its laboratory-grown counterpart decreased to $2,445, representing an $11,180 difference. That’s worth considering when you’re investing in something that will be a family heirloom.
If you attempt to resell your jewelry, the price differences are even more apparent. While natural diamonds are typically sold for less than 50% of their original value on the secondary market, lab-grown diamonds often lose the majority, if not all, of their value at resale. This depreciation mirrors what happens with fast-fashion items, which hold little to no secondhand value once the trend cycle moves forward and the product becomes commonplace.
Mindful Purchases For New Generations
Consumers in general are recognizing the difference between a trend and a genuine investment, and as a result, are actively choosing the timeless value of real diamonds. A 2025 Ipsos survey commissioned by De Beers reveals that over the next two years, more than 50% of men and 40% of women expect to either buy or receive natural diamond jewelry, with particularly high intent among Gen Z and Millennials. Younger consumers are gravitating toward such meaningful investments, and as their generation places more emphasis on authenticity, they are prefering jewelry and unique pieces with lasting, intrinsic value.
Two common questions-and-answers on the differences between lab-grown diamonds and naturally real ones:
Are lab-grown diamonds the same as real diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds share the same chemical composition as natural diamonds, but they differ significantly in origin, rarity, and value retention. Natural diamonds form over billions of years through geological processes, while lab-grown stones are manufactured in weeks.
Will lab-grown diamonds continue to drop in price?
Based on current market trends and manufacturers’ unlimited production capacity, prices are expected to continue to decline as supply increases and production becomes more efficient.
While lab-grown diamonds offer a pricing accessibility for all, and are an excellent fashion accessory, if you’re looking for a mindful and enduring investment, then natural diamonds should be your choice. Choose the stone that best fits your long-term goals, whether that means embracing a current trend or investing in a timeless heirloom. We say, go for the real thing!
