Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Which Is Right for You?

If you're buying an engagement ring in Thailand today, you have a choice that previous generations didn't: lab-grown diamonds. Let's cut through the marketing and give you the facts.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds "Real" Diamonds?

Yes, absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They're made of pure carbon arranged in the same crystal structure. Even expert gemologists can't tell them apart without specialized equipment.

The only difference is their origin: natural diamonds formed billions of years ago deep in the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks using advanced technology.

Side-by-Side Comparison

The Price Difference

Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30-50% less than natural diamonds of equivalent quality. This means you can either:

• Get a larger diamond for the same budget
• Get better quality (cut, color, clarity) for the same size
• Spend less overall and allocate budget elsewhere

This price gap has been widening as lab-grown production becomes more efficient.

What About Resale Value?

Here's the honest truth: most engagement rings aren't resold. They become family heirlooms or stay with their owners forever. If resale value is your primary concern, neither diamond type is a great "investment"—natural diamonds also lose significant value the moment you leave the store.

That said, natural diamonds do have a more established resale market. Lab-grown diamonds currently have limited secondary market options.

The Sustainability Question

Neither option is perfectly "green." Mining has environmental and social impacts, while lab production requires significant energy. Many couples who choose lab-grown do so for peace of mind about conflict-free sourcing—all lab diamonds are guaranteed conflict-free by nature of their origin.

Which Should You Choose?