Guide to Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds
Choosing your perfect diamond doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Natural and lab grown diamonds are both real diamonds, sharing the same fundamental beauty, strength, and optical properties. Their primary difference is how they are created. Explore the distinctions below to discover which option feels right for you.
Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds originate deep within the Earth's mantle, where carbon is exposed to extraordinary heat and pressure. These conditions allow carbon atoms to crystallize into the structure that gives diamonds their exceptional hardness and brilliance.
Eventually, natural diamonds are carried toward the Earth's surface through ancient volcanic activity. Today, they are recovered through several mining methods, including open-pit and underground mining, depending on the location and depth of the diamond-bearing deposits.
Ethical sourcing has become an important part of the modern diamond industry. The Kimberley Process was established to regulate the international trade of rough diamonds and help prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain.
At Kirk Kara, we are committed to sourcing natural diamonds responsibly and ethically.
Lab Grown Diamonds
First and foremost, lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They share the same physical, chemical, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds. The defining difference is their origin.
Rather than forming beneath the Earth's surface, lab grown diamonds begin with a diamond crystal seed and are created in a controlled laboratory environment using either High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technology.
Subtle microscopic characteristics allow trained experts and specialized equipment to distinguish a lab grown diamond from a natural diamond. When expertly produced, both HPHT and CVD methods can create exceptionally beautiful, high-quality diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds offer exceptional brilliance and beauty while providing another choice for today's diamond buyer.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
Every ring bearing the Kirk Kara name is an original hand crafted design that exceeds the highest standards in our industry.