JEWELRY GUIDES
Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds
Both are real diamonds. They look the same, sparkle the same and are just as hard. The only differences are where they come from and how much they cost. The right one is the one you'll love wearing.
Lab vs natural at a glance
They look and feel the same. They're different in where they come from and what they cost.
| Lab Grown | Natural | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it comes from | Grown by people in a lab, in a few weeks | Grown deep in the earth over a billion years |
| What it's made of | Pure carbon | Pure carbon |
| Look and sparkle | The same | The same |
| How hard it is | 10 out of 10, the hardest thing on earth | 10 out of 10, the hardest thing on earth |
| Grading report | IGI report with all 4Cs | GIA or IGI report with all 4Cs |
| Price | Often 80 to 90% less | Costs more because it's rare |
| Is it an investment? | No | No |
| Why people pick it | A bigger, better diamond for your budget | It was made by nature |
| At Princess Bride Diamonds | Big selection online and in our studio | We find one for you on request |
Prices change over time. These notes reflect the diamond market in 2026.
Shop diamonds by shape
Tap a shape to see it in lab grown or natural.
Questions people ask
What's the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds?
How they look, they're the same. Both are pure carbon, both are the hardest thing on earth, and both sparkle the same. The differences are where they come from (a lab or the earth) and the price. Lab grown often costs 80 to 90% less.
Will a diamond tester say a lab diamond is real?
Yes, because it is a real diamond. Once in a while, a basic tester can mix up certain lab diamonds with moissanite, so a jeweler may check twice. No handheld tester can tell lab grown from natural.
Can a jeweler tell them apart?
Not by looking, even with a jeweler's magnifier. It takes special lab machines. Your grading report says which one you have, and most lab diamonds have a tiny laser number on the edge that matches the report.
Are lab diamonds graded the same way?
Yes. Our lab diamonds are graded by IGI on cut, color, clarity and carat, the same 4Cs used for natural diamonds. Natural diamonds are graded by GIA or IGI. Since late 2025, GIA only labels lab diamonds "Premium" or "Standard" instead of giving exact grades, so we use IGI reports for lab diamonds.
Will a lab diamond get cloudy or scratched?
No. It's a real diamond, so it won't cloud, fade, change color or scratch from everyday wear. Any diamond can look dull when lotion or soap builds up, and a cleaning fixes that. Every PBD piece comes with free cleanings and prong checks for life.
Is a natural diamond a good investment?
Not for engagement rings. If you sell any diamond later, you'll usually get back much less than you paid. Natural diamonds cost more up front, so they usually lose more money. Pick the diamond you'll love wearing.
Do you offer trade-ins or upgrades?
We don't take trade-ins, because we only sell new pieces. When you come back for another engagement ring with a new center stone and setting, we take 20% off the setting.
Do you sell moissanite?
No. We only sell diamonds, lab grown and natural. Moissanite is a different stone that looks like a diamond.
Where can I see lab and natural diamonds side by side?
Come to our family studio at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. We're open every day. Live farther away? We help clients every day by text, email and video call, and send photos and videos of every diamond.
SEE THEM SIDE BY SIDE
Still deciding? We'll help
Visit our studio at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, or book a video call from anywhere. Tell us your budget and what you love, and we'll show you your best options.
7821 Edinger Ave, Suite 130, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
