We sell both natural and lab-grown diamonds. We have no financial incentive to push you toward either option — our margins are comparable on both. What follows is a straightforward comparison based on what we see daily at the Israel Diamond Exchange.
They Are the Same Material
A lab-grown diamond is not a “fake” diamond, a simulant, or cubic zirconia. It is carbon, crystallized into a diamond lattice structure under high pressure and high temperature — exactly the same process that occurs in the earth’s mantle, replicated in a laboratory.
The chemical composition is identical: pure carbon. The crystal structure is identical. The optical properties — brilliance, fire, scintillation — are identical. No jeweler can distinguish between a natural and lab-grown diamond by eye. The only way to tell them apart is with specialized laboratory equipment that detects trace growth patterns.
The Real Differences
Price
This is the most significant difference. As of 2026, lab-grown diamonds cost approximately 60% to 80% less than natural diamonds of equivalent grade.
A 1-carat, G-color, VS1 clarity natural diamond might cost ₪25,000–₪35,000. The same specifications in lab-grown would cost ₪6,000–₪10,000.
Resale Value
Natural diamonds hold their value better over time because supply is constrained by geology. Lab-grown diamond production can scale, which means prices have trended downward as production capacity increases.
If resale value matters to you, natural is the stronger choice. If you are buying the diamond to wear — not as a financial instrument — lab-grown delivers more size and sparkle per shekel.
Environmental Considerations
Lab-grown diamonds require significant energy to produce but do not involve mining. Natural diamond mining has environmental impact but also supports economies in producing countries. Neither option is unambiguously “better” for the environment — the reality is nuanced.
Certification
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds receive the same style of grading report from GIA and IGI. The reports are identical in format, grading the same parameters: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Lab-grown reports clearly state “Laboratory Grown” on the document.
When to Choose Natural
- You want a diamond that will hold or appreciate in value over decades
- The geological origin story matters to you personally
- You are purchasing a family heirloom intended to be passed down
- You are buying for someone who specifically wants a natural stone
When to Choose Lab-Grown
- You want the largest, highest-quality diamond your budget allows
- You are optimizing for visual impact rather than investment value
- You prefer to minimize environmental mining impact
- You want a certified diamond at a significantly lower price point
What We Recommend
We do not push customers toward either option. Both are real diamonds. Both are certified by the same laboratories. Both are set in the same 14K and 18K gold by the same craftsmen.
The right choice depends entirely on your priorities. If you want the most impressive stone possible within your budget, lab-grown is the rational choice. If provenance, tradition, and long-term value matter more, natural is the right path.
Many of our customers choose natural for engagement rings (for the tradition and value retention) and lab-grown for everyday jewelry like earrings and pendants (for the larger stone size at a comfortable price point).
Artisier Fine Jewelry offers both natural and lab-grown diamonds, all certified by GIA or IGI, set in 14K and 18K solid gold. Based at the Israel Diamond Exchange. Explore our collection →