June 1, 2023
Ep. 28 - Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Which Should You Buy for an Engagement Ring?
The lab-grown vs. natural diamond debate is everywhere right now. Here's the straight truth about the real differences, the cost gap, and how to make the right choice for your engagement ring.
If you're shopping for an engagement ring in 2025, you've already seen lab-grown diamonds advertised at 60-80% less than natural diamonds. Same sparkle, same hardness, way cheaper price tag. So what's the catch? And how do you decide which one is right for you?
In this episode, Andy Koehn — third-generation jeweler and diamond expert — gives you the straight truth about both options so you can make a confident decision.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? The answer might surprise you (hint: chemically and optically, yes — but there's more to the story)
- How lab-grown diamonds are made: From General Electric's 1950s experiments to today's gem-quality stones
- The formation difference: Natural diamonds vs. lab-created — why origin matters to some buyers and not to others
- Cost breakdown: Why lab-grown diamonds cost 60-80% less than natural (and what that means for resale value)
- Rarity and sentimental value: The real reason natural diamonds hold their worth over time
- How to decide: The gut-check method for choosing what's right for you and your partner
Key Takeaways:
Lab-Grown Diamonds: The Facts
- First created by General Electric in the 1950s for industrial use
- Modern technology now produces large, gem-quality stones
- Identical crystal structure, hardness (10 on Mohs scale), and optical properties to natural diamonds
- Significantly more affordable — but also less rare and lower resale value
Natural Diamonds: What You're Actually Paying For
- Formed over billions of years deep in the Earth's mantle
- Finite supply — no more are being created naturally
- Hold value better over time due to rarity
- Carry the weight of tradition, symbolism, and geological history
The Bottom Line: You're not buying a "better" or "worse" diamond — you're choosing between two different value propositions. Lab-grown = more size and quality for your budget. Natural = rarity, tradition, and long-term value retention.
The Question Andy Gets All The Time:
"Are lab-grown diamonds actually diamonds?"
Andy's answer: Chemically and optically? Yes. They have the same crystal structure, hardness, and sparkle. A gemologist can't tell them apart without specialized equipment. But here's what matters more: What does the diamond represent to you? That's where the real difference lives.
Who Should Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds:
- Guys who want maximum size and quality within a budget
- Couples who prioritize the look and don't care about origin story
- Buyers focused on getting the biggest, clearest stone possible
- Anyone who values affordability over rarity
Who Should Buy Natural Diamonds:
- Guys who want the traditional symbolism and geological rarity
- Couples who care about long-term value and potential resale
- Buyers who want the "real deal" — billions of years in the making
- Anyone for whom the origin story matters as much as the sparkle
Andy's Advice: Trust Your Gut
There's no wrong answer here. The diamond industry wants you to believe one is "better," but the truth is simpler: What feels right to you? If lab-grown checks all your boxes, buy it confidently. If natural diamonds carry the meaning and value you want to give, go that route. Either way, you're making an informed choice.
Resources Mentioned:
- General Electric's 1950s diamond experiments: The origin of lab-grown diamond technology
- Crystal structure and optical properties: Why lab-grown and natural diamonds are chemically identical
- The 4 C's: Cut, clarity, color, carat — apply to both lab-grown and natural diamonds
Want Personal Help?
Email Andy directly: andy@buylikeaguy.com — whether you need advice on lab-grown vs. natural, help finding a trusted jeweler, or just want to talk through your decision.
Read the book: The Inappropriate Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring — available on Amazon. The no-BS guide to buying smart.
Subscribe to Buy Like A Guy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.