education
The Diamond Guide
Choosing a diamond is a significant and meaningful decision. With the rise of lab-grown diamonds, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by mixed messaging, conflicting advice and marketing terminology that can feel intentionally vague.
At James Thredgold, we believe in transparency, education and helping you make a confident choice based on facts — not trends or confusion.
As natural diamond specialists, our focus is on offering diamonds with enduring value, rarity, provenance and emotional significance.
This guide explains the differences clearly and respectfully, highlighting why natural diamonds remain the preferred choice for heirloom jewellery while also addressing common misconceptions surrounding lab-grown stones.
What Is a Natural Diamond?
A natural diamond is a true geological wonder — formed 1 to 3 billion years ago under immense heat and pressure deep within the Earth. Every natural diamond is one of a kind, shaped by time and the unique conditions of its formation.
Natural diamonds offer:
- enduring rarity
- long-term value
- unique natural characteristics
- geological significance
- proven, stable demand over generations
They have been used for engagement rings for more than a century, symbolising love, commitment, strength and legacy.
What Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is produced in a controlled environment that replicates the high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in which diamonds form. The result is a diamond with the same chemical composition and optical properties — but not the same rarity, value or origin story.
Lab-grown diamonds are:
- manufactured, not mined
- readily available in unlimited supply
- declining rapidly in resale value
- often marketed with confusion around “sustainability”
While they may visually resemble natural diamonds, they do not carry the same emotional, geological or long-term value.
Why Natural Diamonds Hold Long-Term Value
For clients wanting an heirloom or meaningful investment, natural diamonds remain unmatched. Their value is supported by:
- geological rarity
- controlled global supply
- stable generational demand
- recognised global grading systems
- emotional significance connected to natural formation
Even as market preferences evolve, natural diamonds consistently retain value — while lab-grown prices continue to fall as production increases.
Common Misconceptions About Lab-Grown Diamonds
The rise of lab-grown diamonds has brought new marketing language into the industry — often designed to oversimplify or create equivalence where it does not exist. Below, we clarify some of the most significant misconceptions, helping clients make confident and informed decisions.
“Lab-grown diamonds are more sustainable.”
This is one of the most widespread — and most misleading — claims.
While the idea of “growing” diamonds may sound environmentally gentle, production requires extremely high temperatures and pressure for extended periods of time. Many manufacturing facilities rely on non-renewable energy sources, and unlike natural diamonds, there is no unified global framework regulating or auditing sustainability claims.
By comparison, modern natural diamond mining operates under strict environmental, community and sustainability standards, with measurable, transparent reporting.
The assumption that lab-grown is automatically “better” for the planet oversimplifies a complex conversation.
“Lab-grown diamonds are equal in value to natural diamonds.”
Chemically, yes — value-wise, no.
Natural diamonds derive their worth from geological rarity, cultural significance, and a global supply that is permanently finite.
Lab-grown diamonds can be produced continuously, in unlimited quantities. As technology becomes faster and cheaper, prices continue to fall.
Today, resale values for lab-grown are extremely low, with many stones reselling for only a small percentage of their purchase price.
For clients wanting a long-term heirloom or investment-worthy piece, natural diamonds remain the most secure choice.
“Lab-grown diamonds are the ethical alternative.”
This statement often relies on outdated assumptions about natural diamond mining.
Today, the natural diamond industry supports fair wages, local employment, Indigenous partnerships, women’s education programs, community development and stringent ethical governance.
Most natural diamonds on the market are fully traceable and sourced through internationally recognised frameworks.
Conversely, many lab-grown factories operate with limited transparency around labour practices, energy use, or environmental impact.
Ethics should be evaluated holistically — not assumed.
“Lab-grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds.”
They are visually and chemically similar, but fundamentally different in meaning, origin and long-term value.
A natural diamond holds geological history, formed over billions of years under extraordinary conditions that cannot be replicated.
A lab-grown diamond is created in weeks within a controlled environment.
Both are “real” diamonds — but they are not equal in rarity, symbolism or future significance.
For many clients, the story, sentiment and authenticity of a natural diamond is central to the purpose of the piece.
Understanding the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat
Regardless of origin, every diamond is graded using the 4Cs.
For natural diamonds, these characteristics have been shaped by nature; for lab-grown, they are produced through controlled calibration.
We educate clients on:
- how cut determines brilliance
- how colour affects warmth or coolness
- how clarity relates to natural inclusions
- how carat weight influences presence
Our role is to guide you toward the most beautiful natural diamond for your preferences, lifestyle and budget.
Once set, many near-colourless diamonds appear indistinguishable from higher colour grades.
Diamond colour refers to the presence (or absence) of natural colour within a diamond. It is graded on a scale from D to Z, with D representing the highest colour grade and increasing letters indicating more noticeable warmth.
The scale begins at D rather than A to clearly distinguish modern diamond grading from earlier systems, ensuring consistency and clarity across the industry. This allows diamonds to be assessed and compared using a precise, internationally recognised standard.
Whiter diamonds are prized for their brightness and purity, while near-colourless grades offer exceptional beauty and value — particularly once set, where subtle variations in colour are often imperceptible to the naked eye. The most important consideration is how the diamond appears in its final design: balanced, bright and full of life.
Natural Diamonds for Life’s Most Meaningful Moments
For engagement rings, anniversaries and heirloom pieces, clients overwhelmingly prefer natural diamonds due to:
- their timeless symbolism
- their rarity and legacy
- their emotional and geological authenticity
- their ability to be passed down through families
A natural diamond represents more than beauty — it represents history, connection and permanence.
Why We Choose Natural Diamonds Exclusively
Our decision is grounded in:
- quality
- longevity
- authenticity
- value retention
- client trust
- responsible sourcing
We want every diamond we set to remain as meaningful in 50 years as it is today.
Lab-grown diamonds, while visually appealing, do not offer the same long-term assurance or symbolic depth. Our responsibility as jewellers is to guide clients toward pieces with enduring worth — personal, emotional and financial.
Bespoke Designs With Natural Diamonds
Our bespoke designers craft engagement rings and fine jewellery using hand-selected natural diamonds chosen for:
- exceptional cut quality
- brilliance and fire
- character and individuality
- traceable and ethical sourcing
Whether you are selecting a ready-made piece or beginning a bespoke design, we guide you through every decision clearly and thoughtfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab-grown diamonds “fake”?
No — they are real diamonds.
However, they are man-made, not naturally formed, and therefore do not have the same rarity or long-term value.
Why are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?
Because they can be produced in unlimited quantities and are becoming faster and cheaper to manufacture.
Will lab-grown diamonds decrease in value?
Industry data strongly suggests yes. Prices have dropped significantly over the past 5 years and continue to fall.
Do natural diamonds always retain value?
While resale value varies, natural diamonds have historically demonstrated stable long-term worth due to rarity and global demand.
Is it harder to insure a lab-grown diamond?
Many insurers treat them differently due to uncertain long-term value, though policies vary.
How do I know my diamond is natural?
Every natural diamond we supply is accompanied by leading independent certification.