Mined vs Lab Grown diamonds

At Metal and Dust, a combination of Lab grown and naturally sourced gemstones and diamonds are used in our designs. So what are the differences between natural (mined) or laboratory grown diamonds?

Natural (mined) diamonds are formed underground over billions of years, while Lab grown diamonds are made in just a few weeks. Mined diamonds are not unlimited and at some point there may not be any left. This is why they are considered more valuable and come at a higher price point.

Chemically and physically lab diamonds are identical to mined diamonds. The difference between the two cannot be seen by the naked eye. The subtle differences can only be detected by trained gemologists and sophisticated equipment designed for that purpose.

Grown above ground, lab diamonds minimise some (but not all) of the environmental impact associated with mining diamonds and for this reason, along with a lower price point, are considered favourable in jewellery design.

It’s important to note, that while they may not be mined from the earth, they do still require plenty of energy to be made through forming under high pressure, cutting and grading before being ready to set in a jewellery piece.

Ultimately after considering the above information, it comes down to personal preference when selecting a diamond for your forever piece. All diamonds in Metal and Dust designs over 0.25ct are graded and come with certification.

We select diamonds with the following specifications:

Colour: DEF or above
Cut: Very Good/ Excellent and above
Clarity: SI1 and above
Flourescence: None