A one-carat round diamond, graded G colour and VS1 clarity, cost about $3,400 at the big online retailers in October 2026. A lab-grown stone with the same grades cost roughly 90% less. Without testing equipment, even a jeweller can’t reliably tell the two apart.
So why would anyone pay ten times as much? The difference lies in where the stone came from and what it might be worth later.
What’s actually different
Chemically and physically, lab-grown and natural diamonds are the same material, with identical hardness and sparkle.
Natural diamonds formed underground over millions of years, while lab-grown ones take weeks to make and can be produced to order. That explains most of the price gap. Whether that history is worth paying for is a deeply personal call, and it’s the main thing a natural stone gives you.
Many lab-grown stones come with an IGI report using the familiar colour and clarity grades, although GIA, the main lab for natural stones, announced in 2025 that it would describe lab-grown diamonds as “premium” or “standard” instead, in order to simplify the grading.
How big is the price gap?
Diamond Watcher’s Diamond Price Index tracks the same diamond specifications at four large online retailers every month, showing price differences and trends over time. In October 2026, lab-grown diamonds were priced 88% below comparable natural stones on average.
For one-carat stones graded G colour and VS1 clarity, the gap varied by shape:
| Shape | Natural (median) | Lab-grown saving |
|---|---|---|
| Round | $3,419 | 90% less |
| Oval | $3,635 | 88% less |
| Cushion | $2,085 | 80% less |
Prices in US dollars.
The cushion is already the cheapest natural shape, so switching it to lab-grown saves the least. A round diamond gets the biggest discount.
Same specs, side by side
On 20 October 2026, Ritani listed these two round diamonds. To the eye, they look nearly identical:
| Lab-grown | Natural | |
|---|---|---|
| Carat | 1.25 | 1.25 |
| Colour / clarity | G / VS1 | G / VS1 |
| Cut | Ideal | Ideal |
| Measurements | 6.92 x 6.89 x 4.28 mm | 6.88 x 6.83 x 4.29 mm |
| Grading report | IGI LG848607185 | GIA 2241048076 |
| Price | $322 | $4,833 |
The natural stone costs 15 times as much, a difference of $4,511 USD. The lab-grown one is a fraction of a millimetre wider, so on the hand it would look pretty much the same size. The only difference on the reports is some fluorescence, medium on the natural stone and none on the lab-grown one, which usually doesn’t show in a ring anyways.
What happens to the value later
Lab-grown prices have fallen in recent years as production has expanded. A lab-grown stone now fetches very little if you try to resell it.
Natural diamonds hold their value better, though resale offers still come in well below the original retail price.
Unless you expect to upgrade or sell the piece one day, resale value may not weigh much in your ultimate decision.
Which is right for you?
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want the biggest, most perfect stone your budget allows | Lab-grown |
| Are buying fashion pieces, such as studs, tennis bracelets or a right-hand ring | Lab-grown |
| Care about a stone that formed in the earth, or want an heirloom | Natural |
| Might sell, upgrade or trade it in one day | Natural |
| Are torn | Price both at the size you want, then decide whether the difference is worth it to you |
How to shop either one
- Fix your specs first. Choose the shape, carat range, colour and clarity before you look at prices, so you’re comparing like with like.
- Compare retailers. Many online jewellers sell from the same shared supplier inventory, so the same stone can appear on several sites at different prices. Diamond Watcher searches the major online retailers at once and covers both natural and lab-grown.
- Look up the grading report number on the lab’s website and read the measurements, not just the grades.
- Bonus: Look at close-up photos / videos, or ask a jeweller to show you the stone under magnification, so you can judge any inclusions properly.
The prices above are in US dollars, so if you’re buying from a US retailer, check shipping, import VAT and duty before you compare.
Figures are from the October 2026 Diamond Price Index snapshot: median listing prices for G colour, VS1 clarity diamonds at Blue Nile, Brilliance, Rare Carat and Ritani. Prices change monthly.
