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Any diamond purchase is a significant investment, so it’s critical to understand how to find the best stone and where to get the most bang for your buck. One way to achieve that is with lab-created diamonds. But how much lower are lab-grown vs. natural diamond prices?
Diamond prices vary greatly depending on the grade of the diamond and where it’s purchased. For example, a 1-carat lab-grown diamond (one of the most popular carats and cuts) can cost as low as $400 or as much as $4000, depending on the diamond’s four Cs and if you buy at one of the top-rated lab diamond retailers.
But one thing that is for sure is that lab-grown diamonds cost at least 70-80% less than mined diamonds – even though they are precisely the same. And better for the environment.
Cheapest places to buy lab-grown diamonds
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In the following, we’ll compare the lab-grown vs. natural diamond prices to see exactly how much you’ll save by choosing the environmentally and socially better diamond.
Read on to find out exactly how much you can save by choosing a lab-grown diamond over a mined diamond.
What Are Lab-Created Diamonds?
Let’s first define a lab-created diamond. Diamonds grown in laboratories are identical to those found in mines. The only distinction between mined and lab-grown diamonds is that mined diamonds were formed billions of years ago and must be extracted from the earth using extensive mining operations. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are produced in high-tech labs, reducing costs and energy consumption.
It’s that simple. Mined diamonds, also sometimes referred to as natural diamonds, and lab-created diamonds are 100% the same, except lab-created diamonds are cheaper to buy and better for the planet.
Learn more about lab-grown diamonds.
Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab and Mined Diamonds?
Let’s answer one of the most commonly asked questions regarding lab-grown and mined diamonds.
No, you can’t distinguish between a lab-grown and a mined diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same as diamonds mined from the earth. In fact, lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. They have the same hardness, the sparkle is just the same, and they are 100% real diamonds.
Likewise, lab diamonds are graded the same way as ‘natural’ diamonds based on the 4Cs—carat, color, clarity, and cut—carried out by the same renowned laboratories such as IGI and GIA.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamond Price Examples
1-Carat Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamond Prices
Mined 1.0 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: I
- Certified by: IGI
Lab-Grown 1.0 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: I
- Certified by: IGI
1.5-Carat Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamond Prices
Mined 1.5 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: F
- Certified by: IGI
Lab-Grown 1.5 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: F
- Certified by: IGI
Lab-grown 1.50 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: H
- Certified by: IGI
Lab-Grown 1.50 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: H
- Certified by: IGI
2-Carat Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamond Prices
Mined 2.0 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: G
- Certified by: GIA
Lab-Grown 2.0 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Ideal
- Clarity: VS1
- Color: G
- Certified by: IGI
How We Compared Diamond Prices
To give you an idea of how much you can save when buying a lab-grown diamond versus a mined diamond, we’ve gathered prices from our highest-rated lab-grown diamond retailers. These include James Allen, Ritani, Brilliant Earth, With Clarity, and Grown Brilliance.
Some of them carry lab-grown and mined diamonds, while others focus on a sustainable diamond choice (lab diamonds, in case you were wondering). All of the listed diamond jewelers continuously top our lab diamond seller reviews on Labgrowncarats.
To compare prices, we’ve chosen a reference diamond, one of the most popular sizes and qualities. The reference diamond is a round brilliant-cut lab-grown diamond with the following 4C grades:
- Carat weights: 1.0-3.0 (plus-minus a little*)
- Cut grade: Excellent or Ideal (whichever is the best, depending on the laboratory)
- Color grade: H-I
- Clarity grade: VS1-VS2
- Shape: Round brilliant
Pro tip: You can often save money by choosing carat weights just below or above popular sizes.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamond Prices
Below is our comparison of lab-grown vs. natural diamond prices. We have compiled this list from our recommended sources for purchasing both mined and lab-created diamonds. We constantly update the lab-grown diamond prices; you can view the latest diamond price date in the table.
Lab-grown diamond prices have decreased significantly in recent years, particularly in 2021-22, while price decreases tapered off in 2023. When we began comparing lab-grown diamond prices to those of natural diamonds, the difference was 30-40%. Today, in 2024, the cost of lab diamonds compared to mined diamonds is a staggering 70-90%!
| Diamond Carat | Lab Diamonds | Natural Diamonds | Savings (avg.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 carat brilliant cut | $441-1,018 | $2,110-6,076 | 82% |
| 1.5 carat brilliant cut | $588-2,022 | $4,740-13,930 | 86% |
| 2.0 carat brilliant cut | $915-2,333 | $14,480-24,020 | 91% |
| 2.5 carat brilliant cut | $1,176-3,240 | $20,810-$42,450 | 92% |
| 3.0 carat brilliant cut | $1,715-5,035 | $24,340-$52,130 | 90% |
Note that diamond prices fluctuate daily, and prices and availability may have changed since diamond prices were collected (December 2025).
Lab-grown diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds. Our 2024 comparison of diamond prices shows that lab diamonds are 80-90% cheaper than natural diamonds.
In 2024, lab diamonds are 80-90% cheaper than mined diamonds. Prices for lab diamonds have been decreasing recently, and lab-created diamonds are now even more affordable but just as real.
Why You Should Choose a Lab-Grown Over a Mined Diamond
As you can see from the chart, lab-grown diamonds are at least 80% cheaper than mined diamonds of precisely the same quality and grading! Basically, you can get a much better quality and larger diamond for the same money.
6 Reasons Why Lab Diamonds Are the Smarter Choice
- Identical to Mined Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds—no one can tell the difference! - Save Big on Your Purchase
Maximize your budget by choosing a lab-grown diamond and save up to 80% compared to natural diamonds. - Ethical and Conflict-Free
Lab diamonds are the only diamonds 100% guaranteed to be conflict-free, making them the ethical choice for responsible consumers. - More Sustainable
Producing a 1-carat diamond in a lab uses 25 times less energy than mining, making lab diamonds a much greener option. - Environmentally Friendly
Diamond mining disrupts local ecosystems and destroys animal habitats. Lab-grown diamonds eliminate this environmental damage. - Ethical Choice
Unlike the diamond mining industry, which often involves worker exploitation and human rights violations, lab-grown diamonds are produced under safe, regulated conditions.
Do you need more information on how to purchase the perfect lab diamond?
We are the leading site for all things lab-grown diamonds, and we offer unmatched expertise and insights. Over the years, we’ve published several expert guides to help our readers find the highest-quality lab-grown diamonds, secure the best prices, and discover the top places to buy lab-grown diamond rings.
We recommend getting started by reading our popular Guide to Buying a Lab-Grown Diamond – Top Tips to Saving and Getting a Better Diamond! and What You Need To Know Before Buying a Lab-Grown Diamond (Pros and Cons).
