Natural glitter over lab-grown shine? Consider factors like carat, cut, and clarity before choosing between lab-grown or natural diamonds
Why lab-grown diamonds are cheaper
To understand the pricing, we compared both categories. A natural 1-carat solitaire of SI clarity set in 18-carat gold costs Rs.2-3 lakh in a branded jewellery store like BlueStone. Meanwhile, a similar lab-grown version with VS clarity is available for Rs.1.12 lakh, less than half the price. The disparity grows with size. At Orra, a 1.5-carat loose natural diamond of SI clarity can cost Rs.7.55 lakh, while a better quality VS1 clarity natural diamond’s price jumps to Rs.11.45 lakh. On the flip side, a flawless 1.5-carat lab-grown loose diamond costs just Rs.45,000 per carat.
Why the massive price difference? Lab-grown diamonds are generally priced lower due to reduced production costs compared to the mined diamonds, increased supply, and market perception. Natural diamonds command a higher price due to their rarity and cultural significance. The ability to control lab-grown diamonds’ quality and characteristics also contributes to their competitive pricing.
While the 4 Cs—cut, colour, clarity and carat—affect the pricing of both natural and lab-grown diamonds,their impact varies. Lab-grown diamonds can achieve precise cuts and consistent high clarity due to controlled production, influencing their price. They can also be manipulated for specific colours, making certain fancy colours more affordable than their natural counterparts.
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