{"id":5170,"date":"2026-11-10T11:44:10","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atelier-des-bergues.ch\/?p=5170"},"modified":"2026-11-10T12:03:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T12:03:26","slug":"diamant-naturel-ou-diamant-de-laboratoire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atelier-des-bergues.ch\/en\/diamant-naturel-ou-diamant-de-laboratoire\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural or lab-grown diamond: how to choose between the two?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atelier des Bergues, an artisan jeweller in Geneva since 1978, creates jewellery with both natural diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds, according to each client\u2019s choice. The two stones look alike to the naked eye, but they differ in price, in long-term value and in their story.<\/p>\n

For an engagement ring<\/a> or a bespoke jewellery creation<\/a>, the right choice depends on your budget, your project and your convictions. Here are the key points to help you choose between the two, adapted to the Swiss market.<\/p>\n

Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds: what are the differences?<\/h2>\n

A laboratory-grown diamond is a real diamond. It has the same composition (pure crystallised carbon), the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and the same brilliance as a natural diamond. Only its origin differs.<\/p>\n

The natural diamond, formed over billions of years<\/h3>\n

A natural diamond forms more than 150 km underground, under extreme pressure and heat, over 1 to 3 billion years. Brought to the surface by volcanic activity and then mined, every natural diamond is unique and their supply is limited.<\/p>\n

The laboratory-grown diamond, produced in a few weeks<\/h3>\n

A laboratory-grown diamond is produced in a few weeks, using one of two processes. The HPHT method (high pressure, high temperature) subjects a diamond seed to about 5 to 6 gigapascals and 1,300 to 1,700 \u00b0C. The CVD method (chemical vapour deposition) deposits carbon layer by layer onto a seed and often produces very pure stones.<\/p>\n

Can you tell them apart with the naked eye?<\/h3>\n

No. With the naked eye, and even with a loupe, a jeweller cannot tell a natural diamond from a laboratory-grown one. Only an equipped gemmological laboratory can do so with certainty.<\/p>\n

How much does a laboratory-grown diamond cost compared with a natural diamond?<\/h2>\n

In 2026, for the same size and quality, a laboratory-grown diamond costs a fraction of the price of a natural diamond. For the same budget, it therefore allows a larger or purer stone.<\/p>\n

A price that keeps falling<\/h3>\n

The price of laboratory-grown diamonds has been falling for several years, as production grows faster than demand. According to data from analyst Edahn Golan published by JCK, their wholesale price fell by 26% in 2025, then by a further 13% year on year in the second quarter of 2026. Since 2018, the cumulative decline exceeds 90%. Natural diamond prices have also fallen in recent years, but far less sharply.<\/p>\n

Resale value<\/h3>\n

This is the point to understand before buying. A certified, quality natural diamond retains part of its value and can be passed down or resold. A laboratory-grown diamond, whose new price falls every year, has almost no resale value. A laboratory-grown diamond is a purchase for pleasure; a natural diamond is also an heirloom asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/strong><\/td>\nNatural diamond<\/strong><\/td>\nLaboratory-grown diamond<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Composition and brilliance<\/td>\nPure carbon, hardness 10<\/td>\nPure carbon, hardness 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Origin<\/td>\nMine, formed over billions of years<\/td>\nLaboratory, produced in a few weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Price for equal quality<\/td>\nHigher<\/td>\nSignificantly lower<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Long-term value<\/td>\nRetains part of its value<\/td>\nVery hard to resell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rarity<\/td>\nLimited resource<\/td>\nUnlimited production<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certificate<\/td>\nGIA, HRD, IGI<\/td>\nGIA, IGI (marked laboratory-grown)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The price of jewellery in Switzerland<\/h3>\n

Swiss VAT of 8.1% applies in the same way to both types of stone. The final price of a piece depends mainly on the stone, the gold and the workshop\u2019s craftsmanship. At Atelier des Bergues, every project receives a free, personalised quote.<\/p>\n

How can you be sure of a diamond\u2019s origin in Switzerland?<\/h2>\n

In Switzerland, as elsewhere, a laboratory-grown diamond must be clearly identified as such at the point of sale.<\/p>\n

Regulated terminology<\/h3>\n

The trade\u2019s rules, set by CIBJO (the World Jewellery Confederation) and the ISO 18323 standard, require the terms \u201claboratory-grown diamond\u201d or \u201csynthetic diamond\u201d. The words \u201ccultured\u201d, \u201creal\u201d or \u201cgenuine\u201d may not be used for a laboratory-grown diamond. In Switzerland, the Federal Act against Unfair Competition prohibits any misleading description of a product.<\/p>\n

The certificate, the only reliable proof<\/h3>\n

For a significant stone, ask for a certificate from a recognised laboratory: GIA, HRD or IGI. It states the stone\u2019s origin and its 4Cs: carat weight, colour, clarity and cut. Switzerland is also home to one of the world\u2019s reference laboratories, SSEF in Basel, which checks more than a million small diamonds every year for the Swiss watch and jewellery industry.<\/p>\n

The provenance of natural diamonds<\/h3>\n

Since 2003, Switzerland has applied the Kimberley Process, which excludes conflict diamonds from legal trade. Imported rough diamonds must be accompanied by a certificate, under the supervision of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).<\/p>\n

Ethics and environment: which diamond matches your convictions?<\/h2>\n

Neither stone is perfect by definition: the right choice depends on what matters most to you.<\/p>\n

Mine or laboratory: two different impacts<\/h3>\n

A natural diamond involves mining. The Kimberley Process governs its provenance, and the diamond trade supports entire economies, notably in Botswana. A laboratory-grown diamond avoids mining, but its production uses a great deal of energy. Its carbon footprint depends on the electricity used, and much of the world\u2019s production comes from China and India.<\/p>\n

Carbon footprint figures published by either industry remain disputed. CIBJO rules also prohibit presenting a stone as eco-friendly without proof verified by an independent body.<\/p>\n

Ecological gold, the other half of the piece<\/h3>\n

A piece\u2019s impact is not only about the stone. Atelier des Bergues is certified \u201cEcological Gold\u201d and works exclusively with ecological gold from Gyr M\u00e9taux Pr\u00e9cieux in Switzerland. Whichever diamond you choose, the setting honours this commitment.<\/p>\n

To find out more, read our article Ecological gold: a responsible choice for a sustainable future<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to choose between the two for your piece?<\/h2>\n

The right diamond is the one that suits your project, not one that would be better in absolute terms.<\/p>\n

Depending on your priority<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Your priority<\/strong><\/td>\nOur advice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing the piece down, keeping its value<\/td>\nCertified natural diamond<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A larger stone for a given budget<\/td>\nLaboratory-grown diamond<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The symbolism of a stone formed by nature<\/td>\nNatural diamond<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avoiding mining<\/td>\nLaboratory-grown diamond<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reusing a family stone<\/td>\nYour diamond, reset in a new creation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

For an engagement ring<\/h3>\n

The engagement ring is the purchase where this question comes up most. Some couples favour the lasting value and symbolism of a natural diamond. Others prefer to put their budget into a more impressive stone. Both choices are legitimate. Also read our article on the solitaire engagement ring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before buying, check four points: is the nature of the stone stated on the invoice, does it come with a GIA, HRD or IGI certificate, what are its 4Cs, and where does the gold in the setting come from?<\/p>\n

Guidance from Atelier des Bergues<\/h3>\n

At Atelier des Bergues, Rue Rousseau 1 in Geneva, we work with both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds, respecting everyone\u2019s convictions. We present both options, with their differences in price and value, and the nature of the stone is always clearly stated. We then craft your piece by hand in our workshop, in Swiss ecological gold.<\/p>\n

Do you have an idea, a sketch or a stone to reset? Contact us<\/a> for an appointment and a free quote.<\/p>\n<\/div>