Pink Lab-Grown Diamond vs Natural Pink Diamond: Which Offers Better Value?

Look at this crazy fact: There are only some 40 or 50 carats of natural pink diamond mined yearly in the whole world. That's less than a cup of the stone per buyer with millions of buyers. Little wonder that prices for these gems fall into a class of their own.

When someone falls in love with the color pink, but just doesn't want to remortgage their house, a pink lab diamond begins to look pretty tempting. But is it really a wise purchase, or merely a "shiny compromise"? Let's take a deep dive into the actual numbers, actual differences and which one truly makes sense for your budget and your goals.

What Is a Natural Pink Diamond?

A natural pink diamond is created in the earth under extreme heat and pressure, and over billions of years. Researchers have not yet fully understood why some diamonds become pink rather than remaining clear. The most popular explanation is that the change in crystal structure occurs during stone formation rather than by the incorporation of an additional mineral or chemical.

The original and only known source of pink diamonds was the Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia which supplied nearly 90 percent of the global supply of pink diamonds. In 2020, that mine was permanently shut down. There has not been another source to replace it since then and this is one of the major factors that make natural pink diamonds keep on increasing their prices.

What Is a Lab-Grown Pink Diamond?

A pink lab-grown diamond is not mined from the earth; it is cultured in a laboratory. But the thing people have to get right about it is, it's not fake. It's a true diamond, created from true carbon, having the same crystal structure as a diamond extracted from the earth.

There are two ways that labs use. The CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process entails building the diamond layer by layer in a chamber. HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) replicates the same pressure-cooker conditions found deep in the earth.

Either way, the pink color shows up through the same structural quirk that colors natural stones, or sometimes through a controlled irradiation step. It can be distinguished with a trained gemologist and lab equipment. Your eye can't.

Pros and Cons of Natural Pink Diamonds

Pros:

• Very rare, and thus have great value.
• It can be invested and has a long track record that makes it an investment asset.
• Every stone has a unique story!

Cons:

• Extremely high prices, usually beginning from $50,000 per carat for lighter stones.
• The supply continues to decrease and budget stones are becoming more difficult to come by.
• Needs additional effort for insurance, storage and certification.

Pros and Cons of Lab Grown Pink Diamonds

Pros:

• The same size and color are offered at dramatically reduced cost.
• Identical chemical and optical characteristics as natural stones.
• No mining = less impact on the environment.

Cons:

• Resale market is still very young and thin.
• Doesn't carry the same investment reputation, at least not yet.
• There are still some buyers who want to hear the ‘formed by nature' story.

Pink Lab-Grown Diamond vs Natural Pink Diamond: Key Differences

When looking at the two stones in normal light, they appear to be identical. True distinctions lie in origin, cost, and the market's reaction to them.

Price Comparison: Lab-Grown Pink Diamond vs Natural Pink Diamond

This is where one cannot believe the difference. A 1-carat natural Fancy Vivid Pink diamond could start at an auction price of $300,000. Pink lab-grown diamond of equal size and shade may only cost a few thousand dollars.

The trend continues even at smaller sizes. A half-carat natural pink diamond could be priced at $50,000 or higher, whereas a half-carat lab-grown diamond could start at $500 or lower. It's not a small discount. It is an entire new world of pricing.

How could there be such a huge difference? Natural pink diamonds are sold based on rarity. The number that exists is capped, and that number only decreases. Lab-grown stones are offered at a closer margin to the production price, which continues to drop as the technology becomes more refined.

Which Pink Diamond Holds Value Better?

The natural pink diamond has proven to have decades of auction history. Prices have been steadily rising, particularly since the Argyle mine closed, and collectors consider top-grade stones the same as blue-chip assets.

Lab-grown pink diamonds don't have that track record yet. Unlike natural stones, the supply is not fixed as they can be manufactured at any time, depending on the demand. This makes it difficult to forecast the potential resale value. Natural still is the winner if the idea is pure investment potential. When it comes to getting a stunning pink diamond for savings that you cannot afford, lab-grown clearly cuts the cake.

Who Should Choose a Natural Pink Diamond?

If the story is as important as the stone, go natural. This is the perspective of collectors, investors and anybody who wishes to get a piece where there's true rarity. It also may be no big deal if you're not really considering a budget, and you're looking for a diamond that has some history in the resale marketplace.

Who Should Choose a Lab Grown Pink Diamond?

If you're looking for size, color and sparkle for less than six figures, consider a pink lab grown diamond. It's also the more viable option for those who want to maintain a smaller mining footprint, or just want a gorgeous stone to engage with without viewing it as a retirement account.

How to Choose the Best Pink Diamond

The first thing to consider is your budget, as it will indicate whether you should opt for natural or lab grown. From there:

• Check the certification. You can put your trust in two names, GIA and IGI.
• In pink stones, one should look at the color first, since color is basically more significant than clarity in relation to the price of these stones.
• Select a shape that complements the pink color like cushion, oval or radiant cut.
• Before purchase, request a complete grading report instead of just a picture and a promise.

Color grading plays a bigger role in value for fancy colored diamonds than it does for standard white diamonds. And as industry buying guides note, lab grown stones are priced well below natural diamonds at every single carat weight, which is worth factoring in no matter which route you take.

Conclusion

The source of both natural and lab-grown diamonds is the same: pure carbon, subjected to pressure. What matters is where that pressure occurs and what that does to the price tag afterwards. There's a level of rarity, history, and investment weight behind natural stones. Lab-grown stones offer almost the same beauty at a much lower price.

Both options are correct. It's just a matter of what you're buying: a piece of geological history or a beautiful diamond that you can actually afford to wear every day.

A lab-grown pink diamond is a smart and modern choice if you wish to purchase a brilliant pink gem that has been ethically grown and offers you the best possible value for your money. ZKZ Diamonds specializes in creating high-quality, brilliantly cut pink lab diamonds that offer all the luxury and allure of a natural pink stone but at a more affordable price.

FAQs

Are pink diamonds really worth it?

Yes, if you're looking for the quality of real diamond without the natural price tag. They're chemically identical to mined stones, but they're made faster, and much cheaper.

Are lab-grown pink diamonds identical to natural pink diamonds?

Yes. Even with the naked eye, and in most cases with a jeweler's loupe, they appear the same. Only lab equipment and a trained gemologist can tell them apart reliably.

Are lab-grown pink diamonds resellable?

They have some value, but not as much as natural pink diamonds now. The lab-grown stone resale market is in its early stages, as mass production has only begun in recent years.