Lab grown diamond vs. natural diamond: clarity first — the choice is yours

Diamonds

Remco Broekhuis

2025(e)ko irailaren 12(a)

Remco Broekhuis • CEO, DiamondsByMe

On September 5, 2025, I joined NPO Radio 1 – Dit is de Dag to discuss a simple question: is an inexpensive lab grown diamond the same as a natural diamond? The promotion — a silver pendant with a lab grown diamond for €29.99 — reportedly sold out within hours.

What’s the real difference?

Origin

Natural diamonds form deep within the earth and are millions to billions of years old — unique as a product of nature.
Lab grown diamonds are created over a few weeks in a high-tech environment (CVD or HPHT). Chemically and optically they are diamond, with the same hardness and brilliance; the difference is origin. You can’t see that with the naked eye; distinguishing origin requires professional equipment or lab testing.

Price & accessibility

Lab grown diamonds are significantly more affordable than natural diamonds, which makes larger stones accessible to more people. We see that broad price gap reflected in the market and in the attention around promotions like Zeeman’s.

About the Zeeman price: a stunt, not a market price

That €29.99 pendant — while a great eye-catcher — is not a representative market price for diamond jewelry at a jeweler. It’s a promotional stunt price, exactly what you can expect from a value retailer. Creating beautiful jewelry takes time, craftsmanship, and — perhaps most importantly — a love for the craft. That’s why a finished piece with a (certified) diamond is structurally priced higher in the regular market. The promotion does clearly underscore a point we’ve seen for a while: there is a significant price difference between a natural diamond and a lab grown diamond.

Let the customer choose — that’s the core of DiamondsByMe

DiamondsByMe is not a standard online jeweler. Our site is built around choice and personalization. You configure your piece yourself — and instantly see how your choices affect design and price.

You can personalize:

Stone type: natural diamond or lab grown diamond (and other gemstones)
Stone size: from subtle to statement; choose in carat or mm
Shape/cut: e.g., round brilliant, oval, pear, cushion (where available)
Metal: yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum, in various alloys
Diamond specs: e.g., color/clarity where applicable
Ring size & engraving: for a perfectly personal fit

In short: you decide. Our role is to advise honestly and label transparently whether your choice is a natural diamond or a lab grown diamond.

Our view at DiamondsByMe

For us, one thing is crucial: be crystal clear about what you sell — lab grown diamond or natural diamond — and then let the customer choose.

Do you prefer the story and rarity of a natural diamond? Wonderful.
Or does the accessible price and the ability to go larger with a lab grown diamond fit your wish and budget better? Just as valid.

Because we see customers choosing larger stones thanks to lab grown diamonds, we’re expanding our assortment with more designs and larger diamonds (alongside our natural diamond offering). Not everyone can or wants to spend over €5,000 on a natural diamond — and that’s okay. At DiamondsByMe, you choose what fits you; we provide honest advice, transparent specs, and clear labeling.

Frequently asked question: Is a lab grown diamond “real” diamond?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are diamond with the same chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds. The only real difference is origin.

New in our assortment (larger diamonds, now within reach with lab grown)

If you want designs that really shine with larger stones, we recommend these collections:

Toi et Moi collection — romantic yet modern, two stones in perfect balance.
Elegance collection — timeless, refined, designed to keep the stone front and center.