Natural diamonds form deep in the earth, lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab, and both are real diamonds with the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is not a diamond at all; it is a lab-made crystal that looks similar at first glance but is softer, sparkles differently and costs much less.
None of these is a bad choice. They are different products, and you should always know which one you are paying for.
What is a natural diamond?
A natural diamond is pure carbon that crystallized under heat and pressure far below the earth's surface over a very long time. It is mined, cut and polished, then graded on the 4Cs: carat, cut, color and clarity. If those grades are new to you, start with our diamond basics guide.
People choose natural diamonds for tradition, rarity and the idea of something formed by nature. Among diamonds of similar size and grade, natural stones generally cost the most.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is also pure carbon with the same crystal structure as a natural one. It is grown in weeks using one of two methods: high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), which copies the conditions underground, or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which builds the crystal layer by layer.
- It scores 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the same as natural diamond.
- It is graded on the same 4Cs.
- It can't be told apart from natural by eye. A gemologist needs special equipment.
- Grading reports for lab-grown stones say "laboratory-grown," and many stones carry a tiny laser inscription on the edge.
Lab-grown diamonds usually cost less than natural diamonds of similar size and grade, which lets many people get a bigger or higher-grade stone for the same budget. The tradeoff is that resale value is generally lower and less predictable.
What is cubic zirconia (CZ)?
Cubic zirconia is a lab-made crystal of zirconium dioxide. It is a diamond simulant, which means it imitates the look of a diamond without being one.
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Hardness: about 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale, so it scratches and wears faster than diamond.
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Sparkle: it throws more colored flashes (fire) than diamond, which can look a little rainbow-like.
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Weight: it is denser, so a CZ weighs more than a diamond of the same size.
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Over time: the surface can get scratched and look cloudy with daily wear.
CZ is a smart pick for fashion pieces, a first pair of earrings, travel jewelry, or trying a look before you spend more. Our stud earrings include CZ studs set in 10K yellow gold, and the listing says so in the title.
How do natural, lab-grown and CZ compare?
|
Natural diamond |
Lab-grown diamond |
Cubic zirconia |
| Material |
Carbon |
Carbon |
Zirconium dioxide |
| Hardness (Mohs) |
10 |
10 |
8–8.5 |
| Looks by eye |
Diamond |
Diamond |
Close; more rainbow fire |
| Graded on 4Cs |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Relative cost |
Highest |
Lower |
Lowest |
| Holds up to daily wear |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Fair |
How do I know what I am buying?
Ask directly, and get the answer in writing. A good listing or receipt should say exactly what the stone is. Here is what to check:
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The stone name. "Diamond," "lab-grown diamond" and "CZ" are three different things. Words like "simulated" or "diamond-look" mean it is not a diamond.
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Carat weight. For pieces with many stones, look for total carat weight (ctw).
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The grading report. For a larger center stone, ask whether it comes with one and from which lab.
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The metal. A great stone in a plated setting won't last like one in solid gold.
On our site, each product listing shows the metal, karat and stones, and gold-plated items are labeled as plated. If anything is unclear about a stone, call or text and ask us before you buy. You can browse diamond earrings in our earrings collection and diamond rings in our rings collection.
Which one should I choose?
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Natural if tradition and rarity matter most to you.
-
Lab-grown if you want a real diamond and more size or grade for your budget.
-
CZ if you want the look for everyday fashion or a lower-cost piece.
Visit or text us
The best way to understand the difference is to see the stones side by side. Visit our family-owned store at 260 Main St, Orange, NJ, open 7 days, or call or text (973) 673-3800. Browse our earrings collection to start.
Natural Diamonds, Lab-Grown Diamonds and CZ: How They Differ
Natural diamonds form deep in the earth, lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab, and both are real diamonds with the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is not a diamond at all; it is a lab-made crystal that looks similar at first glance but is softer, sparkles differently and costs much less.
None of these is a bad choice. They are different products, and you should always know which one you are paying for.
What is a natural diamond?
A natural diamond is pure carbon that crystallized under heat and pressure far below the earth's surface over a very long time. It is mined, cut and polished, then graded on the 4Cs: carat, cut, color and clarity. If those grades are new to you, start with our diamond basics guide.
People choose natural diamonds for tradition, rarity and the idea of something formed by nature. Among diamonds of similar size and grade, natural stones generally cost the most.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is also pure carbon with the same crystal structure as a natural one. It is grown in weeks using one of two methods: high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), which copies the conditions underground, or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which builds the crystal layer by layer.
Lab-grown diamonds usually cost less than natural diamonds of similar size and grade, which lets many people get a bigger or higher-grade stone for the same budget. The tradeoff is that resale value is generally lower and less predictable.
What is cubic zirconia (CZ)?
Cubic zirconia is a lab-made crystal of zirconium dioxide. It is a diamond simulant, which means it imitates the look of a diamond without being one.
CZ is a smart pick for fashion pieces, a first pair of earrings, travel jewelry, or trying a look before you spend more. Our stud earrings include CZ studs set in 10K yellow gold, and the listing says so in the title.
How do natural, lab-grown and CZ compare?
How do I know what I am buying?
Ask directly, and get the answer in writing. A good listing or receipt should say exactly what the stone is. Here is what to check:
On our site, each product listing shows the metal, karat and stones, and gold-plated items are labeled as plated. If anything is unclear about a stone, call or text and ask us before you buy. You can browse diamond earrings in our earrings collection and diamond rings in our rings collection.
Which one should I choose?
Visit or text us
The best way to understand the difference is to see the stones side by side. Visit our family-owned store at 260 Main St, Orange, NJ, open 7 days, or call or text (973) 673-3800. Browse our earrings collection to start.