From Earth’s Core Or Lab Floor? Crack The Diamond Code

How Experts Tell Natural From Lab-Grown Diamonds  
With lab-grown diamonds gaining popularity for their affordability and ethical appeal, the challenge of distinguishing them from natural diamonds has become more complex. While both types share the same chemical composition—pure carbon in a crystalline form—their formation processes leave behind subtle but detectable clues.

Gemologists now rely on a combination of visual inspection, spectroscopy, and certification to determine a diamond’s origin. Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years under intense pressure and heat deep within the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks using high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods.

Key Highlights  

• Natural diamonds often contain nitrogen and unique inclusions formed during geological processes  
• Lab-grown diamonds may show metallic flux or growth lines under magnification  
• Laser inscriptions on girdles often indicate lab-grown origin and can be verified with a loupe  
• UV fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy help detect growth patterns and trace elements  
• Certification from reputed labs like GIA or IGI is crucial for authentication  

Sources: Times of India, JewelryTalk, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI), YouTube – Diamond Buying Guide 2025 ft. SS Alam & Sanjay Kathuria