Gemstone engagement rings have been cherished for centuries, symbolizing love, status, and individual expression. Traditionally, these rings featured natural gemstones that took millions of years to form within the Earth. However, advancements in science allow us to appreciate beautiful lab-grown gemstones as fantastic alternatives. What sets lab-grown gemstones apart is that they share the same chemical and physical properties as their natural counterparts. Produced in controlled environments, they can be created "perfect," customizable, and affordable. 

Join us as we take a closer look at the main differences and similarities between rings with natural gemstones and those with lab-created ones. We will also focus on pricing, ethical and environmental considerations, potential resale values, and market trends, giving you all the information you need to make a well-informed choice.

Formation & Science

Natural Gemstones

Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Moissanite are natural gemstones that have formed deep within the Earth over millions of years. Each of these gemstones requires rare conditions and long timeframes in order to properly form into the stunning gems we know and love. 

Let’s take a look at the unique origin and formation time frame for each of these natural gemstones: 

• Emeralds form when beryllium‑rich fluids interact with chromium or vanadium‑bearing rocks under high pressure, typically in hydrothermal veins over tens of millions of years. This activity is most seen in Colombia and Zambia.
  
  

• Rubies and sapphires are varieties of corundum (aluminum oxide) colored by chromium (ruby) or iron and titanium (sapphire), crystallizing in metamorphic environments over similarly long geologic timescales in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.

• Natural Moissanite (silicon carbide) is vanishingly rare on Earth—found historically only in microscopic amounts within meteorites or in very specialized geological deposits. However, it is often lab-grown.

While these natural treasures take millions of years to form under Earth’s intense heat and pressure, modern cutting‑edge technologies can replicate the same processes in a matter of weeks by growing these gems directly in a lab setting. Let’s explore how lab‑grown gemstones compare to natural stones.

Lab-Grown Gemstones

Lab-grown gemstones are not naturally formed; instead, synthetic processes like Hydrothermal, Flux, Verneuil, or Thermal Synthesis are used to “grow” the gemstones in just a few weeks. The technique chosen is based on the type of gem, as well as its anticipated clarity and color. Here is a quick breakdown of what typically happens:

• Emeralds are often grown by hydrothermal or flux‑growth methods that mimic natural hydrothermal fluids. These fluids recreate the heat, pressure, a mineral-rich environment needed to create gems such as emeralds. With these methods, crystals will begin to emerge in weeks to months, with far fewer inclusions than many mined stones.

• Rubies & Sapphires are commonly produced via Verneuil (flame fusion) or Czochralski (pulling) techniques, which expose a seed crystal to molten aluminum oxide enriched with trace elements. Growth takes days to weeks.

• Commercial Moissanite is created by high‑temperature vapor deposition of silicon carbide layers onto seeds inside a lab. This method yields near‑flawless crystals in a few weeks, which is essential as its rarity makes it almost impossible to find or afford. 

Want to learn more? Check out our Moissanite vs. Diamonds guide

Visual & Quality Similarities

Optical Properties

To the naked eye, lab-grown and natural stones will likely appear identical, making it hard to distinguish one from another. Even under bright light, these two stones will showcase similar qualities when comparable in quality. The parallels between the two make it challenging to differentiate which is which without specialized tools. 

Even skilled jewelers depend on advanced equipment to distinguish between natural and lab-grown gemstones. Among this technology is photoluminescence imaging and infrared spectroscopy, to detect subtle differences in growth features. 

Identification techniques to determine natural vs lab-grown are crucial for identifying the origins of gemstones. Understanding the distinctions is essential for the industry, particularly to ensure transparency in gemstone sourcing and authenticity.

The Four Cs

Regardless of whether a gem is natural or lab-grown, it is graded by the “Four Cs”—carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. Carat measures a gem’s weight in precise units, while cut assesses the quality of its facets and overall brilliance. Color evaluation looks at hue, tone, and saturation to determine depth and vibrancy. Clarity examines internal and surface inclusions under magnification, revealing how flawlessly light can pass through the stone. Together, these criteria create a consistent, transparent framework for comparing all gems. 

Inclusions & Treatments

While lab-grown gemstones can be made “excellent” or flawless, natural gems often contain mineral inclusions or tiny traces of other materials that were trapped during the growth process. Under perfect conditions, lab-grown gems can avoid inclusions, however, many display metallic flux inclusions. These are distinctive growth zonation lines that occur during the synthetic growth process. 

Both natural and lab-grown gems may undergo post-growth treatments (e.g., laser drilling, fracture filling) to enhance clarity and color, following protocols developed by institutes like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Price Comparison

One of the most significant differences between natural and lab-grown gemstones is their pricing. Below is a quick side‑by‑side look at how natural versus lab‑grown gemstones compare on price, showing per‑carat costs and the typical savings you’ll see when choosing a lab‑grown option:

 

As you can see, lab‑grown gems run 60–95% less than their natural counterparts across the board, letting you size up carat weight or upgrade clarity without busting your budget. This alone makes them an attractive choice for many buyers.

Ethical & Environmental Considerations

The Impact of Mining

There are a few ethical and environmental considerations surrounding purchasing natural gemstones. The major one is the mining process and its impact on the Earth. Traditional mining can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, soil erosion, and significant water use. One carat of mined diamond may displace up to 320 tons of earth and consume millions of liters of water during processing. Moreover, some small-scale mines are linked to labor abuses and conflict funding, coining the term “blood diamonds”. 

These effects are not only caused when mining diamonds, but they are also the result of mining other gemstones. That said, it is critical to buy from reputable jewelers who follow an ethical path. 

The Benefits of Lab-Grown

Lab-grown gemstones significantly minimize land disturbance and habitat loss, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional mining. They require dramatically less water, with lab-grown sapphire production reducing water usage by over 95%.By choosing lab-grown options, consumers can support eco-friendly practices while enjoying beautiful gems without the environmental toll of mining.

The Downfall of Lab-Grown

While they have ethical and environmental benefits over mining for natural stones, critics warn that lab-grown gemstones aren’t entirely impact-free. Energy-intensive furnaces (HPHT/CVD) can draw on fossil-fuel grids, and undue focus on labs may undercut mining communities where gemstones are a crucial livelihood. However, the good news I that sustainable practices such as carbon-offset programs and ethical sourcing certifications are emerging to address these concerns.

Resale Value & Investment

Natural and lab-grown gemstones couldn’t be more different when it comes to retaining value. Natural diamonds and rare colored stones—think two-carat, high-quality diamonds or top-tier Burmese rubies and Kashmir sapphires—have a long history of appreciating as supply tightens and eager collectors drive up prices at auction. 

Lab-grown gems provide a stunning sparkle while being much more affordable, making them perfect for items like engagement rings. However, their resale value is significantly lower, as advances in production have drastically reduced prices. Typically, you might only recoup about 10–30% of your original investment when selling. Additionally, there are far fewer buyers available in the secondary market for these gems.

In short, if you’re looking to build or preserve wealth, natural stones remain the gold standard; if you simply love the look and want something more affordable, lab-grown gems are a great choice—just know they tend to lose most of their value when it’s time to sell.

Also check out: 3 Alternative Gemstones: A look beyond the diamond engagement ring 

Natural Vs. Lab-Grown: Which is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a long-term investment, value the romance of Earth-born stones, and want the assurance that your gem can appreciate—or at least hold—its value, go with a natural gemstone. However, if you’re captivated by the gem’s appearance, want the most for your budget, and are less concerned about resale, go with a lab-grown stone. You’ll still get a stunning ring, plus the peace of mind that comes from a smaller environmental footprint.

No matter which path you take, understanding these key differences ensures that your gemstone purchase reflects your priorities. Whether that’s timeless value, ethical peace of mind, or simply wearing the brightest sparkle for the best price, there is a gemstone for you.

Ready to shop? Barkev’s offers high-quality gemstones, both mined and lab-grown. Get expert advice, browse our collection of gemstone engagement rings, compare lab-grown and natural options, and find the perfect piece of jewelry at barkevs.com.

Start shopping!