Sourcing

Lab Grown vs. Earth-Mined – What’s the Real Deal?

Brought to you by

Lab Grown vs. Earth-Mined – What’s the Real Deal?

It’s impossible not to notice the growing trend of lab grown diamonds seemingly taking over the jewelry industry.

title resize.jpg

Brought To You By Merit Diamond


Unless you have been living under a rock these past few years, it’s impossible not to notice the growing trend of lab grown diamonds seemingly taking over the jewelry industry.
 
How can people resist?  The same carbon makeup of an actual diamond, the wonderful shine we all love and at a significantly lower cost; it seems like a ‘flawless’ solution - literally!
 
Apparently, the “scientific” difference between a lab grown and earth-mined diamond can only be detected by a professional under a microscope; but isn’t a diamond so much more than a pretty “colorless crystalline form of pure carbon?"

image1.jpg
Pictured above, Merit Diamond’s My Caroline® Diamond Heart pendant, a heart shaped pendant completely encrusted in diamonds which comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum and a variety of sizes. Go to www.meritdiamond.com

Just like snowflakes – and people - not one (earth-mined) diamond looks exactly like the other.  Each earth-mined diamond tells a story through its “flaws.”  While we, the consumer, seek out diamonds with as few visible marks as possible, each blemish in the diamond actually help historians, geologists and archeologists put together the puzzle of our Earth’s past. To think that earth-mined diamonds were here way before us humans ever came into existence and will most likely be around long after, makes the significance of a diamond so much more meaningful.

On top of being beautiful pieces of history, their rareness, difficulty and skill needed to attain and cut, and individual uniqueness are what have made them such a coveted and expensive item for hundreds of years.

Diamonds being incorporated into engagement rings, and jewelry in general, only really began becoming massively popular around the 1940s.  Before that it was only accessible to royalty and the very rich. 

image2.jpg

Pictured above, Merit Diamond’s My Caroline® Eternity Goddess Diamond ring, our signature classic wedding ring with diamonds that go all the way around and fitted from the inside with the patented MFIT ® Comfort Technology. Comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum and a variety of sizes. Go to www.meritdiamond.com

The use of something so beautiful and natural, that can’t be broken or cut except for with another diamond to represent a union of two people that will hopefully last forever could not have been a more perfect fit.  

“It was a very smart marketing partnership and an easy sell.  However, the diamond also became a direct representation of status and success – a goal, something people wished to be able to buy and afford,” says jewelry expert Josef Fraiman of Merit Diamond Corporation. “And because of their unbreakable makeup, it was not something you bought just for you, it was an investment into your family’s future, something that you could pass on to your children and grandchildren and so on. Holding not only sentimental value and history, but monetary value as well.”
 
image3.jpg

Pictured above, Merit Diamond’s My Caroline® Sweetheart 11-Diamond ring, an elegant and classic engagement ring with a large round diamond center and surrounded by smaller diamonds on the side and fitted from the inside with the patented MFIT® Comfort Technology.  Comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum and a variety of sizes. Go to www.meritdiamond.com

In today’s culture, which is all about being “woke” and simultaneously the next story/post on your Instagram account, only the illusion of luxury and lifestyle are what’s needed for the next photo.  Plastic.  Depth, quality and truth are not appreciated or necessary – it’s a thing of the past. It’s all about what’s trending right now, branding of people, followers, fake news and all that jazz.  It seems that nothing has real value anymore and everything is for show and made to be disposable. 
 
But if this is the case, why buy diamonds at all, lab or earth-mined?  There are cubic zirconiums and crystals and plenty of other stones that sparkle, all a much cheaper option than any type of diamond.
 
As in every industry, things change; and now the jewelry industry is going through a shift as well.  Maybe it’s time for the GIA to create a new type of diamond rating – maybe the flaws in an earth-mined diamond should be looked at as something that can increase a stone’s value rather than decrease its value.  Just like wrinkles on a person’s face – each internal “flaw” on a diamond tells a story and gives personality and makes it unique.

image4.jpg

Pictured above, Merit Diamond’s My Caroline® Celestial diamond earrings, four diamonds of the same size with a smaller diamond center creating a beautiful flower-like shape. Comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum and a variety of sizes. Go to www.meritdiamond.com

Remember when they started making lab grown emeralds?  Flawless perfect emeralds making them attainable and affordable to the masses.  In the beginning, the lab grown emeralds were selling for $300 dollars per carat. Today you can buy the same lab grown emerald for less than $10 per carat and real, natural emeralds, are now harder to attain and might even be more valuable than they were before lab grown emeralds ever joined the market.  Sound familiar?  

“Lab grown diamonds have already lost much of their value in the last few years. A stone that cost $3000 three years ago can now be bought for $800.  It’s clear that in a few years lab grown diamonds will be worth less than $100, though retailers are doing their best to hide this fact,” says jewelry expert Eyal Adini of Merit Diamond Corporation.  
 
And funnily enough, even with the retailers and general public seemingly moving towards lab grown right now; when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands people seem to see things a bit differently.  With their “forever rings” they still want to continue to invest and ‘splurge’, the meaning and value are still important to them.  
When doing a quick survey, 18 out of the 20 people who had said they would prefer to buy jewelry with lab grown diamonds (mostly because of the difference in price and what they categorize as ethical reasons), also said when it came to their engagement and wedding ring they would still prefer to get an earth-mined diamond.
 
image5-new.jpg

Pictured above, Merit Diamond’s My Caroline® Eternity Goddess Diamond ring and Eternity Goddess Bracelet, our signature classics with diamonds that go all the way around and ring fitted from the inside with the patented MFIT® Comfort Technology. Comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum and a variety of sizes.  Go to www.meritdiamond.com

For companies like Merit Diamond Corp. who have been in the industry for over 40 years and have seen trends come and go, changes, evolutions, etc… at the end of the day classic is timeless and will always have a market; earth-mined diamonds are irreplaceable and will find their place back on top again as well.    
Of course, for those looking to cash out or for a quick deal, lab grown is the easier route to go for sure.  But for companies like Merit, who are in this industry for the long run – real will always be the deal. 

image7.png

Pictured above, a glimpse of Merit Diamond’s My Caroline®, MFIT®, Sirena® and Liliana® Enhancer Collections.
Go to www.meritdiamond.com or call (954) 883-3660 for more details and make an appointment to visit us at JCK, booth 13115

The Latest

Stock image of a gavel and books
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American Jewelry

The pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.

Roberta Flack: Style, Art, & Music Auction Bulgari Collar
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for Auction

Julien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.

Rachel King and The Tudor Heart book cover
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’

Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las Vegas

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Henry Kessler, Vance Kessler, Alex Kessler, and Daniel Kessler of Sy Kessler Sales Inc.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas

The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.

Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Chanel Coco Game Haute Horlogerie Chessboard
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch Collection

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.

Jewelers of America 20 Under 40 winners collage
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ Class

The annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.

lvajws image 1.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Fake Fendi bangle
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYC

Seized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.

Stock image of a judge’s gavel
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop Owner

Rodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.

Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems Book Cover
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book

“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.

Savannah Convention Center
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the Road

The AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.

Mike McMullen and Adrienne Gernand
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business Officer

The jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.

Oscar Heyman Multi-Colored Tourmaline and Diamond Flower Necklace
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026

Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.

QVC Group logo
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.

Edina Kiss Devil Drop Earrings
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your Shoulder

The “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.

Stock image of gold bars
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of Gold

The alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.

Cartier Roadster
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the Roadster

The “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.

Edge Retail Academy Ellen Gardner, Jennifer Motes, Mona Lisa Shaffer, Cindi Haddad Drew
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership Team

As demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.

Stuller Mountings 2026-2027 Catalog
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out Now

The “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.

Screenshots of Episode 4 of the “My Next Question” podcast
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond Dilemma

Sally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.

Randy McKenzie of Spark Creations
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72

McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Watch
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026

Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Pomellato Nudo blue topaz necklaces
FinancialsApr 15, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Shines in Q1, Gucci’s Struggle Continues

The luxury giant discussed the Middle East conflict and its transformation plans, hinting at a stronger jewelry presence in North America.

Diamond Divas
TechnologyApr 15, 2026
This Jewelry Brand’s Video Series Is Up for a Webby Award

“Diamond Divas,” a social media reality series by Shahla Karimi Jewelry, is nominated in the “Best Social: Fashion & Beauty” category.

Model wearing Bulgari Vimini necklace and earrings
FinancialsApr 14, 2026
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Sink 6% Amid Middle East Conflict

Plus, how Saks Global’s bankruptcy affected the luxury giant’s first quarter.

International Jade Summit
SourcingApr 14, 2026
International Jade Summit to Return to Monterey

Presented by Mason-Kay Jade, the summit, in its second year, will again be held during the Monterey Bay Jade Festival.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy