1 Carat Lab Grown Diamond vs Natural Price: Cost Comparison

Choosing between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond can feel confusing at first, but once you understand how each one is made — and why their prices are so different — the decision becomes a lot easier.

As someone who works with diamonds every day, I can confidently say that lab-grown diamonds have changed the jewelry industry in a huge way. They give you the same sparkle, the same durability, and often a much larger stone for the money.

Let’s break everything down clearly using real numbers, real examples, and what I personally recommend to clients.

What Exactly Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds — full stop. The only difference is where they’re formed.

Natural diamonds grow underground over billions of years under intense heat and pressure.

Lab-grown diamonds are made using the same conditions, just recreated inside a controlled lab.

Example: If you want to see how lab-grown diamonds can also be created in rare colors like pink, check out our detailed guide here: Pink Lab Diamond Engagement Rings. It’s a great real-world example of how lab technology allows for colors that are extremely rare (and extremely expensive) in natural diamonds.

Lab-Grown Diamonds: Chemical and Physical Similarities

This part surprises most people:

• Both are pure carbon crystals
• Both rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale
• Both have identical brilliance, fire, and durability

Placed side-by-side, even jewelers need advanced instruments to tell them apart.

A Side-by-Side Look at a Lab vs. Natural Diamond

• Visually: identical
• Structure: identical
• Durability: identical
• Difference: origin and price

One forms underground; one forms in a machine — but the end product is the same diamond.

Factors Influencing Diamond Pricing

Both lab and natural diamonds use the same grading system (4Cs), but their sourcing is what creates the massive price difference.

Lab Grown Diamond Price Factors vs. Natural

Why natural diamonds are more expensive:

• Mining requires huge machinery, energy, and labor
• Supply is limited and tightly controlled
• Large natural stones are rare

Why lab diamonds are far cheaper:

• They grow in months, not millions of years
• Technology reduces production costs
• HPHT/CVD machines create consistent supply

This is why lab diamonds often cost 90–95% less than natural diamonds.

The Four C’s

Your diamond price changes mainly based on:

• Cut – most important for sparkle
• Color – DEF are top-tier
• Clarity – VS/VVS look the cleanest
• Carat – biggest driver of price jumps

My recommendation for lab-grown: DEF color + VVS1–VVS2 clarity.

How Diamond Carat Weight Affects Price

Natural diamonds jump heavily at full sizes (1.0ct, 2.0ct, 3.0ct). A 2ct natural can cost 4–6× a 1ct natural of the same specs.

Lab-grown pricing increases much more smoothly and remains budget-friendly across all sizes.

“Off-Size” Diamond Pricing

Off-size stones (1.77ct, 1.94ct, etc.) look almost identical to full-size stones but cost far less.

Most stores don’t advertise them because 1ct / 2ct / 3ct sells better visually — but off-size diamonds are one of the best ways to save money.

I often recommend them for clients wanting max value.

How Much Do Lab Grown Diamonds Cost per Carat?

Here are real prices we pay at Fulop Jewelry for D color, VVS1 clarity, EX EX EX stones.

1 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

• Lab: $128.64
• Natural: $3,059.37
• Savings: over 95% cheaper

2 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

• Lab: $348.49
• Natural: $19,383.61
• Savings: over 98% cheaper

3 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price

• Lab: $538.91
• Natural: $35,992.79
• Savings: over 99% cheaper

These numbers speak for themselves — and they’re exactly why lab diamonds are exploding in popularity.

Curious why natural and lab-grown diamonds are priced so differently in the first place? Learn more in our guide on Why Are Diamonds Expensive.

Diamond Certification & Resale Value

Every natural and lab-grown diamond should come with a certificate. We offer both GIA and IGI for all stones.

What matters:

• Both are graded with the same 4C standards
• Certificates list HPHT or CVD growth method
• IGI is the standard for lab-grown
• GIA is the standard for natural

Resale Value: Lab vs Natural

• Natural diamonds: stronger resale because of long-term price history
• Lab diamonds: resale is weaker because the market is still new

But here’s what I tell clients:

“You’re buying this ring to keep forever. Get the best diamond your budget can afford.”

And right now, that’s almost always lab-grown.

Making the Right Choice: Lab-Grown or Natural Diamonds?

Pros and Cons of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Pros:

• 90–95% cheaper than natural
• Chemically and visually identical
• No blood diamond concerns
• Bigger stones for the same budget
• More ethical and sustainable

Cons:

• Lower resale value
• Market pricing may shift as technology evolves

Which Provides More Value for Your Money?

For 99% of buyers, lab-grown diamonds offer far more value.

Case Study: A $5,000 Budget → 3.5 Carat Diamond

A client came in wanting a 1ct natural diamond for $5,000.

He left with a 3.5ct lab-grown diamond — for half of his budget.

Same sparkle. Huge upgrade in size. Massive savings.

Conclusion

Lab-grown diamonds aren’t just an alternative — they’ve become the smarter choice for most buyers. You get the same beauty, durability, and sparkle for a fraction of the price.

Whether you’re looking for a 1ct, 2ct, or 3ct stone, a lab-grown diamond gives you more value without compromising elegance.

If you want help choosing the perfect stone — lab-grown or natural — reach out anytime. I’ll walk you through everything and make sure you get the absolute best diamond for your budget.

Ready to design your dream ring?
Contact Fulop Jewelry today and let’s get started.