A natural diamond formed deep in the earth long before it was ever found. That age and rarity are a large part of its appeal. Here is how natural diamonds form, where they come from and how they compare with lab-grown diamonds.
What Is a Natural Diamond?
A natural diamond is pure carbon, crystallized under intense heat and pressure about 150 to 200 kilometers below the surface. Most natural diamonds formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago. It is the hardest natural material known, and no two natural diamonds are exactly alike.
From Deep in the Earth to the Surface
Natural diamonds reached the surface through deep volcanic eruptions, carried up in rock called kimberlite. Some stayed in those volcanic pipes. Others were washed out by rivers and settled in gravel beds, where the first diamonds were found.
Diamonds were traded in India more than two thousand years ago and became symbols of power and wealth. By the 1400s, they were worn by European nobility, and in 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave what is often called the first documented diamond engagement ring.
Are Natural Diamonds Rare?
Diamonds themselves are found in many parts of the world. What is rare is quality. Only part of what is mined is good enough for jewelry, and large stones with high color and clarity grades are rarer still. That is why a large, high-grade natural diamond costs much more than a smaller or lower-grade one.
How We Source Natural Diamonds
Natural diamonds are available by quotation. You tell us the shape, size and grades you want, and we source the stone to your specification. Every natural center stone comes with a grading report, from GIA (preferred), IGI, HRD or GCAL.
For natural diamonds, we also offer near-colorless G to J color and SI clarity, which can be a good way to get a larger natural stone within your budget. Start a request with our Diamond Curation Service.
Natural Diamonds vs Lab-Grown Diamonds
| Natural diamond | Lab-grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed in the earth over billions of years | Grown in a laboratory over weeks |
| Composition | Pure carbon, diamond crystal structure | Pure carbon, diamond crystal structure |
| Look and hardness | The same when cut to the same quality | The same when cut to the same quality |
| Rarity | Rare, especially in large sizes and top grades | Widely available |
| Price | Usually higher for the same size and grade | Usually lower for the same size and grade |
| Grading | GIA, IGI, HRD or GCAL | IGI, on the same color, clarity and cut scales |
The two look alike. The difference is the story: a natural diamond is a piece of the earth's history.
Let's Talk About Value
Natural diamonds cost more because good stones are rare, especially large ones. Like most jewelry, a natural diamond usually resells for less than its purchase price, but natural diamonds generally keep more of their value than lab-grown diamonds.
If you want a stone with deep history, or a piece to pass down, a natural diamond can be the right choice. If you want the most size and grade for your budget, a lab-grown diamond often makes more sense.
Choosing Your Natural Diamond
Natural center stones are available by quotation for Tang&Co. engagement ring designs, and every center stone is hand-selected by our team. Browse our engagement rings, design a piece from scratch with our bespoke service, or read our FAQ.