You've been doing your research — reading articles, watching videos, asking friends — and somewhere along the way, lab-grown diamonds entered the conversation. Now you're wondering: are they the right choice for the ring you're planning to give? Or is there something to be said for a diamond that took billions of years to form?
If you're a couple in Montgomery County, Bucks County, or South Jersey weighing this decision in 2026, the answer isn't as simple as price alone. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, and they've become genuinely popular for good reasons. But after 40+ years of helping Delaware Valley couples find the rings they'll wear for a lifetime, we've seen firsthand that the conversation almost always circles back to one thing: what does this diamond mean to us?
At Marks Jewelers, we carry both natural and lab-grown diamonds because we believe every couple deserves options and honest information. We offer our ReMARKable Designs lab-grown collection because inclusivity matters to us — we want everyone to find something they love, at a price that works for them. But we also believe it's our job to give you the complete picture, not just the one that's easiest to sell.
Here's what this guide will cover: what lab-grown diamonds are, why they've grown in popularity, what's genuinely different about natural diamonds, and how to decide what's right for your relationship.
What You'll Learn
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds — not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. They share the same chemical composition (pure carbon), the same crystal structure, the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and the same optical properties as diamonds formed deep within the earth. The Federal Trade Commission has updated its official definition of a diamond to include lab-grown stones, and they are evaluated by major independent gemological laboratories — primarily GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute).
A quick note on grading in 2026 — because the landscape is changing. You may still see older articles and retailer websites reference AGS (American Gem Society) as a third major lab, but AGS Laboratories merged into GIA at the end of 2022 and is no longer an independent grading laboratory. AGS-style cut and light performance evaluations are now issued through GIA as a supplemental report.
There's a more important shift happening as well. As of October 1, 2025, GIA no longer applies its traditional 4Cs nomenclature — the familiar color and clarity scales developed for natural diamonds — to lab-grown stones. Instead, GIA now classifies qualifying lab-grown diamonds as either "Premium" or "Standard," with stones that don't meet minimum thresholds receiving no assessment at all. GIA made this change because modern production technology has advanced to the point that the overwhelming majority of lab-grown diamonds now fall within a very narrow, high-quality range of color and clarity — which means granular 4Cs distinctions no longer provide the meaningful differentiation they do for natural stones.
IGI, which grades the majority of lab-grown diamonds sold in the U.S., continues to use the traditional 4Cs framework for now, so you'll still see familiar color and clarity grades on most lab-grown reports currently in circulation. We're in a real transition period — which is exactly why walking through any certificate with a GIA Graduate Gemologist matters more than ever.
The difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is entirely in how they were created. Natural diamonds form over billions of years under extreme heat and pressure miles beneath the earth's surface. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in a controlled environment using one of two methods:
HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature): A diamond seed is placed in a chamber with a carbon source and subjected to pressures exceeding 870,000 pounds per square inch and temperatures of 1,300–1,600°C. Over days to weeks, carbon crystallizes around the seed, growing a new diamond atom by atom.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): A diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gases. Microwave energy ionizes the gas into plasma, and carbon atoms deposit onto the seed layer by layer over two to six weeks, building a new diamond crystal.
Both methods produce stones that are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. Even trained gemologists cannot tell the difference with the naked eye — specialized scientific equipment is required. Lab-grown diamonds are permanent, durable, and will not fade, cloud, or deteriorate over time.
Why Lab-Grown Diamonds Have Grown in Popularity
It would be dishonest to ignore why lab-grown diamonds have captured significant market share — and the primary reason is price. According to BriteCo's 2025 market analysis, lab-grown diamonds now cost approximately 73% less than comparable natural diamonds. For couples on a firm budget, that difference is real and meaningful. A budget that would buy a 0.75-carat natural diamond can often secure a 2-carat lab-grown stone of comparable grade.
Lab-grown diamonds now account for over 45% of U.S. engagement ring sales. Younger buyers in particular — millennials and Gen Z — have embraced them for their accessibility and transparent supply chain. The global lab-grown market was valued at approximately $29–$30 billion in 2025 and continues to grow.
There is also an ethical dimension for some couples. Lab-grown diamonds carry no connection to mining and offer a fully traceable supply chain. For those for whom that matters, it is a genuine consideration worth weighing.
We carry our ReMARKable Designs lab-grown collection for exactly these reasons. We believe every couple who walks into our Diamond Diner® should have access to a beautiful diamond at a price that works for their life — and lab-grown diamonds make that possible for more people. That is something we are proud of.
What Makes Natural Diamonds Different
Here is where the conversation becomes more personal — and more important to have honestly.
A natural diamond is one of the rarest objects on earth. It formed somewhere between one and three billion years ago, more than 100 miles beneath the Earth's surface, under conditions of heat and pressure that are almost impossible to comprehend. It was carried upward by volcanic eruptions over millions of years before it was ever found. No two natural diamonds are identical. That journey — that geological fingerprint — is part of what a natural diamond is.
For many couples, that story matters. Not because a lab-grown diamond is less beautiful or less real — it isn't — but because the diamond they plan to wear every day for the rest of their lives represents something. A natural diamond carries with it a kind of permanence that mirrors the commitment it symbolizes. It is genuinely rare, genuinely ancient, and genuinely irreplaceable in a way that a stone produced in weeks cannot be.
In our 40+ years working with Delaware Valley couples, we've seen that couples who choose natural diamonds often aren't choosing them primarily for price or practicality. They're choosing them because they want the ring to mean something beyond the moment — to be the kind of piece that gets passed down, that carries a family's story, that grows more meaningful with time. That is the legacy of a natural diamond.
There is also a practical distinction worth naming directly: natural diamonds have historically held their value in ways that lab-grown diamonds have not. Lab-grown diamond prices have declined significantly as production has scaled up, affecting resale and long-term value. If this purchase is one you hope to pass to the next generation — or if its lasting value matters to you — that is a real and honest difference.
The Real Differences: An Honest Comparison
We want to give you the clearest possible picture — not to steer you, but to make sure you're deciding with your eyes open.
What Is the Same
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Chemical and physical composition: both are pure carbon in a cubic crystal structure.
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Hardness and durability: both score 10 on the Mohs scale. Neither will scratch, cloud, or deteriorate.
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Optical brilliance: the same cut quality produces the same light performance in both.
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Independent certification: both are evaluated by major gemological laboratories such as GIA and IGI, though the way each lab reports on lab-grown versus natural diamonds has recently begun to diverge (more on that below).
What Is Genuinely Different
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Origin and rarity: Natural diamonds are billions of years old and exist in finite supply. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in weeks and can be manufactured at scale. Rarity isn't just marketing — it's a fundamental difference in what the stone is.
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Grading frameworks are diverging: As of October 2025, GIA stopped applying the traditional 4Cs nomenclature to lab-grown diamonds and now classifies them as "Premium" or "Standard," because modern production yields stones that nearly all fall into a narrow, high-quality range. IGI still uses the traditional 4Cs for lab-grown stones. Natural diamonds, by contrast, continue to receive full 4Cs grading across the board. We're in a genuine transition period — and understanding which lab issued a report, and what framework it used, is part of shopping smart in 2026.
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Long-term value: Natural diamonds have historically retained value far better than lab-grown stones, whose prices have dropped significantly as supply has increased. If lasting financial value matters to you, this distinction is significant.
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Legacy and meaning: For many couples, the story of a natural diamond — ancient, rare, one of a kind — carries emotional weight that a manufactured stone cannot replicate. This is entirely personal, but it is real.
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Price: Lab-grown diamonds cost approximately 70–75% less at point of purchase. For couples with a firm budget, this opens access to larger or higher-quality stones.
Neither choice is wrong. But they are genuinely different — and we think every couple deserves to understand how before they decide.
How to Decide What's Right for You
In our experience, the couples who feel most confident in their decision are the ones who ask themselves these questions honestly before they start shopping.
What does this ring need to mean? If you want a diamond that carries geological history — that is genuinely ancient and irreplaceable — a natural diamond is the answer. If what matters most is size, quality, and accessibility within a specific budget, a lab-grown diamond delivers that beautifully.
What do you think about long-term value? If you imagine this ring being worn by your daughter someday, or if its lasting financial value matters to you, the track record of natural diamonds is meaningfully stronger. If you're buying a ring to wear and love for your own lifetime without concern for resale, that distinction matters less.
What is your budget, and what does it need to do? Lab-grown diamonds give you dramatically more stone for the same investment. Natural diamonds require a higher upfront cost but offer rarity and legacy in return. Neither is a wrong trade-off — they're just different ones.
What does your partner value? This is the most important question. Have the conversation. Some people feel strongly about natural diamonds; others genuinely prefer the accessibility of lab-grown. The right answer is the one that reflects both of you.
Whatever you decide, we will support you fully. Our job is to make sure you walk out of our door knowing you made the right choice — not the choice we steered you toward.
Why Delaware Valley Couples Choose Marks Jewelers
Marks Jewelers has been serving couples throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, Burlington County, and South Jersey since 1981. Over four decades, we've built our reputation on one thing: honest conversations about diamonds and jewelry, with no pressure and no agenda beyond helping you find exactly what's right for you.
Our natural diamond inventory is sourced with the same care and expertise that has defined Marks Jewelers for over 40 years. Every loose diamond in our collection is independently certified by GIA or IGI. Our five GIA Graduate Gemologists are here to walk you through every detail of any certificate — natural or lab-grown, 4Cs or Premium/Standard — so you understand exactly what you're looking at and why it matters.
We also carry our ReMARKable Designs lab-grown collection because we believe in being inclusive. If a lab-grown diamond is the right choice for your relationship and your budget, we will help you find a beautiful one. We simply believe you should make that decision with the full picture in front of you, not just the part that's easiest to present.
Our Diamond Diner® lets you view stones in a comfortable, unhurried setting. Our Fashion Lounge® is where the real conversations happen. With 3,000+ five-star reviews across Google, The Knot, and WeddingWire, and recognition as Best of Philadelphia Custom Jeweler, we have the track record that matters when you're making a purchase this significant. Our Montgomeryville flagship spans 15,000 square feet — the Delaware Valley's largest indoor jewelry shopping area — and our Mount Laurel, NJ location serves couples throughout Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Marlton, Voorhees, and Haddonfield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds and are evaluated by major gemological labs including GIA and IGI. They are real diamonds in every technical sense. Grading frameworks are currently in transition — GIA now uses Premium/Standard for lab-grown, while IGI still uses the traditional 4Cs. The meaningful differences lie in origin, rarity, and long-term value.
How much less do lab-grown diamonds cost in 2026? Lab-grown diamonds currently cost roughly 70–75% less than comparable natural diamonds. A budget for a 0.75-carat natural diamond can typically secure a 2-carat or larger lab-grown stone of comparable grade. That price difference is real — and so is the difference in rarity and long-term value. Our team will walk you through both so you can weigh them clearly.
Do natural diamonds hold their value better than lab-grown diamonds? Yes, historically. Natural diamonds have retained value more consistently over time. Lab-grown diamond prices have declined significantly as production has scaled up, affecting their resale and generational value. If passing this ring to the next generation — or long-term financial value — matters to you, natural diamonds have a meaningfully stronger track record.
Can I get a custom engagement ring at Marks Jewelers with either option? Absolutely. Our JEWLVISION™ custom design process works with both natural diamonds and lab-grown stones from our ReMARKable Designs collection. You'll see a 3D rendering and try on a prototype before final production. Custom pieces are completed in three to six weeks. Call (215) 362-7132 or (856) 678-0006 to schedule a free consultation.
Why does Marks Jewelers carry lab-grown diamonds if natural diamonds are preferred? Because we believe every couple who walks through our door deserves a beautiful option at a price that works for their life. Our ReMARKable Designs lab-grown collection exists because inclusivity is part of who we are. We simply believe our job is to give you honest information about both — and let you decide.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring? There is no universal rule. The old guideline of two months' salary originated from a De Beers advertising campaign in the 1980s — it was a marketing message, not a financial standard. What matters is choosing a ring that reflects your relationship and fits your life. Our team will help you find the best diamond for your budget, whatever that looks like.
What's the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds? Both are real diamonds with identical physical properties. The differences are origin, rarity, and long-term value. Natural diamonds formed billions of years ago deep within the earth and exist in a finite supply. Lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks using advanced technology. Natural diamonds have historically held their value better. The right choice depends on what matters most to you.
How long does custom jewelry take at Marks Jewelers? Custom pieces through our JEWLVISION™ design process are typically completed in three to six weeks from final design approval. The process includes a consultation, 3D rendering, prototype try-on, and final production by our master jewelers at our Montgomeryville location. Call (215) 362-7132 or (856) 678-0006 to get started.
Next Steps
Here's what to carry with you from this guide:
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Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds — beautiful, durable, and evaluated by the same major gemological laboratories as natural stones.
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Natural diamonds are genuinely rare, billions of years old, and have a stronger track record for long-term value and legacy.
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The price difference is significant — lab-grown diamonds cost roughly 70–75% less — but price is one factor among several, not the only one.
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The right diamond is the one that fits your values, your relationship, and what you want this ring to mean over a lifetime.
If you'd like to see both options side by side — ask questions with no pressure, no agenda, and no rush — we'd love to have you in.
Montgomeryville, PA: (215) 362-7132 | Call or text day and night | 975 Bethlehem Pike, Montgomeryville, PA 18936 Mount Laurel, NJ: (856) 678-0006 | Call or text day and night | 1225 Route 73, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Store hours: Tuesday 11 AM–5 PM | Wednesday–Thursday 11 AM–8 PM | Friday 11 AM–6 PM | Saturday 10 AM–5 PM | Closed Sunday and Monday.
Serving couples throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, Burlington County, and Camden County — including Montgomeryville, Lansdale, Doylestown, North Wales, Warrington, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Marlton, Voorhees, Haddonfield, and the greater Philadelphia area.
