These effects depend primarily on the diamond's cut quality. A well-cut diamond has precise angles and proportions that maximize light return through the crown (top) of the diamond. When light enters the diamond, it bounces off the internal facets and returns through the top, creating the characteristic sparkle. A poor cut allows light to escape through the bottom or sides, reducing sparkle significantly.
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Diamond clarity measures the presence of internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections in both natural and lab-grown diamonds. These characteristics develop during formation — either naturally under the Earth's pressure and heat or during the lab-growing process — or during subsequent cutting, polishing, and wear. A diamond's clarity grade, ranging from Flawless to Included, indicates how noticeable these imperfections are under 10x magnification, though many are invisible to the naked eye.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established the industry-standard 4 C's (cut, color, carat, and clarity) in 1953. Their diamond Clarity Scale consists of 6 categories with 11 levels, ranging from Flawless to Included. Professional graders use 10x magnification to examine each diamond's imperfections, assigning a clarity grade that becomes part of the gem’s certification report.
No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification when viewed face up. Less than 1% of all diamonds are FL clarity, as it is nearly impossible to find a diamond that is completely inclusion and blemish-free.
Natural and lab grown diamonds develop distinct internal characteristics through fundamentally different processes. In natural diamonds, extreme heat and pressure transform carbon deep within Earth over billions of years, trapping various materials that become visible inclusions — primarily pinpoints (tiny dots) and feathers (small internal breaks). While lab diamonds develop similar physical features during their accelerated growth, grading terminology shifts between natural and lab reports; what GIA calls a "pinpoint" in natural diamonds might appear as a "growth remnant" in lab diamond documentation, reflecting their different formation stories rather than different inclusion types.
Both lab and natural diamonds can develop external imperfections (blemishes) after formation, typically during cutting, mounting, or wearing. The most common internal inclusions include cavities (angular openings from extended breaks), clouds (hazy pinpoint clusters), crystals (mineral deposits), feathers (white, crack-like formations), graining (whitish or reflective lines), needles (rod-like crystals), knots (surface-reaching crystals), and pinpoints (microscopic dot-like crystals). Common external blemishes include abrasions (edge nicks creating fuzzy white areas), chips (shallow surface openings), naturals (remnants of the original rough diamond), nicks (small girdle notches), pits (tiny white dots), rough girdles (granular perimeter surfaces), and scratches (thin white surface lines).
Prioritize an Eye-Clean Look: Focus on eye-clean appearance rather than technical grade. While Flawless is the highest grade, consider starting with SI1, SI2, VS1, or VS2 diamonds, which often appear eye-clean at significantly lower costs than higher grades.
Consider Cut Style: If you're hoping to purchase a diamond with rectangular or step-cut facets, such as an asscher or emerald shape, you'll benefit from a higher clarity grade, as these cuts emphasize transparency and allow you to see deeper into the diamond.
While Flawless and Internally Flawless diamonds command premium prices due to their rarity, eye clean or Slightly Included diamonds offer excellent value and remain a popular choice for most customers. The key is finding the right balance between clarity grade and other factors that affect a diamond's overall quality and beauty.
The highest quality clarity grade of diamonds is Flawless. These diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification and are very rare. However, VS2 and above are typically considered excellent choices as they appear clean to the naked eye at significantly lower prices.
Diamonds that have inclusions or blemishes that are not visible to the naked eye are considered 'eye clean.' Most VS2 and higher clarity diamonds are eye clean. Some SI diamonds can also be eye-clean, depending on the specific inclusions.
Clarity is the absence or presence of inclusions in and blemishes on the surface of a diamond. Diamond color references the absence of color in a diamond. Both are important, but priority depends on personal preference and diamond characteristics.
Yes, clarity still applies to side stones, though melee and accent stones are not typically graded by gemological labs. If you're designing your own ring, consider matching the accent clarity to your center stone or go a few clarity grades lower.
Gemologists with special training and tools can detect small differences between the two through detailed examinations under high magnification. The main differences between lab grown and natural diamonds lie in their microscopic details and internal structures. Natural diamonds form with octahedral growth patterns and often include inclusions from natural minerals. Lab grown diamonds display slightly different growth patterns and may contain metallic inclusions from the production process. Additionally, many lab grown diamonds feature a tiny laser inscription on their girdle that identifies them as lab created. These distinctions can only be observed with specialized gemological tools that detect unique fluorescence patterns and internal characteristics.
Could you spot the difference? Most people find it nearly impossible to distinguish between lab grown and natural diamonds with just their eyes. This similarity is part of what makes both options so appealing. Whether you choose a lab grown diamond or a natural diamond, you’re selecting a timeless gem that’s beautiful and brilliant.
Interested in learning more about diamonds? Check out our other Diamond Guides: Diamond Cut, Diamond Clarity, Diamond Carat, Diamond Color, Diamond Shape, Lab Grown Diamonds, Moissanite vs. Diamond, Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond, Cubic Zirconia vs. Lab Diamond, How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?, MM to Carat
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds produced in a controlled setting. They are grown in two ways: a High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) process that mimics their natural formation in the Earth, or a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. Both processes begin with a pure carbon seed arranged in a crystalline structure and result in a lab diamond that is identical to a mined diamond. Lab grown diamonds are available in colorless ranges and rare fancy colors.
Yes, lab grown diamonds are as real as natural diamonds are. Their only difference is origin: lab created diamonds are grown in laboratory settings, while natural diamonds form deep in the Earth. Chemically, physically, and optically, lab diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, with the same hardness, brilliance, and fire.
Lab diamonds also undergo the same grading process as natural diamonds: an assessment of the four Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Reputable gemological labs, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), certify lab created diamonds using the same standards as those applied to natural diamonds.
Engagement Diamond RingThe only difference between natural and lab created diamonds is where they come from. Natural diamonds form deep beneath the Earth’s surface under extreme conditions of heat and pressure over billions of years. In contrast, lab diamonds are produced in weeks to months from diamond seeds with the same chemical composition as natural diamonds. Without specialized equipment, it’s nearly impossible to tell lab created diamonds apart from natural ones. Though there are no physical differences between the two, here's how they contrast:
Lab grown diamonds start as tiny carbon seeds from pre-existing diamonds. Two primary techniques are used to create lab diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods simulate part of the natural diamond-forming process, resulting in high-quality gemstones that match mined diamonds in every way. After six to ten weeks, a rough diamond is created, then cut, polished, and set in jewelry. Learn more about how lab grown diamonds are made in this comprehensive guide.
With the naked eye, it’s impossible to differentiate between natural diamonds, HPHT lab diamonds, and CVD lab diamonds; only experts can identify subtle markers related to growth conditions. Both methods yield real diamonds with no differences in durability or quality, differing only in growth patterns and production time.
This method mimics the natural conditions under which diamonds form inside the Earth. A diamond seed is placed in a chamber and subjected to intense heat (over 2,000 degrees Celsius) and pressure (1.5 million pounds per square inch). The carbon atoms in the chamber bond with the seed, crystallizing into a diamond.
CVD diamonds grow when a thin piece of diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with a carbon-rich gas mixture (typically methane and hydrogen) that’s heated to break down the gas molecules. Carbon atoms settle onto the seed, building layer by layer until the diamond reaches its desired size. Some CVD diamonds undergo additional pressure and heat treatment after growth.
To the naked eye, lab grown and natural diamonds are indistinguishable. However, trained gemologists can detect minor differences in their growth structure and inclusions under high magnification. Specialized equipment can identify growth patterns unique to lab created diamonds, such as certain fluorescence patterns and distinctive internal structures.
Yes, but only with specialized equipment and training. Under high magnification, gemologists look for certain growth patterns, fluorescence, or inclusions unique to the CVD or HPHT process to determine if a diamond is lab grown. Many lab diamonds also carry laser inscriptions indicating they were created in a lab.
“I like to share stories with our customers—how the jewellery was created, how the gemstone was formed. It adds to the allure of the piece they take home,” says Dr Pratap Madhukar Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran, believing that jewellery is not just about adornment but about the connection and history it carries.
Abaran remains deeply rooted in tradition and legacy. “We have a rich heritage of working with natural diamonds since 1935. Back then, we were known as Neo Mart Jewellery, reflecting the British influence that was common in the pre-Independence era,” Pratap shares. As the store was passed down from his grandfather to his father, it was rebranded as Abaran in 1979. “My father wanted a more Indian name, so he placed an advertisement in the newspapers, inviting people to suggest names. He ultimately chose Abaran, which means jewellery in Sanskrit, as it resonated with him for its traditional and all-encompassing essence.”
Pratap’s philosophy of customer-centricity finds roots in the time when buyers would purchase diamonds and insist on having them set in their presence. The brand’s karigars (master artisans) would visit customers’ homes, spending hours meticulously setting each piece, returning the jewellery at the end of the day, and coming back to complete the work. “Over time, we earned their trust, and they began leaving their pieces with us,” recalls Pratap, who believes in working closely with designers and merchandisers to bring customers’ dream designs to life. “We’ve always focused on design at all our stores, and that’s how we have grown,” Pratap says.
This deep understanding of customer preferences and the enthusiasm for personalisation is why Pratap makes it a priority to spend five to six hours on select days at the store, personally consulting with clients. “Spending time interacting helps me place the customer first. More than that, it gives me new perspectives on diamonds. I don’t believe in hard selling diamonds but forming relationships with them and the customers,” he shares.
For Pratap, true awareness of natural diamonds goes beyond their sparkle and affordable luxury—it includes understanding sustainability and ethical sourcing. Recently, a couple brought their daughter to shop for her engagement ring and jewellery when the young woman raised a concern about the environmental impact of diamond mining. “I explained to her that for every acre of mining space, major natural diamond companies contribute nearly a hundred times that area in conservation efforts, creating sustainable ecosystems for their employees and surrounding communities. Moreover, lab-grown diamonds require an enormous amount of energy to produce, whereas natural diamonds have already been formed over millions of years. She was immediately convinced,” he says.
Pratap highlights a shift toward natural diamonds from all-gold jewellery, driven by increased awareness and affordability. “Thirty to forty years ago, diamonds were seen as exclusive to the elite, when limited information and exposure kept them out of reach. Today, global influence has made wearable diamond jewellery the norm,” he remarks. For him, jewellery is the greatest expression of joy, especially for special occasions. Wearers now seek jewellery they can enjoy daily rather than securing in lockers. “Wedding jewellery holds a deep sentiment for everyone, and they want future generations to adorn their heirloom pieces,” Pratap says. This has led to the rise of modular jewellery—versatile designs where a statement necklace can transform into a pendant, earrings, or a ring. “Our challenge is to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and cost. We must constantly innovate while striking that fine equilibrium between price and size,” Pratap says about the evolving trend that demands agility in aesthetics.
For Pratap, the fascination with natural diamonds is not just professional—it’s personal. His love for these rare gems dates back to when he first saw one at the age of five and was mesmerised by its mystique and allure. Years later, while studying gemology in New York, his appreciation deepened as he learned about the art and science behind diamonds. As for his own first diamond purchase? “The first diamond I ever received was when my wife, Preeti, gifted me one when we married in 2002. Likewise, that was the first time I gifted someone a natural diamond too,” Pratap smiles.
His passion, however, goes beyond sentiment—it is rooted in an enduring sense of wonder. “This company has been an integral part of me since childhood. But when I learnt that it’s the hardest known substance, my fascination only grew. The charm and allure excite me even today. And the enormity of natural diamonds—the fact that they were formed millions of years ago—still inspires awe in me,” he reflects.
The journey of finding your forever ring is usually a magical and luxurious experience that you remember for a lifetime. However, this process can feel daunting and confusing for many people as there is a minefield of information to sift through before making a decision.
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