Diamonds have always been a symbol of love, sparkle, and celebration — but right now, the diamond world is changing faster than ever before. More and more people are asking: “Why spend a fortune on a mined diamond when a lab grown looks just as stunning?” It’s a question that’s reshaping the entire jewelry industry. To dig into what’s really happening, our President Andrew Fox sat down with our VP Scott Berkebile, GG for a no-holds-barred chat about lab grown vs. natural diamonds. Spoiler: what they share might just change how you think about diamonds forever.
💬 Andrew
Scott, let’s jump right in. Customers ask us this all the time: what’s really going on in the diamond market? Big picture — lab grown vs. natural — what’s happening?
💬 Scott
Andrew, it’s honestly incredible. I’ve been in this business a long time, and I don’t think we’ve ever seen a change this dramatic.
Right now, interest in lab grown diamonds is through the roof. At the same time, natural diamonds are struggling. For centuries, they dominated. But today? More and more buyers are saying:
“Wait a second, why am I paying so much more for the exact same sparkle?”
Lab grown diamonds give people everything they’ve always loved — the fire, the brilliance, the romance — but without the crazy price tag. It really is the biggest shift we’ve ever seen in jewelry.
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💬 Andrew
That’s a bold take! Why do you think shoppers are moving away from naturals so quickly?
💬 Scott
Look, it comes down to value and trust. Today’s customers are smart. They compare. They Google. They don’t just walk into a store and buy whatever someone tells them.
Here’s the reality:
A 1-carat mined diamond could run $5,000–$7,000 (sometimes more).
The same size and quality in a lab grown? Often under $1,000.
That’s not a small gap. That’s a life-changing difference.
People see that lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical, and they ask the obvious question:
“Why would I spend five or ten times more for the same thing?”
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💬 Andrew
Some folks still say lab grown diamonds aren’t “real.” What’s your take?
💬 Scott
That’s probably the biggest myth out there. And honestly, it’s outdated.
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds.
Same crystal structure. Same hardness. Same sparkle.
They’re not simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite. The only difference is origin:
One grows deep in the earth over millions of years.
The other grows in a lab over a few weeks.
To the naked eye — even to a gemologist without the right equipment — you can’t tell them apart.
💬 Andrew
And what about beauty? Customers often tell me their lab grown diamond looks better than mined.
💬 Scott
That happens a lot — and for good reason. Because they’re grown in controlled conditions, lab diamonds often come out with fewer inclusions and better color. From a beauty standpoint, they’re stunning. The brilliance, the clarity — it’s all there. And many customers have that “wow” moment when they see it for the first time.
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💬 Andrew
Let’s talk about price again — because it feels like the heart of this. Can you put it in perspective?
💬 Scott
Absolutely. Let’s take a 1-carat round, excellent cut, G color, VS2 clarity:
Mined diamond: $6,000–$7,000
Lab grown diamond: $900–$1,200
That’s 80–85% less. Think about it: someone can buy a bigger stone, a nicer setting, and still spend less than they would on a smaller mined diamond. It’s no wonder customers are rethinking everything. The old “forever and rare” story just doesn’t beat the math anymore.
💬 Andrew
So what does that mean for couples shopping for rings or families buying gifts?
💬 Scott
It means freedom.
Couples don’t have to go into debt to afford a beautiful ring.
Parents and grandparents can give meaningful jewelry without emptying their savings.
For engagements especially, it’s a game changer. A couple can start their life together with a gorgeous, impressive diamond — without the financial strain.
💬 Andrew
But some jewelers still push mined diamonds really hard. Why?
💬 Scott
Honestly? They’ve built their businesses on them. They’ve got millions tied up in mined diamond inventory, so of course they’ll defend that. But the market doesn’t care about tradition. Customers are speaking loud and clear with their wallets. The jewelers who adapt will thrive. The ones who don’t? They’ll be left behind.
💬 Andrew
Last one for you, Scott: if you had to sum it all up, lab grown vs. natural, what’s the takeaway?
💬 Scott
Easy: Lab grown diamonds are the future.
They’re real. They’re gorgeous. And they’re finally affordable. Once a customer experiences the brilliance and value of lab grown, they don’t look back. And that’s why I believe the natural diamond market will never go back to what it was.
Closing Note
At SuperJeweler, our promise has always been simple: give customers the best value, without compromise.
Lab grown diamonds are the biggest opportunity in generations to make diamonds accessible to everyone — and that’s something we’re proud to lead.
—
Andrew Fox
President, SuperJeweler
Scott Berkebile, GG
VP, SuperJeweler
