How Can You Be Confident You’re Buying a Natural Diamond

With lab-grown diamonds widely available across Australian fine jewellers for diamond engagement rings, knowing what you’re really purchasing and how to verify a natural diamond has never been more important.

In jewellery stores in Melbourne, natural and lab-grown diamond engagement rings sit side by side in display cabinets, visually identical even to trained eyes. Customers, sales consultants and jewellers alike cannot distinguish them purely by eye from their appearance.

Fortunately, there are many other ways to ensure your diamond is natural. From independent grading laboratories, to in-store testing equipment, to supply chain origin reports. Confident buying is absolutely achievable at JANAI.

When the difference in price is significant, and their appearance identical, we explain what to look for below to be certain you’re purchasing a natural diamond.

Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamond. What’s the Difference?

Both natural and lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical. Both are pure carbon with a cubic crystal structure, exhibit incredible beauty and embody the same hardness and strength. The difference is entirely in origin and the time taken for formation. 

While the two diamonds are both visually and chemically the same, subtle differences in growth patterns do exist. This is exactly what advanced technologies can detect to distinguish a diamond's origins. 

Grading Laboratories: Gemological Testing to determine Natural or Lab Grown Diamonds

The most reliable form of diamond verification comes from an independent grading report issued by the world’s most reputable gemological laboratories. When a diamond has been assessed and certified by a lab, you receive an authoritative, third-party evaluation of its origin and quality and characteristics. Alongside the result of a Natural or Lab-grown diamond. 

The three leading independent gemological laboratories in the Australian market are:

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) - Universally regarded for rigorous grading standards. GIA tests for growth patterns to identify the origins of the diamond. Methods include advanced technologies used to detect the lattice structure to determine stone identification.

IGI (International Gemological Institute) - The world’s largest independent gemological lab by volume. IGI uses multi-instrument detection including spectroscopy and microscopic analysis to differentiate natural from lab grown origins.

GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab) - Providing the most advanced and comprehensive diamond evaluations. GCAL utilises both ultraviolet and raman spectroscopy for diamond identification and typing. Revealing key features of diamond's atomic composition. 

Much of the science behind determining the outcome of a natural or lab grown diamond is assessing the growth pattern of a diamond. Natural diamonds can exhibit organic growth patterns, while lab-grown diamonds display geometric growth patterns as they grow layer by layer. Other testing checks for trace elements within the stone. No single test is relied upon alone. All three laboratories use multiple tests in combination to determine the diamonds origins. 

What to Look for on a Diamond Grading Report

Every reputable grading report will explicitly state the diamond's origin. To assist in distinguishing whether natural or lab-grown diamond, here’s what to look for on the grading reports.

Natural Diamonds
On a GIA report, look for the words "GIA Natural Diamond Dossier” or “Natural Diamond" printed clearly in the grading report header. On IGI reports for natural stones, the report type section will state "Natural Diamond Report." For GCAL reports, look for a blue certificate and “Natural Diamond” inside on the top left hand corner.

Lab Grown Diamonds
On a GIA report, look for a blue header with the words ‘LGDR’ and “Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report Dossier”. On IGI reports for lab-grown stones, the report type section will state "Laboratory Grown Diamond Report." For GCAL reports, look for a green certificate and “Lab Grown Diamond” inside on the top left hand corner.

What to Look for on the Diamond 

Diamonds certified by GIA, IGI or GCAL have their unique report number laser inscribed on the girdle, the narrow edge of the diamond. This inscription is invisible to the naked eye but readable under 10x magnification. The laser inscription links the physical diamond permanently to its certificate, verifying its characteristics and origins. 

When the number on the girdle matches the number on the grading report it confirms its natural or lab grown origins. Used as verification, this is one of the most important things to check when confirming diamond origins. The laser inscription is visible along the girdle of the diamond. 

Lab grown diamonds show ‘LG, Lab-grown or Laboratory-grown’ with the inscription number linking to its diamond grading report. 

Natural Diamonds under magnification will likely display the diamond grading lab stamp (ie. GIA or IGI) followed by a laser inscription number corresponding to the diamond grading report.  

Natural Diamond Origin Reports 

Every natural diamond starts its journey with provenance. Rough diamonds from major diamond operations (including mines in South Africa, Botswana, Canada, and Russia) can be registered with origin documentation to support the location where they were discovered. 

Sarine Diamond Traceability Report - Natural Diamond’s registered through Sarine can be verified with a Traceability report. Tracking the diamond’s origin and journey from rough to polished. 

GIA Diamond Origin Report - GIA’s Diamond Origin scientifically confirms a natural diamond’s country of origin, offering traceability from the mine to the customer, tracking diamonds from countries like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Diavik Sourced™ Authentication - A Diavik SourcedTM diamond has a story and heritage like no other. The unique, proprietary tracking system is your assurance that your Diavik SourcedTM diamond is natural, authentic, ethically sourced and responsibly produced from Canada’s Diavik Mine, located in a remote corner of the Northwest Territories. 

Natural Diamond testing and verification in-store at JANAI 

We have the technology in our showroom to test and authenticate natural diamonds. Providing you with an extra layer of verification proving your diamond is natural. We can offer this service and provide documentation in-store to demonstrate your diamond is natural. 

Natural Diamonds for your engagement ring in Melbourne at JANAI.

Our diamond specialists are able to show you what to look for to determine the authenticity of your natural diamond. From the certificates from independent gemological grading labs, to laser inscriptions, origin reports and more. To ensure the diamond you pay for is truly natural and verifiable. 

We offer the largest range of natural diamonds for your engagement ring in Melbourne. Discover the most expansive selection for infinite possibilities for your engagement ring. Ready to tell your love story.

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