Shop for Natural Diamonds

All natural diamonds begin their sparkly, pretty, lives as just a few atoms of carbon that exist deep within the earth's mantle. And when we say deep, we mean deeeep. The average depth that natural diamonds are formed at is between 100 to 150 miles below the surface of the earth. To put that in perspective, the Mariana Trench, the deepest point known on earth, clocks in at just under 7 miles. So yeah, it's deep.

As you might expect, at that depth things can also get hot and heavy. The carbon atoms that have been hanging out experience temperatures up to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit as the overhead layers of earth and rock squeeze them under 725,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.

Then, something magical happens. The high heat combined with the intense pressure forces the carbon atoms to bond together, forming a layer of the diamond. And as the years progress, very slowly, more and more layers are added to this carbon seed. Finally, after around 1-3 billion years, those carbon atoms have transformed into the shiny, brilliant, rocks you know and love.

Fully formed, the natural diamond will eventually hitch a ride via volcanic eruptions that push the diamond and magma through a special type of hollowed out rock called a kimberlite pipe. Once the diamond is exposed to the surface, it can be mined and cut into the beautiful gemstones you see in jewelry stores.

Every natural diamond is a testament to the pure force of Mother Earth and the enduring power of time. So the next time that you gaze upon a sparkling natural beauty, know that you're not just looking at any old rock, you're witnessing a piece of Earth's deeply preserved history that has been waiting for millions of years to land on your finger.

When comparing natural diamonds to lab grown diamonds, it's important to understand the key difference between the two. And really, there's only one-how the diamonds were made.

You see, natural diamonds are Earth’s divas. They’ve been lounging underground for billions of years, getting pampered by high pressure and scorching temperatures before being plucked from the earth by volcanic eruptions and carried to the surface through kimberlite pipes.

Now, enter lab grown diamonds. Essentially, lab grown diamonds are diamonds that are made in a super-smart science lab that is choosing to cosplay Mother Nature. Using cutting-edge tech, scientists basically put carbon seeds under a lot of pressure and heat, mimicking Earth’s underground diamond factory. But instead of taking a cool billion years, they speed up the process to just a few weeks or months. It’s like fast-forwarding through the boring parts of a movie to get to the good stuff.

Aside from how each was made, there's not much difference between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds. In fact, the two share the same chemical and physical properties. And really only trained gemologists, utilizing 10x magnification, can tell which diamond is natural and which is lab grown. Both diamonds will sparkle with the intensity of a thousand suns, and both have that hard-to-scratch surface while coming in every shape, size, and color.

One another difference to keep in mind when comparing natural to lab grown diamonds? Their price. Thanks to the amount of time and effort it takes from a natural diamond to form and end up on your finger, natural diamonds can carry a hefty price tag. After all, natural diamonds have stories, history, history, and a bit of that good-old ‘je ne sais quoi’.

Lab grown diamonds on the other hand, are more affordable and can have a smaller environmental footprint. But hey, if you've got your heart set on a natural diamond don't let the price get you down. Frank Darling can help. We've got a selection of hundreds of natural diamonds at a variety of prices and our expert diamond concierge can help guide you to find the perfect natural diamond that is perfectly within your price range.

Separating the real deal from the rhinestone racket is a lot easier than it sounds thanks to modern technology.

One way to verify a diamond’s authenticity is with a diamond tester. Essentially, a diamond tester tells if a sparkler is a true diamond by measuring its heat or electrical conductivity. You see, diamonds, thanks to their carbon lattice structure giving them unmatched glamor, conduct heat differently from other gems. So to determine if a rock is indeed a diamond, a diamond tester will poke the stone and spill its beans.

The thing a diamond tester won't tell you, however, is if the diamond you're holding is a lab grown or natural diamond. This is because natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical-both of them are inherently diamonds-so both of them will respond positively to a diamond tester. So, if you're looking to test a diamond to determine if it's natural or lab grown, you'll be out of luck.

One way to figure out if you have a diamond and how that diamond was made is to submit it for gemological inspection. Here, a licensed gemologist will examine your diamond under 10x magnification to both identify crystal structures that are in line with lab grown diamonds or read your diamond's inscription.

Think of inscriptions as the secret decoder ring of diamond identification. Some diamonds come with a microscopic inscription on the girdle, like a built-in birth certificate. These inscriptions usually match the diamond grading report number, and voila, you've got the diamond's life story etched right onto it.

And speaking of grading reports, your diamond most likely has one-and yes, it'll tell you if its 'au natural' or grown in a lab. Institutes like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) examine diamonds under a lot of scrutiny (and I mean, a lot). They check out the diamond's 4Cs - Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut - and relay it on a fancy report card.

These grades give aspiring diamond owners the lowdown on what they're about to drop their hard-earned dough on. They provide total transparency, whether the diamond has top-tier grades, an average report card, or needs a little extra tutoring. Don't buy a diamond that doesn't come with certification that can be produced by the retailer, because without certification, there is a chance that it's not actually a diamond at all.

Generally, natural diamonds (and lab diamonds for that matter) lose their value much like cars.That is-unless you’re buying a major, museum worthy piece-it’s very unlikely that you’ll sell your diamond for more than what you bought it for. And because of that, we really don’t recommend buying diamonds as an investment.

Now, you might be thinking, "But wait, it’s a diamond! Aren’t they forever?" Sure, diamonds are forever in the sense that they won't decay or get rusty like your uncle's old bike. But their monetary value? That's a whole different ball game.

Just like cars, the initial value of a diamond is heavily inflated by retail markups. Add to that the costs associated with selling it back into the market – we're talking commissions, fees, and the inevitable game of haggling. So unless you've snagged something so rare that collectors are salivating at the mere thought, don't expect to turn a profit.

Moreover, let's chat about emotional value. Just like that old sweater from grandma – might not fetch a penny online but is worth its weight in gold sentimentally – your diamond's real value might well be in the memories and meaning it holds.

So, unless you've got the sort of bank account that lets you casually invest in "museum-worthy" gems, consider diamonds for their sparkle and the joy they bring, not as a retirement plan. Remember, diamonds should be bought for love, not leverage.