Lab vs. Mined Diamonds in India: Cost Comparison & Buying Guide

If you are planning to buy a diamond in 2026, one question is definitely running in your mind: lab vs. mined diamonds, which one should I buy, right? If yes, sit back, you are not alone. Many people today are confused, not because diamonds are new, but because choices have increased.

When it comes to lab vs. mined diamonds in India, the real difference is no longer just about origin. But now, things have changed a lot. These days, people buy because of cost, value, and lifestyle. For example, some people still prefer mined diamonds because of society pressure and investment. Others are buying lab-grown diamonds because they want better size, better clarity, and less stress on the budget.

In this guide, you will understand price gaps, long-term value, and why brands like Lukson lab grown diamonds are getting attention from modern customers across India. If you are searching for a reliable diamond shopping guide India online, you are in the right place.

What Are Mined Diamonds and How They Are Sourced in India

Mined diamonds are the ones taken out of the earth after a long and heavy mining process. In India, most people already know diamonds come from deep underground, but what you should also know is how complex and costly this process really is. Diamond mining needs large land areas, strong machines, years of digging, and a lot of manual labour. This happens because diamonds are formed naturally over billions of years under extreme pressure and heat.

When it comes to mined diamonds in India, most of the raw stones are imported. India is not a major mining country like Africa or Russia. Instead, India plays a huge role in cutting and polishing. Cities like Surat handle a large part of the world’s diamond polishing work. After mining, diamonds pass through many hands, like miners, exporters, cutters, wholesalers, and retailers. And that each step adds cost.

That is one big reason why mined diamonds are expensive. You are not just paying for the diamond itself. You are also paying for mining risk, fuel, labour, transport, and middlemen margins. So when you compare lab vs. mined diamonds in India, you start seeing the price difference.

Also read: 1 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price in India

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds and How They Are Made

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, just created in a lab instead of deep inside the earth. For your good knowledge, the lab diamonds have the same chemical structure, hardness, and shine as natural diamonds. These diamonds are grown using advanced machines that copy natural pressure and heat conditions.

There are mainly two methods used. One is CVD, where carbon layers slowly grow into a diamond. The other is HPHT, which uses high pressure to form the stone. Both methods create diamonds that look and perform like mined ones in daily life. Even trained jewellers need machines to tell them apart.

This happens because mining, transport, and a long supply chain is not required when it comes to lab-grown diamonds. As a result, you get affordable diamond jewellery without paying a lot.  That said, many customers now prefer to buy lab diamonds online, since pricing is very affordable, certification is shared upfront, and you know exactly what you are paying for.

Lab vs. Mined Diamonds in India: Cost Comparison (2026 Estimates)

In 2026, lab-grown diamonds are going to be very affordable for you, if you want to make a purchase. For the same size and quality, you will be paying around 60% to 85% less than natural diamonds. And because India is a major lab diamond manufacturing hub, this thing is a plus point for you. 

Here is the most common price difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds. Take a quick look:

Please note: These are average market ranges. Final prices still depend on cut, clarity, colour, certification, and brand.

Factors That Affect Diamond Pricing in India

When it comes to diamond pricing, you should know one thing in detail that diamonds do not come with a fixed price. The final price is decided by a mix of small details, and every one of them pushes the number up or down. 

Let’s break this properly so you know what you are paying for.

1. Diamond Carat Weight: Carat weight is the first thing you should be worried about. Because bigger diamonds are going to cost you more, no doubt. The jump in price between 0.90 and 1 carat is much higher than you expect. This is why many customers choose slightly lower carat weights to manage the budget smartly, especially while buying affordable diamond jewellery.

2. Cut Quality: Cut is where the real beauty comes from. You should never compromise here. A well-cut diamond reflects light better and looks brighter even at a smaller size. Poor cut diamonds may look dull, even if the carat weight is high. This applies equally to mined diamonds and lab-grown diamond jewellery in India collections.

3. Color Grade: Color grading affects pricing more than daily appearance. D–F diamonds cost more because they are rare. G–H diamonds still look white to your eyes once set in jewellery. Many customers choose this range to balance beauty and price, especially when shopping for a lab diamond cost comparison online.

4. Clarity Level: Clarity decides how clean the diamond is internally. VVS stones cost more, but VS diamonds usually look the same without a magnifier. You should aim for eye-clean stones instead of paying extra for grades you cannot see in real life.

5. Certification: Certified diamonds always cost more, and rightly so. IGI or SGL certification adds trust and resale clarity. On top of that, brand reputation is very important. 

6. Producing Costs: This is where lab-grown and mined diamonds differ heavily. Mined diamonds involve extraction, transport, and high risk. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in controlled environments, which reduces overall production cost. And that difference directly reflects in pricing.

7. Demand and Supply: Pricing also depends on demand. As more people are buying lab-grown options, supply increases, and prices are going to be competitive. This is why lab-grown diamond jewellery in India pricing remains more stable compared to mined stones.

8. Marketing and Branding: Brand positioning affects price more than most people realise. For example, big advertising budgets, celebrity tie-ups, and showroom presence add cost. Some popular brands like Lukson are lab-grown diamonds, with a focus on product value rather than heavy markups.

Also read: 2 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price in India

Things You Must Check Before Buying Any Diamond Online

1. Certification: Before anything else, you should always check certification. A proper IGI or SGL certificate tells you exactly what you are buying. In the certification, everything will be written like cut, colour, clarity, & carat. If a brand does not have a valid certificate, then you should not consider buying from them. 

2. Return Policy: You should always check the return policy. Because buying online means you don’t touch the jewellery before delivery. A timely return or exchange window gives you breathing space. If the brand is giving you only a few days, you are good to go. 

3. Buyback: This is important, even if you think you’ll never sell. A buyback or exchange policy shows brand confidence. Because some brands offer partial buyback, and some offer full exchange. You should read this before placing the order, not after.

4. Metal Type (Gold, Gold Vermeil Jewellery): You should know exactly what metal is used. Like solid gold, gold vermeil jewellery, or silver. Each metal has a different price and lifespan. This is why check the karat purity and plating details mentioned on the product page.

5. Brand Transparency: When it comes to diamonds, clarity in communication is very important. You should be able to see pricing breakup, diamond details, metal weight, and certifications easily. 

Why Should You Buy from Lukson?

When it comes to buying lab-grown diamond jewellery, you should always look at one thing first, which is trust. And this is exactly why so many people, including Vaani Kapoor, buy from Lukson. We have been around for years now, building our name in lab grown diamond jewellery in India.

All Lukson lab-grown diamonds come with proper SGL certification, detailed specifications, and solid metal options like gold vermeil and silver. That means you can wear the jewellery daily without any kind of stress. And if you are buying for gifting, you can do it confidently, knowing the quality is really, really good.