Stone InformationUpdated 2 hours ago
All of our stones are carefully chosen for their beauty, energy, and enduring quality. From the timeless brilliance of diamonds to the unique character of natural gemstones, every stone carries its own meaning, qualities, and story.
This guide is designed to help you understand the differences between our gemstones and diamonds, so you can select pieces that resonate with you and care for them in a way that ensures their longevity. This guide is intended as a starting point only and should be complemented with additional learning.
Our Gemstones
We currently source gemstones from various global regions like South Africa, India, Brazil, China and many more. Our current gemstone selections are: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Topaz, Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Pink Tourmaline, Citrine, Blue Topaz, and White Sapphire.
Aspect | Synthetic Stones | Stimulant Stones | Natural Stones |
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Origin | Created in laboratories under controlled conditions | Man-made materials designed to mimic gemstones | Formed naturally underground over millions of years |
Composition | Chemically and physically identical to their natural counterparts | Different composition; not the same as the stone they imitate | Pure crystalline structures of carbon, corundum, beryl, etc. |
Rarity | Widely available; supply is controllable | Extremely common; mass-produced | Limited by geology and mining, rare |
Price | 30-50% less than natural equivalents | Least-cost option | Highest, driven by rarity and market demand |
Ethics | Conflict-free, traceable origins (RJC/SCS certifications apply) | Ethical (no mining involved) but no inherent symbolic value | Must be sourced responsibly (Kimberley Process, fair mining) |
Sustainability | No mining, but an energy-intensive production | Low impact to produce, but often disposable or wasteful | Mining has a significant environmental and social impact |
Grading | Evaluated using the same scales as natural stones (e.g., 4Cs) | Not graded on the same scales; judged on look and quality | Graded by recognised standards (GIA, 4Cs, etc.) |
Uniqueness | Each stone is unique in inclusions and growth pattern | Unique appearance; lacks natural individuality | Every stone is one-of-a-kind, with unique inclusions and tone |
Examples | Lab-grown diamonds, rubies, sapphires | Cubiz Zirconia, moissanite, glass | Mined diamonds, sapphires, emeralds |
Our GSI Natural and Lab-grown Diamonds
We use a mixture of natural and synthetic stones, ensuring that the chemical and physical composition is the same. Laboratory-grown diamonds are physically, optically, and chemically identical to mined natural diamonds. The only distinction lies in their origin.
Also known as cultured, man-made, or engineered diamonds. The diamonds are created in specialised laboratories under highly controlled conditions. Each diamond is unique, with its own colour, clarity, and inclusions. Lab-grown diamonds are graded by the same 4Cs as natural diamonds:
- Cut – how light reflects.
- Colour – GIA D–Z scale.
- Clarity – Flawless to I3 scale.
- Carat – weight/size.
Creation Methods | |
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Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) |
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High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) |
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Many of our pieces feature GH-SI natural and lab-grown diamonds. The GH represents the colour of the diamond, which is 'fine white' and at the high end of the nearly colourless range. SI stand for 'Small Inclusions' and represents the clarity of the diamond.
Each product description will specify whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown. All of our diamonds are either RJC or SCS Global certified, meaning they were sourced ethically and in accordance with the guidelines of these certifications. We use both CVD and HPHT to make our lab-grown diamonds.
Let’s explore the differences to help you find what feels right for you.
Aspect | Lab-grown Diamond | Natural Diamond |
---|---|---|
Origin | Made in labs over weeks or months | Formed over millions of years underground |
Composition | Pure carbon crystalline | Pure carbon crystalline |
Rarity | Widely available | Scarce |
Price | 30-50% less than natural diamonds | Premium cost |
Ethics | Mining-free, traceable, conflict-free | Kimberley Process certified (to ensure conflict-free) |
Sustainability | Low mining impact, energy-intensive to produce | Environmental/social impacts from mining |
Grading | 4Cs (same as natural) | 4Cs (same as lab-grown) |
Uniqueness | Each diamond is unique | Each diamond is unique |