Market
The natural and lab-grown gap is widest in larger sizes
With lab-grown 2 ct prices still falling and larger natural stones holding steady, the difference between origins keeps growing with size.
Imperial Star Gems trade desk1 min read
The price difference between natural and lab-grown grows with size, and at the larger end it is still growing.
- Lab-grown 2 ct wholesale prices fell about a fifth over the year to the second quarter.
- Larger natural stones held broadly steady through the summer.
- At a carat, both origins have steadied, so the gap there is holding roughly where it is.
For a buyer choosing on size within a set budget, lab-grown at 2 ct and above now goes furthest; natural keeps its premium most strongly at the same sizes. The material is the same — origin, not material, is the difference. We hold more than 120 lab-grown stones of 2 ct and above: see them here.
Market commentary drawn from publicly available market data and trade reporting, not investment advice. Prices move; figures are indicative and correct as of the date above.