Future Of Lab-Grown Vs Natural Gems In The Luxury Market

In the glittering world of luxury, few debates are as charged—and as transformative—as the one between lab-grown and natural gemstones.   

Once a niche curiosity has now transformed into a disruption in the market. With the new trends of sustainability, ethics, and personalisation shaping the values of the consumers, the luxury gem industry stands at a crossroads, at a conflict between the past and the future: to choose between the legacy and accessibility.  

All right, so, how about opening numbers, the psyche and the future of this scintillating match?   

Is it better to invest in lab-grown or natural gemstones? We are here to help you make the best decision for yourself. Should you be choosing a natural blue sapphire over a lab-created one or vice-versa? Lets get into the discussion. 

Market Snapshot: Facts and Figures that Talk More Than Glitz

The Global Lab-Grown Diamond market in 2023 was valued at US$14.2 billion, which is projected to reach US$29.3 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 7.5%.  

The Total Luxury segment is reported to be up to 299.9 million in India in 2023 and is expected to reach 1.19 billion in 2033 with a CAGR of 14.8%.  

Analytical Indicators Natural Gemstone Market obtained a value of $58.3 billion in 2023, and is calculated to grow up to $101 billion in 2032 with a CAGR of 6.3%.  

These figures show that there is indeed a trend to follow, where lab-grown gems are not only not yet a catch-up approach, but are already gnawing their own path in creating luxurious options.  

Also read - Buying Gemstones Online vs Local Jewellers - Which is Better?

Ethics, Affordability, and the Rise of Conscious Luxury

There are more reasons why lab-grown gems are winning hearts:  

Sustainability: Each carat of natural diamond requires 250+ tons of earth to be placed down, whereas lab-made diamonds are much less polluting. Similarly, coloured gemstones need a lot of mining.  

Ethical Sourcing: No-mining, no-conflict zones, no-labour exploitation. The man-made gems have complete traceability and transparency.  

Low cost: Normally 30-40 per cent less costly than natural; therefore, consumers can feel free to purchase larger carats or even personalised designs.  

Millennials and Gen Z buyers have become the frontier of luxury purchases due to the resonance of this trifecta of ethics, price, and personalisation.

Natural Gems - Legacy, Rarity and Emotional Weight

Nevertheless, natural gems irreplaceably exist somewhere; although being engulfed by the synthetics trend, they stay indefinitely above their unnatural counterparts:  

Symbolism: Natural gems are Billions of years old- this makes them best in heirlooms, weddings and celebration gifts or jewelry.  

Resale: GIA-certified natural gemstones can be regarded as a long-term investment, compared to lab-grown gems that have no developed secondary market.  

Cultural Significance: Mined gems continue to be deeply spiritually and astrologically significant in places such as India, and as part of bridal gifts or rituals.  

The natural gems are not going out of context- they are getting recreated as heirloom products, reserved for moments that demand emotional permanence.  

Read More - How to Spot a Fake Gemstone: 6 Red Flags Every Buyer Should Know

Consumer Psychology: Identity Over Inheritance

The modern-day luxury consumer is no longer buying the glitz; he or she is buying the expression of self.  

Lab-Grown Gems: Reflect the chicness, the technological advancement, and the mindfulness. Ideal as a daily indulgence and trendy contemporary outfits, as well as for debutants.  

Natural gems: Represent tradition, nobility, and everlasting worth. Perfect for matrimony, generational gifts and jewels of investment grade.  

This is not a conflict; it is a bifurcation. The market becomes two different brands, emotional lanes with different audiences and different missions and brand stories with different plots.  

Further Reading - Lab grown diamonds vs traditional diamonds - which is better?

What comes next: Parallel Growth, Not Replacement

In the coming ten years, one of these categories will not trade off with the other. Instead, expect:  

Lab-Grown Gems will take over fashion, modular luxury, and digital-first retail.  

Natural Gems will stand its ground in heritage, investment and ceremonial jewellery.  

Hybrid Brands, where the two can be found together, including segmentation and different storytelling that is done to each group.  

Marketers, designers and retailers find themselves forced to educate customers and not seduce them using images; they want people to make better buying decisions out on their values.

Astrological & Investment Approach - Lab-Grown v Natural Gems

Astrologically, since natural gems are made in nature, they have natural energies and frequencies and hence are more expensive. Their rarity, significance and natural occurrence make them highly valuable, which is why only natural gems are seen as the best option for investment.   

In the upcoming times, with the rise in lab-grown ruby stone, sapphires and diamonds, the original ones will become rarer, hence more expensive.   

Hence, if you just need jewellery for daily fashion purposes, lab-grown coloured gems are perfect. If you want to get the energies of the gem, wear them for healing or astrological purposes, or want to invest in it, then go for the natural gemstones.   

Read More - Gemstones You Should Invest In - A Planning For Future!

Final Thought

Synthetic gems are not a threat to luxury gemstones, but they are only for their shine and have no value whatsoever. If you want to invest in gemstones, look for royal gemstones, or get the energies of the gems, then you must choose original gemstones. 

Purchase authentic and lab-certified, natural coloured gemstones now at Navratan, the online gem bazaar. You can choose from our exclusive range of precious and semi-precious gemstones and can get your gem jewellery customised as well.