Since the 15th century, an engagement ring – with a gleaming natural diamond as its centerpiece – has symbolized the eternal bond between a couple. And while marriage itself is one of the most important decisions you can make in life, choosing the ring with which to ask the big question really isn’t too far behind, right?
Yes, a stylish shape and Demi Moore’s 2025 Oscars dress-levels of sparkle are key criteria, but if you want an engagement ring to also reflect your emotion and commitment to your partner, a natural diamond is the only option. Here’s why…
What’s all the fuss about natural diamonds?
Long before anyone learned how to cut and polish them to optimally reflect light, natural diamonds have been a symbol of everlasting love.
Formed by the combination of ferocious heat and intense pressure deep in the Earth’s mantle billions of years ago (most diamonds form between 140-300 kilometers below ground), a natural diamond connects us to the beginning of time.
Its story is one of incredible resilience, heroic even, having traveled to the Earth’s surface via a series of volcanic eruptions before finally being discovered by humankind. The shape, color and size of every natural diamond is a result of its individual journey.
Extreme temperature, pressure and explosive propulsion are factors that only the world’s toughest substance could survive, and thus natural diamonds are fitting symbols of enduring love, resilience and strength.
Natural diamonds are incredibly precious, as they’re a finite resource and can only be found in certain parts of the world. The biggest diamond mines are found in Botswana, Canada, Russia and South Africa.
“Natural diamonds are fitting symbols of enduring love”
All the sparkle, all the symbolism!
Natural diamonds aren’t just admired for their beauty. If you were to ask the Ancient Greeks where diamonds originated from, they might have said such precious gems were the tears of the gods or splinters of falling stars. It’s thought they believed diamonds represented endurance and immortality, so much so that the Ancient Greek word for diamond, adamas, literally meant unbreakable1.
It’s said that the Romans thought diamonds carried the power of love and physical strength; legend has it that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with fragments of the gemstone2. In Ancient India, emperors believed diamonds to have great spiritual resonance, warding off evil and offering protection3.
Today, many crystal healers see diamond as one of the most powerful gems on the planet. They believe it encourages spiritual awakening and creativity in a person and aids mental clarity. For some, diamond is thought of as the ‘great amplifier’, boosting the cosmic energy of all other crystals4.
Are lab-grown diamonds a total “no”then?
While both natural diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds (also referred to as lab-grown diamonds, lab-created diamonds, LGDs and synthetic diamonds) have the same chemical and optical properties, they have very different origins.
LGD’s are made in a matter of days or weeks in energy-intensive factories or manufacturing plants. They’re man-made and mass-produced in batches, so they lack the rarity and unique characteristics of natural diamonds as well as their emotive and mythical quality.
Even as LGDs become more widely available, the allure of a natural diamond remains. Why? Because a natural diamond is so much more than its sparkle – it has a rich story that connects us to Earth and history.
A diamond engagement ring isn’t just for the proposal. It’s a treasure to last a whole lifetime (and many lifetimes beyond) and should mirror the sentiment of enduring love and unbreakable commitment. Going natural is an absolute no-brainer!
