Lab-Grown vs. Clarity-Enhanced Diamonds: What You Need to Know About Resale Value
by C Mayer • 5 min read
THE BASICS--
When you’re buying a diamond, price, appearance, and origin are usually top of mind. But one important question often gets overlooked—what happens if you ever want to sell it? That’s especially worth thinking about when comparing lab-grown diamonds and clarity-enhanced diamonds. They’re both affordable, but the resale realities are very different.
What Are Clarity-Enhanced Diamonds?
Clarity-enhanced diamonds are natural diamonds that have been treated to look cleaner. Common treatments—like laser drilling to remove dark inclusions or fracture filling to hide internal cracks—make flaws less visible to the eye. These diamonds often appear much higher in clarity than they would naturally.
While the stone may look better, the treatments must be clearly disclosed to any future buyer. These enhancements also affect how the diamond is valued. Most jewelers see clarity-enhanced diamonds a little differently because the treatments aren’t permanent like a diamond’s natural features. Because of that, resale value is usually lower, and many stores will offer trade-ins on them.
That said, because they are earth-mined, clarity-enhanced diamonds may still appeal to buyers who care about origin but want to stay within a tighter budget. They’re sometimes easier to resell than lab-grown diamonds, especially when the treatment is openly disclosed and the price reflects the enhancement.
What About Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same look, hardness, and chemical structure as natural ones. The only difference is how they’re made—in a lab instead of underground. You’ll usually get more size or quality for the money.
But there’s basically no resale market. Because lab-grown diamonds can be produced in unlimited supply, their prices keep dropping. Most jewelers won’t buy them back, and secondhand buyers usually aren’t interested either. That makes them a tough sell if you ever want to trade up or resell.
It’s also worth noting that lab-grown prices have dropped fast over the past few years. A diamond that cost $4,000 a few years ago might sell new for half that today. So even if resale isn't your top concern now, it can be frustrating later—especially if you're thinking about upgrades, insurance, or long-term value.
Final Thoughts
| Feature | Clarity-Enhanced | Lab-Grown |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Yes | No |
| Resale Market | Yes | Very Limited |
| Buyer Appeal | Some | Still debated |
| Price Over Time | Drops | Drops quickly |
Which One Holds More Value?
Neither option is great for resale—but if you had to choose, clarity-enhanced diamonds usually have the edge. They're natural, and that still matters to a lot of people. Some buyers specifically look for lower-priced natural diamonds, and if the treatment is disclosed, you might be able to sell it privately or through a smaller dealer. Lab-grown diamonds are even tougher to resell. Most jewelers don’t accept them for trade-ins, and resale platforms rarely list them. Since prices continue to fall and supply keeps growing, there’s very little demand for secondhand lab diamonds—especially once they’ve been worn or mounted in a setting.
Natural diamonds, including high-end GIA-certified stones, have dropped around 26% in value since 2022. Lab-grown diamonds have fallen even more—down about 74% since 2020—making resale even harder. So even GIA-certified diamonds, which once held stronger resale value, are now worth noticeably less than they were just a few years ago.
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