Diamonds are natural substances formed deep inside the earth, created by a lengthy process of extremes in pressure and temperature that eventually shapes out a material of beauty, brilliance, hardness and invincibility.

It is known as the most precious of gemstones, rising above even the sparkling beauty of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. We can't seem to get enough of it, seen as the diamond trade industry is thriving, producing nearly 30 million carats or 6,000 kilograms of cut and polished diamonds each year.

Diamonds have become such an obsession for man that ever since it was found out in 1797 that diamonds were made of pure carbon, we have been trying to replicate it.

Several attempts were done since then and man-made diamond production finally succeeded in 1954. Tracy Hall, an American physical chemist was the first person to successfully grow a synthetic diamond through a reproducible and verifiable process, using a press of his own design.

Currently, there are several ways to produce synthetic diamonds, the most common of which is the original method called High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT). Its popularity in production is due to its relatively low cost.

With the rise of synthetic diamonds, how can we now distinguish between natural and synthetic? Learning to spot differences in gemstones is a skill that every diamond-minded individual should learn. Diamonds are expensive, so make sure that you are paying for what you are getting.

The last thing you want is to pay an inordinate amount of money for something that isn't even real. Most differences between synthetic and natural gemstones are not discernible by the human eye. That is why it is so easy to get cheated into thinking something is real if you are not armed with the right knowledge.

Ironically, when it comes to appearances, the natural diamond is more subject to flaws, blemishes, and scratches that it experienced in the outdoors. Its synthetic counterparts were created in a laboratory and therefore appear flawless. The flaws in these precious gems are what makes it unique from others and helps determine its value. Synthetic diamonds even tend to sparkle more than natural ones, also because real diamonds are more worn by weather and other forms of nature.

Another way to distinguish between what is real and what is laboratory made is through its weight. Synthetics often weigh more than natural diamonds because of their more dense structure. This weight difference can even be noticeable when held in hand.

Of course, the most telling difference between natural and synthetic diamonds is their price. Because they are made in laboratories and are easily mass-produced, synthetic diamonds are priced less than real diamonds. Real diamonds on the other hand, undergo expensive mining, cutting and polishing, not to mention that they have been hidden and are formed in the earth's crust in a process that takes thousands, if not millions of years. Natural diamonds are rare and are limited in amount and availability.

When deciding on what type of gem suits you, whether natural or synthetic, it is always better to be informed in order to get your money's worth.