A diamond engagement ring with a marquise shape center stone

Shane Co. 

Natural Diamonds

Three diamond engagement rings with different shaped center stones

Shane Co. 

Natural Diamonds

Formed deep within the earth over billions of years, no two natural diamonds are exactly alike.


At Shane Co., we hand-select natural diamonds across every size, shape, and within each grade, so you’re choosing from only the most beautiful.

Expert guidance from Your Friend & Jeweler: We’ve been experts in diamonds for nearly 100 years and counting. We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. Every diamond is hand-selected no matter the cut, carat, or grade, so your engagement ring is always the most beautiful.

1. What is a natural diamond?

The story of a diamond is written deep within the Earth, unfolding over billions of years in rare, specific conditions, about 100 miles below the surface under intense heat and pressure. What begins as pure carbon transforms into the hardest and most brilliant material on Earth. By the time it reaches the surface, no two are ever alike, each one shaped by time, with its own one-of-a-kind story.


At Shane Co., every diamond is hand-selected by a real person with an expert eye for brilliance and character, which means when you choose yours, you’re choosing from only the very best, each one a timeless heirloom to be cherished for generations to come.

2. Are natural diamonds actually rare?

Yes, and rarer than most people think.


Natural diamonds are limited, which is a big part of what makes them so special. They’re not just hard to find, they’re a finite natural resource, formed over billions of years under very specific conditions.


To put it in perspective:

  • All the 1-carat diamonds recovered in a year would fit inside an exercise ball
  • All the 5-carat diamonds recovered in a year would fit inside a basketball


And because supply is so limited, selection really matters. At Shane Co., we take that seriously, carefully hand-picking the prettiest natural diamonds in every size and shape, so you can find one that truly stands out to you.

An illustration comparing the number of 1 carat and 5 carat diamonds to a basketball and an exercise ball

2. Are natural diamonds actually rare?

Yes, and rarer than most people think.


Natural diamonds are limited, which is a big part of what makes them so special. They’re not just hard to find, they’re a finite natural resource, formed over billions of years under very specific conditions.


To put it in perspective:

  • All the 1-carat diamonds recovered in a year would fit inside an exercise ball
  • All the 5-carat diamonds recovered in a year would fit inside a basketball


And because supply is so limited, selection really matters. At Shane Co., we take that seriously, carefully hand-picking the prettiest natural diamonds in every size and shape, so you can find one that truly stands out to you.

An illustration demonstrating how and where natural diamonds form in the Earth

3. How are natural diamonds formed?

Natural diamonds start as carbon, but what makes them extraordinary is how they’re formed. Deep within the Earth’s mantle, about 100 miles below the surface, carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure over billions of years, bonding into a tight, three-dimensional crystal structure that gives diamonds their hardness, durability, and optical performance. Ancient volcanic eruptions then carried these diamonds to the surface through rare formations called kimberlite pipes.


Because each diamond forms under unique conditions, it develops a distinct character, like its own natural fingerprint. At Shane Co., we hand-select only those that are truly distinct in their beauty and brilliance, so you’re choosing from the very best nature has to offer.

4. Are natural diamonds a good investment?

Natural diamonds have a proven track record of maintaining value, or even increasing in value over time. But beyond financial value, they’re an emotional investment: something meaningful you can wear, celebrate, and pass down as a family heirloom from generation to generation.


At Shane Co., we focus on selecting diamonds that are not only valuable, but truly beautiful in real life, because that’s what matters most over time.

A close up of a jeweler setting a diamond center stone into a diamond engagement ring setting

4. Are natural diamonds a good investment?

Natural diamonds have a proven track record of maintaining value, or even increasing in value over time. But beyond financial value, they’re an emotional investment: something meaningful you can wear, celebrate, and pass down as a family heirloom from generation to generation.


At Shane Co., we focus on selecting diamonds that are not only valuable, but truly beautiful in real life, because that’s what matters most over time.

5. What kinds of natural diamonds can you choose from?

At Shane Co., we offer a wide range of hand-picked natural diamonds, including exclusive collections developed with our long-term partners. Because we have the widest in-stock selection, you can compare diamonds side by side and choose the one that speaks to you.

10 Natural Diamond Shapes

From round to marquise to pear, find the shape that speaks to you.

Shop Natural Diamond Shapes

10 Natural Diamond Shapes

From round to marquise to pear, find the shape that speaks to you.

Shop Natural Diamond Shapes

A diamond engagement ring with a Shane Classic center stone with two loose Shane Classic diamonds next to it

Shane Co. Exclusive

Shane Classic® Natural Diamonds

Diamonds cut to the most precise proportions for exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

See More

Shane Co. Exclusive

Shane Classic® Natural Diamonds

Diamonds cut to the most precise proportions for exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

See More

Tom Shane inspecting a loose diamond through a jewelers loupe

6. Are natural diamonds ethical?

Our owner and third-generation jeweler, Tom Shane, helped create the Kimberley Process, the global standard for preventing conflict diamonds.


Today, our long-term partners lead the way in responsible sourcing, from protecting land and wildlife to reducing emissions, recycling water, and minimizing environmental impact.

A Natural Diamond Council Premier Retailer badge

As a proud recipient of the Natural Diamond Council Premier Retailer accreditation, we support industry-wide efforts focused on transparency, sustainability, and responsible practices.

When you choose a Shane Co. diamond, you can feel good knowing where it comes from, and how it was sourced.

Learn More About Natural Diamond Certification

7. How does Shane Co. support diamond communities?

The natural diamond industry supports millions of people globally, helping drive economic development in diamond-producing regions. Responsible diamond mining contributes to jobs, healthcare, education, and infrastructure in countries such as Botswana, South Africa, and India.


  • Workers at leading diamond mines earn about 66% more than the national average salary.
  • The diamond industry supports more than 10 million people worldwide.
  • Over $16 billion annually goes toward socio-economic and environmental benefits.
  • More than $292 million each year funds education, healthcare, and community programs.


Responsible sourcing helps ensure that natural diamonds create lasting, meaningful benefits for the communities where they’re discovered. At Shane Co., we only partner with companies that share that commitment, so your diamond doesn’t just look good, it feels good to wear, too.

An image of school children washing their hands before going to school

7. How does Shane Co. support diamond communities?

The natural diamond industry supports millions of people globally, helping drive economic development in diamond-producing regions. Responsible diamond mining contributes to jobs, healthcare, education, and infrastructure in countries such as Botswana, South Africa, and India.


  • Workers at leading diamond mines earn about 66% more than the national average salary.
  • The diamond industry supports more than 10 million people worldwide.
  • Over $16 billion annually goes toward socio-economic and environmental benefits.
  • More than $292 million each year funds education, healthcare, and community programs.


Responsible sourcing helps ensure that natural diamonds create lasting, meaningful benefits for the communities where they’re discovered. At Shane Co., we only partner with companies that share that commitment, so your diamond doesn’t just look good, it feels good to wear, too.

A rough cut diamond and a fully finished natural diamond on a dark background

How are Shane Co. 

natural diamonds better?

We’ve been a family jeweler in the diamond business for almost 100 years and counting. Tom Shane, owner and third-generation jeweler, invented an unprecedented way of sourcing diamonds and offering them to customers. This is still how we do business today.


  • We get first pick: We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. They reserve the best stones just for us.
  • You get the best price possible: We negotiate on your behalf and pay our partners in cash, which means we don’t pay interest, so you don’t pay interest.
  • Widest selection: Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, you can trust that every single diamond has been hand-picked and vetted by our experts to be the most beautiful.


Plus, every engagement ring comes with our All-Inclusive Free Lifetime Warranty℠. It covers everything, including your center stone.


Our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your natural diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

Shop Natural Diamonds

A rough cut diamond and a fully finished natural diamond on a dark background

How are Shane Co. 

natural diamonds better?

We’ve been a family jeweler in the diamond business for almost 100 years and counting. Tom Shane, owner and third-generation jeweler, invented an unprecedented way of sourcing diamonds and offering them to customers. This is still how we do business today.


  • We get first pick: We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. They reserve the best stones just for us.
  • You get the best price possible: We negotiate on your behalf and pay our partners upfront in cash, which means we don’t pay interest, so you don’t pay interest.
  • Widest selection: Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, you can trust that every single diamond has been hand-picked and vetted by our experts to be the most beautiful.


Plus, every engagement ring comes with our All-Inclusive Free Lifetime Warranty℠ It covers everything, including your center stone.


Our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your natural diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

Shop Natural Diamonds

FAQ

Do natural diamonds hold value?

+

Is a natural diamond a real diamond?

+

Does Shane Co. carry natural diamonds?

+

Where are natural diamonds found?

+

How can you tell if a diamond is real?

+

How are natural diamonds created?

+

Is buying a natural diamond a good investment?

+

How can you tell if a diamond is natural or lab-grown?

+

How long do lab-grown diamonds last?

+

What are the best lab-grown diamonds?

+

Are lab-grown diamonds less durable?

+

Are lab-grown diamonds the same as cubic zirconia or moissanite?

+

Why choose Shane Co. for lab-grown diamonds?

+

Can I upgrade a lab-grown diamond later?

+