Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Neelam Kothari Soni Prefers Mined Diamonds Over Lab-Grown
Imagine you have two toys that look exactly the same and are made of the same stuff.
One toy was found deep in a magical treasure chest, and the other was made by a very clever inventor in their workshop.
Neelam Kothari Soni feels that finding a toy from the treasure chest is way more special and exciting than getting one from the workshop, even if they look and feel the same.
She thinks the ones from the treasure chest are the 'real' best friends.
But an expert named Disha Shah says that the toys made by the inventor are actually just as real and special as the ones from the treasure chest.
They are made of the same materials and have the same qualities.
The only difference is where they came from – one from nature, and one from a science lab.
Neelam Kothari Soni stated she would not be as excited to receive lab-grown diamonds as natural ones.
Soni believes natural diamonds are special and a girl's best friend, while lab-grown diamonds represent a parallel market.
Disha Shah explained that lab-grown diamonds are often misunderstood due to their name.
Shah clarified that lab-grown diamonds share the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds.
The primary difference highlighted is the origin: deep within the Earth for natural diamonds versus a controlled environment for lab-grown ones.
- Who
- Neelam Kothari Soni (actor) and Disha Shah (founder of DiAi Designs)
- What
- Discussing the perceived value and specialness of mined diamonds versus lab-grown diamonds.
- When
- Recently
- Where
- During a conversation between Neelam Kothari Soni and jewellery expert Julia Chafe; information shared with indianexpress.com.
- Why
- To differentiate between the emotional and market value of natural diamonds compared to lab-grown ones.
Neelam Kothari Soni's View
Industry Expert's View
Specialness and Excitement
Neelam Kothari Soni's View
Lab-grown diamonds do not evoke the same excitement as natural diamonds and are considered a parallel market, not as special.
Industry Expert's View
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. The only difference is their origin, not their inherent quality or specialness.
Definition of Diamonds
Neelam Kothari Soni's View
Refers to natural diamonds as 'real' and a girl's best friend, implying lab-grown are not in the same category.
Industry Expert's View
Lab-grown diamonds are not fake or artificial; they are real diamonds created in a controlled environment that mimics natural processes.
- Celebrity
- Neelam Kothari Soni
- Expert
- Disha Shah, Founder of DiAi Designs
- Diamond Origin Discussion
- Mined vs. Lab-grown
- Chemical Composition
- Identical for both types