Synthetic vs NaturalHey Battle..... If anything is made synthetically to replace natural elements it is usually because synthetics are cheaper ie; Diamonds. would you prefer a synthetic diamond over a natural diamond.? No, not if it cost more to produce and the natural had the same purity. You have to consider Cost and Purity.... so far rhe Natural grphite found at Albany has the right purity at a fraction of the current cost of synthetic.