Lab-grown diamonds have been around for several years, but recent exposure in the media has vastly increased awareness of their existence.
While they may not be a totally new phenomenon, their sharp increase in popularity has created numerous considerations when purchasing a ring to be enclosed with a lab-grown diamond.
Due to ongoing declines in sales from jewelers unwilling to publish information about lab-grown diamonds cutting into those from the earth, it’s vital that we get the facts!
Research Your Lab Grown Diamond
Start by making sure you’re buying a lab-created diamond only after thoroughly researching the subject. Laboratory-created diamonds are often sold on the internet; therefore, you should make sure that the place you’re buying from is reputable.
Some businesses use false information and call lab-grown diamond simulants genuine gemstones, and even wrongly call them natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds (also known as synthetic diamonds, engineered diamonds, and manmade diamonds) are real diamonds that were developed in modern laboratories that imitate the one earth’s natural environment.
How do you know you are purchasing a REAL lab-created diamond?
Lab-Grown Diamond from Your Lab to Be Grading Reports by IGI, EGL, or GIA. Lab-grown diamonds are priced up to 40 less than an equivalent earth-mined diamond.
Good quality natural earth mined diamonds can be expensive, especially pricey ones. Lab diamonds are, nevertheless, identical in all ways, if what you are purchasing costs hundreds, not thousands, it might not be a real lab-created diamond.
Size & Shape Availability
Lab-grown diamonds can be found in various sizes and shapes, which just wasn’t always the case. But certain shapes and sizes could be harder to come by.
Look to your partner and see what kinds of lab-grown diamonds they find to be attractive. The size and shape of the diamond can affect what kind of ring setting you may choose.
If you talk about picking out a larger stone with specific cuts, you’ll need to be resourceful and pick a setting that compliments the halo-shaped stone.
Choosing Engagement Ring Style
It is essential to understand what style your partner prefers. Take the time to go through some of her jewelry boxes, ask people she trusts, or you can even snoop on her Pinterest page to see what kinds of jewelry she seems to like.
Also, consider how other diamonds look with different ring styles. IF NOTHING ELSE WORKS… Classic solitaires are her safest bet.
If you’re buying a custom-designed jewelry lab-created diamond or engagement ring online, make certain to look into their return policy – if you decide you need to return the jewelry for a different style or need the sizing done once you’ve loved the jewelry.
Consider A Colored Stone
Lab-grown diamonds are available in fancy colors such as yellow, blue, and pink – allowing you choices beyond white.
Fancy color lab-grown diamonds are offered at a fraction of the cost compared to their earth-mined equivalents, and even greater savings than colorless lab-grown diamonds.
- Fancy Yellow – 75% less
- Fancy Blue – 90% less
- Fancy Pink – 80% less
Bonus Tip: If your future bride-to-be prefers sapphires or rubies, consider lab-created gemstones – just like lab-grown diamonds you get all the beauty at a fraction of the cost and without any conflict.
Learn the 4 C’s
Whether you are buying a lab-created diamond or an earth-mined diamond, the 4 C’s (color, cut, clarity, and carat weight) are very important.
The 4 C’s are how you will know the quality of your diamond as well as significantly affects the cost.
While the 4 C’s are important each grade is different for every diamond – because EVERY diamond is unique. If budget is important, consider a lower clarity grade as most inclusions aren’t visible from the naked eye.
Work within Your Budget
Lab-created diamonds are less costly, meaning you get a better bang for your buck!
Consider surprising her by upgrading the color/clarity/cut/carat due to the savings or even custom designing her dream engagement ring – believe it or not, custom design is more affordable than you may think.
If the size is more important, you can get slightly lower quality and larger stone.
Don’t Forget The Grading
Don’t purchase a lab-created diamond if it does not come with a certified grading report from a reputable lab, like the EGL USA, IGI, or GIA.
If you did not receive a grading report, you may not have purchased a lab-created diamond. Full disclosure is an industry must.
Make it Special
If creating a custom design is out of your budget, you can easily create a “one-of-a-kind” engagement ring by requesting a custom modification.
Ask your jeweler if you can change up the center stone shape or the style of the prongs; you could add diamonds to the band or depending on the design, it is possible you can even incorporate a “hidden” gem (like your birthstones) into the band or gallery.
Don’t hesitate to ask your jeweler for exactly what you want – they want to help you find/create exactly what you have been dreaming of.
Looking for something simple, yet special – engraving is the perfect way to add that special touch to your lab-created diamond engagement ring.
Working With A Tight Budget Consider A Diamond Hybrid Simulant
While lab-created diamonds are less costly than earth-mined diamonds of the same quality, they may still be out of your budget – and that’s ok!
There are alternatives to lab-created diamonds for those budget-conscious brides and grooms to be. Eco-friendly alternatives, such as the Diamond Hybrid are available at a fraction of the cost, and carry the same beauty as a lab-created counterpart.
Give Yourself Time
Choosing an engagement ring can take time! Do not rush the process. It’s important for you to find something that is the best price, style, quality, and most importantly something she LOVES – after all she will be wearing it for the rest of her life! Read more articles on dailyrewards.