Your Guide to the Best Lab Created Diamonds

Hey there, diamond lover! If you‘ve been hearing a lot of buzz about lab created diamonds lately, you‘re not alone. These sparkly wonders have been gaining major popularity recently – and for good reason! As a fashionista and diamond fanatic myself, I‘m excited to dish on everything you need to know about lab grown diamonds and share my top picks on where to score the best ones.

First things first, let‘s define exactly what lab created diamonds are. In a nutshell, they are diamonds that are grown in a highly controlled laboratory environment using cutting-edge technology that mimics the natural diamond growing process. The result is a genuine diamond that is physically, chemically, and optically identical to those grown beneath the Earth‘s surface.

The only difference? Lab diamonds are created in a matter of weeks rather than the billions of years it takes for natural diamonds to form. Oh, and they cost about 30% less than mined diamonds of similar size and quality – a BIG bonus in my book!

Over the past few years, lab diamonds have been shedding their stigma and becoming embraced by jewelry lovers everywhere. In fact, nearly 70% of millennials said they would consider a lab grown diamond for an engagement ring, according to a 2019 report by MVI Marketing. And can you blame them? Lab diamonds offer better value, are ethically sourced, have less environmental impact, and are just as beautiful as mined diamonds. It‘s a no-brainer!

How Are Lab Diamonds Made?

I find the science behind lab diamonds absolutely fascinating. There are two main methods for growing diamonds in a lab: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

The HPHT process involves placing a tiny diamond "seed" into a chamber filled with pure carbon. The chamber is then heated to about 1,500°C and pressurized to approximately 70,000 atmospheres – that‘s about the same pressure you‘d feel 100 miles below the Earth‘s surface! Under these extreme conditions, the carbon melts and begins to form a diamond around the starter seed. It takes about 3-4 weeks to grow a 1 carat diamond using this method.

With the CVD process, a thin slice of diamond seed is placed in a sealed chamber and heated to around 800°C. The chamber is filled with a carbon rich gas, like methane, and other gases. Microwave energy is used to break down the gases, causing the carbon to adhere to the diamond seed and slowly crystallize over 4-6 weeks.

Both methods produce gorgeous, genuine diamonds with the same sparkle factor as their mined counterparts. And thanks to advancements in technology, diamond labs are now able to grow diamonds faster and more efficiently than ever before. The global lab grown diamond market is expected to reach $49.9 billion by 2030, growing at an impressive CAGR of 9.4% from 2022 to 2030.

Why Choose a Lab Diamond?

Now that you know the basics of how lab diamonds are made, let‘s dive into some of the perks of choosing one:

1. Better Value

On average, you can expect to pay about 30% less for a lab diamond than a natural diamond of the same quality. For example, a 1 carat earth-mined diamond with G color, VS1 clarity, and ideal cut would cost around $9,000 while a lab diamond with the exact same specs would cost closer to $6,000. That‘s a savings of $3,000 for a visually identical diamond! Just imagine what you could do with that extra cash – a tropical honeymoon, perhaps?

2. Ethical Origins

If you‘re concerned about the ethical issues surrounding diamond mining, lab diamonds are the way to go. Unfortunately, the natural diamond industry has long been linked to human rights abuses, dangerous working conditions, child labor, and violence. These unethical practices are often referred to as "blood diamonds." With lab grown diamonds, you can have peace of mind knowing your diamond‘s origins are conflict-free.

3. Eco-Friendly

Mined diamonds take a serious toll on the environment. Diamond mining operations generate a huge amount of waste, disrupt ecosystems, pollute the air and water supply, and permanently scar the Earth. In fact, the average diamond mine emits 160kg of greenhouse gases per carat. Lab diamonds, on the other hand, are the eco-conscious choice. Diamond growth labs follow strict environmental standards and have a much smaller carbon footprint.

4. Superior Quality

Because lab diamonds are created in highly controlled environments using advanced technology, gemologists are able to optimize the growth process to produce diamonds with superior color and clarity. It‘s estimated that only 2% of mined diamonds are rated as colorless while nearly 70% of lab diamonds earn a colorless D-F rating. Lab diamonds also tend to have fewer inclusions and better clarity than their mined counterparts.

Where to Buy the Best Lab Diamonds

Dying to get your hands on a sparkling lab diamond? I don‘t blame you! Luckily, there are a number of fantastic retailers offering high-quality lab created diamonds. Here are my top picks based on selection, quality, service, and overall experience:

1. James Allen

James Allen is one of the pioneers in the lab diamond space and offers one of the largest online selections. I love using their super cool 360° HD display technology to view actual videos of each diamond and find my perfect stone. Their intuitive website makes it easy to design your dream ring by choosing your ideal lab diamond and setting. Customer service is top-notch and they have some great perks like free shipping, hassle-free returns, and a lifetime warranty.

2. Clean Origin

If supporting a company that‘s fully committed to lab diamonds is important to you, Clean Origin is the perfect fit. Lab created diamonds are their bread and butter – in fact, it‘s all they offer! I‘m really impressed by their selection of diamonds in every shape and size imaginable. Plus, their jewelry designs are absolutely stunning. I‘m talking major "wow" factor, people! Other things I love? Their virtual appointments, flexible financing, and lifetime upgrade program.

3. Ritani

Ritani is one of my favorite places to browse for lab diamond jewelry because their designs are just SO dreamy and luxe. Think: intricate halos, unique side stones, and diamonds for days. They have an amazing selection of high-quality IGI certified lab diamonds in all the most popular shapes and sizes. Ritani‘s team of jewelry experts are super helpful and make designing your perfect piece a breeze. And get this – they even offer a concierge service where a dedicated jewelry specialist will work with you one-on-one to create your ring. Talk about VIP treatment!

4. VRAI

VRAI is the place to go for some of the most brilliant lab diamonds on the planet. Why, you ask? Their diamonds are actually grown in the company‘s very own zero-emission foundry using electricity generated from renewable sources like wind and solar. I call that a win for the environment! VRAI‘s jewelry is handcrafted to perfection by master jewelers. And did I mention their packaging is absolutely gorgeous? The ring box alone will make you swoon.

5. Brilliant Earth

For conscious consumers, Brilliant Earth is a great option. These folks are industry leaders in ethical and sustainable jewelry. I can personally attest to the incredible craftsmanship and quality of their lab diamond rings. Each piece is custom made to order using recycled precious metals, which is awesome. Their website has a handy tool that lets you compare lab and mined diamonds side by side and a great learning library. Customer service is attentive and shipping is fast – my ring arrived in just a few days!

Other fantastic retailers I recommend for finding your perfect lab diamond include:

• Miadonna
• Grow Bespoke
• Blue Nile
• Ada Diamonds
• With Clarity
• Helzberg Diamonds
• Grown Brilliance

Tips for Choosing a Lab Diamond

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options? Here are my top tips for finding a lab diamond that will knock your socks off:

1. Prioritize cut. Of the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat), I personally believe cut has the biggest impact on a diamond‘s overall beauty and sparkle. Look for a diamond with an ideal or excellent cut grade for maximum fire and brilliance.

2. Go for G. While color is certainly a matter of personal preference, I find that diamonds in the G-I range offer the best value. These diamonds will appear colorless to the naked eye but are priced much lower than those in the D-F range.

3. Find the sweet spot in clarity. For the best balance of beauty and value, I recommend looking for lab diamonds in the VS1 or VS2 clarity range. These diamonds will appear eye-clean (free of visible inclusions) without the hefty price tag of a flawless diamond.

4. Consider fancy shapes. Round diamonds may be the most popular, but fancy shapes like oval, pear, cushion and emerald are having a major moment right now. Not only are these shapes super stylish, they also tend to look larger than round diamonds at the same carat weight.

5. Read the fine print. Make sure your retailer offers a laser inscription on your diamond with a report number and lab certification. This will allow you to look up your diamond‘s grading report and verify its identity and quality.

Lab Diamond FAQs

Still have burning questions about lab diamonds? I‘ve got you covered with answers to some of the most common ones:

Q: Will people be able to tell my diamond is lab grown?

A: Only if you tell them! Lab diamonds are optically identical to mined diamonds. Even trained gemologists cannot visually tell them apart. The only way to know a diamond‘s origin is to look at its grading report.

Q: Do lab diamonds pass a diamond tester?

A: You bet they do! Diamond testers work by measuring a material‘s thermal conductivity. Since lab diamonds have the same physical properties and crystal structure as natural diamonds, they will test positive on a diamond tester.

Q: How do I care for my lab diamond?

A: Great question! Lab diamonds may be engineered by scientists, but they still need some TLC. Clean your lab diamond jewelry regularly with a solution of warm water and mild dish soap. Use a soft brush to gently scrub behind the stone where dirt and oil can collect. Be sure to store your lab diamond separately from other jewelry to avoid scratching. And don‘t forget to have your ring professionally inspected and cleaned about twice a year. Easy peasy!

Q: Can I insure my lab diamond?

A: Absolutely! Nearly all insurance companies will insure your lab diamond just like they would a natural diamond. I definitely recommend insuring any lab diamond over 1 carat or valued over $1,000 just to be safe.

Final Thoughts

Well there you have it, my friend! The lowdown on all things lab grown diamonds. I don‘t know about you, but I‘m totally sold on these sustainable sparklers. Lab diamonds offer so much amazing value, quality, and peace of mind. It‘s a purchase you can truly feel good about!

As you embark on your lab diamond search, remember to choose a reputable retailer with high-quality stones, do your homework on the 4Cs, and select a shape, size, and style that makes your heart sing. And most importantly, have fun with it! Shopping for a lab diamond (whether it‘s for an engagement ring, a graduation gift, or a treat for yourself) should be an enjoyable and exciting experience.

I hope this guide has armed you with the knowledge and confidence to find the lab diamond of your dreams. Feel free to drop any questions below – I‘m always happy to chat sparkle!

Here‘s to spreading more love, joy, and ethical bling in the world. Go get your sparkle on!