In the ever-evolving landscape of the diamond industry, a remarkable transformation is underway, ushering in a new era of sustainability, affordability, and ethical consciousness.
At the forefront of this revolution, stand lab-grown diamonds, a groundbreaking alternative to their natural counterparts.
Shoppers today are encountering a paradigm shift as they explore these diamonds, navigating a landscape defined by innovation and a departure from conventional norms.
This change can be traced to the innovative production processes behind lab-grown diamonds.
Unlike traditional diamonds, these are born not from the depths of the Earth but within sophisticated machines that replicate the high-temperature, high-pressure conditions required for diamond formation.
The result is a remarkably condensed growth period, ranging from as little as six weeks to at most, four months. This accelerated timeline aligns with the modern shopper’s desire for efficiency without compromising on quality.
Lab-grown diamonds vs. natural diamonds — What to know
Akshie Jhaveri, a GIA graduate who started her jewelry career at the age of 18 and went on to create Grown Brilliance, recognized the challenges faced by individuals seeking the perfect engagement ring within budget constraints.
“I know a lot of my friends were getting engaged and couldn’t afford the ring they wanted,” she told the New York Post. “Would they compromise on where they lived or how they lived to get the ring? There was always a compromise somewhere.”
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Now, you can get a better color, a higher quality, and superior clarity with lab-grown diamonds. “We can bring diamonds to millions more and make millions more dreams come true,” Jhaveri continued, emphasizing the transformative potential of lab-grown diamonds.
“They are hands-down better than natural diamonds.”
After industry expert input and hours of researching what makes a lab-grown diamond worth the more modest investment, we selected our picks for the best lab-grown diamond brands you can shop right now. Click below to jump to a specific section:
Best lab-grown diamond brands
Grown Brilliance
Grown Brilliance is a female-founded brand that focuses on lab-grown diamonds, emphasizing the beauty and sustainability of its creations. It offers a selection of highly customizable lab-grown diamonds with many different cuts and sizes, appealing to those looking for eco-friendly and ethically sourced alternatives to natural diamonds who also want what they want and don’t want to compromise.
Prices start at: $195.00
Shipping: International; 1-4 business days; all domestic orders free
Pros
- Specializes in the world of lab-grown diamonds
- Values sustainability and eco-friendliness
- Choose from a variety of lab-grown diamonds, made-to-order
- Get your lab diamond in as little as 3 weeks or 4 months at most (depending on size)
Cons
- Limited brand recognition
Angara
Angara is an online jewelry brand with a notable emphasis on both natural and lab-grown gemstones, including diamonds. Another female-founded brand, Angara, is recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation. It offers a range of customizable options, allowing customers to create personalized jewelry pieces.
Angara’s mission includes a focus on sustainability, and it takes pride in providing customers with information about the origin and quality of its gemstones. With an international presence and a diverse selection, Angara appeals to those looking for a blend of tradition and modernity in their jewelry choices.
Prices start at: $109.00
Shipping: International; 2-5 business days; all domestic orders free
Pros
- Design a unique piece with customization options
- Able to test on different skin tones online
- Transparent information about gemstones
- Global presence makes for fast shipping to most locations around the world
Cons
- High customization may add complexity to the buying process
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth stands out for its unwavering commitment to ethically sourced and sustainable jewelry, including lab-grown diamonds. It offers a diverse selection of lab-created diamonds, providing customers with detailed information about the origin of each stone. With a focus on transparency, Brilliant Earth is a popular choice for those seeking beautiful, conflict-free diamonds while prioritizing environmental responsibility.
Prices start at: $280.00
Shipping: US, Canada, Australia, UK; fast shipping after made-to-order; free both ways
Pros
- Prioritizes conflict-free diamonds
- Supply chain transparency
- Diverse selection
- Well-known brand with store locations across the U.S.
- You can search lab diamonds by delivery date and other exact specifications
Cons
- Doesn’t specialize in lab-grown diamonds (but specializes in conflict-free!)
Frank Darling
Frank Darling is known for its focus on engagement rings and wedding bands, including both natural and lab-grown diamonds. It is recognized for its modern and stylish designs, often incorporating ethical sourcing practices. Frank Darling aims to create meaningful and personalized jewelry pieces, with a commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Its approach may appeal to individuals seeking contemporary and responsibly sourced diamond jewelry.
Prices start at: $500.00
Shipping: International; 3-5 business days; free over $1,000.00
Pros
- Trendy designs tailored for modern engagements
- Craft a one-of-a-kind ring with personalized touches
- Feel good about your purchase with ethical sourcing
Cons
- Doesn’t specialize in lab-grown diamonds
- Not as customizable as some brands
James Allen
James Allen is an established online retailer known for offering a variety of lab-created diamonds. What sets James Allen apart is its unique approach to online shopping — providing customers with 360-degree images of each diamond, allowing for a detailed and comprehensive view. With a reputation for quality and transparency, James Allen caters to those who appreciate a visual and informed buying experience.
Prices start at: $310.00
Shipping: International; 1-3 weeks; free
Pros
- Navigate the vast selection with a renowned online platform
- Inspect diamonds closely with 360-degree images
- Trust in the credibility of an established online jeweler
Cons
- Limited focus on lab-grown diamonds
Ross Simons
Ross Simmons is a well-established jewelry retailer with a wide range of offerings, including natural and lab-grown diamonds. The brand is known for providing diverse and affordable options, making it accessible to a broad audience. With a reputation for quality and a long history in the industry, Ross Simmons caters to customers looking for both traditional and contemporary jewelry styles.
Prices start at: $99.00
Shipping: Domestic; 3-5 business days; free over $99.00
Pros
- Stay within budget with affordable and varied choices
- Find the perfect style for any taste in its broad selection
- Trust in a long-established brand for quality assurance
Cons
- Limited focus on lab-grown diamonds
Clean Origin
Specializing in lab-grown diamonds, Clean Origin has gained recognition for its commitment to transparency and ethical sourcing. The brand places a strong emphasis on providing customers with a range of customizable options, allowing individuals to create unique and meaningful pieces of jewelry.
Prices start at: $225.00
Shipping: International; 1-5 business days; free both ways
Pros
- Make an informed choice with transparent sourcing details
- Personalize your jewelry with customization options
- Explore a variety of lab-grown diamonds
- Can filter diamond availability by shipping date
- Showrooms available to visit
Cons
- Limited brand recognition
Vrai
Vrai, a modern and innovative jewelry brand, stands at the intersection of timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology. With a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices, Vrai transforms lab-grown diamonds into exquisite pieces of jewelry. The brand prides itself on creating a bridge between luxury and conscious consumerism, offering a range of designs that appeal to those seeking both style and substance.
Prices start at: $150.00
Shipping: Most countries; ships in 1-4 business days; starts at $10
Pros
- Clear information about diamond origins
- Personalizable jewelry for a unique touch
- Fashion-forward, contemporary styles
- Possible to get a custom diamond
Cons
- Operates primarily online (though not necessarily a con for lab-grown diamonds)
What are the pros and cons of lab-grown diamonds?
Pros
- Sustainable
- Ethically sourced
- Cost-effective
- Highly customizable
- Pure and perfect
- Supply chain transparency
Cons
- Almost “too perfect”
- Lower value perception
- Lack history
- Will not appreciate
Lab-grown diamond FAQs
Lab-grown diamond pricing — Are they cheaper?
Lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity not just for their ethical and environmental benefits but also for their generally more affordable pricing compared to natural diamonds. This affordability is driven by several factors reshaping the diamond industry.
One significant contributor to the cost-effectiveness of lab-grown diamonds is the streamlined production process. Creating diamonds in a controlled environment proves more resource-efficient and less complex than traditional diamond mining, translating to reduced overall costs.
Environmental sustainability is a key consideration. Lab-grown diamonds, formed in controlled conditions, require less land disruption and have a smaller carbon footprint than their natural counterparts, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
Ethical considerations also come into play, as lab-grown diamonds eliminate concerns related to unethical mining practices and conflict diamonds. This ethical appeal aligns with the values of consumers seeking responsible sourcing.
Efficiency in the supply chain further impacts pricing. The streamlined process of lab-grown diamonds involves fewer intermediaries, leading to cost savings for producers and consumers alike.
Changing consumer perceptions contribute to the affordability of lab-grown diamonds. Increased awareness and growing societal acceptance drive demand, fostering a competitive pricing environment.
Are lab-grown diamonds ethical?
“There are so many loopholes in the Kimberly Process (KP),” Jhaveri said about the process meant to reduce the flow of natural conflict diamonds.
However, according to the Brilliant Earth website, another lab-grown diamond brand, the KP has limitations:
“[It’s] strict, narrow definition of what constitutes a diamond as sourced in conflict (only gems with profits used to fund wars against legitimate governments) can turn a blind eye to the blatant human rights abuses, violence, exploitation, and environmental degradation that stems from diamond-rich countries who are already active participants of the Kimberly process.”
Lab-grown diamonds evade this process entirely just by being grown in a lab rather than the Earth. No mining, no blood diamonds, no human lives in danger — what is yielded from lab-grown diamonds is just, simply, a diamond.
What is the future of diamonds vs. lab-grown diamonds?
Looking ahead, Jhaveri envisions a future where lab-grown diamonds take center stage, not just as an alternative but as a dynamic force shaping the industry’s landscape. She stated, “The future of lab-grown diamonds is in the branding. Adding that extra bit of service to customers is going to be key. Cultivating brand love will be the most important thing moving forward.”
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Aditi Daga, co-founder of the online jewelry brand Angara, brings a unique perspective shaped by her family’s 450-year-old legacy in the jewelry business in India. Regarding the role of lab-grown diamonds in the future of fine jewelry, Daga noted a significant shift.
“The switch is happening very rapidly,” she stated. “The proliferation of lab-grown diamonds has the potential to triple the diamond industry. You have new jewelry consumers — people who wanted something sustainable and to have a value proposition for them.”
Traditionally, customers preferred seeing mined diamonds in person before purchasing, but the rise of online businesses has altered this dynamic. Per Daga, the convenience of online shopping now plays a pivotal role in the industry’s future. With technology being what it is and the ability to see color for what it is online today, people don’t need to see their lab-grown diamonds in person. They know it will be the precise clarity, size, shape, etc. that they ordered. It will be perfection.
In essence, the rise of lab-grown diamonds, as articulated by Jhaveri, is reshaping the diamond market, offering shoppers an opportunity to make choices aligned with their values, all while enjoying the beauty and symbolism of this timeless gem.
Why do people choose lab-grown diamonds?
The appeal of lab-grown diamonds extends beyond their eco-friendly origins. These gems, certified by reputable institutions such as GIA and IGI, adhere to the same rigorous criteria as natural diamonds. Jhaveri underlines this point, having stated, “There is no difference between how the GIA and IGI certify natural and lab-grown diamonds — it’s the exact same criteria.”
Discussing the qualities of a great lab-grown diamond, Daga emphasized the pursuit of perfection. She mentioned that customers today seek near-perfect grades, such as DIF (decorlored diamond, internally flawless) or F (moving down two grades in color) on the quality scale. The appeal lies in getting precisely what one desires at little to no ecological cost. The appeal for larger gemstones has also increased, according to Daga, thanks to the proliferation of Zoom calls and their becoming a regular part of many people’s lives.
What is the resale value of lab-grown diamonds?
As with any transformative innovation, shoppers are confronted with considerations regarding the resale value of lab-grown diamonds. Jhaveri acknowledges this challenge, drawing parallels with pearls to emphasize that the enduring value lies in the joy and personal connection these gems bring to the wearer, rather than in their future resale potential.
Diamonds, as we have known them since the De Beers heyday, are rare and should priced and pursued as such. However, Daga sees a shift in this perception underway, especially as more than 50% of Angara shoppers express a preference for sustainable options. The changing societal landscape, coupled with increased education about sustainable choices, has contributed to a rapid switch towards lab-grown diamonds, especially for millennials and Gen Z.
Because one can get a lab gemstone triple the size of a natural one for the same price, resale value is less of a concern when purchasing today. “What people want is perfection,” Daga exclaimed. “And with lab-grown gemstones, they can get that.”
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
In sharing insights into the unique processes, Jhaveri likened it to making bread. “You know how you make bread out of yeast? You need that starter. A diamond, natural or lab-grown, comes from a diamond seed, which can also be lab-grown,” she says.
Lab-grown diamonds are created through two main processes: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Both methods mimic the conditions under which natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth.
High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT)
The HPHT process starts with a small diamond seed, serving as the foundation for the growth of the lab-grown diamond. Subjected to controlled conditions, the diamond seed faces extreme pressure (5-6 GPa) and high temperature (approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius). This simulated environment mirrors the natural diamond-forming process that unfolds in the Earth’s mantle. Carbon atoms in a gaseous state are introduced, adhering to the diamond seed, facilitating the growth of the crystal layer by layer. This meticulous process typically spans several weeks to a few months, depending on the desired size of the diamond.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
In the CVD process, a gas mixture containing carbon is introduced into a vacuum chamber. Commonly used gases, such as methane, become ionized through methods like microwaves or lasers, breaking down the carbon molecules into individual atoms. These ionized carbon atoms settle on a substrate, often a flat diamond seed or another material, and crystallize to form a diamond layer. Notably, the CVD method allows for more precise control over the diamond’s growth and can result in a shorter production time compared to HPHT.
Following their creation, these diamonds undergo the standard processes of cutting, polishing, and grading, adhering to the same rigorous standards applied to their natural counterparts. Technological advancements have further broadened the possibilities, enabling the production of lab-grown diamonds in a variety of colors, sizes, and qualities, enhancing their versatility within the jewelry market.
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