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When you look at a beautiful, sparkling diamond glistening in the light, your first thought probably isn’t, “did this come from a lab or straight from the earth?” Even if you were to ask this question, the answer most likely wouldn’t be so obvious. Nowadays, lab-grown diamonds are made so brilliantly that the untrained, naked eye would never be able to tell the difference between them and a rare, mined diamond.
Lab-grown diamonds are not a new phenomenon by any means – in fact, chances are your parents’ or grandparents’ rings may have even been lab-grown, even if they aren’t aware!
So what exactly is a lab-grown diamond? Simply put, “lab-grown” means the diamond was produced in a lab setting without the negative environmental or labor issues real diamonds typically require.
Suppose you’re getting ready to go shopping for engagement rings and aren’t sure whether to go the lab-grown or natural route. In that case, you may find it helpful to do plenty of research beforehand on the differences between the two and how you can make the best decision based on your taste, values, and budget.
Here are a few simple tips for buying a lab-grown diamond that your partner will fall in love with (maybe even as much as they love you!):
1. Do Your Research On The Company
Many people who go the lab-grown diamond route do so because they want to be environmentally responsible and choose an engagement ring that not only aligns with their budget and personal style, but values and ethics as well.
While “lab-grown” as a whole implies a sense of environmental responsibility that real diamonds don’t tend to carry, this is not always the case. This is why it’s important to do plenty of research into the company you’re considering buying from.
Some companies create their diamonds in foundries that rely heavily on fossil fuels, which can make their carbon footprint just as high (if not higher) than traditional mines. When it comes to lab-grown diamonds, shopping online before or instead of shopping in person can be a smart move since you can take your time to do your research instead of feeling pressured to buy right away.
2. Consider the Cut
If you’re even remotely familiar with diamonds, you may have heard of the 4 Cs: clarity, cut, color, and carat. Regarding lab-grown diamonds, experts say the cut is the most important of these Cs to consider. There are various types of diamond cuts, including princess, oval, cushion, pear or even heart.
The cut has the greatest influence on a diamond’s appearance and price point, which is why it’s especially important to ensure your lab-grown diamond ticks all the boxes and is made with the highest quality.
This is not to say that the other three Cs aren’t just as important – the clarity, color, and carat of your lab-grown ring are extremely important things to consider when making your final decision.
3. Keep Your Partner’s Preferences In Mind
As with anything else you may go shopping for, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find exactly what you need on the first try. Lab-grown diamonds sometimes need to be specially ordered, or you may not find the exact cut or carat you’re looking for at your number one shop choice.
It’s essential to have a firm idea of what your partner wants before you begin shopping for your lab-grown diamond. If their ideal cut or shape is hard to come by, you may need to compromise a bit or do a little extra digging to find exactly what you need.
4. Have Fun With It
One of the most exciting things about shopping for a lab-grown diamond is that you have a wider range of options when it comes to color, also known as “fancy colors.” If your partner has a unique sense of style and loves color and accessories you wouldn’t normally see on anyone else walking down the street, a lab-grown diamond is the perfect engagement ring option. In fact, colored lab-grown diamonds can sometimes be more affordable than even colorless real diamonds.
Whether your partner is pretty in pink, obsessed with rich blues or into soft, bright yellows, you’re sure to find a colored lab-grown diamond that fits their personality and personal style perfectly.
Don’t forget, diamonds aren’t the only option! For a truly unique ring, shop for another lab-grown gemstone, like a ruby or emerald.
5. Ensure You’re Getting What You Paid For
All lab-grown diamonds should come with a certified grading report that confirms that the diamond was approved by a reputable lab and created with the utmost integrity and validity. Do not purchase a lab-grown diamond without one of these reports, as you won’t be able to guarantee that you’ve actually purchased an authentic ring.
As with any other major purchase, doing your due diligence beforehand is the biggest key to finding exactly what you’re looking for. Once you’ve done that, you’re on track to find an engagement ring that will leave your partner glowing like their diamond.
