10 Best Lab Created Diamonds

How to Find The Best Lab Created Diamonds

What comes to mind when you think of diamonds? Glamour? Luxury? Living blissfully ever after? How about unfair labor practices or conflict? For decades, the diamond industry has been veiled by the sparkle, but today, we know better. 

In the spirit of having beautifully sparkling gems and a clean conscience simultaneously, here, you’ll find the best lab created diamonds on the planet.

Lab created gems are, chemically, replicas of earth-created gems. Produced by applying the same pressure the earth does over millions of years, the result is a diamond that looks, feels, and sparkles just like a “real” diamond—because it is. 

Instead of millions of years, the best lab created diamonds are made in just a few weeks, and for that reason, are a lot less expensive. 

So let’s get things straight. If you can have an ethical, clean, and beautiful diamond for a fraction of the price, why wouldn’t you? After reading about our top 10 picks, don’t be surprised if you run out of reasons. 

10 Best Lab Created Diamonds

#1: Clean Origin

The way to ensure the diamond you’re buying is good for the earth? Go with a brand that specializes in lab-created gems. Clean Origin offers a collection of 100% lab-grown diamond jewelry and takes a sustainable approach to jewelry making in general.

When designing your dream ring, you’ll have countless options to choose from, including the shape, cut, carat, clarity, and color. With all of its stones certified by either the IGI, GIA, or GCAL, you can rest assured that your diamond is indeed high quality and real. 

Rather shop premade pieces? Clean Origin has a beautiful selection of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings to choose from. Prices start at about $500 for a pair of lab-grown studs.

Highlights

• Build your dream ring
• Certified by IGI, GIA & GCAL
• Offers great selection of all jewelry
• 100% lab grown selection
• Sustainable approach

#2: VRAI

If we had to describe VRAI’s style, we’d say that it’s a little more mature than some other picks on this list of the best lab created diamonds. With no shortage of shimmer, its hand-chiseled diamond pieces are glamorous and breathtaking, and are some of the highest quality available. 

Another reason to choose VRAI (which means “real” in french)? Their pieces are produced with renewable energy, meaning they are one of the most sustainable brands on this list. Expect higher prices than other picks here (but still lower than natural diamonds), starting at $1,000.

Highlights

• High quality lab created diamonds
• Glamorous designs
• Uses renewable energy
• Hand-crafted

#3: Brilliant Earth

Wish to shop with a clean conscience? Brilliant Earth is a fantastic brand to support. Their Beyond Conflict Free diamonds are set on recycled precious metals to create jaw dropping pieces. Chosen for its glittery selection of engagement and wedding rings, you can shop ethical natural diamonds, recycled diamonds, or choose lab created gems instead.

When designing your ring, you’ll have total control over the carat and shape, and Brilliant Earth makes it super easy to browse for the perfect fit by neatly listing all of its designs in a chart that shows you the color, clarity, and cut. Prices start at $290 and go up to $176,000. 

Highlights

• Wide selection of lab grown diamonds
• Bespoke services
• Offers other lab grown jewelry as well
• Uses recycled precious metals
• Transparent about sourcing

#4: Ritani

Ritani has an impressive selection of lab grown diamonds that stand out amongst its other earth grown gems. Their specialty is engagement rings and wedding rings, but you will find a selection of other jewelry pieces like necklaces and earrings here as well. 

Offering a transparent sales model, it shows you their prices versus what each piece took to create. Since you’re looking for the best lab created diamonds, you’ll find a ton to pick from here, in 1.0-4.11 carats. You can grab a 0.32 carat pear diamond for under $100, though prices do go up over $150K. 

Highlights

• 1.0-4.11 carats
• Affordable options
• Great selection of rings
• Build your own ring
  

#5: Noémie

All of what Noemie offers is certified conflict free, but it also has a small selection of lab grown diamonds for those that want to keep the earth out of it. With VS clarity and F-G color only, their line of diamonds is impressive, but more so, we love the transparent approach they take to jewelry making.

Showing you the process of how their rings are created, it’s one of the few that’s proud to show you their company’s underbelly. Their lab created gems are all certified by gemologists, so no matter which you choose, you know you’re getting quality. Prices start at $690 for a lab grown eternity band. 

Highlights

• Wide range of precious metals
• Certified by gemologists
• VS clarity & F-G color
• Transparent about process

#6: 12FIFTEEN

Unlike some of the other names on this list of the best lab created diamonds, 12FIFTEEN is all about lab created gems. All of their designers feature stunning lab-made diamonds and they offer earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Of course, you could always create your very own dream ring from scratch with the cut and carat of your choosing too. 

Known for their excellent quality, 12FIFTEEN delivers a classy, elegant collection that starts at just $115 for a sterling silver necklace with a 0.06 tcw. Their highest priced piece is a diamond encrusted tennis bracelet for $9,495.

Highlights

• Very affordable pieces
• All lab created gems
• Wide selection of jewelry
• Build your own ring

#7: Blue Nile

Blue Nile was founded in 1999, but lab grown diamonds haven’t always been its main focus. While you’ll still find earth grown diamonds in its selection, shop the Lightbox collection for only lab created designs. 

In it, you’ll find necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and engagement rings for affordable prices. This collection is a little smaller than others on this list of the best lab created diamonds, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Prices start at $600 for a 14K yellow gold ¼ ct ring and go up to $1,400 for a 1ct. 

Highlights

• Guarantee of VS clarity 
• Very good cut grade
• Small collection of necklaces, earrings, rings & more
• Offers colored diamonds as well
• More affordable options

#8: James Allen

Lab created diamonds aren’t the only type that James Allen offers, but when you go to create your own engagement ring, you’ll have the exact same options you would if you chose earth-created gems. 

One thing that sets this jeweler apart from others is something called The Ring Studio. Here, you can design every part of your ring and view it in a 360-degree virtual rendering. Its lab created diamonds are very good to True Heart quality in carats from 1.0-6.38. 

With over 63,000 options for round-cut diamonds alone, if you like precision and options, you’ll likely fall in love with this brand. Prices range from about $1,000-$50,000.

Highlights

• White, yellow & rose gold
• Thousands of options
• Wide range of cuts & carats
• Design your perfect ring

#9: Kimai 

All Kimaï jewelry is decorated with lab grown diamonds and recycled precious metals. Their tag line is, “jewelry shouldn’t cost us the earth,” and if you’re interested in getting some ethical sparkle, their collection is a great place to start.

Kimaï was created by two friends who had families that worked in the diamond trade, and after learning the reality of it, decided to do diamonds differently. Their jewelry is simple and modern but incredibly high quality. Pieces start at $195 for single studs and go up to $5,745 for a diamond encrusted 18K solid gold necklace. 

Highlights

• Handmade
• Recycled gold
• Modern, simple pieces
• Great range of necklaces, earrings & rings

#10: Pandora 

Pandora has long been the choice of women looking for something sparkly, inexpensive, and good quality. With a collection of approachable rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more, the brand is now offering lab-created diamonds in the place where their sparkly cubic zirconia used to sit. 

As usual, Pandora’s Brilliance collection has no shortage of shimmer. Using their unique cutting process, you’ll get the same glimmer you love from the regular line, only, you’ll be wearing a “real” diamond. 

Another perk of buying from the brand? The same affordable prices you already choose it for. A 0.15 carat diamond sterling silver ring starts at $300, while their most expensive lab created gemstone ring is just $1,950. 

Highlights

• Very affordable
• Simple, approachable design
• Sterling silver, rose gold & yellow gold options
• 0.15-1 carat diamonds
• Super sparkly

What Are Lab-Created Diamonds? 

Lab-created diamonds—also known as manmade or engineered diamonds—are real diamonds that have been grown in a laboratory. Lab-created diamonds have identical physical, optical, and chemical properties as natural diamonds, but they’re less expensive. 

The best lab-created diamonds are made of Carbon-60 and are also known as CVD diamonds or HPHT diamonds. The carbon atoms are placed under high pressure and high temperatures to form a diamond crystal. It can take up to 10 weeks to grow a 1-carat lab-created diamond. 

Lab-grown synthetic diamonds cost 30-40% less than natural earth-mined diamonds because of the difference in overhead costs. 

Manmade diamonds are not mined, so there’s no need for mining equipment. As a result, you don’t have to pay for the labor cost associated with operating the equipment. And, because lab-grown synthetic diamonds do not come from the ground, there’s no environmental impact from mining.

How Do Labs Create Diamonds?

The heaviest and hardest known material on Earth is diamond. It’s also the most popular gemstone. A diamond is formed deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure. It can take billions of years for a natural diamond to form. 

Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, are grown in a carbon chamber that replicates the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed. A tiny seed crystal is placed in a chamber and exposed to extreme heat and pressure. And over a period of two to six weeks, the diamond grows layer by layer until it reaches its final size. 

Do We Really Need Lab-Created Diamonds?

Lab-created diamonds have numerous benefits compared to mined diamonds. They’re conflict-free, environmentally friendly, and more affordable. They also have better clarity and they don’t carry the emotional baggage that often comes with mined diamonds. 

Mined diamonds often have a negative environmental impact due to the chemicals used in the mining process and the pollution generated by the heavy machinery required for large-scale mining operations. On the other hand, lab-created diamonds don’t require these chemicals or this machinery, so they have a much smaller environmental footprint. 

Why Lab-Created Diamonds May Not Be Good For You

There are a few things to consider before purchasing lab-created diamonds:

• First, they’re usually less expensive than natural diamonds, but they may not hold their value as well as natural diamonds. 

• Second, lab-created diamonds are typically sold by online retailers, which can make it difficult to return or exchange them if you’re not happy with your purchase. 

• Finally, some people believe that lab-created diamonds aren’t as ‘real’ as natural diamonds are. Whether or not this is true is up to you, but it’s something to consider before buying them.

How Long Will Lab-Created Diamonds Last?

Lab-created diamonds have become a popular choice for engagement rings and other jewelry. But how long do these diamonds last? And are they as durable as natural diamonds? 

Well, lab-created diamonds are made of the same material as natural diamonds—carbon. They experience the same processes of formation, and as a result, they’re just as hard. 

In fact, lab-created diamonds are often harder than natural diamonds because they don’t have any impurities. And, because they’re so hard, lab-created diamonds will last just as long as natural diamonds. 

Basically, with proper care, your lab-created diamond engagement ring will stay sparkling for a lifetime. So when you’re shopping for diamond jewelry, rest assured that lab-created diamonds are a great choice—they’re beautiful, ethically sourced, and built to last.

How Do You Clean A Lab-Created Diamond?

When it comes to cleaning your lab-created diamond, the process is fairly simple. Start by rinsing your diamond in warm water to remove any surface dirt or debris. Next, use a mild detergent to create a soapy solution. Gently scrub your diamond with a soft brush to clean it. Finally, rinse your diamond in warm water again to remove any soap residue. 

You can also use a commercial jewelry cleaner that’s safe for lab-created diamonds. However, avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaners that could damage your diamond. With proper care, your diamond will stay sparkling and beautiful for years to come!

How To Take Care Of Lab-Created Diamonds

Lab-created diamonds are an excellent choice for those who are looking for an affordable, beautiful diamond that will last a lifetime. These diamonds can be cut, polished, and set into jewelry just like natural diamonds. However, it’s important to make sure you don’t damage the diamond during the cleaning or polishing process. 

As previously stated, lab-created diamonds can be cleaned with warm soapy water or with a commercial diamond cleaner. Polishing should be done with a soft cloth or brush. To avoid scratching the surface of the diamond, it’s best to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives. 

Who Are Lab-Created Diamonds For?

Lab-created diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, but they’re much more affordable. For this reason, lab-created diamonds are a great option for people who want the look of a diamond without the high price tag. 

These diamonds are also a good choice for people who are concerned about the environmental impact of mining natural diamonds. Because they’re made in a controlled environment, lab-created diamonds have a very small carbon footprint. 

Over the years, lab-created diamonds have become an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other fine jewelry. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to a natural diamond, a lab-created diamond may be the perfect choice for you.

How To Shop For The Best Lab-Created Diamonds

Lab-created diamonds have gotten a bad rap in the past, but technology has come a long way in recent years. And nowadays, lab-created diamonds are nearly indistinguishable from natural diamonds. Plus, they offer a number of advantages, including a lower price point. 

If you’re interested in shopping for lab-created diamonds, there are a few things you should keep in mind. 

• Consider the quality of the diamond: Lab-created diamonds are graded on the same scale as natural diamonds, so make sure to check the four Cs: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. 

• Pay attention to the setting: The setting can make or break a diamond ring, so make sure you choose something that complements the stone. 

• Remember that lab-created diamonds are still diamonds: They’re durable and beautiful, and they’ll last a lifetime if they’re properly cared for. 

With a little know-how, you can find the perfect lab-created diamond ring to suit your style and fit your budget.

FAQ

Can a jeweler identify a lab-created diamond?

The answer is yes and no. With the naked eye, it’s impossible to tell the difference between a lab-created diamond and a mined diamond. However, jewelers have access to special equipment—like a microscope or loupe—that allows them to see the tiny variations that exist between lab-created diamonds and mined diamonds. 

In most cases, these variations are so small that they’re undetectable to the naked eye. So, while a jeweler can technically tell the difference between a lab-created diamond and a mined diamond, in most cases it won’t make a difference to the average person.

Do lab-created diamonds hold value?

It’s true that lab-created diamonds are not as rare as natural diamonds that are mined. However, lab-created diamonds still hold value because they’re much cheaper to produce than natural diamonds. 

The cost of producing a lab-created diamond is only a fraction of the cost of mining a natural diamond from the earth. In addition, lab-created diamonds are becoming more and more popular, which is likely to continue to drive up demand and prices. 

For these reasons, lab-created diamonds are a smart investment for anyone looking for an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to mined diamonds.

Do lab-grown diamonds turn yellow?

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, but they’re not subject to the same wear and tear as natural diamonds. As a result, lab-created diamonds have a higher purity level and fewer inclusions, which means they’re less likely to turn yellow over time. 

In fact, many experts believe that lab-grown diamonds are actually brighter and more brilliant than their natural counterparts. So, if you’re looking for a diamond that will maintain its color for years to come, a lab-grown diamond may be the best choice for you.

Do lab-grown diamonds lose their sparkle?

While lab-grown diamonds may have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, some experts believe they lack the ‘sparkle’ of their natural counterparts. This is because natural diamonds typically contain small amounts of impurities, such as nitrogen, which can cause them to emit a yellowish or brownish hue. 

Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are typically composed of pure carbon, which gives them a more colorless appearance. While some may prefer the sparkling brilliance of a natural diamond, others may prefer the clean look of a lab-grown stone. Ultimately, the choice between a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond is a matter of personal preference.

Final Thoughts

Gorgeous in every sense of the word, the best lab created diamonds make a compelling case. By now, you know what a lab grown diamond is, why it’s considered “real”, and might have even picked out your favorite cut and color. Now all that’s left to choose is pick your favorite brand.

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