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There are almost three million engagements every year in the U.S. with many partners expecting to rock a dazzling diamond on their finger.
Recently, lab-grown diamonds have boomed in popularity, thanks to their affordable price tag and ethical roots. Maybe you’re planning to pop the question, but are still unsure whether lab-grown diamonds are worth your time and money.
Sounds like your current position? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the main benefits of choosing engagement rings with lab-created diamonds.
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Before you Google “engagement rings with lab-created diamonds”, it’s essential you understand what we mean by the term.
As you can guess, these gemstones are created in a lab under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. Generally, scientists can produce 10-carat diamonds, which are almost distinguishable from mined stones.
Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Understanding the lab-grown vs natural diamond will help you make the right choice for you and your future spouse. The main appeal of lab-grown diamonds is the many benefits that come with them. For instance:
Affordability
Every type of diamond comes with its own price tag, which can often dissuade people from gifting the ultimate engagement ring to their loved ones.
If you have a strict budget, know that lab-grown diamonds are your best bet. In fact, as of August 2023, man-made diamonds cost around $1,425 per carat while a natural diamond is worth $5,185. As you can see, you’ll save a fortune choosing the former.
This is because lab diamonds have a localized supply chain and needn’t be mined in another country. As a result, you can consider lab-grown diamond engagement rings with larger rocks or set the stone in a more luxurious metal.
Purer Crystals
Because you want to surprise your loved one with the best engagement ring, it makes sense to hunt down the purest diamond possible.
To main natural diamonds, you must blast the gemstones out of the earth with dynamite. This often means that the diamonds pulled out can have defects or have a less pure crystal structure. Research has found that only 2% of natural diamonds are classified under the Type IIa category, which is the highest category possible.
So, why bother spending thousands on a gemstone that could be purer in the lab and at half the price?
Ethical
When you buy a natural diamond, it’s impossible to know where they’ve originated. There’s a risk that mined gemstones are considered “blood diamonds” where rebel forces use the cash from diamonds to fund attempted coups. It’s also likely that slave labor is used or the workers are treated badly during the excavation.
To avoid any amoral situations, it’s wise to choose lab diamonds because the history is clean and traceable, giving both you and your partner peace of mind.
Indistinguishable From Natural Diamonds
Another reason to get lab diamonds is that they’re indistinguishable from natural gems. Many customers are surprised to find that lab-grown diamonds are actually real, which you can see from their physical and chemical properties. This makes them excellent for elegant jewelry like engagement rings.
Better for the Environment
Mining for natural diamonds is devastating for the surrounding environment. As these are often large-scale operations, the process destroys ecosystems and can even cause long-lasting impacts, such as soil degradation and contaminating nearby bodies of water.
In fact, it takes around 250 tons of mined earth to pull out one carat of diamond, which isn’t worth the impact excavation has on local communities and their soil.
Further, diamonds are finite and are only getting rarer. Aside from the excavation process, it means that diamonds will eventually run out, so it’s wise to choose a more sustainable option like lab-grown diamonds.
Available in Different Colors
Tired of the traditional clear diamond? Well, that’s another area why lab-grown diamonds could be the perfect match for you.
Although you can buy natural diamonds with a hint of color, these are far more expensive, which isn’t attainable for many couples. On the flip side, lab-grown diamonds are a vibrant color and never fade, making them a worthwhile investment.
Where to Get Lab-Grown Diamonds
You’re committed to finding a reputable company that sells lab-grown diamonds. Congrats!
The key is to check that the service sells quality engagement rings. Ideally, the jeweler should be one of the top searches of your desired search engine. Spend time reading reviews and if there are any reoccurring negative comments, continue your search because you don’t want to risk such an important investment.
Be on the lookout for retailers who post 360-degree videos of their diamonds online as it shows that they’re professional. But check that these are unedited to avoid disappointment.
Figure out what shape and size you want. This will affect the ring style and the type of metal you want for the ring. And don’t forget to ask if your partner wants a specific color, such as yellow, blue, or pink diamonds.
As you compare lab-grown diamonds, check that each one has a grading report. This should come from a credible laboratory like the IGL, EGL, or GIA. Remember that lab-grown diamonds are identical to one another, so there shouldn’t be any major differences.
You should also prioritize companies that offer great customer service. Because lab-grown diamonds are a large investment, you want to know that the team will fix any issues in a timely fashion. This includes multiple communication streams, from a chatbot on the website to a knowledgeable team via social media or the phone.
Browse Engagement Rings With Lab-Created Diamonds Today
Hopefully, you’re now ready to start searching for engagement rings with lab-created diamonds.
There are many reasons why you should choose lab-grown diamonds, such as the affordable price tag and the fact that it’s more eco-friendly. You should also take on board that you can choose between a rainbow of colors and know that the diamond has been ethically sourced. What’s not to love?