Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings: The Complete Buying Guide

The decision of selecting an engagement ring is one of the most significant and thoughtful decisions you will ever make. It's a token of your love, of commitment, and of a future together. These days, couples have more options than ever before when it comes to engagement ring shopping, and lab grown diamond engagement rings are a great option.

Lab Grown Diamonds give you a similar sparkle and aesthetic as mined diamonds but allow more freedom in choosing diamond size, quality, and cost. Whether you prefer a traditional round solitaire or a more contemporary oval, cushion, emerald, radiant, or marquise cut, you will find lab grown diamond engagement rings in a variety of styles.

This complete guide to buying lab grown diamonds covers what is the difference, how to buy the right diamond, engagement rings, diamond quality factors, lab grown diamond certification and the most important things to know before you buy.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds created in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond-growing process.

While the most common form of imitation stones and diamond simulants like cubic zirconia are not the same crystal structure, chemistry or quality as a real diamond. Lab grown diamonds contain the crystallized carbon form and structural form in the same way as real diamonds and share their shine.

Lab grown diamonds can be produced using two primary technologies:

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)

There are two methods for creating synthetic CVD diamonds, directly by depositing the Diamond film on a substrate, or layer by layer. The first method is performed in a box chamber.

High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)

How HPHT Technology Works HPHT technology replicates the same conditions that are present deep within the Earth when diamonds are formed-high pressure and high temperature.

Both can create stunning diamonds for engagement rings.

Why Choose Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings?

Lab Grown Diamonds engagement ring: A Suitable Alternative The reasons couples choose lab grown diamond engagement rings while shopping for their engagement jewelry are numerous.

1. Beautiful Diamond Quality

Lab-grown diamonds come in a variety of carat weights, colors, and clarity grades. It's easier to find a diamond with the color, carat weight and price you want.

2. More Choices for Your Budget

One of the most attractive selling points of lab grown diamonds is the opportunity to purchase larger diamonds or better quality diamonds within your budget.
For example, an individual looking at a smaller natural stone might be able to look at a larger lab grown diamond for the same price depending on current market pricing and specifications.

3. Classic and Modern Styles

Lab grown diamonds lend themselves beautifully to any and all ring styles. From a traditional solitaire setting to a more elaborate halo style, there is a ring style to suit every personality.

4. A Wide Selection of Diamond Shapes

Lab grown diamonds come in many shapes, from classic round diamonds, to trendy oval and elongated cushion cuts.

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are diamonds. They are not the same as diamond simulants like cubic zirconia.

The key difference is their formation natural diamonds are the result of geologic processes occurring deep within the Earth, and lab grown diamonds are made by a human using technology in a lab.

There is a common misconception that lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are the same.

Understanding the 4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring When purchasing a lab grown diamond engagement ring, be familiar with the 4Cs-Cut, Color, Clarity as well as Carat.

Cut

Cut is one of the most significant variables that directly influence the brilliance of a diamond.

A properly cut diamond will give off a stunning sparkle and would be highly reflective and fiery. Not all cut diamonds will give off this sparkle, particularly if they are of similar weight.

Color

The color of a diamond is a measure of the amount of colour present in a diamond.
The usual grading scale starts from D= colorless, downwards alphabetically. …color preference may be affected by the setting, the metal colour and many other factors.

For instance a warmer color yellow gold setting will vary to a greater degree with different color diamonds, whereas white metals will make the color variation more apparent.

Clarity

Clarity (internal characteristics are often called "inclusions" and external characteristics are called "blemishes")

Clarity grades with less inclusions and blemishes. Highest clarity grades will typically be with the fewest flaws, but that doesn't mean a diamond with a less-than-perfect clarity grade won't look good to the naked eye.

Carat

Carat measures the weight, not the size of a diamond.

If you are choosing between two gems of the same weight, their diameter can vary depending on the shape, proportion, and cut. For this reason, the carat must be regarded with the other 4Cs.

Popular Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring Shapes

The diamond shape that you opt for can significantly alter the overall look of your engagement ring.

Round Cut

Round Brilliant This classic cut has stunning sparkle and works perfectly in solitaire, halo, and three-stone designs.

Oval Cut

Oval lab grown diamond engagement rings are elegant and elongated. The shape can give an elegant look to your ring and still sparkle wonderfully.

Cushion Cut

Cushion cut diamonds are a gorgeous mix of romantic softness and sparkle. They are one of the most popular cuts for vintage and contemporary engagement rings.

Emerald Cut

Emerald cut diamonds have longer, more understated facets which give off a chic hall-of-mirrors effect. They are perfect for people looking for a gorgeous, understated level of sparkle.

Radiant Cut

Radiant diamonds provide both a clean, simple look with a brilliant-cut sparkle. They're an elegant engagement ring with a geometric shape.

Marquise Cut

Does a marquise cut make a diamond look bigger? The Extreme Marquise Cut Long profile, when mounted, can appear elongated and thus make a diamond look larger in relation to the same sized gem cut in a different style.

Pear Shape

Trapeze Diamonds: Designed to end in a point, trapeze diamonds are named after the shape that they resemble. They are perfect for one-of-a-kind, elegant engagement rings.

Popular Lab Grown Engagement Ring Settings

Once you've decided on the shape of the diamond, a different choice is the setting.

Solitaire Setting

SOLITARE RING – The solitaire ring accentuates the central diamond. It is the perfect option for someone who has a preference for a simple design.

Halo Setting

A halo setting surrounds the center diamond with smaller diamonds that give off even more sparkle and make the center stone look larger.

Hidden Halo

A hidden halo creates hidden 'diamonds' below the center stone. It provides sparkle and is not too cluttered when viewed from the top.

Three-Stone Setting

The three-stone engagement ring: Center diamond with two side stones. Many couples like the idea that the three stones represent a relationship's past, present and future.

Pave Setting

Pavé settings can be formed with a succession of small diamonds aligned along the band. This provides the impression of a full sparkle.

Bezel Setting

Bezel setting - one of the most protective: This setting offers a more contemporary look and covers the diamond with a rim of metal, offering a more minimalist approach.

Lab Grown Diamond vs. Natural Diamond

One of the most common questions shoppers ask is whether they should choose a lab grown or natural diamond.

The primary difference is their origin. Natural diamonds are natural materials formed over billions of years as part of the Earth's natural geology. Lab grown diamonds are manufactured in a lab.

Your decision will be based on your preferences, budget, quantity, and quality and you may also consider your comfort with the origin of the diamond.

Not just based on the label, compare actual diamond specifications, certification, cut quality, setting, craftsmanship and value.

Should You Buy an IGI Certified Lab Grown Diamond?

A certificate may be important to you when purchasing a diamond.
An individual grading report will give information on attributes like carat weight, color, clarity, and cut, depending upon the particular report and grading laboratory.

IGI certified lab grown diamonds that give consumers more than just a loose stone when doing their shopping.

Verify the certificate before you buy and ensure the details match the diamond you are purchasing.

How to Select the Ideal Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Selecting an engagement ring doesn't have to be a challenge. Use this simple guide to go through the process.

Step 1: Set Your Budget

Begin by setting a budget. When you set a budget at the beginning it can help limit your options and prevent you from focusing on rings that are not within your price range.

Step 2: Choose Your Diamond Shape

Keep in mind the wearer's overall style. Classic shapes like round and oval are more likely to be in any collection, while emerald, marquise, radiant and cushion cuts may be more unique.

Step 3: Prioritize Cut Quality

So, if sparkle matters to you, pay special attention to cut quality. Even a smaller carat diamond with excellent cut quality can seem more brilliant than a larger one.

Step 4: Select Color and Clarity

Pick the hue and clarity to achieve the look you want and within your budget. You can find a stunning, eye-clean diamond without always getting the highest colors possible.

Step 5: Choose the Metal

The most common is white, yellow, or rose, 10K, 14K, 18K gold. Some of the other choices are: 10K or 14K gold in white, yellow, and rose.

Step 6: Select the Setting

Consider if you like a traditional solitaire, shining halo, concealed halo, or the vintage three stone, pave, or bezel styling.

Step 7: Check Certification

If certification is a need for you, then go through the diamond grading report and make sure all information is referring to your particular purchase.

Step 8: Confirm Ring Size

A stunning engagement ring is also nice to wear. Always check the ring size before ordering, if at all possible.

How Much Do Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings Cost?

What is the cost of a lab diamond engagement ring? The cost of a lab diamond ring will be based on:

Diamond carat weight

• Cut quality
• Color
• Clarity
• Diamond shape
• Certification
• Metal type
• Ring setting
• Number of accent diamonds
• Craftsmanship and customization

It helps that the price differential increases along with carat weight, but it's a lot more helpful to compare full specs rather than average prices by carat.

More isn't always better. Consider size along with cut, appearance, quality, setting, and your budget.

Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring Trends

Engagement ring preferences continue to evolve, but several styles remain popular.

Oval diamonds are loved for their elongated appearance and elegant proportions.

Hidden halo settings offer extra sparkle without dramatically changing the top-down appearance of the ring.

Three-stone designs remain popular among couples looking for a meaningful and distinctive design.

East-west settings provide a modern twist by placing elongated diamond shapes horizontally rather than vertically.

Yellow gold engagement rings continue to attract shoppers who want a warm, classic appearance.

Ultimately, trends can provide inspiration, but the best engagement ring is the one that matches the wearer's personal style.

How Do I Care for My Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Treating it right will help keep your engagement ring looking beautiful.

Clean the ring often with the advised jewelry cleaning methods suitable for the ring's materials. Keep your ring off of exposure to unnecessary chemicals and take it off before any activity that might possibly damage it.

This can also be checked from time to time by a professional jeweler to ensure the stones stay in place.

Remove the ring when doing manual work or using harsh chemicals. Keep the ring separate from other jewelry in order to prevent scratches.

Final Thoughts

Celebrate one of life's greatest moments with a lab created diamond engagement ring. Whether you're after a classic solitaire, an intricate halo, or something entirely different, you'll find a great selection of diamond shapes, qualities, settings, metals and designs to choose from.

The rule is, forget the carat size and look at the entire picture- including cut, color, clarity, certification, setting, workmanship and how much you want to spend.

Whether you decide on a traditional round solitaire, an alluring oval, a romantic cushion cut, sleek emerald cut, or an original marquise or pear shape, find the ring that's right for you.

Soon you will pick out a best lab grown diamond engagement ring for yourself? Browse various shape, setting and metal options to create a ring you will adore for many years.