For years, the only undisputed stone when choosing an engagement ring was a woman’s best friend: the natural diamond. But lately, a new competitor has emerged and is gaining more and more popularity. I am, of course, talking about the lab-grown diamond.

But what is the reason for this change? The advanced technology allows us to create excellent quality diamonds in a laboratory that are chemically identical to natural, mined diamonds. They have the same composition; they look the same, and (maybe the most important reason) they cost less.

How are lab-grown diamonds made?

Lab-grown diamonds are “real” diamonds because they have the same physical and chemical properties that a natural diamond has. With the naked eye, even experts cannot distinguish lab grown from natural diamonds

This is important to clarify because the difference lies in how they are created, not in their composition or how they look. Lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories in a couple of days, while natural diamonds are created inside the earth over millions of years.

In the case of lab-grown diamonds, since it is not necessary to drill into the ground to extract them, it is said to have a more environmentally friendly approach, and this is one of the main reasons why many are opting for them; it’s a more environmentally conscious choice.

So, if you are one of the many who are thinking of buying lab-grown diamonds but you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! I get you covered. 

I’ve made a selection of my favorite jewelry brands where you can find good-quality lab-grown diamonds.

At a Glance

Brand	Jewelry type	Price Range	Return policy	Differentiation
Grown Brilliance	Engagement rings/ Wedding jewelry	$225- $151000	Free 30 days returns	Exclusively working with lab-grown stones
Mejuri	Minimalistic	$198- $5800	30-day returns	Low prices with trendy designs.
Blue Nile	Timeless engagement rings/wedding jewelry	$144- $90000	30-day returns/ 24/7 customer support.	Customization ring/ Physical stores in USA
Brilliance Earth	Wedding jewelry	$100- $75000	Free lifetime guarantee	Diamond transparency/ Customization jewelry
James Allen	Modern wedding jewelry	$400-$106000	30-day returns/ 24/7 customer support.	Customization ring/ 360° diamond view
Clear Origin	Wedding jewelry	$450- $45000	60-day returns/ free shipping	Physical store in NY
Vrai	Modern jewelry	$150- $59000	Lifetime diamond guarantee	You can create your own diamond
Kinn	Vintage-inspired jewelry	$185- $9000	10-day returns, 20 days for in-store credit	Recycling jewelry
Aurate	Minimalistic	$140- $26000	Lifetime guarantee	Repair policy
Pandora	Youthful	$100- $5500	30-day returns	Affordable prices

Grown Brilliance

If you’re looking for luxury and design without compromising the environment, this brand is for you. Grown Brilliance stands out for its focus on sustainability and transparency. That means that their jewelry is ethically sourced and 100% guilt-free. There are many blood diamonds*, this is why they only work with conflict-free lab-grown diamonds. I am talking about ethical luxury. 

You can choose this brand whether you want to design your own engagement ring from scratch or if you want to buy some of their ready- to- ship jewelry. 

My favorite: The Curve collection, organic shapes, a variety of diamonds, a minimalist style, and plenty of contemporary elegance.

*Blood diamonds: Those that come from producing countries immersed in armed conflicts, and where the commercialization of diamonds is carried out in flagrant violation of human rights.

Mejuri

Female-founded brand Mejuri is a great option if you want to buy everyday jewelry. Yes, lab-grown diamonds can be also a piece that you can combine with a pair of jeans, and that is something that makes this brand stand out. Mejuri is known for its timeless, minimalist jewelry, which is easy to style with any look. The label was created thinking about the woman who buys her own jewelry, designed to wear all day long, not just for special occasions.

In 2023, Mejuri entered the lab-grown diamond market in the pursuit of creating more environmentally friendly jewelry pieces. It’s a modern approach to fine jewelry.

My favorite: One of Mejuri’s best sellers, the Dome Figure Balance ring, the perfect chunky bold ring for every day. If you love sculptural jewelry, you are definitely going to love it!

Blue Nile

Blue Nile, one of the pioneers in the diamond sales industry, was born from the idea of ​​modernizing wedding ring purchases. Nowadays, this brand has a wide variety of diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, that you can combine with your jewelry or buy alone. The purchase of your lab-grown diamond comes with a GIA report, putting it a step ahead of the competition.

Custom engagement rings are the specialty of the brand, offering lab grown diamond engagement rings and wedding bands in a wide range of styles. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t find everyday jewelry, such as tennis necklaces or diamond stud earrings. 

Blue Nile is one of the most reputable brands in online diamond sales, and that is due to the quality of its pieces and its great service. There are many options, not only diamonds, but colored stones to design your own jewelry to create customized looks for any occasion.

My favorite: Classic engagement ring styles like pavé or solitaire, beautiful and timeless designs at an affordable price. You can’t go wrong with these designs!

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth was founded with a mission to transform the industry to make it more responsible, sustainable, and transparent. And we can see that it delivers on its promises.  The brand first introduced lab-created stones in 2012, long before other brands and long before lab-grown diamonds became popular.

All of their collections justify the brand’s mission, like the Jane Goodall collection, in which 10% of their profits are donated to the foundation or the Renewable Energy Lab Grown Diamonds, lab-grown diamonds made with renewable wind and solar energy.

In addition, the brand offers customized rings, free lifetime guarantees and the client has many options of diamonds, traceable stones, colored stones, and designs to choose without compromising transparency and sustainability.

My favorite: The Versailles Eternity Lab Diamond Ring is the next in my list. This piece of fine jewelry is a blend of modern sophistication that does not go unnoticed.  

James Allen

Founded in 2006, this brand changed the way consumer shop diamonds online. James Allen has both natural and lab-grown diamonds. This brand contains one of the largest inventories of lab-grown diamonds, whether you want to compare just the diamond or ready-to-ship jewelry. 

Plus, you can magnify any diamond to see its depth, clarity, and sparkle in even greater detail and a 360° view. Another important fact is that their diamonds have GIA and IGI certifications, and yes, you want that when you buy a diamond.

James Allen has an excellent reputation that precedes it, and if you have any doubts about your diamond, you’ll be glad to know that it has a 24/7 customer service team.

My favorite: The ring studio, the ring personalization service, where you can choose the diamond model you want and customize its design.

Clean Origin

Clean Origin is a 3rd generation diamond jewelry business. They focus on responsible practices, and they exclusively use ethically created and conflict-free lab-grown diamonds for their designs.

The label prioritizes a specific type of consumer: the next-generation Millennials and GenZ customers, who are the next generation to enter the bridal market. And for those who hesitate when buying their first diamond, each order comes with free shipping and free returns.

My favorite: The minimalist selection of engagement rings. This style pairs beautifully with a stacking ring or wedding band.

VRAI

It’s one of the brands chosen by Hollywood royalty, like Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, and Reese Witherspoon. The reasons?  Design and sustainability. The brand proclaims real zero carbon footprint and conflict-free lab-grown diamonds.

VRAI can be described in two words: innovation and luxury. The label offers a customized cut diamond, this is an advantage in terms of the shape, as it offers other variations, unlike classic models such as round, pear or emerald.  All the diamonds come with a certificate of authenticity that guarantees both quality and sustainability credentials.

My favorite:  the brand offers to customize your lab-grown diamond in shapes that aren’t so easy to find elsewhere, such as trillion cut or Oval rose. 

Kinn

Founded in 2017 by Jennie Yoon, with a clear purpose: make jewelry to last a lifetime. It all started when she wanted to replace her family’s stolen jewelry; this beginning defined the brand’s mission to create jewelry that lasts for generations and tells a story.

Each design is inspired by a vintage aesthetic of luxury and minimalism. Kinn offers pieces with lab-grown diamonds as well as natural diamonds. The jewelry is made by recycled 14k gold to help to reduce the demand for newly mined metals. 

My favorite: The KinnCycle, the brand’s proposal involves recycling jewelry provided by the customer, so you can recycle your old fine jewelry to create new pieces.

Aurate

Aurate

NYC-based Aurate offers fine jewelry made from ethically sourced, sustainable gold, and the diamonds- mined or lab-created are conflict-free, all thanks to the Kimberley Process*.  We are talking about a modern, minimalist jewelry brand with excellent quality diamonds and sustainable practices.

Aurate’s Bold Diamond Baguette Ring makes its pieces perfect for layering or wearing solo. As well as the Lab Grown White Sapphire tennis necklace that you can combine and wear for every day. Aurate is an elegant, minimalist jewelry label that makes jewelry for every woman.

My favorite: The always elegant Solitaire Necklace, and if you still have budget, I would include a pair of diamond studs to combine. 

* The Kimberley Process: is an international certification system that prevents “conflict diamonds”.

 Pandora

The Danish jewelry brand is demonstrating that sustainability is the new luxury. In 2021, Pandora committed to using only lab-grown diamonds, demonstrating its commitment to the environment. Not only that, but two years ago all its jewelry was made with 100% recycled silver and gold sourced from certified, responsible refiners. A giant like Pandora adopting all these environmentally responsible measures confirms that the future of jewelry lies in environmental awareness. 

The brand already has five collections of laboratory diamonds perfect for taking your first steps into this universe.

My favorite: The Talisman collection, youthful styles, easy to combine with any look.

FAQ’s

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?

They are “real” diamonds, it means that they are not an imitation, because they have the same physical and chemical properties that a natural diamond. With the naked eye, even experts cannot distinguish lab from natural diamonds.

Conclusion

Times have changed; buying a lab-grown diamond for an engagement ring is an option that more and more people are choosing. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds; no one can distinguish them from a natural diamond without a microscope. Plus, they are more ethical because there is no mining involved.

Blue Nile, James Allen, or Brilliant Earth are excellent options if you are looking to design your engagement ring. If you want everyday jewelry, I recommend you Mejuri and Aurate, and for classical luxury, my recommendation is Grown Brilliance and Clear Origin.

Remember that when you buy a lab- grown diamond it must come with a certificate; it’s the only way to prove its quality and ensure you received the diamond you chose online. I am talking about certification from reputable gemological labs, such as GIA or IGI.