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Monday, April 28th
Helzberg has been a trusted jeweler since 1915, offering both in-store and online shopping for diamonds and fine jewelry. However, its selection of lab grown diamonds is much smaller than competitors, its website can be tricky to navigate, and customer service reviews are disappointing. While Helzberg maintains an "A+" BBB rating which may make it worth a look, its limited selection, short warranty, and poor customer feedback lead us to give it a lower rating as a place to buy lab grown diamonds.
Zales is a well-known jewelry retailer with a long history, offering both natural and lab grown diamonds at its many retail locations. While its lab grown diamond selection is decent, the browsing experience is slower than competitors, and the website is nearly identical to its sister brands. Unfortunately, with overwhelmingly negative customer reviews, complaints about poor service, and concerns about diamond valuations, Zales earns one of our lowest ratings - better options are available elsewhere for a smoother and more trustworthy shopping experience.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend (and honestly, they're great for guys too), but there's one huge snag that keeps people from grabbing those glittery rocks: cost. Most people think of diamonds and think of dollar signs (and lots of ‘em). However, there are more cost-effective options. And, no, we're not talking about fakes or cubic zirconia lookalikes.
We're talking lab grown diamonds. These diamonds are just as real as the diamonds you find in the earth, but they come at a fraction of the cost. So, what exactly is a lab grown diamond? First - lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. According to diamond experts at the Gemological Institute of America, "lab grown” diamonds and "natural” diamonds have the same hardness and level of durability, the same level of clarity, and are both certified as diamonds.
Lab grown (or man made) diamonds have been created in a controlled laboratory environment. Using techniques like High Pressure High Temperature creation, diamonds can be crafted to look exactly like earth-mined diamonds and have the same chemical and physical makeup as their natural counterparts. The only differences between lab grown and earth-mined diamonds are so tiny no one will ever see them except under serious magnification.
For example, natural diamonds have nitrogen due to the process of being created over millions of years under the pressure of the earth. Lab grown diamond creation simulates that process and cuts down production time to a couple of months. Plus, there isn't any dangerous mining involved in lab grown diamonds, making it much safer, far less costly, and in many cases a more ethical or carbon-neutral choice. The price difference between lab grown and natural diamonds is usually around 30-50% less for a lab grown gem of the same cut and quality, making it possible to purchase a much larger certified diamond without breaking the bank.
So, whether you're looking to get a diamond for your engagement ring, hoping to buy something shiny to treat yourself, or looking to create a new family heirloom, finding a reliable place to get quality lab grown diamonds is important.
If you're not sure which lab-grown diamond jeweler or gemstone retailer is going to be your best bet, don't worry. We've put together a few factors to help you choose the best spot:
To help you enhance your sparkle, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular retailers and jewelers for lab grown diamonds. This way you can enjoy the discounts and know you're getting a certified diamond for you or for your special someone. Enjoy your new bling!
Select any 2 Lab Grown Diamond Stores to compare them head to head