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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.
Sunday, April 20th
Brilliant Earth is a top choice for those who want ethically-sourced and sustainable materials as well as lab grown diamonds. Brilliant Earth allows customers to trace the origins of the company's gemstones and metals, while also benefiting from perks like free shipping, a lifetime warranty, and a diamond upgrade program. Offering over 391,000 diamonds and excellent customer service, Brilliant Earth earns our highest recommendation.
Grown Brilliance is a fantastic choice for those looking for 100% lab grown, conflict-free diamonds with a strong commitment to sustainability. While its selection of over 164,000 lab grown diamonds is slightly smaller than some competitors, it offers 11 different diamond shapes and a unique quiz to help shoppers find the perfect stone. With an "A+" BBB rating, glowing customer reviews, a lifetime warranty, and a 30-day return policy, Grown Brilliance earns a solid score as a top ethical and woman-led jeweler.
Blue Nile is a top choice for anyone looking to buy lab grown diamonds, offering over 52,000 options across the site's selection. Whether you want to design your own engagement ring online or visit an in-person showroom for expert guidance, Blue Nile makes the process easy with 360-degree diamond previews, free returns, and a price match guarantee. With strong customer reviews and an "A+" BBB rating, it's a trusted jeweler for high-quality lab grown diamonds at competitive prices.
Von Diamonds is a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers looking for both lab grown and natural diamonds at discounted prices. With over 250,000 lab grown diamonds to choose from, price-match and price-beat guarantees, and strong customer feedback, this online retailer is already making a name for itself. While the site could improve by offering actual photos instead of drawn images in the previews and adding free returns, its competitive prices earn it a near perfect rating in our review.
James Allen is a well-known online jeweler that offers a stress-free way to shop for engagement rings, loose lab grown diamonds, and fine jewelry. With over 55,000 lab grown diamonds, plus a 360-degree view of every item, it's easy to find the perfect gem. While the site had some temporary outages during our research, James Allen still stands out for its competitive pricing, free diamond upgrades, lifetime warranty, and highly-rated customer service.
Vrai is a top choice if you're looking for ethically-sourced, lab grown diamonds with a zero-carbon footprint, offering a stunning variety of 31 unique diamond shapes. While the browsing experience could be improved with more upfront images, customers appreciate the high-quality 360-degree views and detailed close-ups of each stone. Vrai receives high marks for its exceptional customer service and earns our solid recommendation, especially for those seeking rare diamond shapes.
Reeds Jewelers is a well-established retailer offering a mix of natural and lab grown diamonds both online and in stores. While the selection of lab grown diamonds is smaller than some competitors and the website can be frustrating to navigate, Reeds earns high marks for customer service, helpful staff, and quality products. Despite some browsing challenges, its reasonable pricing and strong reputation make it a solid choice.
Ritani is a great option if you want a huge selection of lab grown diamonds at transparent prices. The site makes browsing easy with helpful filters and 360-degree videos, plus perks like free in-store previews and 30-day returns. However, customer reviews mention slow shipping and service delays, and with a 3-star shopper rating average across the board, it isn't quite as competitive as some of the other lab grown diamond jewelers in our review. Ritani earns a middle of the road rating from us as well.
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.
Jared is a well-known name in wedding jewelry, offering engagement rings and custom designs through its 200+ store locations and online shop. While it provides a decent selection of lab grown diamonds, its inventory is smaller than other retailers, and customer reviews suggest issues with pricing, warranty claims, and service quality. Jared's lower customer ratings and limited lab grown diamond options make it a less appealing choice for those looking for a unique or budget-friendly engagement ring too.
Kay Jewelers is a well-known name in the jewelry industry, offering a wide selection of lab grown diamonds and engagement rings and backed by over 100 years in business. While the site is easy to navigate and offers helpful images to guide your purchase, its inventory is somewhat limited, and customer reviews paint a frustrating picture of poor service and refund issues. With mostly negative feedback on third-party review sites and a shopping experience that feels just average, Kay Jewelers may be convenient for in-person shopping but falls short of being a top choice for 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.
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