Where is the Best Place to Find Lab Grown Diamonds? 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.
Subpar
Helzberg is a jeweler that's been around since 1915. The company got its start in Kansas City and promises that its original ethos, "the customer always comes first", hasn't changed since then. With a trusted website and in-person retail locations, you can grab a lab grown diamond ring or necklace from Helzberg any way you prefer. However, compared to some newer retailers, there are fewer lab grown diamonds to choose from at Helzberg. If you're looking for the most exciting collection, you may need to look elsewhere.
Just over 10,000 lab grown diamonds
Helzberg sells both lab grown and natural diamonds. So, when you're browsing, make sure to limit the selection before you start browsing to be sure you get the right ones. Helzberg has 10,619 lab grown diamonds to choose from. You'll find shapes like round, emerald, princess, oval, pear, radiant, and marquise. However, this is a much smaller selection (only 7 shapes) than we found at similar jewelers. Helzberg offers diamonds from 0.7 carats up to 10.09, colors J through D, and cuts that include fair, good, very good, and excellent. Across the inventory, you'll find 2,294 round diamonds and 1,518 princess diamonds. However, Helzberg does not have any heart-shaped lab grown diamonds in stock.
Not the most intuitive website
It's a little harder to find diamonds by themselves at Helzberg than with some other retailers. You'll need to use the top navigation bar to select "Customize", which takes you to a choice to create a custom engagement ring by starting with the diamond. From there, you'll see the entire inventory of lab grown diamonds at Helzberg. However, like some other sites in our review, the diamonds are initially listed with drawings of the stones rather than photographs. To see the stone itself, you'll have to click through, which can be more tedious for shopping if you don't already know what you want.
Pricing from $547 to $233,881 per diamond
When comparing lab grown diamond costs at each jeweler, we looked at prices two ways: the price range for all the lab grown diamonds in stock and the cost for round and oval diamonds (since they are the most popular shapes for engagement rings). For the round and oval pricing, we limited the options to 1-2 carats, clarity levels VS1-IF, colors F-D, and only very good and excellent cuts (the highest two tiers available at Helzberg). Here's what we found:
30-day returns but limitations on returns
Helzberg offers free standard shipping on any purchase $99 or more within the continental US. You can also complete a free return within 30 days of your purchase. You will need to have your item in unworn or brand-new condition for it to qualify for a return. While there is a basic warranty, it only lasts for 12 months - not very generous compared to the lifetime warranties offered by other jewelers. Instead, Helzberg offers care plans that can be purchased separately.
Low ratings for customer service
While our research shows that Helzberg has a top reputation with the Better Business Bureau, where it holds an "A+" rating and accreditation, it doesn't keep that score on other third-party review sites. For example, Trustpilot shows a dismal 2.8-star average with more than half of the total reviews at just 1 star. Customers are not impressed with Helzberg's customer service or prices. One customer claimed that Helzberg wouldn't price out a resetting for them. They would only offer an estimate, and the final price came back three times the cost of the estimate. While some specific retail locations had praise, the overall feeling is that this lab grown diamond retailer needs some serious work on its customer service.
Doesn't sparkle next to other diamond shops
Considering what our research showed in customer reviews, it doesn't seem like Helzberg is sticking to its promise to put customers first. Regrettably, it has poor recent reviews for dishonest pricing and lackluster assistance from Helzberg team members. Plus, with a much smaller selection of lab grown diamonds when compared to other jewelry retailers, Helzberg just doesn't stand out from the pack.
Continued from above...
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!
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