Hello, Let‘s Explore the Top Lab Grown Diamond Brands Together
I don‘t know about you, but I love diamonds – the exceptional sparkle, timeless beauty, and feelings they evoke. But the legacy diamond industry has rightful ethical and environmental concerns. Lab grown diamonds present identical shine and quality while being sustainable and affordable – it‘s the best of both worlds!
In this guide as a passionate industry expert, I‘ll uncover my top recommended lab diamond brands, along with tips to assess quality and make the perfect purchase for you. Get ready to sparkle…
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds have the same optical, chemical, and physical properties as mined diamonds, since both originate from carbon crystallized under intense heat and pressure. The difference lies in sourcing – lab grown diamonds cultivate in highly controlled laboratory environments instead of underground.
In addition to ethical implications covered shortly, this enables greater supply predictability, quality consistency, and cost efficiency. Rather than relying on sporadic mining yields, we can now grow gorgeous, affordable diamonds on demand.
Over the last decade, the market has responded enthusiastically. In 2020 alone, lab diamonds reached nearly 8% US jewelry market share – projected to hit 15% by 2035. As quality rises and prices fall, adoption accelerates.
Now let‘s evaluate why lab grown diamonds present such an exciting, sustainable alternative…
Ethical and Environmental Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds
The traditional diamond industry has faced consistent ethical criticisms including:
- Child labor – Over 1 million children have worked in hazardous small-scale diamond mining conditions
- Worker exploitation – Especially prominent in the developing world, including burdensome recruitment fees and low wages
- Community disruption – Forces relocation of indigenous groups to mine locations
- Environmental damage – Significant energy, water use, land clearance, and ecosystem disruption
- Funding conflict – Sales enabling continuation of regional wars associated with control of diamond rich areas
In contrast, lab grown diamond production:
- Embraces safe, regulated working conditions
- Prevents displacement of communities or land disturbance with no invasive mining
- Boasts 60-240x lower carbon emissions per carat than mined diamonds
- Promotes greater price stability without reliance on constrained physical supply
- Enables broader access to diamond jewelry with lower costs
Simply put, they‘re a win-win – identical shine and quality to natural diamonds, with better ethics and sustainability.
Next let‘s uncover the top lab grown diamond brands to consider…
My Top 10 Recommended Lab Grown Diamond Brands
Through extensive first-hand research and testing, these 10 brands consistently shine through with outstanding diamond quality, jewelry craftsmanship, and buying experiences:
I evaluated over 20 leading lab diamond companies across these factors – let‘s get into the details!
1. Clean Origin
My #1 overall choice, Clean Origin sets the standard for custom lab diamonds and fine jewelry combining conscience, quality and value.
All their lab diamonds hold respected GIA or AGSL certifications while their recycled metals meet rigorous SCS Global Services criteria. I really appreciate this dedication to responsible sourcing.
In my experience, their combination of IDEAL cut quality maximizing light performance, excellent craftsmanship even in delicate settings, and customization flexibility is unmatched. Pieces ship free insured too!
Price Range: $$-$$$$
Pros
- Extensive style and lab diamond filters to customize
- 360° videos show stones brilliantly
- Guaranteed ideal cuts for maximum sparkle
- Detailed information on sourcing and production
Cons
- More limited inventory than some competitors
2. VRAI
VRAI dazzles through their bold, modern jewelry and dedication to radical transparency around their supply chain and sustainability initiatives.
100% of their production runs on renewable energy while recycled gold and platinum get new life in their minimalist, yet striking settings. I also appreciate their internally validated sustainability claims by independent BBB National Programs.
Beyond beautiful jewelry, VRAI delivers an exceptionally thoughtful shopping experience – including complimentary shipping, easy returns, and resizing credits.
Price Range: $$$-$$$$
Pros:
- Sustainably produced in renewable energy facilities
- Hand select diamonds from their unique cuts
- Virtual try-on and home preview available
- Modern, sophisticated designs
Cons:
- Limited number of settings beyond core collection
3. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth couples gorgeous award-winning jewelry with an inspiring sustainable mission manifesting throughout their business – from 100% recycled metals and conflict-free natural gems to lab diamonds grown in renewable facilities.
They were also one of the first fine jewelers bringing lab diamonds to market over a decade ago. Today Brilliant Earth‘s collections exude versatile elegance, embracing shared vintage glamour across rings, earrings, necklaces and more.
For the consciously minded without compromising style, Brilliant Earth is a diamond in the rough.
Price Range: $$-$$$$
Pros:
- Ethically sources all diamonds and precious metals
- Custom design engagement rings, jewelry, and wedding bands
- Exceptional quality and craftsmanship
- Recently became a Certified B Corporation
Cons:
- Limited inventory for very specific diamond criteria
4. Ada Diamonds
Ada Diamonds takes a high tech approach to lab diamond production through a patented CVD growth process passing along savings to shoppers seeking quality on budget.
They also focus extensively on environmental stewardship across their operations right down to 100% recycled metals and FSC certified ring boxes.
Backed by deep R&D expertise, Ada‘s collections present an accessible entry point to enjoy lab diamonds with selections starting under $1,000. Their classic solitaires and halo designs shine brilliantly.
Price Range: $-$$
Pros:
- Patented production enabling affordable pricing
- Straightforward shopping experience
- Low starting prices under $1,000
- Custom design capabilities
Cons:
- Less breadth in available diamond attributes
5. Clean Origin
My #1 overall choice, Clean Origin sets the standard for custom lab diamonds and fine jewelry combining conscience, quality and value.
All their lab diamonds hold respected GIA or AGSL certifications while their recycled metals meet rigorous SCS Global Services criteria. I really appreciate this dedication to responsible sourcing.
In my experience, their combination of IDEAL cut quality maximizing light performance, excellent craftsmanship even in delicate settings, and customization flexibility is unmatched. Pieces ship free insured too!
Price Range: $$-$$$$
Pros
- Extensive style and lab diamond filters to customize
- 360° videos show stones brilliantly
- Guaranteed ideal cuts for maximum sparkle
- Detailed information on sourcing and production
Cons
- More limited inventory than some competitors
6. James Allen
James Allen simply has the largest online selection of lab grown diamonds that I‘ve encountered, not to mention 360° videos magnifying each one beautifully.
Shoppers can hand select their perfect carat, cut, clarity and color while gaining immense insight into factors impacting aesthetics and value thanks to their exceptional educational content.
I‘m also blown away by their intuitive yet powerful ring designer yielding professional results. And James Allen‘s recently launched gemologist hotline provides personalized guidance absolutely free.
For the diligent diamond hunter, James Allen brings tangible mastery.
Price Range: $-$$$$
Pros:
- Choose from over 2,400 lab grown diamonds
- Build your own ring with handy visualization
- Clarity enhanced diamonds available
- 24/7 customer service and free returns
Cons:
- Very broad selection can feel overwhelming
7. With Clarity
If buying America made matters, With Clarity is your brand. They manage the full lab to jewelry case process stateside while upholding rigorous sustainability initiatives like 100% renewable operations and recycled metals.
But With Clarity‘s shine comes from their jewelry craftsmanship – channel set diamond bands and painstakingly carved cathedral ring settings reflect attention that makes the difference.
Their recently launched online custom design studio also makes personalized creations approachable. And home try-ons allow you to experiment risk-free.
When homegrown quality and conscience unite, the result is With Clarity.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Pros:
- Vertically integrated, made in America
- Sustainably produced diamonds and jewelry
- Intuitive custom ring designer
- Low pressure 30 day returns
Cons:
- More limited inventory than some competitors
How Lab Grown Diamonds Get Made
Understanding the science behind lab diamond engineering helps appreciate their exceptional precision and quality control:
HPHT Method
High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) production utilizes a hydraulic press apparatus and graphite heating elements, recreating the intense heat and pressure naturally occurring inside the earth‘s crust and mantle where diamonds originate.
The process begins by placing a small lab grown diamond seed crystal into the HPHT chamber‘s central cavity alongside a diamond growth media mix usually containing carbon, typically graphite.
The machine then generates immense pressure up to 1.5 million pounds per square inch while simultaneously heating to over 2,552° degrees Fahrenheit.
This enables surrounding carbon within the system to dissolve, slowly crystallizing onto the seed‘s structure.
Similar to an onion forming layered rings during growth, this carbon buildup mimics diamond creation underground, just vastly accelerated to 6-10 weeks instead of billions of years.
CVD Technique
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems also incubate lab diamonds through replicating the conditions which natural diamonds endure. However instead of intense crushing pressure, these utilize lower pressure gas infusion coupled with high heat.
The CVD process first places a small lab grown diamond within a microwave-enhanced reaction chamber and heats it to approximately 1,832° degrees Fahrenheit. Gases like methane and hydrogen are then introduced, breaking down into their core atomic components – namely carbon and hydrogen.
The freed carbon atoms are deposited onto the diamond seed, gradually forming into diamond crystal structured layers through the gas turbulence and consistently bonding to available seed facets.
By precisely controlling microwave energy, gas composition, and chamber pressure, jewelers can actively direct the growing diamond‘s shape, optical qualities and net growth rate for highly predictable results in 2-8 weeks.
This level of engineering precision enables exceptional planning to meet specific criteria around diamond size, cuts, color and clarity.
Key Factors When Assessing Lab Grown Diamonds
I always consider the below elements first when evaluating options across these exceptional brands:
Diamond Cut
This determines how well light travels through the diamond, driving that magical sparkle! Here are the grades from best to least light performance:
- Ideal – Reflects nearly all light that enters
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
Of course, higher clarity grades cost more too. I find Eye Clean (no inclusions seen by naked eye) to provide excellent blend of sparkle and affordability.
Clarity
This indicates the number and size of tiny internal irregularities called inclusions as well as surface ones named blemishes. Here is the GIA Clarity Scale from flawless to more noticeable imperfections:
- Flawless – no inclusions or blemishes
- Internally Flawless – no inclusions, some minor blemishes
- Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2)
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2)
- Slightly Included (SI1, SI2 & SI3)
- Included (I1, I2 & I3)
I tend to recommend Eye Clean (no inclusions visible to the naked eye without magnification) for an ideal balance. This provides huge cost savings with virtually no aesthetic impact.
Color
This judges faint yellowish tint with ratings from exceptional white (D-F) to light yellow (Z). Bright white grades fetch higher pricing, so for sizable cost savings with no visible difference, I recommend Near Colorless (G-J) grades for iconic diamond radiance.
Carat
Higher carat weight means a larger physical diamond. Prices rise exponentially because substantially bigger stones are scarce. I suggest selecting the largest carat size aligning with your budget and style.
Caring For Lab Grown Diamonds
To keep your lab diamond dazzling brilliantly for life:
Clean Frequently
Dirt and oil accumulate on diamond jewelry dulling sparkle. Gently scrub with mild soap, water, and soft brush monthly, then rinse and pat dry with soft cloth.
Ultrasonic Clean Annually
Hard to reach grime can develop underneath diamond settings over time. Most jewelers offer affordable ultrasonic cleaning services to restore newness.
Store Properly
Keep diamonds stored separately from harder gems to prevent scratches. Light coatings of commercial jewelry cleaner like Connoisseurs also adds protective barrier.
Following these simple care best practices enhances timeless shine and sentiment.
Common Lab Diamond Questions
Let‘s demystify some frequently asked questions when shopping:
Are lab diamonds as hard as real diamonds?
Yes! Identical composition and crystal structure means lab diamonds rate 10 out of 10 on the gemological Mohs Scale, with 10 indicating extreme hardness. This exceptional toughness maintains sparkling beauty through daily wear.
Should I buy GIA certified diamonds?
GIA represents the most universally recognized independent grading authority. But some newer labs like IGI and GCAL uphold similar stringent certification practices for significantly lower costs. I lean towards these to maximize size and quality in the budget.
What‘s diamond simulant like moissanite?
While structurally dissimilar with slightly off hue, simulants like moissanite and cubic zirconia mimic diamond shine at a fraction of typical prices. They make excellent temporary diamond substitutes like for proposals before upgrading to precious lab diamonds. Their affordability also encourages playful fashion experiments!
Can you help me design my perfect ring?
Absolutely! Feel free to reach out with your vision and budget anytime. I‘d love collaborating to create something uniquely meaningful.
How durable are lab diamonds?
Identical composition as mined diamonds means exceptional resilience across daily activities, travel and decades of cherished wear. Lab diamonds rate 10 on the industry‘s Mohs scale with 10 indicating extreme overall durability. Proper periodic care keeps them eternally dazzling!
