How to Buy Lab Grown Diamonds? A Complete Guide

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When people think of traditional jewelry, the first thing that springs to mind is most likely a diamond. These can be in the form of beautiful wedding rings or fashionable diamond stud earrings. Overall, people have grown to adore diamonds and value them immensely.

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If you are a fan of diamonds but need a cheaper option, then maybe consider getting a lab-grown diamond. These diamonds are one of the hottest trends in the world of jewelry right now. They offer all of the beauty and sparkle of natural diamonds, but they’re much more affordable and eco-friendly.

As both are similar in appearance, the same principles apply when you want to buy any of them. Of course, lab-grown diamonds are cheaper, but you need to be careful. You don’t want to end up with a fake diamond.

So what do you need to know before you purchase the best lab-created diamonds?

In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about buying lab-grown diamonds. This includes how they’re made to what you should look for when purchasing one. If you’re looking to buy your first lab-grown diamond, this guide will help you make the most informed decision possible.

Guide to Buy a Lab Grown Diamond

As mentioned earlier, you apply the same principles you use to buy a natural diamond when you want to buy a lab-grown diamond. The things to look out for include:

1.   Understand the Grading and 4Cs

Like naturally occurring diamonds, lab-grown diamonds have grades. Recognized diamond societies do diamond grading. These societies score diamonds based on the 4Cs of diamonds.

The 4Cs are Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat size. These Cs affect how real diamonds perform. Professionals use the diamond grading scale to rate the quality of diamonds. The scale in use is the 5-point scale – Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.

Diamonds with higher grades look clearer and brighter. They also last longer. Diamonds with lower grades have duller appearances and possess more colors.

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The explanation below will give you a better understanding.

Color

The color of real diamonds is thought of as the most important C. It is the major determinant of the price of diamonds. Most buyers prefer diamonds that are crystal clear. Therefore, there should be no color shade, at least not to the naked eye.

The color shades on lower-grade diamonds start from faint yellow and light green tints. In worse-case scenarios, the diamond may have large dark brown colors. The more the color differs from a crystal clear diamond, the lesser the stone’s quality.

Clarity

These impurities exist in diamonds whether they are mined or synthesized. These flaws, which might be minerals, form during the growth of the diamonds.

The presence of inclusions and imperfections affects the clarity of diamonds. Most aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they’re there and they reduce the diamond’s quality. Lab-grown stones with flaws are still beautiful, but their value is lower than flawless ones.

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Cut

The cut of a diamond is an important factor always to consider. The cut determines the finesse of any diamond. In addition, well-cut diamonds receive higher grades, so it is more expensive.

Lab-grown diamonds are grown in specific ways, so cutting is easy. In addition, the growth of the diamond in labs reduces the excesses wasted during cutting.

Carat Size

The carat size tells you about the weight and size of a diamond. The price of diamonds increases with the size because larger diamonds are hard to find.

Some cutters reduce large diamonds with constant cutting to get a good shape. The reduction affects the size and then the price. For this reason, most diamond cutters would rather not waste the diamond to preserve the carat size. So some large diamonds may not get an excellent cut rating.

2.   Know Your Preference

Before you march into the jeweler’s shop, you should have an image of what you want in mind. Of course, the image in mind is the style of your diamond. A clear image of what you want will save you time because you don’t have to stay thinking of the right diamond to buy.

Your diamond style cuts across all 4Cs. What color will you prefer? How big do you want the diamond to be? What shape catches your fancy? How much clarity are you looking out for? Answer these questions before you buy.

If no preference comes to mind, go for an elegant design. Clean and clear diamond cuts speak elegance and class. It can be any shape that catches your fancy in the store, but it should exude class.

On your preferred diamond shape, you must understand that the prices differ. The price of a round-cut diamond differs from princess cuts, even if the carat weight says the same.

3.   Consider Your Budget

As you already know, lab-grown diamonds take a few weeks or months, while natural ones will take millions of years to form. This puts lab-grown diamonds on a less expensive side, costing way less than a mined diamond. However, the cheaper cost doesn’t reduce the diamond quality.

The price difference ranges from 10 to 50% and is dependent on the 4Cs. How much did you plan to spend? Ensure you stay on your budget. Also, the kind of diamond you end up with depends on the money you have to spend. A diamond price chart will help you make a better choice.

4.   See the Grading Report

Diamonds have grading reports to prove that they are real. The reports show that they contain the specifications they claim to have.

When you go to buy a diamond, make sure the grading report you see is endorsed. Ensure the endorsement is not a forged one. GIA Gemological Institute of America gave lab-grown and mined diamond grading reports. Grading reports should come from GIA or another licensed institute.

5.   Buy from a Legit Jeweler

Some dubious sellers would rip you off money, even if you understand the 4Cs of diamonds. Being able to tell the difference between a lab-grown diamond from a good diamond simulant takes time and experience.

If you can, ensure that the seller you are buying from is certified by recognized institutes. When you buy from certified jewelers, there are lesser chances of buying a simulant or what is also known as an imitation diamond.

Conclusion

Choosing the right diamond to buy takes time. However, it would be best to take your time so you don’t regret your choice or wish you opted for another diamond feature.

Buying a lab-grown diamond is not as hard as people want you to believe. By following the guide given above, you are sure of getting the best suited for your budget. Also read : https://balthazarkorab.com/2022/05/11/moving-home-a-do-it-yourself-guide/