Man-Made Diamonds: Best Places To Buy Synthetic Gems

Man-made diamonds, also known as lab-grown, synthetic or cultured diamonds, are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to natural diamonds. They are created using advanced technological processes that replicate the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed. The best places to buy man-made diamonds include Blue Nile, James Allen, Brilliant Earth, Ritani, Clean Origin, With Clarity, Grown Brilliance, Verlas, and more. These retailers offer a range of high-quality, certified lab-grown diamonds with excellent customer service and competitive prices. When purchasing man-made diamonds, it is essential to choose a reputable vendor, consider the shape, cut quality, certification, and other factors to ensure you get a beautiful and reliable product.

Online Retailers

There are many online retailers that offer a wide selection of man-made diamonds. Here are some of the best options:

Blue Nile is a trusted authority on lab-grown diamonds, having been in the business for over 20 years. They offer high-quality pieces at reasonable prices, with complimentary ring resizing and polishing services. All of their loose diamonds are analysed and graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), one of the most accurate labs in the industry. In addition to rings, they also offer bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Blue Nile provides transparent reporting for every loose lab-grown diamond and offers legendary customer service.

James Allen is another excellent option, known for its massive selection of stones in every cut and at every price point. They offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds and provide a virtual service for custom-made rings. You can inspect your diamonds in real time with a 360-degree view and the advice of an in-house gemologist. James Allen also offers superb customer service, including full refunds within 30 days and free shipping.

Grown Brilliance offers a wide selection of pre-set jewellery options, as well as the option to customise rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. They source their lab-grown diamonds directly from trusted growers and send them directly to a manufacturing facility that works exclusively on Grown Brilliance jewellery. They also offer a price match guarantee.

Vrai is known for its commitment to sustainability, exclusively working with lab-grown diamonds created in a zero-emissions foundry run on hydropower. Their diamonds are hand-polished by artisans and come with a lifetime warranty. Vrai offers price and origin transparency, with all relevant information listed right on the product page.

Ritani offers lab-grown diamonds certified by reputable agencies like the GIA and IGI. They provide clear lab-grown diamond pricing, with comprehensive breakdowns of costs on each product page. Ritani also offers virtual appointments and complimentary ring resizing.

New World Diamonds offers a range of lab-grown diamond jewellery, including engagement rings, tennis bracelets, and earrings. They are passionate about ethical and beautiful jewellery, creating treasures that can be passed down for generations. New World Diamonds guarantees the lowest prices and offers a range of deals and discounts.

Customisation Options

When it comes to customisation, several online retailers offer a range of options to create your dream piece of jewellery. Here are some of the best options for customisation:

• Grown Brilliance: Grown Brilliance offers a wide selection of pre-set jewellery options, as well as the option to design your own ring, necklace, bracelet or earrings. They source their lab-grown diamonds directly from trusted growers and send them to a facility that works exclusively on Grown Brilliance jewellery. You can also shop their ready-to-ship pieces, including diamond studs, solitaire pendants and bangles. They offer a price match guarantee and have partnered with wedding designer Badgley Mischka on a unique jewellery collection.
• With Clarity: With Clarity offers thousands of customisation options for rings, allowing you to select the stone, setting or ring style. They also offer a Home Preview service, where you can try on two sample rings at home, customised for carat, shape and metal.
• Brilliant Earth: Brilliant Earth offers both pre-set designs and the option to design your own ring by choosing a centre stone and setting option. They have a wide selection of GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds and offer jewellery settings made with recycled gold. Their customisation options include engagement rings, wedding bands, tennis bracelets, hoop earrings and pendant necklaces.
• Ritani: Ritani provides a wide range of customisation options, including various setting styles and diamond cuts. They also offer a special section of vintage-inspired rings with unique stone designs and six precious metal choices. Their engagement rings come with an extended lifetime warranty, annual jewellery inspection, repairs and resizing. They also have a collection of lab-created diamond wedding bands, bridal sets and stackable rings.
• James Allen: James Allen is known for its superb customer service and offers a virtual service for custom-made rings. They provide 360-degree video customisation and try-on tools, allowing you to view their diamonds in high-definition photographs and videos. They also offer superior ring settings and hundreds of high-quality, custom engagement rings.
• Blue Nile: Blue Nile offers a range of customisation options, allowing you to create a bespoke ring, pendant or earrings with lab-grown diamonds. They have been in business for over 20 years and provide high-quality pieces at reasonable prices, along with complimentary ring resizing and polishing services.

Price Comparison

When it comes to buying man-made diamonds, there are several vendors to choose from, each with its own price range. Here is a price comparison of some of the best places to buy man-made diamonds:

Blue Nile:

Blue Nile is a trusted retailer that has been in the industry for over 20 years. They offer high-quality lab-grown diamonds at reasonable prices, with a price range of $365 to $11,620. They also provide complimentary ring resizing and polishing services. During sales events, they offer discounts of up to 50% on select diamond jewelry.

James Allen:

James Allen is a premier diamond retailer with an extensive inventory of lab-created diamonds. Their prices vary from $110 to $56,792. They also offer limited-time discounts, such as 30% off on lab-grown diamonds.

Brilliant Earth:

Brilliant Earth is a well-known retailer in the engagement ring market, offering a wide range of lab-grown diamonds. While specific price ranges aren't mentioned, they provide a GIA-certified 1.09ct H VS1 diamond paired with their Olympia pavé set setting for a total of around $3,500.

Grown Brilliance:

Grown Brilliance offers a wide selection of pre-set jewelry options and the option to customize your pieces. Their prices range from $170 to $180,000.

Vrai:

Vrai is known for its commitment to sustainability and hand-crafted diamonds. Their prices range from $125 to $59,000, and they offer a complimentary ring resizing service.

Ritani:

Ritani provides a full cost breakdown and easy returns. Their jewelry pieces range from $436 to $10,659, and they offer a price match if a comparable diamond has a lower price from another jeweler.

Clean Origin:

Clean Origin offers a generous 100-day return window and a lifetime manufacturing warranty. Their prices range from $225 to $26,550.

With Clarity:

With Clarity provides a unique Home Preview service, allowing customers to try on two sample rings at home. Their jewelry pieces range from $324 to $56,600.

Verlas:

Verlas offers a competitive pricing structure and introduces new collections every season. Their lab-grown diamond jewelry is priced between $200 and $2,500.

New World Diamonds:

New World Diamonds offers a range of jewelry pieces with lab-grown diamonds, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. While specific price ranges aren't mentioned, they seem to have options for various budgets, with pieces priced from $249.99 to $3,299.99.

Eco-Friendly Options

If you're looking for the most eco-friendly options for man-made diamonds, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, look for companies that use renewable energy sources or have carbon-neutral production methods. Some companies even offer diamonds cultivated using hydropower or solar energy, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the diamond-making process.

Secondly, consider the packaging and shipping methods. Opt for companies that use recyclable or compostable packaging to reduce waste. In terms of shipping, some companies offer carbon-offset shipping options, ensuring that the transport of your diamond doesn't contribute to the carbon emissions usually associated with traditional shipping methods.

Ada Diamonds:

Ada Diamonds is a company that prides itself on sustainability and ethical practices. They offer diamonds created with renewable energy sources, specifically solar and hydropower. Ada Diamonds also provides recyclable packaging and carbon-offset shipping, ensuring that every aspect of your purchase is as eco-friendly as possible.

Clean Origin:

Clean Origin is another excellent option for eco-conscious consumers. They offer a wide range of lab-grown diamonds, ensuring that their production methods are eco-friendly and sustainable. Clean Origin diamonds are also conflict-free and ethically sourced, so you can feel confident in the origin of your purchase.

MiaDonna:

MiaDonna is a company that stands out for its commitment to both sustainability and social responsibility. Their diamonds are grown using wind and solar energy, and they also offer recycled precious metals for settings. MiaDonna is also a certified B Corporation, meaning they meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

When choosing a company for your man-made diamond purchase, be sure to inquire about their specific eco-friendly practices and certifications. The companies mentioned above are excellent starting points, but there are also other retailers embracing sustainability, so you can find the perfect diamond that aligns with your values and protects our planet.

Certification and Grading

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are two of the most well-known and respected organisations in the industry that offer diamond certification. The GIA is known for its strict grading standards and is often considered the gold standard for natural diamonds. On the other hand, the IGI is known for its expertise in both natural and lab-grown diamonds.

When it comes to grading, the GIA employs a meticulous process for both natural and lab-grown diamonds, ensuring consistency and accuracy. They evaluate diamonds based on the 4Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity. The GIA also utilises cutting-edge technology to differentiate between natural and lab-grown diamonds, as they can have identical physical, chemical, and optical properties.

The 4Cs are applied to lab-grown diamonds in the same way as they are to natural diamonds. Each lab-grown diamond undergoes a thorough evaluation by GIA gemologists to determine its carat weight, cut, colour, and clarity. This ensures that lab-grown diamonds meet the same high standards as their natural counterparts.

The certification process for lab-grown diamonds typically includes the following steps:

• Submission: The diamond is submitted to the GIA for grading.
• Initial Examination: The GIA confirms that the diamond is lab-grown.
• Detailed Grading: They assess the carat weight, cut, colour, and clarity.
• Laser Inscription: They inscribe a unique GIA report number on the diamond.
• Report Generation: A detailed report is generated with grading information and lab-grown confirmation.

It is important to ensure that lab-grown diamonds come with reliable certifications, such as those from the GIA or IGI, to verify their quality and authenticity. These certifications provide valuable information about the diamond's characteristics and quality, giving buyers peace of mind and confidence in their purchase.

Frequently asked questions