Best Place to Buy a Lab-Grown Diamond? 17 Top Retailers to Consider
Buying a diamond is a big decision, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. When I started shopping for a diamond, the first question I needed to answer was, “How much is a diamond?” This led me down the path of learning about lab-grown diamonds and discovering they are a fraction of the cost of earth-mined diamonds while looking the same. The next challenge was figuring out where to buy one. Not all retailers are the same, and I wanted to find the best place to buy a lab-grown diamond. This blog will help you do the same by exploring the best places to purchase lab-grown diamonds and what makes each unique.
Why Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds have gained popularity over the years as a viable alternative to natural diamonds. Natural diamonds are the traditional choice and are often in higher demand due to their rarity, but manufactured diamonds offer benefits that may persuade you to invest in them.
Price: The First Thing You’ll Notice
When comparing lab-grown diamonds to natural diamonds, the first thing you’ll notice is the price. Lab-grown diamonds are significantly more affordable than natural diamonds of the same size and quality.
Why such a vast difference?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technological processes. As a result, there are fewer resource-intensive mining operations or associated costs. Creating synthetic diamonds also reduces environmental impact and mining costs.
Minimal Mining Impact
Since lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled lab environments, they reduce the reliance on traditional mining. While the diamond mining industry has made significant progress in improving ethical and environmental practices, including the
implementation of the Kimberley Process, mining can still have some ecological impact depending on the region and method used.
Lab-grown diamonds offer an alternative that requires fewer natural resources and minimal land disruption. For those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, they present a more controlled and resource-efficient option.
Ethical Considerations
In addition to reducing environmental impact, lab-grown diamonds appeal to those who prioritize transparency in sourcing. While the vast majority of natural diamonds on the market today are conflict-free—thanks in part to international efforts like the Kimberley Process—some consumers prefer the added assurance of a gemstone that has been created entirely outside of mining supply chains.
Lab-grown diamonds offer a modern option for buyers seeking peace of mind when it comes to the origins of their stone.
Purity and Quality Control
Since they are created in a controlled laboratory setting, lab-grown diamonds are typically more consistent in their quality and characteristics. Scientists can manipulate the methods used to create lab-grown diamonds to ensure they exhibit better levels of color and clarity, which in turn can make the diamond more beautiful.
Since natural diamonds form in the ground without human interference, their quality can vary significantly. Synthetic diamond-making processes have taken years to perfect and utilize costly machinery to ensure the gemstones they create are of high quality. The two methods are
CVD and HPHT.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
It is a method for creating lab-grown diamonds that involves introducing a carbon-rich gas into a chamber where a preformed diamond seed plate has been placed. In just a matter of weeks, the carbon gas ionizes and precipitates onto the original piece of diamond, eventually creating a fully formed man-made diamond.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
Involves replicating the natural conditions experienced under the Earth's mantle. Carbon is subjected to extreme pressure and high temperature, which facilitates crystal growth. Both methods are conducted in controlled environments and yield diamonds with chemical and physical properties essentially the same as natural diamonds. Both also allow for predictable quality because the process allows for precise control over the conditions in which they are created.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
1.00 D VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,150
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1.01 D VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,165
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1.02 D VS1 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$995
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1.02 D VVS1 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,295
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No Difference to the Naked Eye
To the naked eye, there is no visible difference between
lab-grown and mined diamonds. Both exhibit essentially the same chemical and physical characteristics. Only with specialized equipment and under the guidance of trained gemmologists can subtle distinctions be detected.
Some indicators include specific inclusions, growth patterns, or spectroscopic features that reveal the diamond's origin. However, advancements in lab-grown diamond technology strive to minimize these differences, making it challenging even for some jewelers to distinguish between the two without using advanced testing methods.
No Rarity Concerns
A significant concern surrounding naturally mined diamonds is the depletion of resources and potential future scarcity. Mined diamonds are found in the Earth’s mantle and can take millions of years to form. Eventually, supplies will run out if heavy mining practices continue. Thankfully, lab-grown diamonds, produced quickly through controlled processes, make supply limitless.
They offer a cost effective alternative that doesn't compromise on the visual allure of diamonds. We can create lab-grown diamonds from tiny pre-existing diamond fragments within a matter of weeks, thereby helping to keep them accessible and low in price.
Must-Have Criteria for Choosing a Lab-Grown Diamond Retailer
If a diamond isn’t certified, it’s a no from me. Every lab-grown diamond you consider should come with a grading report from a reputable laboratory, such as:
These
reports verify the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) and confirm that the stone is lab-grown, not a simulant or misrepresented natural diamond. Avoid retailers who offer “in-house” certificates or can’t provide an independent grading report. You deserve objective proof.
High-Resolution Media: See for Yourself
Trust what you can see, not just what you’re told. The best retailers offer HD images, 360° videos, and magnified views for every diamond in their inventory.
This lets you examine the cut quality, inclusions, and sparkle yourself. If a retailer doesn’t give you a close-up look at what you’re buying, they’re asking for blind trust, and you shouldn't give it.
Return Policies and Warranties: Protect Your Purchase
A legit lab-grown diamond seller stands by their product with risk-free policies.
- Free returns
- Warranties on craftsmanship
- Resizing engagement rings
Customization Options: Make It Your Own
Whether you want a classic solitaire or something one-of-a-kind, great retailers let you customize your setting. The best ones have design studios or virtual ring builders, allowing you to modify prongs, metal type, gallery details, and more. Some even allow fully bespoke ring design, so you don’t have to compromise on your vision.
Customer Support That’s Helpful: You’re Not Alone
Buying a diamond, lab-grown or natural, can feel overwhelming. That’s why the best retailers have gemologists on hand, offer virtual consultations, and provide detailed education throughout the process. If the only support you’re getting is a chatbot, you can do better.
Proven Sustainability and Ethics: Know Where Your Diamond Comes From
One of the key advantages of lab-grown diamonds is their affordability, along with the added benefit of transparency around sourcing and production. While environmental and ethical claims are often part of the appeal, not every retailer offers the same level of clarity.
Trustworthy retailers are open about their practices. If details seem vague, it’s worth checking for more information before you buy.
Competitive Pricing and Broad Selection: Find the Best Fit for Your Budget
Lab-grown diamonds cost considerably less than comparable natural diamonds. That said, pricing should still reflect the quality of the cut and certification. Avoid deals that seem “too cheap,” you might be getting an uncertified or low-grade stone. A top-tier retailer will have an expansive inventory across shapes, grades, and price points, so you’re not forced into one or two pre-selected options.
Whiteflash: Your Trusted Source for Engagement Rings and Diamonds
When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring or diamond jewelry, you want to make the right choice with complete confidence.
Whiteflash offers an extensive collection of loose diamonds, including our precision cut, natural
A CUT ABOVE® diamonds as well as lab-grown options, alongside designer engagement ring settings from renowned names like
Tacori and
Verragio.
Empowering Informed Diamond Purchases
Our comprehensive diamond search tools, detailed grading reports, and high-definition imaging enable you to compare cuts, evaluate color and clarity, and understand precisely what you're getting before making a purchase. With our GIA-trained team available to guide you through the selection process, you have access to both the premium inventory and expert knowledge needed to make an informed decision, whether you're building:
From loose diamonds to complete engagement rings, we provide the quality, transparency, and customer care that make your investment pay off!
Related Reading
17 Top Places to Buy Lab Grown Diamonds
1. Whiteflash Precision Cut Lab Grown Diamonds
At Whiteflash, we’ve spent more than two decades building our reputation as industry leaders in diamond light performance. That same level of technical expertise and obsession with precision cutting is now at the core of our
Precision Lab collection, a lab-grown diamond line crafted for brilliance, fire, and sparkle. If you’re considering a lab-grown diamond, here’s why choosing Whiteflash means you never have to compromise on cut, quality, or trust.
Our Legacy of Cut Excellence
The same team behind our internationally renowned natural A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal Diamonds is responsible for developing our Precision Lab diamonds. We apply meticulous standards to our lab diamonds because we believe the
cut is the most important C, and it’s the one that unleashes a diamond’s full potential.
Crafted for Optimal Performance
We start with the finest rough and cut our lab diamonds for peak light return. This includes 3D optical symmetry, precise facet alignment, and meticulous polishing. Every step is taken to ensure the stone you receive is as brilliant and precise as possible.
Why Choose Whiteflash for Your Lab-Grown Diamond?
If you’re looking for a lab-grown diamond that truly performs, one that’s cut for brilliance, vetted for transparency, and supported by real data, Whiteflash is your destination. We bring our award-winning standards and diamond expertise to the lab-grown space, with designer settings available too, so you never have to sacrifice quality to stay on budget.
2. Vrai
Vrai’s diamonds are grown in the U.S. using a foundry powered by the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on reducing emissions and avoiding traditional mining. The stones are then cut and polished before being set into their jewelry designs. The brand has also gained some attention, with celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Samira Wiley seen wearing their pieces.
3. Kimaï
The Antwerp-based jewelry label Kimaï has fast become a favorite among the most stylish women, including the Duchess of Sussex, thanks to its collection of elegant, beautifully designed and ethically made pieces.
4. Pandora
Pandora, the world's largest jewelry brand, announced in 2021 that it would no longer use mined diamonds, and instead now opts for lab-grown stones in all of its pieces. Each diamond used is cut and polished using 100 per cent renewable energy and these are then set in jewelry crafted with 100 per cent recycled silver or gold, making the brand's jewelry an even more conscious choice.
5. Or & Elle
Luxury diamond atelier Or & Elle uses lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold in its timeless designs. Born out of a fourth-generation family Atelier in Antwerp, the brand was founded to shepherd century-old craftsmanship and expertise into a new era of sustainability and transparency. Experienced and skilled artisans handcraft its timeless designs, which will be part of your jewelry collection forever.
6. Swarovski
Swarovski has just launched the Created Diamonds collection in the UK (following its success in the USA, China and Japan) which features the Austrian label's exquisitely cut laboratory grown diamonds. All pieces in the collection are created with 100 per cent renewable energy and recycled gold and silver, and only diamonds of the highest quality are selected, with each stone certified by the International Gemological Institute according to the 4Cs of diamond quality.
7. Matilde
iMatilde’s aim is simple: to make sustainable jewelry without compromising on quality or design. Striving for change, the brand uses solely lab-grown diamonds and 100 per cent recycled gold. Its conscious practices go further than the production process, as Matilde maintains a close relationship with both its suppliers and manufacturers to ensure employees across the business are content.
8. Lark & Berry
Lark & Berry is a luxury jewelry label that is leading the way when it comes to conscious diamonds. Launched in 2018 by Laura Chavez, it's a firm favorite among famous names like Ellie Goulding. The jeweler creates high-quality yet sustainable pieces that cater to a variety of budgets. They use lab-grown diamonds that are 100 per cent traceable, so you know exactly where they came from and how they're produced.
9. Smiling Rocks
Smiling Rocks prioritizes luxury, transparency and responsibility with its lab-grown diamond label. Founders Zulu Ghevriya and Manish Jiwani created the brand to leave a positive footprint for the next generations, preserve the planet and help communities in need. Plenty of celebrities can be counted as fans of the brand, with Olivia Colman wearing Smiling Rocks' earrings on several occasions. With every purchase made from the jeweler, 10 per cent is donated to your choice of charity.
10. Courbet
Another luxury jewelry brand that only uses the finest sustainable lab-grown diamonds is Courbet, which also ensures that all of the gold used in the jewelry is 100 per cent recyclable. From beautiful bracelets to custom-made creations, the label is one to know for dainty, luxury jewelry with a conscience.
11. Brilliant Earth
Fans of color, take note: the San Francisco-based jewelry brand Brilliant Earth has a range of lab-grown diamonds in green, yellow, blue and pink. The label also lowers its environmental impact by striving to use 100 per cent recycled metals in its creations.
12. Taylor & Hart
Bespoke jeweler Taylor & Hart uses diamonds that have been grown in a laboratory, with the aim of achieving the same aesthetic as natural diamonds mined from the earth. They are a particular favorite for those seeking beautiful, sustainable, and environmentally friendly engagement rings.
13. Grown Brilliance
This retailer offers a variety of lab-created colored diamonds, making them unique. With personalized service and a keen focus on quality, Grown Brilliance is quickly earning a reputation as a trusted lab-grown diamond brand.
14. Clean Origin
Specializes exclusively in lab-grown diamonds, promoting a transparent pricing model. Their 100-day return policy reflects their dedication to customer service and satisfaction in the diamond industry.
15. James Allen
Provides an interactive online shopping experience with high-definition videos of their diamonds. They offer a broad selection of lab-created diamonds and provide virtual consultations to help you find the perfect jewelry piece.
16. Blue Nile
Known for revolutionizing the diamond industry with their online presence, Blue Nile has an impressive collection of lab-created diamonds. They pride themselves on competitive pricing and educational resources that ease your decision-making process.
17. Shane Co.
Shane Co. is a family-owned jeweler that offers a curated selection of lab grown diamonds alongside its natural collection. Lab diamonds include detailed grading reports and certification. Customers can browse online with filters. Offers in-person viewing at physical stores across the U.S.
Related Reading
How to Choose the Best Lab-Grown Diamonds
Understanding lab-grown diamonds will help you make informed choices before purchasing your new gem. The internet is jam-packed with information on lab-grown diamonds. Take ample time educating yourself about this gem.
Make sure to know about the 4Cs:
These factors will not only help you make informed decisions but also assist you in selecting the ideal diamond for yourself. Do a lot of research about the company you're planning to buy a diamond from. Their reputation and credibility are crucial, so be sure to research their diamond growers and
read customer reviews. Allow yourself plenty of time to compare and contrast the retailers before finalizing your decision.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
1.21 D VVS2 Cushion Ideal
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$995
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1.27 E VVS2 Cushion Ideal
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$975
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1.51 E VVS2 Cushion Ideal
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$1,643
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1.51 D VVS2 Cushion Ideal
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$1,596
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Verify the Authenticity of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Like all diamonds, lab-grown stones vary in quality. This is why it’s essential to check for diamond certification before making a purchase. Lab-grown diamonds that come with reputable certifications hold significantly higher value than non-certified diamonds on the market. Certifications from organizations such as the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the
International Gemological Institute (IGI) hold significant importance.
These certificates and grading reports will provide you with precise information about the finish, proportions, measurements, and identification. They will also inform you about the quality of the diamond and the method used to grow it. Authentication and industrial standards must be met when purchasing lab-grown diamonds.
Compare Prices Wisely
The price of lab-grown diamonds can vary significantly between retailers, especially for stones of seemingly identical quality. The value of diamonds can depend on various factors, including the time it takes to grow the diamond, its durability, weight, shape, color, clarity, and hardness. Every retailer will offer a different price based on these factors, so it’s worth weighing them carefully before making a decision.
Lab-grown diamonds are created and formed in weeks, while natural diamonds take billions of years to form. Be sure to compare prices from different retailers according to your preferences and budget before making a decision.
Inspect and Examine the Stone
Before buying a lab-grown diamond, assess its quality. The clarity and flawlessness of the diamond can have a significant impact on its value. These imperfections are generally not visible to the naked eye. The better and more flawless the diamond, the better its grade and value.
Ask your retailer to provide you with detailed photographs of the lab-grown diamonds so that you can inspect their quality. Although there's no such thing as a “perfect diamond,” you are likely to find blemishes and internal inclusions that are only visible under the microscope.
Secure Your Purchases
Most diamond dealers provide you with a return policy. Make sure to check them. Please educate yourself about their return policy conditions, return timeframes, and any other associated costs involved in returning or requesting a refund. These return policies allow you to shop with confidence and hassle-free.
Knowing you can exchange or return the products, your shopping will be economical and full of confidence. What makes this step so important? You should always have a plan B if the diamond you receive doesn't meet your expectations and you plan to exchange or return it for a better one.
Related Reading
Find your Dream Engagement Ring and Loose Diamonds at Whiteflash Today!
When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring or diamond jewelry, you want to make the right choice with complete confidence.
Explore Diamonds with Confidence
Whiteflash offers an extensive collection of loose diamonds, including our precision, natural
A CUT ABOVE® diamonds as well as lab-grown options, alongside designer engagement ring settings from renowned names like
Tacori,
Verragio and more.
Our comprehensive diamond search tools, detailed grading reports, and high-definition imaging enable you to compare cuts, evaluate color and clarity, and understand precisely what you're getting before making a purchase.
Expert Guidance for Every Diamond Decision
With our GIA-trained team available to guide you through the selection process, you have access to both the premium inventory and expert knowledge needed to make an informed decision, whether you're:
From loose diamonds to complete engagement rings, we provide the quality, transparency, and customer care that make your investment pay off!