lab-grown diamonds -

Lab Grown Diamonds Vs. Earth Created Diamonds: What’s the Difference?

December 7, 2022April 10, 2023Diamonds, Engagement Ringsearth-created diamonds, fancy colored diamonds, halo engagement rings, lab-created diamond engagement rings, lab-created diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, pavé engagement rings, solitaire engagement rings

Think you can tell the difference between earth created diamonds and lab grown diamond engagement rings? We’ll put you to the test with some of our best diamonds!

Lab grown diamonds vs Earth created diamonds

Although lab grown diamonds are created in a lab, they are real diamonds and have the same physical, chemical, and visual properties as earth created diamonds.

This striking similarity begs the question: Is it possible to tell the two apart?

You don’t need to be an expert to try and give it a go. We’re showing off some of our customers’ favorite custom-designed engagement rings. Some have lab diamond center stones, and others are set with mined diamonds. Keep scrolling to see if you can spot which is which.

14K White Gold Framed Trapezoid Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Two Row U Pavé Engagement Ring

Did you know that it takes earth made diamonds billions of years to form, whereas a lab grown diamond can be created in under 10 weeks? That’s right! Scientists have managed to recreate special chambers which replicate the exact environment needed for diamonds to form.

14K Rose Gold Petite Pavé Crown Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Pavé Halo Engagement Ring Accented With Rose Gold

Another fun fact about lab created diamonds is they come in every shape, size, and color as earth created diamonds. While some fancy color diamonds are extremely rare, you wouldn’t struggle to find your favorite color as a lab diamond.

14K Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

18K Yellow Gold Laurel Leaves Diamond Engagement Ring

Any luck differentiating between the diamonds? Don’t fret if not. Even the experts can’t tell the difference between lab created diamonds and mined diamonds with the naked eye.

Platinum Petite Pavé Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

14K White Gold Petite Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Let’s tally up your scores and see if you guessed correctly. For each set, we’ll go from left to right:

Lab grown | Earth
Earth | Lab grown
Earth | Lab grown
Lab grown | Earth

So, how’d you do??

What’s The Difference Between Lab Created Diamonds And Earth Created Diamonds?

If you found it difficult to spot the difference, just know you’re not the only one! Lab created diamonds are optically and chemically identical to earth created diamonds. The only difference between the two is their origin.

Earth created diamonds are sourced from below the earth’s surface.
Lab grown diamonds are created in simulated ‘below-ground’ conditions in a lab.

Getting The Best Diamond Ring For Your Buck

Modern-day consumers will be happy to hear that lab grown diamonds are generally more affordable than earth created diamonds, giving you a 30% larger stone for the same cost!

Why?

The diamond-growing process is less resource-intensive than the diamond-mining process. It simply costs less to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to mine a diamond from the earth, and those savings are passed along to diamond shoppers. If you’re looking to maximize your budget without compromising on quality and sparkle, lab created diamonds are a great choice for you.

Worth It? We Think So

There’s no doubt that earth created diamonds contain millennia of history, tradition, and romance. While these diamonds are the classic choice, lab grown diamonds are an affordable option and equally fresh. No matter what you decide, both diamonds hold their magnificent sparkle forever!

Final Thoughts

Were you able to tell our lab grown and earth created diamonds apart? Here’s the bottom line: Both are winners! Lab grown diamonds offer equal brilliance and sparkle as earth created diamonds. That being said, if you’re looking to maximize your budget without compromising on quality, a lab grown diamond may be calling your name.

Something sparkly catches your eye? At James Allen, we’ve got loads more jewelry up our sleeve. Browse our stunning assortment of wedding rings, tennis bracelets, men’s engagement rings, and more to spoil your significant other (or yourself!) today.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jarred Maram

Jarred is a writer by day and unofficial office ping pong champion

Sofia Vergara’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide

August 26, 2021January 31, 2022Celebrity Engagement Rings, Celebrity Inspired Engagement Rings, Engagement Ringscelebrity ring lookalikes, celebrity style, cushion-cut diamonds, earth-created diamonds, halo engagement rings, halo settings, lab-grown diamonds

Sofia Vergara smiling with her husband Joe on the red carpet.

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello’s relationship is a classic tale of “when you know, you know.” The two stars got engaged a mere six months after they began dating, and their love is still going strong six years later.

The pair are often heard speaking fondly (and hilariously) of one another during their talk show appearances, and they’re not shy when showing off their wholesome and beautiful relationship on Instagram.

Joe proposed to Sofia in a stunning display of romance, promising her forever with the view of Hawaiian mountains in the background. Did we mention he did this all in her native language, Spanish? *Swoon*

Here’s all we know about Sofia’s humongous diamond sparkler and where you can find a ring just like it at JamesAllen.com.

We’re going to share the following fun facts with you:

The style of Sofia’s engagement ring
The diamond shape
The diamonds carat size
How much Sofia’s engagement ring cost
Sofia’s engagement ring lookalikes

Sofia’s Vergara’s Engagement Ring Pictures

Sofia and Joe have had many public appearances together, but this one was by far the most jaw-dropping. The stunning couple showed up to the 2015 SAG Awards, dressed to the nines, and had all eyes on them with her showstopping diamond sparkler on full display.

Sofia eating a piece of cake while showing off her engagement ring.

What Style Setting is Sofia Vergara’s Engagement Ring?

Sofia’s Vergara’s engagement ring is a sparkling pavé halo setting with a cushion cut center stone, held firmly in place by four prong claws. The platinum band has intricate diamonds adorning it, a detail that only adds to the ring’s unique aesthetic.

Platinum Cathedral Pave Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

The halo setting is a highly popular trend right now for brides and grooms-to-be. This setting is ideal for anyone who wants to bring that extra sparkle to their engagement ring. A halo accent is also a sure way to make the center stone appear more striking than what it would on its own.

A halo setting is one way to make your ring all the more spectacular, but a band studded with tiny diamonds is one embellishment that suits modern and vintage engagement rings alike. The more diamonds you have, the more you’ll glow.

What Diamond Shape is Sofia’s Engagement Ring?

The center stone on Sofia Vergara’s engagement ring is a cushion cut diamond.

Cushion-shaped diamonds are ranked the third most popular diamond cut after the round brilliant and princess. Like round diamonds, they are incredibly versatile and fit perfectly in just about any setting. They’re especially liked for the illusion they give off, appearing like crushed ice.

Two different sized cushion cut diamonds sparkling on a gravel stone top.

Cushion cut diamonds tend to experience less damage because they don’t have any sharp edges. Their smooth outline makes it difficult for chipping to occur. Overall, this pillow-shaped diamond is an excellent investment and low maintenance.

Another fantastic bonus is that these diamonds are budget-friendly. They’re less expensive than round-cut diamonds and often produce the same fire and brilliance.

How Many Carats is Sofia Vergara’s Engagement Ring?

Sofia’s engagement ring is practically impossible to miss. Experts estimate her engagement ring to be between 5-7 carats.

The diamond seems to be at least an F or higher on the color scale.

How Much Did Sofia Vergara’s Ring Cost? And What’s It Really Worth?!

Sofia’s ring has been featured on many sites as one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings. Joe is said to have paid around $500,000 for the engagement ring that could be mistaken for a miniature ice-rink.

Looking at an ideal cushion cut diamond with excellent specifications (E Color, VVS2 Clarity) at James Allen, the estimate seems accurate.

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Sofia’s Engagement Ring Lookalikes

If you’re looking for a replica of Sofia Vergara’s engagement ring but need to stay true to your budget, this platinum cathedral pavé halo diamond engagement ring has all the same features with some variations in size. At James Allen, you can even opt for a lab grown diamond and get the cushion-cut size you want at a third of the price you’d pay for an earth-created diamond.

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In love with the halo setting? This lookalike is our 14K white gold falling edge pavé diamond engagement ring. The halo is layered in a way that makes the cushion-cut center stone appear much bigger with a sparklier appeal. It consists of a 14K white gold band, with the center diamond held firmly in place with four prongs.

14K White Gold Falling Edge Pave Diamond Engagement Ring

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Our final lookalike has all the same features – a cushion-cut center diamond set beautifully in a diamond halo band for a magnificent display of sparkle from all angles. The difference with this lookalike is the amplified sparkle in a multi-layered diamond band and four-prong design.

Platinum Grande Falling Edge Halo Engagement Ring

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Earth Created vs. Lab Created Diamonds: A Guide

January 10, 2022January 31, 2023Diamonds, Education, Engagement Rings, Top postscushion cut diamonds, diamond engagement rings, earth-created diamonds, fancy colored diamonds, lab diamonds, lab-created diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, princess cut diamonds

Lab grown diamond or earth created diamond? We’ve got all the info you need to live your best sparkling life with the perfect diamond for you!

fancy shaped diamonds sitting on a pink surface

Lab created diamonds have become increasingly popular and are pretty much the new kids on the jewelry block. Like many new unknowns, people are a little skeptical at first when they hear about lab grown diamonds, but rest assured, they make for a perfect alternative to earth created diamonds. Let’s start with some basic facts so you can decide with 100% confidence which sort of sparkle sets a twinkle in your eye.

What Is A Diamond

Diamonds are carbon atoms. When they’re arranged in a very particular structure, you get the tough and beautiful stone we know and love. Producing this special carbon arrangement in nature demands conditions that are intense. We’re talking high heat and super-high pressure. Needless to say, very few places in the world are capable of producing earth created diamonds.

A variety of loose fancy-shaped diamonds

The Key Difference Between Earth and Lab Created Diamonds

Earth created diamonds are sourced from below the earth’s surface, whereas lab created diamonds are created in simulated “below-ground” conditions in a lab.

To put it simply, their origin is the only difference between these two types of diamonds.

Technology has advanced to the point that we don’t always have to go digging for our precious stones; we can simulate the necessary extreme conditions in specialized pressure chambers in a lab.

Lab created diamonds are grown from tiny carbon “seeds” that develop in these chambers over months, as scorching gasses deposit carbon atom-by-atom onto the original seed. Lab created diamonds even develop their own unique characteristics (inclusions, clarity, etc.) along the way, and once they’re fully grown, they’re cut into the shape that suits their qualities best.

Several diamond engagement rings with different settings

Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Diamond

Picking a diamond isn’t easy, there’s your budget to consider, your partner’s preference for cut, clarity, carat, and color, and its rarity factor.

Cost

One of the biggest upsides to lab grown diamonds is that they’re generally about 30% more affordable than earth created diamonds.

Why?

The diamond-growing process is less resource-intensive than the diamond-mining process. It simply costs less to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to mine a diamond from the earth, and those savings are passed along to diamond shoppers. That means that for the same cost, you can purchase a lab created diamond that’s 30% larger than an earth created one but just as dazzling.

14K White Gold Seven Stone Low Dome Basket Lab Created Diamond Ring (0.75 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

14K White Gold Low Dome Basket Lab-Created Diamond Eternity Ring (2 CTW F-G / VS2-SI1)

Value

Earth created diamonds are the classic choice. Lab created diamonds are the fresh choice.

There is no doubt that earth created diamonds contain millennia of history, tradition, and romance. They are one of nature’s most incredible products. Drawn from deep within the earth, these sparkling treasures have been proudly flaunted by generations upon generations – paving the way for you to carry on the tradition.

Lab created diamonds, on the other hand, are the next step in diamond history. Technically speaking, they’re brand new. But traditionally speaking, diamonds are diamonds forever. Lab created diamonds give their wearer a unique chance to create new memories.

Both earth created diamonds and lab created diamonds hold their sparkle forever, so they’ll be just as beautiful when you pass them on as heirlooms as they are when you wear them on a night out.

14K White Gold Four Prong Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet (1.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

14K White Gold Three Prong Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet (3.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Cuts & Colors

Both earth created and lab created diamonds are available in nearly every shape and color – even fancy colors!

Colorful diamonds, like canary yellow ones, are quite rare. Their shocking hues are caused by trace amounts of non-carbon elements, like nitrogen. By adding these elements to a growing diamond in its pressure chamber, lab grown diamonds take on the same fancy colors as earth created diamonds.

Good news: any diamond can be cut into any shape. When it comes to diamond cuts, you truly are spoiled for choice!

14K White Gold Four Prong Basket Solitaire Lab Created Diamond Pendant (0.50 CTW - F-G /VS2-SI1)

14K White Gold Halo Lab Created Diamond Pendant (0.50 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

GIA Certified Lab Created Diamonds

Like all earth created diamonds, lab grown diamonds also come with their very own birth certificate (GIA Certification).

Since lab grown diamonds are optically and chemically the same as mined diamonds, they come with their own certification. Today, most lab created diamonds are certified by IGI, International Gemological Institute. Additionally, these diamonds are being accepted and certified by the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, which has developed sophisticated devices that are used to screen and identify the difference between natural diamonds and lab grown ones.

14K White Gold Halo Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (0.50 CTW - F-G / VS1-VS2)

14K White Gold Four Prong Round Brilliant Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (0.25 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Should You Get a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

The short answer is, why not? Here are 5 reasons to choose a lab created diamond engagement ring:

1: Budget-Friendly

You’re able to maximize your budget and walk away with a bigger center stone for your engagement ring if you choose a lab created diamond. Furthermore, it might not even be about the size of the ring, but more about being able to get the diamond of your dreams for a third of the price.

14K Rose Gold Bypass Marquise Array Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Bypass Marquise Array Diamond Engagement Ring

2: An Ethical Choice

Lab grown diamonds are an ethical choice because they are guaranteed to come conflict-free since they’re not mined.

14K White Gold Woven Solitaire Engagement Ring

3: Stress-Free Shopping Experience

Most online jewelry retailers with customization options, like our very own ring studio, allow you to choose your preferred center stone. That means you’re able to inspect your diamond options (often in real-time), and browse at your own pace.

14K White Gold Marquise Diamond Accents Pave Basket Engagement Ring

4: Lab created diamonds are REAL

This can’t be emphasized enough, both lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties. A lab created diamond is not a diamond alternative like moissanite, it’s the real deal.

A variety of diamond engagement rings on a white surface

5: Unique

Lab grown diamonds are unique in their own right. Not only can they be cut and shaped to your heart’s desire, but they can be cut to absolute perfection. Our True Heart™ diamonds are a premier collection of perfectly cut diamonds, known for their flawless internal symmetry and proportions.

Choosing the stone that suits your lifestyle is an important part of designing meaningful jewelry that will last you throughout your life. And if you choose to buy either lab created diamonds or earth created diamonds, you can choose from 1000’s beautiful options at James Allen.

A variety of loose fancy-shaped diamonds on a white surface

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Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

Tag: lab-grown diamonds