Shapes of the center diamond in an engagement ring. The center diamond is the star of your engagement ring. It is the first stone that catches the eye when worn, so it is extremely important that you pink the diamond that matches your personality, style and taste. The center diamond will also determine the spread, the sparkle and the overall silhoutte of the engagement ring that sits on your finger. So take your time and try a few different on your finger, before you make the decision.

	Round Brilliant  The Round Diamond, or Brilliant Cut Diamond, is by far the most popular shape for diamond engagement rings. It is cone-shaped to maximize light return through the top of the diamond. It is cut to have 58 facets: 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. The relationship between the angle of the crown (above the girdle) and the pavilion (below the girdle) is complementary. A steep crown angle is complemented by a shallower pavilion angle, and vice versa.
	Cushion    The Cushion Cut Diamond is an antique cut that has a classic, romantic appeal. It is considered a cross between the Old Mine Cut, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and a modern Oval-Cut Diamond. The Old Mine Cut featured large facets and rounded corners, since the cutting was all done by hand at the time. They were designed to catch the beauty of candlelight. The Cushion-Cut Diamond contains 58 facets.
	Oval  Emphasise size and personal style. Considered moderately priced among diamonds, they can offer you an excellent benefit-cost ratio. Jewelers often refer to oval cut diamonds as having heads (the rounded ends), shoulders and a flat belly in the center. Each of these sections should be symmetrical to the others for an overall graceful appearance. Due to their shape and faceting, all oval cut gems have a bowtie across their belly. This hourglass-shaped shadow will be more or less distinct depending on the quality of the cut.
	Princess Cut Diamonds A modern version of the round brilliant, princess cut diamonds are the second most brilliant and popular among diamonds. Their outstanding light dispersion and affordable cost makes them a wonderful way to turn a woman into your princess for life. Shaped like inverted pyramids with bevelled sides, princess cut diamonds claim the title of the most brilliant among square and rectangular diamonds. Princess cut diamonds are outstanding in a classic bezel or a more modern pavé setting.
	Pear  Combining brilliance with a fashion-forward shape, pear cut diamonds are prized for their exquisite beauty. They cost slightly more than other diamond shapes, but their different sizes and settings make them accessible to all. With an evenly rounded end that fades into a point, pear cut diamonds come in a variety of width-to-length ratios which determines whether the gem appears rounded or elongated.  Like oval cut stones, they have a bowtie across the center of their table, so be sure to look for high-quality pear cuts that will have as little shadow as possible.
	RADIANT Sleek and sophisticated, radiant cut diamonds feature a square or rectangular shape and a magnificent brilliance. They can be considered a hybrid of emerald and brilliant diamonds with their beveled corners and shimmering 70 facet cut.  Radiant diamonds are available in both square and rectangular shapes. The style you choose should come down to personal preference, but a rectangular diamond will create an elongated effect on your love’s finger. However, both will have an outstanding sparkle. Ensure you get your desired shape by determining the length-to-width ratio of the diamond. Square stones will have a ratio of 1-1.3, while rectangular stones will have a ratio of 1.2-1.3.
	MARQUISE Elongated shape flatters the hand and catches the eyes of many due to its unique features.  Choosing the correct length to width ratio is important when shopping for a marquise diamond. A classic marquise diamond will have a length to width ratio of 1.75 - 2.15. Other versions can be longer and thinner or shorter and more convex. Remember that the longer the diamond is, the more of an elongating effect it will have on the finger.
	ASSCHER Their distinct step facets and large table deliver classy flashes of light and their simple cut won’t break your bank account. Originating in Holland, the asscher cut was once limited to antique diamonds but has since enjoyed a significant comeback. Always a square with rounded corners, asscher cut diamonds have a large table which allows you to look into the center of the stone. This clarity makes it essential for the diamond to be free of inclusions, for example those graded VVS2 or higher. Although they must be pure, diamonds destined for the asscher cut can be colorful. The clear steps along the pavilion of these diamonds intensify colors making the cut a good choice for naturally occuring yellow, blue or green diamonds.
	HEART The ultimate symbol of love. These diamonds need to be symmetrical so that it appears perfect on the wearer's hand. Heart shaped diamonds are for the classic romantic. Just like illustrated hearts, diamonds in this shape can come in many different sizes. Traditional heart-shaped diamonds have length-to-width ratio of 1, but modern variations can be narrower or shorter. A narrower heart will have a length-to-width ratio of about 1.05 and will create an elongated effect on the finger. Shorter hearts have length-to-width ratios of about 0.95 and provide a bolder appearance.
	EMERALD emerald cut diamonds possess perfect symmetry and deliver elegant presence rather than brilliance. Considerably cheaper than other options, the emerald cut is ideal for those who want to invest in a larger stone. Emerald cut diamonds are rectangular with carefully measured steps cut into their sides. These steps give the stone a mirror-like quality that sparkles and reflects flashes of light. A particularly large table covers the top of the diamond accentuating its size and clarity, as well as giving it a sophisticated air.

Proportion – Understanding Brilliance, Dispersion & Scintillation

Well–proportioned diamonds exhibit three different properties: brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. As light strikes a diamond's surface, it will either reflect off the table of a polished stone or enter the diamond. The light that is reflected is known as the diamond's brilliance — the flash of white light one sees when looking at a stone. As light travels through a stone, some of the light rays are separated into flashes of color. This is known as dispersion. The result of dispersion—the separation of white light into its spectral colors — is known as fire. Scintillation is flashes of color that are viewable as an observer moves a diamond back and forth.

Putting It All Together

Use this interactive tool to see how depth and table percentages can affect the brilliance in a round diamond. Please Note: this example is for a round diamond only—fancy shapes have their own set of unique properties.

What Is Diamond Polish?

Diamond polish influences how well light is able to pass through a diamond. It is a very important attribute in determining a diamond's overall brilliance. When choosing a diamond, it is best to pick one that is laboratory certified with good, very good or excellent polish. Diamonds with poor polish are significantly less brilliant because they have microscopic polish lines that blur the surface of the stone—this also reduces the amount of light that enters or exits the diamond. Be aware that many diamonds have a poor polish because some diamond cutters reduce their costs by not spending sufficient time to properly polish a diamond.

How Is Polish Graded?

Polish is graded the same that way symmetry is graded. On a GIA report, the grades are Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor. The same applies for AGS and IGI reports, which also include ideal in their list.

• EX or E - Excellent, Flawless at 10X magnification
• VG or VGD - Very Good, Extremely difficult to locate under 10X magnification
• GD, GO, G - Good, Very difficult to see under 10X magnification
• F, FR, FA - Fair, Noticeable under 10X magnification
• PR, PO, P - Poor, Easy to see under 10X magnification / Visible to unaided eye
• VP, VE - Very Poor, Relatively easy to see with the unaided eye
• EX or EP - Extremely Poor, Obvious to see with unaided eye

There is very little difference between these ratings to the unaided eye. A diamond with a polish rating of Good can still be a remarkable stone. It is only under magnification that the differences in these ratings become clearer. Polish rated Fair (FR) and Poor (PR), however, indicates that the flaws in the polish are visible to the naked eye and affect the overall beauty of the diamond.

It is also important that your ring does not have a porosity problem or rough spots in the metal. Porosity is when there are little surface holes that get worse as you go deeper into the metal. Generally the result of mass producing rings with poor quality control, porosity makes a ring weak and is non-repairable. A ring with porosity will eventually break down.

SHOP DIAMONDS

What Is Diamond Fluorescence?

Fluorescence is a naturally occurring phenomenon that appears in certain minerals and gems. Some quality diamonds display a visible light when they are exposed to ultraviolet light. This light is known as fluorescence. Under most lighting conditions, a diamond's fluorescence is not visible to the naked eye, although the diamond will exhibit a soft colored glow if held under an ultraviolet lamp.

Do All Diamond Fluoresce?

Not all diamond fluoresce. If a specific diamond does not fluoresce, the grading report will list the diamond's fluorescence as either inert or none.

What Are The Different Types of Diamond Fluorescence?

The degree of fluorescence varies from faint to medium to strong to very strong. Faint means that the stone has a slight glow that is difficult to see under ultraviolet light. Very strong means that the diamond emits a deep glow that is very clear under ultraviolet light. The color of the fluorescence can also vary, although blue is the most common color. Yellow, green and white are other colors that a fluorescent diamond may exhibit.

How Does Fluorescence Affect A Diamond?

Fluorescence usually has no effect on a diamond's appearance in regular lighting conditions. In some cases, however, a strong blue fluorescence can make a yellow colored diamond appear whiter. In rare cases, it can or cause a stone to appear milky or oily.

SHOP DIAMONDS

The cushion cut (also known as the pillow cut) is a traditional diamond shape that has seen a massive resurgence in popularity recently. They typically comprise of 58-64 facets and have distinguishable curved corners which give them a classy, pillow-like appearance.

Recommended Proportions for Cushion Cut Diamonds

Unlike round cut diamonds, cushion cut diamonds aren’t assigned a cut grade from GIA and this makes it harder for inexperienced shoppers to choose stones with better performance.

However, there are some specific proportions that you can use as a guide to avoiding poorly cut diamonds. You may refer to these parameters below:

The standards for cushion cut vary more than most other shapes, and personal taste will dictate choice. While generally less brilliant than round brilliant diamonds, cushion cut diamonds often have better fire, which is part of their appeal. Modern cushion cuts tend to have one of three basic pavilion facet patterns (see picture). The third pattern has an extra row of facets on the pavilion and is classified by GIA as a "modified" cushion cut. These modified cuts tend to have a "crushed ice" or needle like facet pattern, more similar to a radiant cut than a traditional cushion cut.

Length to Width Ratios for Cushion Cuts

Cushion brilliant cuts can exist in a variety of shapes ranging from squarish to rectangular shapes. This is largely a matter of personal preference and also dependent on the type of ring setting to be used.

The most popular l/w ratios for a cushion cut lie between 1.00 to 1.05 where the diamond takes on a squarish looking appearance. If you are someone who likes a more traditional appearance, stick with ratios close to 1:1.

Recommended Clarity And Color Ratings for Cushion Diamonds

When it comes to color and clarity grades, you need to understand that it is entirely up to personal preference on what you prefer. Speaking from a practical perspective, eye cleanliness is the most important thing I look out for when buying a diamond.

For cushion cut diamonds, the majority of VS2 and SI1 diamonds will be eye clean and have their inclusions masked by the sparkle and scintillation of the diamond. The caveat here is that the diamond MUST be well cut and that you utilize a video listing to check how the inclusions look like.

As for color, I recommend at least a G color for people who are color averse and are looking for an icy white appearance. Again, I want to stress that the choice of G color is largely subjective. If you like warmer tones or yellow colored settings, lower color grades like J or K would be perfectly OK for you.

The pear cut diamond combines characteristics of the modern round brilliant cut and the marquise cut to create a cutting style that resembles a teardrop. With its elegant and tapered outline, a pear shape diamond is a flattering choice for an engagement ring.

Ideally, a pear shaped diamond should possess excellent or very good symmetry. The point should line up with the apex of the rounded end. The shoulders and wings (the upper and lower curves on the right and left side of the diamond) should form uniform, symmetrical curves, with no straight edges. The rounded top should not appear narrow or squat, but like a semi-circle. In a misguided effort to add weight to a diamond (by incorporating more of the rough stone in the final cut) cutters may give the diamond added girth near the point or top, giving the diamond a squared off or squatty appearance.

* Note: The table of ideal proportions above should be used as a reference only.

The point is that you cannot judge the appearance of a fancy diamond based on numbers alone. For an accurate assessment, you should also rely on tangible data like videos/ASET to help you analyze its optical performance.

From experience, pear diamonds tend to display better fire and brilliance when they have depth ratios between 58-64% and table sizes between 60-65%. Also, it is perfectly fine for the girdle thickness of a pear shape diamond to be thicker (especially near the tip) to provide additional mechanical strength.

To help you visualize what a well cut pear diamond looks like in real life, check out these 2 examples with superb light performance and contrast patterning.

Length to Width Ratio For Pear Cuts: What is Ideal?

The length-to-width ratio of a pear cut diamond can affect the diamond’s overall shape appeal and is largely a matter of personal preferences. Here is a reference diagram to show you how the different length-to-width ratios will affect the pear’s visual appearance.Subjective observation takes precedence when you are considering the diamond’s length-to-width ratio. There are no wrong or right choices with liking a thinner looking stone or one that appears to be stubbier. Ultimately, the pear’s outline must appeal and speak to your heart.

Outlines of Pear Shape Diamonds You Need to Beware Of

While physical measurements of the stone are given in the grading certificate, it doesn’t tell you exactly how the diamond looks like. This is where an image or a video of the diamond plays a critical role especially if you are buying online (or offline for that matter).

Now, there are certain kinds of appearances that you want to avoid when buying a pear shaped diamond.

Recommended Color Ratings for Pear Cut Diamonds

Fancy shapes like marquise, oval and pear diamonds tend to show more color compared to the round cut diamond. Due to the inherent nature of the cutting style, the color is much more noticeable near the tip of the diamond.

If you are a color sensitive person and you want the diamond to face up white after it is mounted on a white gold/platinum setting, choose a color grade like G or better.

For people who intend to set the diamond in vintage style or yellow gold settings, it’s perfectly fine to go down to lower color ratings like J or K.

Recommended Clarity Ratings for Pear Cut Diamonds

When it comes to clarity, the brilliant cutting style of the pear diamond is great at concealing inclusions. This means that you can get away with an eyeclean diamond at the lower clarity ranges.

Now, I understand that different readers would have different expectations and comfort levels for clarity. If you are more comfortable with a high clarity diamond (i.e. VVS or IF), who’s to say you are wrong if you don’t mind paying the excessive premium for such stones.

It is recommended for a minimum clarity grade is SI1.

Bow-Tie Effect in Pear Shaped Diamond – Should You Worry?

Like some other fancy cut elongated diamonds, pears can exhibit a bow tie effect which can affect its appearance in a negative way. Some bow ties are less noticeable while some are very distracting and dark looking.

The intensity of the diamond’s bow tie is attributed to its cut and cannot be judged based on a grading report alone. This means that you need to SEE the stone visually to determine how severe the bowtie is.

Origin of Green Diamond’s Color

The color of a green diamond originates from the exposure to radioactivity and the atomic radiation that the stone endured over millions of years. Even though the green color is a result of exposure to radioactivity, there’s no need to worry, as holding the stone isn’t dangerous at all. The formation process, however, is incredibly rare, resulting in a colored diamond that’s extremely difficult to obtain.

In order to make identifying a genuine green diamond easier, some polishers have taken to leaving what’s called a “Natural” on the girdle of the stone. A “Natural” is an unpolished area between the girdle and pavilion, exposing the natural color of the rough. This mark allows gemologists assessing the stone to recognize the color as natural and provide the diamond with appropriate certification.

Green Diamond’s Intensity Levels

Green diamonds range from a light green to a rich, deep hue. A green diamond’s color grade is based on both the colors of the stone and the color intensity level.

The GIA grades green diamonds on the following scale:

• Faint Green
• Very Light Green
• Light Green
• Fancy Light Green
• Fancy Green
• Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid and Fancy Deep

Pure green diamonds are preferred, but most of the stones contain secondary colors. These colors can be one or even two of the following hues: yellow, yellowish, blue, bluish, brown, brownish, gray, grayish, gray yellowish and grayish yellowish.

Green Diamond’s Rarity and Prices

Green diamonds are considered one of the rarer colors within the Fancy Diamond world. In fact, the only colors that are more difficult to find are red, pink, blue, violet and orange. Because of green’s extreme rarity, these diamonds are often far pricier than other colored diamonds. Even though green diamonds are technically less rare than a pink diamond, it’s still more difficult to source a good quality fancy green diamond.

Being on a budget doesn’t mean nixing the idea of owning a green diamond, though. In fact, often a very light green diamond contains a nice tint that adds uniqueness to the stone without breaking the bank. 

Overall, the prices of green diamonds range greatly depending on their size, shape, color, quality and source. 

What is a Pink Diamond?

A pink diamond is a fancy colored diamond with a pink hue. Pink diamonds’ color is not caused by chemical impurities, as with other fancy colored diamonds. Instead, the exact reason pink diamonds are created is uncertain.

Pink diamonds used to be most often found in the Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia (now closed after 37 years of operations). Other areas that have been known to produce pink diamonds include India, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Canada.

The pink diamond is one of the rarest colored diamonds that exist – rarer than every type of colored diamond, apart from red diamonds. Their rarity means pink diamonds are exceedingly valuable. A high-quality pink diamond with an intense shade can cost up to $700,000 per carat.

What makes a Pink Diamond Pink?

Gemologists aren’t entirely certain how the pink diamond obtains its color. Unlike other stones in the Fancy Color Diamond family, pink diamonds don’t contain impurities that they derive their color from.

Various theories have been presented regarding the origin of the diamond’s unique hue. Some suspect that the enormous pressure undergone by pink diamonds during formation is a likely cause, though others believe it could be related to a seismic shock that impacted the stone’s molecular structure.

Though the exact cause of the pink diamond’s color remains unknown, it offers the world a beautiful stone for engagement rings, bracelets and earrings.

Pink Diamond Intensity Levels

The shade of a pink diamond is graded according to its intensity and strength of color. In addition to its main hue, pink diamonds can have a secondary color or overtone, such as purple, brown or orange.

The GIA grades pink diamonds on the following scale:

·       Faint

·       Very Light

·       Light

·       Fancy Light

·       Fancy

·       Fancy Intense

·       Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep or Fancy Dark

Evaluating the intensity of a pink diamond is quite difficult, as each Fancy color grade isn’t simply a point along a line: each grade is a range in itself. We suggest contacting a diamond expert to ensure you’re getting the right value for the price.

You may also encounter pink diamonds being referred to on a point scale from 1-9. For example, a vendor may rank a pink diamond a “7” based on its color and saturation. This is the Argyle color grading system. The GIA grades are usually standard, though.

As with most Fancy Color Diamonds, the richer and more saturated the color, the more expensive the diamond.

Pink Diamond Price

With the exception of red diamonds, high-quality pinks are the most expensive natural diamond color in the market today. The price varies a lot and can go from $10,000 per carat for a less intense pink diamond, to a massive $700,000 per carat for a deep and intense pink.

The secondary or modifying tone of the diamond can also impact pricing. If a pink diamond carries a purplish modifier, the diamond would probably be priced slightly less than a pink stone without a color modifier.

Having a clear budget in mind prior to looking at diamonds and jewelry will help narrow your search. In addition, you’ll want to decide what kind of color intensity you desire.

Though pink diamonds can be found around the world, the largest cache is located in the Argyle mine in Western Australia. The beautiful gemstone is still very rare, with only a few produced each year. Due to marketing efforts to sell pink diamonds, and Ben Affleck’s proposal to Jennifer Lopez with a pink gemstone in 2002, prices have risen significantly.

An Affordable Alternative to Ultra Rare Fancy Color Diamonds

While fancy pink diamonds may be out of the price range for most people, you may want to consider a lab-created fancy color diamond if you want to find an affordable gift.

What are Fancy Yellow Diamonds?

Yellow diamonds are one of many kinds of Fancy Colored Diamonds that exist, produced both naturally and man-made. While diamonds are most often clear and colorless, fancy colors, such as yellow diamonds, provide an interesting and alluring alternative. They get their beautiful yellow color thanks to a small part of nitrogen that’s contained in their structure.

Regular “colorless” diamonds can have a yellowish hue, which is generally considered a negative quality; diamonds that are completely clear and colorless command a higher price. However, once the color reaches a level to where yellow is the dominant color, its value begins to rise again as a Fancy Colored Diamond.

Fancy Yellow Diamonds can have shades of other colors present as well, such as orange or brown. The most desirable and valuable yellow diamonds, however, are those with a pure, intense yellow color. These pure yellow diamonds are often referred to as Canary Diamonds, or Canary Yellow Diamonds.

Canary Diamonds, named because their shade resembles that of a canary bird, are the most desirable of all yellow diamonds, and thus command the highest price.

Origin of Yellow Diamonds

Yellow diamonds’ unique color comes from the presence of nitrogen in their composition. The nitrogen molecules absorb blue light, making the stone a yellow shade. Depending on the amount of nitrogen, a yellow diamond could range from light to dark.

Different chemicals present during the diamond’s formation result in additional colors present, such as the common brown or orange tint found with yellow diamonds. Due to the natural process necessary for a diamond to have a deep, intense yellow color, these diamonds – known as Canary Diamonds – are very rare.

What are Canary Diamonds

Canary Yellow Diamonds are the most sought-after and valuable type of yellow diamonds. Like the canary bird, these diamonds exhibit a deep, intense yellow hue, as opposed to a dull or light yellow tinge that can be considered a negative in diamonds.

Officially, canary diamonds are simply fancy yellow diamonds, graded anywhere from fancy intense to fancy vivid on the GIA color scale. Canary Yellow is a casual term used for yellow diamonds with a pure yellow color, not an official term.

Canary Yellow Diamonds are rare and beautiful, and thus come with a higher price and resell value than most other yellow diamonds.

Here are some examples of Canary Diamonds, and the price they command:

Yellow Diamond Grading – The Intensity Levels

White diamonds are graded on a color scale of D to Z, with D being a colorless diamond and Z having a distinct yellow or brown tint. If the scale were to continue past Z—all the way to a rich, yellow color—you’d have a Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond. In other words, yellow diamonds are fully saturated with yellow and carry no traces of whiteness whatsoever.

The GIA color grading scale for yellow diamonds is:

• Faint
• Very Light
• Light
• Fancy Light
• Fancy
• Fancy Intense
• Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep or Fancy Dark

Assessing the color of yellow diamonds—or any Fancy Color Diamonds—is a difficult task. Most importantly, each Fancy color grade isn’t simply a point along a line. Each grade is a range in itself. For example, it’s possible to find a Fancy Yellow that just barely made it over the border from Fancy Light territory. It’s also possible to find a Fancy Yellow that just missed the cutoff into the Fancy Intense grade.

Yellow Diamond Prices

Fancy Yellow Diamonds can cost anywhere from around $2,500 per Carat to $20,000 or more per Carat, depending on a number of factors.

Factors that influence the price of yellow diamonds include:

• Yellow color grade: “Faint” or “Very Light” yellow diamonds are much cheaper, while Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid diamonds are much more expensive.
• Supporting colors: the highest priced yellow diamonds are those with a pure yellow color (like Canary Diamonds) or diamonds with an orange or green overtone. On the other end, brownish yellow diamonds are often (though not always) cheaper.
• Cut & Clarity: like colorless diamonds, the 4 C’s play heavily into the price of yellow diamonds. 
• Carat: yellow diamonds at high carat weights are much more rare than smaller diamonds, and thus command a higher relative price.

Generally speaking, Fancy Yellow Diamonds are relatively common. Due to their commonality—relative to other Fancy colors—yellow diamonds can be fairly affordable.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is a more recently developed technique by which diamonds can be grown from a hydrocarbon gas mixture. In the CVD process, a thin slice of diamond seed (often an HPHT produced diamond) is placed in a sealed chamber and heated to around 800 degrees Celsius. The chamber is then filled with a carbon rich gas (usually methane) along with other gases. Then, the gases are ionized into plasma using microwaves, lasers, or other techniques. The ionization breaks the molecular bonds in the gases and the pure carbon adheres to the diamon seed and slowly builds up into a crystal, atom by atom, layer by layer. 

The CVD process has a few advantages. High pressures are not needed, and temperatures, while high, do not need to be anywhere near as high as with HPHT. Also, CVD diamonds can be grown over larger areas by starting with a larger diamond seed plate. Finally, the CVD process allows for a finer control over the environment in the growth chamber and thus the properties of the finished diamond. However, even with all of these advantages, the largest known, polished lab grown CVD diamond as of the time of the writing is only 3.23 carats; it was graded as I color, VS 2 clarity.

Compared with natural diamonds, the obvious advantages of lab-grown diamonds are.

1, environmental protection: no large-scale destruction of arable land to damage the soil.

The mining of natural diamonds is a huge project, and most of the mining methods are large scale mechanical destructive mining, which destroys arable land and brings irreversible damage to the ecological environment. Laboratory cultivation of diamonds is created by scientists and engineers in a laboratory using the right amount of electricity and raw materials under the premise of protecting the friendly environment.

2、Conflict-free and guaranteed source: No unequal trade involving diamond mine safety hazards and child labor, crushing, etc.

3、All Type IIa: The quality of lab-grown diamonds is unparalleled, almost all are Type IIa grade, equivalent to Top 2% of the world’s diamonds.

4, cost-effective: natural diamonds are not popular in the recycling market, but the collection grade natural diamonds are also not in the consideration of ordinary people. Do daily wear, in the case of equal parameters, the price of lab-grown diamonds is one-third of natural diamonds. The appearance of a lab-grown diamond is the same as that of a natural diamond and cannot be distinguished by the average stylus let alone the naked eye.

Love or happiness is not defined by a diamond. If you look at diamonds rationally, lab-grown diamonds are a more cost-effective option.

Many people get confused when hearing the term "lab-grown diamond". For some reason, they think that these diamonds are fake, which is a huge misconception.

Lab-grown or lab-created diamonds, also referred to as synthetic, man-made, created, cultured or cultivated diamonds, are not diamond simulants. Lab-created diamonds are identical to natural ones in terms of crystal structure, chemical composition, appearance and physical properties.

The difference between natural and lab-created diamonds is the way they were made and their price. No wonder synthetic diamonds are more affordable than natural ones because the latter are rare and hard to mine. In face, by buying a lab-created diamond, you can save up to 50%.

1. Lab grown diamonds are worthless?

It's no secret that the price per carat of lab created diamonds has been dropping and fast. But like with any technological innovation - the more competitors enter the market and the more we learn about making these stunning stones - it's only natural to see them get more affordable. At the same time, they are also getting more available, more beautiful and more varied.

Once about 20% less than the price of natural, mined diamonds, today you can find lab diamonds for 40-50% less. Wallet already feeling better? We expect this trend to continue a bit before pricing stabilizes, but lab created diamonds are definitely going to save you dollars.

Does that mean they're a terrible investment? Are lab grown diamonds worth anything? Are we talking love story or stock purchase? 

But seriously, while the diamond market is relatively stable, unless you're buying investment grade fancy color diamonds, no diamond is an investment.

2. Lab created diamonds are bad for environment?

Hello, carbon footprint. We're all trying to do a little better these days, and the diamond industry isn't historically known for being super transparent - so its good to know where you're getting into. 

First thing's first: Lab grown diamonds are made with eletricity. Electricity is bad for the environment. Lab created diamonds use 250 million joules per carat. Seem like a lot? Mined diamonds use 538.5 million. But some lab diamonds, like Diamond Foundry's, are grown with 100% renewable energy. 

Beyond electricity, lab created diamonds consume significantly less water per carat than their mined counterparts - 18 gallons vs 126 gallons - and have startlingly lower carbon emissions. Bottom line, if you believe in global warming, there's no better way to flaunt your support than witha big, shiny, lab created diamond.

3. Lab created diamonds aren't real diamonds?

Is ice real if it's made in your freezer? Same goes for lab grown diamonds. They are au naturale, just made in different way (by machines instead of mother Earth). Lab grown diamonds are atomically, physically and optically identic to natural diamonds. in 2018, the FTC ruled, "A diamond is a diamond no matter whether it is grown in a lab or comes out the ground.' 

4. You can't get lab grown diamonds appraised.

A diamond is a diamond, why not? Just as some grading labs have started offering certification for lab grown diamonds, jewelry appraisers will also appraise them - as they would any natural diamond - in line with their current market value. Yes, your appraisal might state 'lab created' on it. That's what it is. Just remember, an appraisal is not the value of your diamond, or what you paid for it. IGI is largely appraising on lab grown diamond, so as GIA under the name of LGDR.

5. All lab created diamonds are the same?

While we are getting better at the tech side of the process, lab grown diamond still have a mind of their own and each one is unique! Are all lab created diamonds good? Absolutely not. In fact, each lab diamond is grown from an individual seed. There are two types of lab grown diamonds - CVD diamond and HPHT diamond. In both processes, the diamond seed passes on its characteristics to the newly formed diamond.

Plus, lab grown diamond possess the same inclusions as natural diamonds and can even emit fluorescence. You should purchase them with the same care and attention to detail as natural diamond, as their prices fluctuate based on the 4C's in precisely the same way as mind diamond's do.

6. You can only buy small lab grown diamonds.

This one definitely used to be true. But it's also been rapidly changing. Now you can get lab grown diamonds at carat size. 

7. Lab grown diamonds are expensive.

While lab grown diamonds are still expensive compared to, say an iPhone, they sell for -50% less than a comparable mined diamond. A 2carat lab grown diamond might cost around RM 15,000 vs RM 40,000 for a mind diamond. The savings is more than enough to put towards a wedding, your instagram-worthy honeymoon.