Are Vrai Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?
Are Vrai Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?
Founded in 2014, Vrai has been creating lab-grown diamond collections since before it became clear that the manmade stones offered an ethical alternative to mined diamonds.
They’ve set up a base in Copenhagen, where they have access to sustainable energy companies that work with them to ensure their products are carbon neutral. Their sustainability credentials are one of their strongest cards.
The 4Cs of a Real Diamond
If you’re looking to make a major purchase in jewelry, you’ll need to understand the 4Cs of a diamond. These four factors — cut, color, clarity and carat weight — help you determine a diamond’s quality and value.
A diamond’s cut describes how well a stone’s facets interact with light, which makes it sparkle. It’s the most important of the 4Cs, says GIA’s Matt Mills, because the more accurate a diamond’s cut, the better it will look.
The next most important factor is clarity. A stone with a high clarity grade (such as IF or I) is internally flawless, meaning it doesn’t have any small imperfections, like fingerprints or scratches. A lower-grade diamond with a higher clarity rating (such as SI or I1) can have more inclusions, which can distort the diamond’s appearance.
Finally, the last of the 4Cs is the carat weight. A diamond with a larger carat weight is more rare and therefore more expensive. However, it’s important to remember that carat weight alone doesn’t influence the price of a diamond. The other three Cs do.
Because cut, color and clarity are so important to the appearance of a diamond, they all play a role in determining its value. For example, a VS2 with excellent clarity is more expensive than an SI1 with poor clarity.
As a result, it’s important to choose a well-cut diamond with a color and clarity that are within your budget. That way, you’ll be able to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to buying a diamond engagement ring.
When choosing a real diamond, don’t forget to ask for a grading report from a reputable gemological laboratory. This document will verify that the jeweler you’re dealing with is a trustworthy professional and can provide you with unbiased information about your diamond’s quality.
Once you’ve made your diamond purchase, be sure to protect it with personal jewelry insurance from Jewelers Mutual. This affordable option protects your diamond from loss, damage and mysterious disappearances.
Buying a Real Diamond
Buying a diamond is an emotional and significant purchase. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing a real diamond.
There are many ways to tell if the diamond you’re looking at is real. These include:
A grading report from an unbiased laboratory (like GIA, AGS, or IGI), which gives you an overview of its 4Cs quality factors. This can give you confidence when shopping online, because you’ll know what you’re getting before you buy it.
If you’re shopping with a reputable jeweler, they’ll have an expert who can help you determine if the diamond you’re considering is real. They’ll also be able to explain the 4Cs of diamond quality and encourage you to compare a number of stones that fall within your budget.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, a good place to start is to decide on a carat weight that’s right for you and your budget. A 0.95 to 1.08ct diamond is generally considered a good range, but there’s no one size fits all.
You can even go for a larger stone if you prefer, but keep in mind that bigger diamonds tend to be more expensive. This will vary by retailer, so it’s best to do your research before making a final decision.
When you’re ready to shop for a diamond, look at verified online retailers like James Allen or Blue Nile. These jewelers are dedicated to selling only high-quality, responsibly-sourced diamonds. They’re also the perfect place to start if you don’t have time to visit a brick-and-mortar jewelry store.
These jewelers have access to thousands of diamonds, so they can easily compare them for you. They also have tools to show you the differences between stones, including 3D images and grading reports from an unbiased lab.
The easiest way to tell if the diamond you’re considering is fake or real is to do a simple hot/cold test. This is an inexpensive and easy test to perform, so if you’re concerned about the cost, this could be the solution for you.
Another test that can help you confirm if the diamond you’re thinking of buying is real or fake is to use a black light. Most diamonds will reveal a blue fluorescence under this light, which is a good sign that they’re real.
Buying a Lab-Grown Diamond
When you’re shopping for a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, there are many factors to consider. For one, you’ll need to make sure that the company you’re purchasing from is legitimate and authentic. This involves doing your research, contacting the company and checking their customer reviews.
You’ll also want to find out if the company you’re considering is transparent about their business practices, who grows their diamonds, and what kind of quality control they have in place. Once you have this information, you’ll be ready to decide on a reputable lab-grown diamond company that you can trust.
Another important aspect of buying a lab-grown diamond is to make sure that it has been graded by an independent laboratory. This ensures that you are getting a high-quality, lab-grown diamond.
Most major gem labs, including GIA, offer reports for laboratory-grown diamonds. It’s also important to check the certificate that comes with your lab-grown diamond to ensure that it is genuine.
Lastly, be aware that lab-grown diamonds have a lower resale value than natural ones. This is because man-made diamonds are still new to the jewelry industry, so it’s possible that they could lose value as technology improves.
While lab-grown diamonds aren’t as rare as naturally mined diamonds, they can still be difficult to source. However, if you know what you’re looking for and do your research, it’s easy to find a high-quality, lab-grown stone that you love.
Some of our favorite places to buy a lab-grown diamond include James Allen, Blue Nile, and Brilliant Earth. These jewelers offer a wide range of diamonds that are incredibly beautiful. You can even view them up close with 360deg high-definition photos that let you see each one in its best light.
The process of purchasing a lab-grown diamond is similar to that of buying a natural diamond. It’s a matter of doing your research, evaluating the diamond’s grading report and selecting the right stone.
While lab-grown diamonds are still relatively new to the jewelry world, they can be a great option for couples who want to save money while staying eco-friendly and ethically conscious. You can purchase lab-grown diamond jewelry online and offline, and many of these companies are highly reputable.
Buying a Cubic Zirconia
The first step in buying a cubic zirconia, or CZ, is ensuring that you’re dealing with legitimate sellers. This means finding an online retailer that is certified and reputable. It’s also important to make sure the seller is licensed in your state.
Cubic zirconia is a synthetic gemstone that looks incredibly similar to diamonds. It has a crystallized zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) structure that allows it to be made into rings, earrings, pendants and more at low prices. It’s a good choice for those who don’t want to spend as much on an engagement ring.
CZs are available in many shapes and sizes, and they can even come in different colors. For example, if you’re looking for a pink cubic zirconia, manufacturers add elements like erbium or europium to the process.
Another thing to look for is the quality of the stone. This is especially important for cubic zirconia rings because they will be on your finger for an extended period of time. If the stone is not high-quality, it may not be able to shine brightly or sparkle with color.
If you’re looking for a durable gemstone, look for one with a rating of AAAAA or above. These are the highest grades of cubic zirconia and should last a long time with proper care.
You should also be aware of how the stone is treated and handled. For instance, a lot of water and harsh cleaners can damage the stone. So be careful when you shower, swim, and clean your jewelry.
A good rule of thumb is to remove your cubic zirconia from contact with any water. Moreover, be sure to only wear it in settings that are made from sterling silver or stainless steel. This will ensure that it won’t be tarnished or chipped when it’s not being worn.
It’s important to remember that while cubic zirconia is a great option for those who are on a budget, it doesn’t have the same durability as diamonds. It won’t be able to withstand the rigors of everyday wear and tear, so it will lose its shine and sparkle over time.
Are Vrai Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?