Cheap Lab Created Engagement Rings
Cheap Lab Created Engagement Rings
If you’re looking for a stunning engagement ring without breaking the bank, you may want to consider lab created diamonds. They’re chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds but are significantly less expensive.
Thankfully, there are a number of retailers offering ethically sourced lab created diamonds at affordable prices. Read on to learn more about them and shop our top picks!
1. Round Cut
A classic, timeless choice, the Round Cut is one of the most popular diamond cuts out there. This cut offers exceptional white light reflection, also known as brilliance, and can be found in a variety of diamond rings styles.
Its shape is ideal for many different styles of ring, from simple solitaires to heavenly halo settings. And since it’s the most popular cut in the world, it’s likely to remain on trend for decades to come!
A well-cut round diamond will reflect more than 90% of the light that passes through it, making it appear brighter and scintillating. This is a huge difference compared to princess cut diamonds, which return only 70% of the light entering them.
2. Princess Cut
Princess cut diamonds are an excellent option for couples looking for a classic engagement ring. They offer stunning fire and brilliance, as well as an affordable price tag compared to round brilliant cut diamonds.
Moreover, princess cuts hide blemishes and natural imperfections very well because they’re faceted and deep, Priori says. Also, they don’t accentuate color tinting or inclusions, which are usually more noticeable with lower clarity diamonds.
When shopping online for a lab created princess cut, look for a reputable retailer that specializes in what you’re purchasing. Some top vendors include James Allen, Blue Nile, and Whiteflash. These retailers provide solid after-sales policies, large inventories, and 360deg magnified videos of their diamonds to make the buying process more efficient.
3. Marquise Cut
For the bride looking for a unique diamond shape that stands out from other shapes, the Marquise Cut is the perfect choice. This modified brilliant cut features a wide middle that extends to sharp points on both sides of the stone.
This elongated body can create the appearance of a larger diamond than its real carat weight, which makes it a great option for a budget-friendly bride-to-be who wants a stunning ring.
The only downside to the Marquise Cut is that it has a dreaded bow-tie effect that can affect its shine and sparkle. While this isn’t always an issue, you should be wary of stones with an overly pronounced bow-tie.
The best way to ensure a diamond’s quality is to stick with rings that feature marquise-cut lab created diamonds that have been certified by one of the top diamond certification laboratories in the world: the GIA, AGS, or EGL. These are the only organizations that offer diamond grading parameters for color, clarity, and carat size, so you can rest assured that the ring you choose is the best possible.
4. Oval Cut
Oval cuts are a beautiful and elegant choice for engagement rings. They offer the same sparkle as round diamonds but have a more unique shape that is often more budget friendly (about 25% less than a comparable carat weight round) and contemporary.
They also look great on thick fingers and small hands as the elongated shape can help create the illusion of longer, thinner fingers. Oval cuts are a popular choice for trendsetting brides that want to stand out from the crowd and make an impression on their new partner.
Oval diamonds have become a popular choice for many couples, as they’re a timeless and classic design that can be worn in nearly any ring style. However, they do have some disadvantages that you should consider before making your decision. One of the biggest disadvantages is a dark area called a bow tie that can appear across the center of the diamond.
5. Pear Cut
One of the most eye-catching diamond shapes, the Pear Cut has a bit of everything that makes it stand out. It borrows design elements from the round brilliant cut and the eye-catching marquise.
The elongated shape of the pear cut diamond can make your ring finger appear longer and leaner, making it a great choice for many women who want an engagement ring that’s edgy yet elegant.
While the pear isn’t as popular as it once was, it has a lot of appeal to jewelry lovers who love unique stone cuts. If you’re looking for a lab created diamond engagement ring that’s a little different, the pear is worth checking out!
Like any fancy cut, the pear has its own set of challenges when it comes to quality. It’s not as good at hiding imperfections like the cushion and oval cuts, but it is very effective at showing off color.
6. Radiant Cut
The radiant cut is a unique diamond shape that was developed in the 1970s by Henry Grossbard. It combines the characteristics of round brilliant and emerald cuts.
It can be square or rectangular and is typically cut with 70 facets. Its soft corners protect the diamond from everyday wear and reduce the risk of chipping.
Radiant cut engagement rings are affordable and a great option for couples with a limited budget. This is because they use a large percentage of the rough diamond, which makes it cheaper on a per-carat basis.
Its many facets also create a crushed ice effect, which hides small inclusions and enhances the color of the diamond. This gives a diamond a kaleidoscope look that is loved by all.
7. Cushion Cut
A cushion cut is a unique diamond shape that offers a soft and romantic look. They feature large facets that maximize brilliance, along with lovely rounded corners.
They are ideal for a classic engagement ring with vintage charm. They pair beautifully with a variety of precious metals, including platinum and white gold.
If you’re considering a cushion cut, we recommend working with a jeweler who specializes in the cut to find your ideal stone. They will guide you through the cut and symmetry parameters, which will help you choose a beautiful diamond that matches your style and budget.
8. Triangle Cut
Triangle cut diamonds are not as popular as some other diamond shapes, but if you’re interested in a more unique stone shape, it could be worth looking into. Also known as trilliant or trillion cut, the shape combines a triangle cut and a brilliant cut diamond’s flat top and sparkling facets.
Trillion shaped diamonds are often used as accent stones in rings and other jewelry pieces to add more sparkle to them. They can contrast nicely with square or rectangular center diamonds and look especially pretty in yellow gold.
The triangular shape is inspired by the briolette and Old Mine diamond cuts, which were both popular during the 1960s. Leon Finker invented the trillion cut in the mid-1960s and initially did not attempt to trademark or patent the cut, but it quickly became a popular choice.
9. Trilogy Cut
A Trilogy Cut engagement ring is a unique and versatile style of ring that is gaining popularity amongst couples. It is a great way to get a large diamond effect without paying a high price for a single stone ring.
These rings can be crafted from any precious metal including platinum, yellow or rose gold and can be set with princess, emerald or round stones. They can also be adorned with coloured gemstones, such as rubies or sapphires, to add further meaning to the ring.
Traditionally a trilogy ring represents past, present and future which is a very romantic and symbolic style of ring that can be cherished for a lifetime. It can also be customised to include additional gemstones that are important to the couple, such as birthstones or a special colour gemstone.
10. Halo Pave
If you’re looking for a ring with extra sparkle, the Halo Pave engagement ring may be the perfect option for you. It features a halo of pave diamonds around the center stone.
The halo adds a layer of protection to the center stone, which can help preserve its value in the long run. The halo also helps make the diamond appear larger and more sparkly from far away.
However, there are some downsides to halo rings that you should keep in mind before choosing this type of setting. First, halo settings often feature small prongs that are less likely to protect the diamond if it is knocked against other objects.
Cheap Lab Created Engagement Rings