The Carat Lab

Whether you’re shopping for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or just want a beautiful center stone for your next jewelry piece, the carat lab is an option worth considering. It offers the same fire, scintillation and brilliance of a natural diamond at a much lower price point.

Like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created from carbon atoms under high pressure and temperature. They can then be cut and polished to their final size and color.

1. Size

Carat is a big deal when it comes to diamonds, especially when you’re talking about the stuff that we all wear around our necks. One of the best things about a lab grown diamond is that you get the benefits of a naturally mined diamond at a fraction of the cost. If you are looking for the perfect way to splurge on your special someone, a lab grown diamond is a worthy addition to your collection. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, an anniversary ring or simply want to treat yourself to something that will last a lifetime, a bespoke lab grown diamond will be a worthy investment. The biggest challenge is choosing the right one. Fortunately, the experts at James Allen have your back. We have a range of styles from the finest quality to budget friendly offerings. We have something for everyone, so stop by today and let us help you find the perfect diamond.

2. Clarity

Clarity is one of the most important aspects to consider when shopping for a diamond. It determines a diamond’s relative freedom from internal characteristics, classified as inclusions, and surface characteristics, classified as blemishes. The clarity of a diamond can have a significant impact on its price and aesthetics, so it’s important to shop for a stone with high clarity.

Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds vary in clarity. This is because they are formed under controlled conditions and can contain inclusions that affect their clarity grade.

For example, lab-grown diamonds that were created using high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) technology often contain small metallic inclusions left over from the metal flux used to transport carbon gas onto the diamond seed. These inclusions can impact clarity even though they are typically only visible under magnification.

Some lab-grown diamonds, however, may have very few or no inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. These stones are often referred to as eye-clean.

These are generally considered to be the safest grades because they won’t have any noticeable imperfections that could affect their value. This makes them a great choice for any budget.

Another advantage of the lab-grown diamond is that it can be cut into any desired shape. This can be a big plus for those looking to get creative with their engagement rings.

It’s also worth mentioning that lab-grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly than mined ones because they don’t require any mining or displace millions of tons of earth matter to create them. In addition, they typically cost less to form than mined diamonds do.

In fact, a single carat of mined diamond can cost more than 100,000 pounds of displaced earth. This is why many people choose lab-grown diamonds for their wedding or engagement rings.

A diamond’s clarity grading is determined after examining it under a 10x magnification loupe and noting the size, number, position, nature, and color or relief of the inclusions. The GIA and IGI use this process to determine a clarity grade and assign a corresponding clarity plot, which shows how the imperfections are located.

3. Color

The color of a diamond can be one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a ring. This is especially true for lab-grown diamonds, which can be created in a variety of fancy colors including yellow and blue. In fact, lab-grown diamonds can actually be made to mimic the hues of a natural diamond with the help of nitrogen and boron. A G or H color grade lab-grown diamond will make your eyes pop and is a great choice for an engagement ring. The color of your setting also makes a difference, so opt for a white metal mounting to emphasize the best features of your lab-grown stone.

4. Cut

The carat lab has been specifically designed to mimic the appearance of natural, mined diamonds. It’s made from materials like carbon and can be created in a range of sizes, from a tiny 0.03 carat to a large 3.12 carat. Some are even crafted into fancy cuts, such as antique cushion or radiant cut lab diamonds. The cut of the lab diamond is just as important as it is with natural diamonds, so it’s crucial that you understand your options before deciding on a stone for your engagement ring. If you’re considering an off-size lab diamond, be sure to check its lab grading for overall symmetry and proportion, and see how the light reflects back from the stone. You can also try to find images taken using an Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool (ASET) to evaluate light reflection from the stone. If you’re looking for a more traditional diamond, you may be more interested in a round brilliant or princess cut lab diamond.

Millennials are taking an alternative approach to engagements and weddings, and that means eschewing the classic in favor of something that’s truly unique. The growing popularity of vintage-inspired lab diamonds is a perfect example of this.

The Carat Lab