The Cost of a Lab Grown Diamond

A 1 carat lab grown diamond costs about 30% less than a mined one. That makes it a great choice for those on a budget or who want to have a diamond in their engagement ring without breaking the bank.

However, lab diamond prices are still volatile and can go down over time based on market trends.

1. Carat

A lab grown diamond can be a great way to get a larger stone without breaking the bank. They are also environmentally friendly and much more ethical than mined diamonds.

They can cost up to 50% less than a natural diamond of the same quality and carat weight, according to many jewelers. The difference is primarily due to supply and demand for both kinds of diamonds.

There are many different manufacturers of lab grown diamonds, so prices can vary a lot, depending on the company and process of production (e.g., high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD)).

Because of this, it is very important to work with a reputable jeweler that sources lab grown diamonds only from reputable manufacturers. They will also be able to help you find the best quality lab grown diamond for your needs and budget.

A 1 carat lab grown diamond will typically cost between $800 and $1,000 per carat. This price will also vary based on the size of the diamond, as well as where you buy it from.

The most popular online jewelry stores for 1 carat lab diamonds are Whiteflash, Brilliant Earth, and James Allen. They all offer a wide selection of lab diamonds, with helpful customer service to ensure that you choose the right diamond for your ring.

These companies also offer GIA and IGI certifications for their diamonds, and they will help you find the right one for your budget. If you have any questions, they will be happy to answer them.

Some lab grown diamonds have a faint blue tint to them, which is caused by trace amounts of the mineral boron. The GIA and IGI will not grade this as an F or lower color-graded diamond, but it should be noted on the additional comments for each stone.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that lab diamonds do not hold their value as well as mined diamonds. They can depreciate in value as well, so if you are uncomfortable with that, a lab grown diamond may not be the best choice for your ring.

2. Color

The cost of a lab grown diamond depends on a number of factors. It will be different if you purchase a lab grown diamond from a brick-and-mortar store versus an online shop, and the price will also vary depending on the size of the lab grown diamond you choose. The average cost of a 1 carat lab grown diamond is around $800-$1,000, but can be much higher or lower.

A diamond is valued based on its grading and the market. It doesn’t have any intrinsic value like a share in stock or a gold bar, which is why it can be depreciated quickly when the market changes. However, a lab-grown diamond is less likely to depreciate than a natural diamond, as it has been created.

Another important factor that can affect the cost of a lab grown diamond is its color. The International Gemological Institute (IGI) grades the color of lab diamonds on a scale from D to Z.

This color grading system is a guide to help consumers determine the quality of a diamond. It is used for both natural and lab-grown diamonds and helps consumers make informed decisions about their jewelry investment.

Lab grown diamonds can range in color from D to F, with the highest-quality stones being completely colorless and transparent. Typically, colorless diamonds are more expensive than fancy-colored ones.

The best way to find a colorless diamond is to buy one that is certified by the International Gemological Institute. This organization independently verifies all laboratory-grown diamonds and will laser-inscribe its girdle with the report number and a statement that it is laboratory-grown.

Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds don’t contain nitrogen atom pairs. This means they are more durable and stronger than mined diamonds, making them better for engagement rings.

In addition, they do not release harmful chemicals into the environment, as mined diamonds often do. This makes them an eco-friendly option for any occasion, and can also help ensure the sustainability of diamond mining.

The cost of a lab grown diamond can be 50-70% less than that of a mined diamond. This is because lab diamonds are manufactured in a more technologically advanced manner than mined diamonds. They are also more durable and strong, which can help keep the cost down.

3. Clarity

Clarity is one of the main factors that determines the price of a lab grown diamond. The GIA clarity grading system ranges from Flawless to Included, with some grades being subdivided into categories like Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Slightly Included 1 or 2, and Very Slightly Included 1.

As the name implies, clarity refers to how free of inclusions or blemishes the diamond is. This is a very important consideration because the presence of inclusions or blemishes can affect how the diamond sparkles and reflects light.

The number, size and position of these inclusions and blemishes will influence the clarity grade. The less inclusions or blemishes there are in the diamond, the better it will sparkle.

When determining the clarity grade of a lab grown diamond, the GIA uses a 10-x magnification loupe to examine the diamond and note the number and location of these inclusions. The larger the size of an inclusion or blemish, the lower the clarity grade will be.

In addition to the size of these inclusions, their type and the nature will also impact the clarity of the diamond. Inclusions or blemishes that are deep within the diamond will have a greater negative effect on the clarity of the diamond than those that are only surface-level.

Some lab grown diamonds, such as those created by high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), can contain small metal inclusions that are not visible with the naked eye. These include iron, nickel and cobalt, as well as mineral inclusions such as graphite.

These metallic inclusions are usually only visible under magnification and can impact the clarity of a lab grown diamond significantly. However, they are not necessarily harmful to the stone’s brilliance and can help identify them as synthetic.

While these inclusions can influence a lab grown diamond’s clarity grade, they aren’t typically as damaging to the diamond’s resale value as the inclusions and blemishes found in natural diamonds. That’s why you should always take the inclusions and blemishes of a lab grown diamond into account before purchasing it.

4. Cut

The cut of a diamond is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining the value of a gemstone. The cut is the part of a diamond that affects how light is reflected and refracted. It also determines the sparkle, or “fire,” that a diamond displays. The cut of a lab grown diamond is similar to that of a mined diamond and should be carefully chosen.

In a lab, the exact conditions that are found underground during diamond mining are used to grow diamond crystals in a controlled environment. This allows lab diamonds to be created at a much faster pace than they would otherwise be, using half the energy used by mined diamonds.

This is a big advantage for consumers since it means they can buy larger, more beautiful diamonds at a lower price point. Ashley Taylor, owner of Taylor Custom Rings, said she has seen a lot of people choosing lab-grown diamonds for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they cost 20-40% less than mined diamonds and are available in more shapes and sizes.

According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), GIA-certified lab grown diamonds have to meet all the same grading standards as mined diamonds and are graded on color, clarity, carat weight, and the type of production process used to create them. This includes both high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, and both offer quality control that’s hard to achieve with mined diamonds.

These synthetic stones are typically far more flawless than mined diamonds. However, they can still contain inclusions and have other minor imperfections that may affect their clarity grade.

Because of these variations, you should always consider a GIA-certified diamond when shopping for one. The same GIA-certified gemologists who grade natural diamonds will assess and evaluate laboratory-created diamonds, too.

The GIA-certified lab grown diamonds we sell here at James Allen come in a variety of cuts and styles. They range from simple round brilliant diamonds to emerald and cushion cuts. They’re available in a number of different colors, including white, yellow, and fancy colored. They also come in all shapes, from round to oval and heart.

The Cost of a Lab Grown Diamond