What is a lab-grown diamond?

A lab-grown or lab-created diamond is a diamond grown in a controlled laboratory setting through processes that mimic Earth's natural heat and pressure conditions. Lab diamonds of the highest quality are "grown" from a seed under conditions in which the purest form of carbon, Type IIA, is used. The big difference? A lab-grown diamond can be created in a matter of weeks, while a mined diamond can take millions of years to form.

Are lab-grown diamonds real?

Yes! Lab-grown diamonds are just as real as earth diamonds. They share the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Without the proper tools, even jewelry experts can't tell the difference between a lab-created and a mined diamond using the naked eye.

Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?

Lab-created diamond rings are less expensive than rings made with natural diamonds, though depending on the stone size and setting, they can still cost several thousand dollars. Natural diamonds are generally more expensive due to increased production costs, like mining. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds can be created at scale in one place, often using more sustainable methods. Like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are valued using the 4 C's—cut, color, clarity, and carat size—and have the same certification processes. Generally, the price of a lab-grown diamond is about 50 percent less than a mined diamond of the same weight. If you opt for a smaller stone or go with pavé diamonds—like this dainty Italic eternity band —you can find a lovely piece for around $1,000. With a 0.27 center stone, this Ritani solitaire ring is just $967. Upgrade the stone size to 12.27 carats and the price shoots up to more than $55,000.

The 16 Best Lab-Grown Diamond Rings of 2023

While the idea of wearing a diamond formed over millions of years is undoubtedly romantic, lab-grown diamonds are often less expensive, and more sustainably sourced. Like natural diamonds, lab-created diamonds are available in every shape and cut imaginable—and it's practically impossible to tell them apart using just the naked eye. In 2022, more people said "I do!" to a lab-created diamond, which accounted for nearly 10% of all diamond sales for the year.

Finding the best lab-grown diamond ring is the same as shopping for a natural diamond ring. Set your budget, shop with a reputable jeweler, use the 4 C's (color, cut, clarity, and carat size) to pick the perfect stone, and choose a setting that suits the recipient's tastes. To help you with your search, we polled our editors, interviewed industry experts, and conducted hands-on testing under the guidance of a research scientist from the Gemologist Institute of America (GIA).

After dozens of hours of research, a full day of trying on sparkling samples, and countless "oohs" and "ahhs," here is our definitive list of the best lab-grown diamond rings.

Our Top Picks

Best Traditional:

Brilliant Earth Solitaire Lab-Grown Diamond Ring at Brilliant Earth

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Best Pear Cut:

Ritani Solitaire Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring at Ritani

Jump to Review

Best Non-Traditional:

Kimaï The Billie Pavé Ring at Kimai.com

Jump to Review

Best Hand Engraved:

Blue Nile Hand Engraved Lab-Grown Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring at Bluenile.com

Jump to Review

Best Vintage-Inspired:

James Allen Tapered Baguette Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring at Jamesallen.com

Jump to Review

Best Three Stone :

Tacori Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring at Brilliant Earth

Jump to Review

Best Split Band:

12Fifteen Duet Halo Radiant Cut Engagement Ring at 1215diamonds.com

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Best Hidden Halo:

Brilliant Earth Secret Halo Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring at Brilliant Earth

Jump to Review

Best Faux Tension:

Clean Origin Opera Ring at Clean Origin

Jump to Review

Best Eternity Band:

Italic Lab-Grown Diamond Eternity Band at Italic.com

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
How We Chose The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Rings
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

During our lab-grown diamond testing, Brilliant Earth scored high marks for quality and presentation—we especially love the brand's organic wood ring boxes. Simple and elegant, the petite comfort fit engagement ring is the perfect choice for the classic bride. Though you can set it with any shape diamond, we're partial to the elegant faceting of the emerald cut. The band's unique rounded edge is comfortable, so you'll never want to take it off.

Prices starting at: $1,130

Ritani

View On Ritani

Ritani sent us a natural diamond ring and a lab-grown diamond ring to test—and even the most discerning Brides editors couldn't tell the difference. This solitaire offers a modern twist on the timeless pear-shape, with its eye-catching tapered setting, which features "surprise" diamonds at the base. No matter which metal type you choose, platinum prongs hold the stone securely in place. If size matters to you, it's important to note that a pear cut diamond can appear larger per carat than other shapes.

Prices starting at: $967

KimaÃ¯

View On Kimai.com

Looking for an engagement ring that’s anything but traditional? This stunner from Kimaï will speak to any bride with bold, modern tastes. It’s designed with an exquisite stand-alone oval lab diamond and a glittering band that wraps delicately around the finger.

Prices starting at: $3,270

Blue Nile

View On Bluenile.com

When most people think of an embellished band, they imagine accent diamonds, but this beauty stands out for its unique hand-engraving. The band motif is visible to all, but you can customize the ring with a special engraved message hidden in the basket. The platinum four-prong cathedral setting elevates the round-cut diamond so you can see every facet.

Prices starting at: $2,441

James Allen

View On Jamesallen.com

Looking for an engagement ring with some vintage flair? This three-stone ring—featuring a princess-cut center diamond flanked by two delicate baguettes—looks like a precious heirloom. The one-of-a-kind vibe makes it the perfect piece for a bride who takes every opportunity to tell her love story.

Price at time of publish: $2,960

Tacori Three Stone Marquise Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

This exquisite bauble is technically a three-stone ring, with an oval-shaped center stone and two marquise-cut accent diamonds sitting front and center. But look closer, and you'll see "hidden" pavé diamond accents adding brightness along the shoulders and bottom of the four-prong setting. Milgrain detailing embellishes the shank, specifically designed to sit flush with a wedding band.

Prices starting at: $4,610

12Fifteen

View On 1215diamonds.com

When you want to go full glamour, you can't go wrong with a halo cut center stone, and this one gets an upgrade with a pavé accented split band. The setting style also accommodates every diamond cut from Asscher to marquise—and no matter which shape you choose, the finished ring makes a bold statement.

Prices starting at: $2,670

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

At first glance this may look like a simple solitaire, but look closer and you'll see something unexpected—a hidden halo of diamonds nestled under the center stone. We tested a similar style in our Lab, where we were dazzled by the clarity of the stone and the delicate band.

Prices starting at: $1,150

Clean Origin

View On Clean Origin

If traditional engagement rings aren’t for you, go for a style with a bypass band. The swirl design not only gives your ring some movement but will highlight your center stone beautifully. (Plus, it has the look of a tension style ring with the added security of either a four- or six-prong setting.) Complete the set with a matching bypass wedding band, which nestles in flush against the engagement ring for a seamless and polished look.

Prices starting at: $755

Italic

View On Italic.com

During testing, we were impressed with the wearability of Italic's demure lab-created diamond jewelry. Wear this eternity ring as a wedding band or as part of your everyday stack—either way, it epitomizes the understated luxury for which the brand is known. (We also love their dainty solitaire bezel ring.)

Price at time of publish: $570

Grown Brilliance

View On Grownbrilliance.com

Talk about a glow-up! With its passionate pink center stone and rose gold settings, this bauble is a study in contrasts. (It's also available with a rose gold band.) The emerald-cut side diamonds add dimension—and 0.27 carats. If pink is not your color, you're in luck. Grown Brilliance also offers rings set with fancy yellow lab-created diamonds.

Price at time of publish: $3,225

VRAI

View On Vrai

Simple yet striking, this oval-cut lab diamond engagement ring is perfect for the traditional bride-to-be who appreciates classic silhouettes. If you’re looking for a little more glitz and glamour, opt for the shimmering pavé band. Our favorite is the stunning oval shape, but the trillion cut is a close second.

Prices starting at: $1,050

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

Reminiscent of ring styles from the Art Nouveau era, this captivating engagement ring features a chevron-shaped pavé band that encircles the center stone like a crown. We fell in love with the rose gold version, but it's also available in white or yellow gold and platinum.

Prices starting at: $1,290

Consider the WldFlwrs

View On Considerthewldflwrs.com

During our lab-grown diamond testing, our testers swooned over the demure, trendy pieces from Consider the WldFlwrs, a Nashville-based jewelry brand that offers unique pieces. If your betrothed is a nature-lover, consider the Rachel ring, which mirrors the natural beauty of a blooming flower. The micro-prong halo setting is studded with sparkling accent stones, which draw the eye to the center diamond.

Prices starting at: $2,471

Helzberg Zac Posen Florence Lab-Grown Diamond Bridal Set

Helzberg Diamond

View On Helzberg.com

Whether you're looking for over-the-top glamor or something more understated, all of the brand's lab-created diamond rings are crafted with impeccable detail. This stunning set features 2-carats total weight—a 1-carat, brilliant pear-shaped center stone adorned with a glittering blanket of pavé diamonds—and was designed for the fashion-forward bride by Zac Posen, one of America's best-known contemporary designers.

Prices starting at: $5,999

VRAI

View On Vrai

The cut of VRAI's round brilliant lab-created diamond is enchanting, and our testers were particularly impressed with the dimension, sparkle, and clarity of the stone they examined. This heirloom-style five-stone ring takes the bling factor to the next level with four baguette-shaped lab-grown diamonds, and you can customize the metal type and the shape of the center stone. If you want a ring that looks expensive, this is your perfect match.

Price at time of publish: Starting at $2,850

How We Chose The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Rings

1:00

Testing Lab Created Diamonds for Clarity and Quality

The Brides team spent over 100 hours researching the scientific properties of lab-grown diamonds and the top companies that produce them. We evaluated brands based on quality, range of styles, customer service, shipping and return policies, and overall value. We spoke with scientists and industry experts to get the most up-to-date insights on lab-grown diamonds and polled Brides editors to get their honest opinions.

Then we invited Gemologist Institute of America (GIA) expert Dr. Ulrika D'Haenens-Johanssen to our New York City lab, where she used a diamond reading device to assess the quality of stones from some of the top jewelry brands. Using a GIA-developed device that determines whether a diamond is natural or lab-created, Dr. D'Haenens-Johanssen evaluated lab-grown diamond samples, considering appearance, quality, and presentation. Once we had our findings, we searched high and low to find standout lab-created diamond rings for every style and budget.

Lab-Grown Diamond Ring Testing — Brides | Jhett Thompson

How to Shop for a Lab-Grown Diamond Ring

Purchasing a lab-grown diamond ring is a significant investment, so the first step in finding the best ring for you is shopping with a reputable jeweler. Most trusted fine jewelry retailers will have an in-depth FAQ page highlighting their policies, shipping and return information, and, most importantly, how and where their lab-grown diamonds are made.

Lab-grown diamonds are graded to the same standards as mined diamonds and are certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Once you’ve picked out your lab-grown engagement ring, you should always review its certification and any documentation that lists the diamond’s foundry and origin.

FAQ

What is a lab-grown diamond?

A lab-grown or lab-created diamond is a diamond grown in a controlled laboratory setting through processes that mimic Earth's natural heat and pressure conditions. Lab diamonds of the highest quality are "grown" from a seed under conditions in which the purest form of carbon, Type IIA, is used. The big difference? A lab-grown diamond can be created in a matter of weeks, while a mined diamond can take millions of years to form.
Are lab-grown diamonds real?

Yes! Lab-grown diamonds are just as real as earth diamonds. They share the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Without the proper tools, even jewelry experts can't tell the difference between a lab-created and a mined diamond using the naked eye.
Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?

Lab-created diamond rings are less expensive than rings made with natural diamonds, though depending on the stone size and setting, they can still cost several thousand dollars. Natural diamonds are generally more expensive due to increased production costs, like mining. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds can be created at scale in one place, often using more sustainable methods.
Like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are valued using the 4 C's—cut, color, clarity, and carat size—and have the same certification processes. Generally, the price of a lab-grown diamond is about 50 percent less than a mined diamond of the same weight. If you opt for a smaller stone or go with pavé diamonds—like this dainty Italic eternity band—you can find a lovely piece for around $1,000. With a 0.27 center stone, this Ritani solitaire ring is just $967. Upgrade the stone size to 12.27 carats and the price shoots up to more than $55,000.

Meet The Expert

Dr. Ulrika D'Haenens-Johansson is the NYC-based Senior Manager of Diamond Research at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She has a PhD in Physics, with a concentration in studying spectrum of light in diamonds.

Why Trust Brides

Author Mary Park holds a Graduate Diamonds diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. As a jewelry expert, Ms. Park has years of experience working at Tiffany & Co. and in Christie's Auctions & Private Sales jewelry department. Additional authors Sophie Moore and Kate Donovan have collectively spent 15 years contributing to Brides, covering everything from registry and wedding decor to engagement rings and accessories.

The Best Chic Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry Pieces of 2023

Best Traditional

Brilliant Earth Petite Comfort Fit Solitaire Lab-Grown Diamond Ring

Best Pear Cut

Ritani Solitaire Lab-Grown Diamond Tapered Engagement Ring With Surprise Diamonds

Best Non-Traditional

Kimaï The Billie Pavé Ring

Best Hand Engraved

Blue Nile Hand Engraved Lab-Grown Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring

Best Vintage-Inspired

James Allen Tapered Baguette Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Three Stone

Tacori Three Stone Marquise Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Split Band

12Fifteen Duet Halo Radiant Cut Engagement Ring

Best Hidden Halo

Brilliant Earth Secret Halo Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Faux Tension

Clean Origin Opera Ring

Best Eternity Band

Italic Lab-Grown Diamond Eternity Band

Best Colored Diamond

Grown Brilliance Fancy Pink Three Stone Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Oval Cut

VRAI The Signature Oval Engagement Ring

Best Rose Gold

Brilliant Earth Nouveau Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Floral-Inspired

Consider the WldFlwrs Rachel Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Best Bridal Set

Helzberg Zac Posen Florence Lab-Grown Diamond Bridal Set

Best Baguettes

VRAI The Five Stone Heirloom Round Brilliant Engagement Ring

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