Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?

Yes! Though lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory, they are chemically identical to natural diamonds. "Lab-grown diamond technology has gotten so good that most jewelers can't tell the difference between a lab-grown and mined diamond using the naked eye," says Rosen. The one thing that sets them apart is the rarity of a mined stone. The value of a natural diamond can increase over time because there is only a finite amount of them.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Cheaper?

Yes. In most cases, you can expect lab-created diamonds to cost far less than natural diamonds—but lab-created doesn't mean cheap. Generally speaking, lab-grown diamond jewelry is 30 percent less expensive to source than a natural stone. The price depends on factors like the size and quality of the lab-grown diamond and the type of setting. You can expect to pay between $300-$800 for studs with smaller stones and upwards of $1,000-10,000 (or more!) for larger ones.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds More Durable?

Since they are identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are also among the most durable substances on the planet. Still, all diamond jewelry requires regular cleaning and maintenance. To keep your lab-grown diamond studs sparkling, you can follow the same basic steps you use to clean your engagement ring .

How Do You Choose Earrings to Wear on Your Wedding Day?

Unless you want your wedding day look to go in a distinctly bold direction, you'll want to choose a pair of earrings that enhance your appearance without taking over your look. Naturally, a set of sparkly studs falls into this category perfectly. Other options include small, dainty hoops or something vintage-inspired like pearl earrings.

The 15 Best Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings of 2023

Brides / Lecia Landis

An elegant pair of diamond studs are a timeless option that will accentuate your bridal look without feeling overly distracting. These days, you can find lab-grown diamond studs that provide all the sparkle of natural diamonds—they are chemically identical, after all—for a fraction of the price. Choosing the best lab-grown diamond stud earrings is a matter of quality and personal style.

"The main difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds is the stone's origin," says Lisa Rosen, CEO of the International Gem Society. "Mined diamonds are created deep within the Earth over billions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created in mere days in laboratories simulating the Earth's high-pressure and high-temperature environments." There's also the matter of sustainability. Whether natural or lab-grown, sustainable diamonds are ethically sourced, avoiding harmful practices that negatively impact people and the environment.

The Brides team spent hours researching the most popular lab-grown diamond studs, evaluating the quality of materials, customization options, and value. (Stay tuned: In the coming months, our panel of gemologists and jewelry experts will see how lab-created diamond stud earrings from the most popular retailers stack up in The Lab, our Manhattan-based testing space.)

Read on to find the best lab-grown diamond stud earrings available online, and learn more about what to consider when investing in your own pair.

Introducing VRAI x Brides: Shop our exclusive collection of lab-grown diamond jewelry, perfect for the big day and beyond.

Our Top Picks

VRAI Duo Stud at Vrai

Jump to Review

VRAI Solitaire Stud at Vrai

Jump to Review

Italic Dalton Diamond Solitaire Studs at Italic.com

Jump to Review

Edge of Ember Trillion Diamond Stud Earrings at Edgeofember.com

Jump to Review

Clean Origin Princess Diamond Stud Earrings at Clean Origin

Jump to Review

Lightbox Lab-Grown Diamond Halo Earrings at Lightboxjewelry.com

Jump to Review

With Clarity Flower Natural Halo Diamond Earrings at Withclarity.com

Jump to Review

Brilliant Earth Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings at Brilliant Earth

Jump to Review

Consider the Wildflowers Diamond Stud Earrings at Considerthewldflwrs.com

Jump to Review

Helzberg Diamond Bar Stud Earring at Helzberg.com

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Stay Tuned for Testing
What To Look For
FAQs
Why Trust Brides

VRAI

View On Vrai

This option is both modern and sleek for fashionable and on-trend tastes. We love how the two petite baguette-shaped diamonds come together in a minimal setting to create a unique yet effortless style. Choose from 14k solid yellow or white gold for a look that perfectly suits you.

Price at time of publish: $295

Metal Type: 14K yellow or white gold | Diamond Shape: Baguette | Color: G-J | Clarity: VS2+ | Carat Weight: 0.20 per pair

VRAI

View On Vrai

VRAI's round brilliant studs are simple and classic. Customize the carat size and choose a four-prong setting in yellow, white, or rose gold to match your wedding day look.

Price at time of publish: $600

Metal Type: 14K yellow, white, or rose gold | Diamond Shape: Round Brilliant, Oval, Emerald, Marquise, Pear, Trillion, Princess | Color: G-J | Clarity: VS2+ | Carat Weight: 0.25ct, 0.5ct, 0.75ct, 1ct +more

Italic

View On Italic.com

If timeless, goes-with-anything studs are what you seek, look no further than this pair, set in recycled 18k white gold. They come with a certification card and a 90-day warranty covering materials and craftsmanship defects.

Price at time of publish: $1,550 for 1 ctw

Metal Type: 18K recycled white gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: E-F | Clarity: VS | Carat Weight: 0.5ct, 1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct

Edge of Ember

View On Edgeofember.com

Made for the dreamy bride, a constellation-inspired cluster of diamonds gives this pair of earrings a starry effect. The gold triangle setting is available in 14k yellow or white gold.

Metal Type: 14K yellow or white gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: G | Clarity: VVS2 | Carat Weight: 0.10ct total

Clean Origin

View On Clean Origin

This diamond cut, with a square top and beveled sides, is perfect for a modern-day princess. The settings come in two metal types, 18k white or yellow gold, and have screw-back posts to keep them securely fastened through an entire wedding day—from the I do's to the dancing.

Price at time of publish: $1,650

Metal Type: 18k white or yellow gold | Diamond Shape: Princess | Color: E-F | Clarity: VS+ | Carat Weight: 1ct

Lightbox

View On Lightboxjewelry.com

Want a pair of studs with maximum sparkle? With this pair of halo earrings, featuring a center stone surrounded by pavé lab-grown diamonds and a hidden 14k white gold setting, your lobes will surely catch the light.

Price at time of publish: $1,200

Metal Type: 14K white gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Stone Color: White, pink, blue | Clarity: VS | Carat Weight: 1-2ct total

With Clarity

View On Withclarity.com

This pair of studs is romantic and bold, with a halo silhouette surrounding a precision-cut center stone to create a beautiful floral effect. Choose your carat size and have them set in either 14k white or yellow gold.

Price at time of publish: $970

Metal Type: 14K yellow or white gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: I | Clarity: SI | Carat Weight: 0.78ct, 1.53ct

Brilliant Earth

View On Brilliant Earth

The contrast between the round lab-grown diamonds and the gentle rose gold basket settings—also available in white or yellow gold and platinum—gives these studs a warm and charming effect.

Price at time of publish: $1,490

Metal Type: Platinum, 18K yellow, white, or rose gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: H/I | Clarity: SI | Carat Weight: 0.5ct, 1ct

Consider the Wildflowers

View On Considerthewldflwrs.com

Something old, something new. These studs combine a classic round brilliant diamond shape with a modern, 3-prong martini setting for a subtle twist on traditional studs.

Price at time of publish: $727

Metal Type: 14K white or yellow gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Carat Weight: Approx. 0.5ct, 0.92ct, 1.68ct

Helzberg Light Heart Lab Grown Diamond Bar Stud Earring

Helzberg Diamonds

View On Helzberg.com

Each earring features five round brilliant cut lab-grown diamonds stacked in a vertical 14k white gold setting, creating a slightly unexpected pattern and a lot of sparkle and shine.

Price at time of publish: $300

Metal Type: 14K white gold | Diamond Shape: Brilliant | Color: I+ | Clarity: SI2+ | Carat Weight: 0.25ct

Mia Donna

View On Miadonna.com

Metal and mineral share the limelight in these bezel-set lab-grown diamond studs. Choose from two carat sizes and three 14k gold setting finishes.

Price at time of publish: $730

Metal Type: 14K recycled white, yellow, or rose gold | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: G/H | Clarity: SI | Carat Weight: 0.5ct, 1ct

View On Kimai.com

Double the lab-created diamonds, and you double the shine. Set in recycled 18k yellow, white, or rose gold, this duo stud combines one pear shape and one round diamond for a dynamic look.

Metal Type: 18K recycled yellow, white, or rose gold | Diamond Shape: Brilliant | Color: DEF | Clarity: VS+ | Carat Weight: 0.35ct total

James Allen

View On Jamesallen.com

With a cone-like profile that resembles a martini glass, this three-prong setting keeps the diamonds sitting flush with the earlobes, making them a comfortable option.

Price at time of publish: $520

Metal Type: 14K yellow or white gold | Diamond Shape: Round brilliant | Color:
F-G | Clarity: VS2-SI1 | Carat Weight: 0.25ct, 0.5ct, 0.6ct, 0.75ct, 0.9ct, 1ct, 1.25ct, 1.5ct, 2ct

Grown Brilliance

View On Grownbrilliance.com

These emerald-cut stunners have an art deco appeal. The friction posts cling to the backing, keeping them secure even as you dance the night away.

Price at time of publish: $495

Metal Type: 14K yellow, white, or rose gold | Diamond Shape: Princess cut | Color: E-F | Clarity: VS2+ | Carat Weight: 0.5ct, 1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct, 3ct, 4ct, 5ct, 6ct

Ritani

View On Ritani

These classic round-cut stunners feature a solid four-prong setting construction. Choose from either a push-back or a screw-back post.

Price at time of publish: $310

Metal Type: 14K/18k white gold, 18k yellow gold, platinum, | Diamond Shape: Round | Color: G-H | Clarity: VS2 | Carat Weight: 0.25ct, 0.5ct, .75ct, 1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct, 2.5ct

Stay Tuned for Testing

While shopping for fine jewelry online is more affordable and convenient than ever, all jewelry brands are not created equal. In the coming months, our panel of gemologists and jewelry experts will see how lab-created diamond jewelry from the most popular retailers stacks up in The Lab, our Manhattan-based testing space. We'll evaluate the diamonds' quality—including cut, color, and clarity—and the materials used for settings and embellishments.

Meet the Expert

Lisa Rosen is the Chief Executive Officer at the International Gem Society, a global resource for jewelers, gemologists, and other industry professionals.

What to Look For in Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings

Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat

Since Lab-grown diamonds share the same optical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, they are graded on the same scale of cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. Most of the rings on our list, including the VRAI pear-shaped studs, have a clarity rating of VS-VS2, which classifies the diamonds as "very slightly included."

Certification

Any diamond you buy should come with the proper paperwork, including certification, information on the cut, clarity, weight, and other pertinent details. Some of the picks on our list—like the Italic Dalton studs—come with a warranty covering materials and craftsmanship defects.

Shape

Solitaire and circular-cut diamonds allow the most light to shine from all angles. A prong setting also provides maximum sparkle and a solid base to hold the diamond in place. Like the ones we picked from Lightbox Lab, halo-style studs include an outer ring of pavé stones for a dazzling effect.

FAQ

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?

Yes! Though lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory, they are chemically identical to natural diamonds. "Lab-grown diamond technology has gotten so good that most jewelers can't tell the difference between a lab-grown and mined diamond using the naked eye," says Rosen. The one thing that sets them apart is the rarity of a mined stone. The value of a natural diamond can increase over time because there is only a finite amount of them.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Cheaper?

Yes. In most cases, you can expect lab-created diamonds to cost far less than natural diamonds—but lab-created doesn't mean cheap. Generally speaking, lab-grown diamond jewelry is 30 percent less expensive to source than a natural stone. The price depends on factors like the size and quality of the lab-grown diamond and the type of setting. You can expect to pay between $300-$800 for studs with smaller stones and upwards of $1,000-10,000 (or more!) for larger ones.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds More Durable?

Since they are identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are also among the most durable substances on the planet. Still, all diamond jewelry requires regular cleaning and maintenance. To keep your lab-grown diamond studs sparkling, you can follow the same basic steps you use to clean your engagement ring.
How Do You Choose Earrings to Wear on Your Wedding Day?

Unless you want your wedding day look to go in a distinctly bold direction, you'll want to choose a pair of earrings that enhance your appearance without taking over your look. Naturally, a set of sparkly studs falls into this category perfectly. Other options include small, dainty hoops or something vintage-inspired like pearl earrings.

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Nicole Kliest has over eleven years of experience writing in fashion. Her work has appeared on sites including Vogue, Fashionista, Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, among others.

The 12 Best Places to Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds in 2023

VRAI Duo Stud

VRAI Lab-Grown Solitaire Stud

Italic Dalton Diamond Solitaire Studs

Edge of Ember Trillion Diamond Stud Earrings

Clean Origin Princess Diamond Stud Earrings

Lightbox Lab-Grown Diamond Halo Earrings

With Clarity Flower Natural Halo Diamond Earrings

Brilliant Earth Certified Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings

Consider the Wildflowers Classic Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings

Helzberg Light Heart Lab Grown Diamond Bar Stud Earring

Mia Donna Lab-Grown Diamond Bezel Stud Earrings

Kimaï Duo Stud

James Allen Three Prong Martini Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings

Grown Brilliance Emerald Cut Lab Grown Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings

Ritani Round Cut Four-Prong Lab Diamond Stud Earrings

Related Stories