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U.S. wide free shipping |  Exceptional three-year total care commitment, surpassing industry standards | Receive a 40% Discount on Lost Jewelry, No Questions Asked

How to Buy an Affordable and Beautiful Engagement Ring

How to Buy an Affordable and Beautiful Engagement Ring


Introduction

  • Lab-grown diamonds are the perfect option for engagement rings. Why? They’re grown sustainably and are entirely conflict-free. These diamonds were not obtained at the expense of human or environmental damage.
  • Lab-grown diamonds are much significantly cheaper than their natural counterparts. They tend to be almost 75% cheaper than natural diamonds of the same color, clarity, and size.
  • Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. Under a jeweler’s loupe, only some skilled gemologists can identify the difference between a natural and a lab-grown diamond. Finding out where they came from takes high-tech machinery. 
  • Among the engagement ring sales of 2022, 10% of rings are made with lab-grown diamonds, according to a study conducted by Edahn Golan. This shows young couples are shifting to more sustainable and affordable options to celebrate their relationship milestones.
  • Lab-grown diamonds are far superior to their counterparts, Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia. Compared to Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia, lab-grown diamonds are in a league of their own. Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia may be seen with the naked eye because they do not reflect light as intensely as diamonds.
  • Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are the hardest known substance to humans and never lose their shine and sparkle. Thus, it can be preserved for years and passed on to the next generations.

Choosing an engagement ring is a momentous decision that requires careful consideration. With the increasing popularity of lab-grown diamonds, more and more couples opt for these stunning gems over their natural counterparts. Lab-grown diamonds offer a sustainable, ethical, and budget-friendly alternative to mined diamonds without compromising beauty or quality. However, like any significant purchase, buying a lab-grown diamond engagement ring requires research and preparation to ensure you get the perfect ring for your partner.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled eight tips for buying the perfect lab-grown diamond engagement ring. From understanding the 4 Cs to choosing the right setting, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, these tips will help you navigate the world of lab-grown diamonds and find a ring that will take your partner’s breath away. So, read on to learn how to make your lab-grown diamond engagement ring purchase successful!

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Tips for Choosing the Perfect Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Worried about picking the perfect lab-grown diamond engagement ring, as there are many options around? Here are some tips for you to get the best deal for your money.

Choose a Reputable Dealer.

Choosing a reputable jeweler is extremely important as it ensures that you get a high-quality and genuine diamond engagement ring and receive fair pricing, excellent customer service, and ethical and sustainable practices. Check if the dealer has any accreditations or certifications from reputable organizations in the diamond industry.

Understand the 4 Cs

4Cs are the parameters that decide the price and quality of a lab-grown diamond. It means the cut, clarity, color, and carat.

Cut

This is going to decide the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. So, it has to be done precisely to bring the glimmer out, as no one will notice a dull, faded diamond. You can pick ideal or excellent cut diamonds in small to midsize for a higher fire and brilliance.

Color

Though diamonds appear white, only a few are colorless, while others are graded based on color. And then there are fancy colored diamonds too. As colorless diamonds (D grade) are expensive, you can choose the rate G, H, or I, which almost looks similar, and the color is less visible here.

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is essential because it refers to the presence or absence of inclusions or blemishes on the surface or inside of the diamond. Inclusions can affect how light passes through the diamond, impacting its overall appearance and brilliance. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds tend predominantly of much higher clarity, making them sparkle much more.

Carat

Carat denotes the weight of the diamond. The greater the carat, the more expensive the diamond. Many people associate a larger diamond with greater prestige and beauty.

A study by Edahn Golan states that people prefer higher carats when it is lab-grown diamonds. According to their choices, the average carat weight of a natural was 0.84ct, but when it was lab grown, the carat weight was 1.38cts.

Consider Ring Settings and Styles.

The engagement ring’s setting is just as important as the diamond itself. There are several settings to choose from, including prong, bezel, pavé, and channel. Prong settings are the most popular, showcasing the diamond prominently. On the other hand, bezel settings offer a more secure hold for the diamond, while pavé and channel settings add extra sparkle by surrounding the diamond with smaller diamonds.

You can go for a solitaire ring with one sparkling stone in the center to signify your partner’s role in your life. Or you can choose a three-stone design that celebrates your and your partner’s 

shared past, present, and future.

If you are on a budget, consider a halo setting where sparkling diamonds surround a diamond in the center, creating the illusion of a big solitaire diamond, or a cluster setting where a group of small diamonds is placed together to create a comprehensive look.

Learn about Lab-grown Diamond Certification.

Lab-grown diamonds are certified by the same institutions and laboratories that certify and grade natural diamonds. The leading laboratories that grade both lab-grown and natural diamonds are the International Geological Institute or Gemmological Institute of America and Independant Laboratories. These certificates provide an objective evaluation of the diamond’s quality and characteristics, including its carat weight, cut, color, and clarity.

A certification from a reputable and independent third-party organization ensures that the diamond is genuine and that its grading is accurate and unbiased.

Define Your Priorities

How important is it for you and your partner to know without a shadow of doubt that you are not inadvertently supporting human rights abuses or have caused some damage to the environment by buying a diamond that has been responsibly mined? While most of the natural diamonds are conflict-free one can never be 100% sure as it is impossible to track every diamond from the mine to a jeweller. Jewellers’ and Retailer’s that offer ‘conflict free diamonds’ or ‘diamonds that have adhered to Kimberly Process’ are limiting themselves to conflict diamonds that finance rebel movements against democratically elected governments.

Define Your Priorities for Engagement Rings


They omit a significant number of diamonds that are tainted by human right abuses and violence purported on the people who work in these mines as well the extreme poverty and exploitation of the mine workers. We may appear biased but buying a lab grown diamond is a sure-fire way of ensuring you are not inadvertently supporting any such act.

Research

Firstly, to begin with the most important part is the research. Do a little research to see how much an average engagement ring in your preferred style costs. When selecting the perfect ring setting style, there are several design features to consider. Take into account today’s most loved design elements, as well as those that suit her style and personality. Of course, rings featuring large, high-quality natural center diamonds will be the most expensive. Some precious metals will also cost more compared to others due to factors like strength and rarity. Mainly while selecting the Engagement ring look for the long term care costs and not just the initial price.

Research for Engagement Rings


A simple search on these metals and different diamond options will give you a good view for how much to spend on your preferred design. You can also speak to our Jewelry Expert on the contact details provided below. Our jewelry experts are always happy to provide diamond, metal, and ring setting information, as well as budgeting tips!

Set a Budget

Equally if not more important is having a budget in mind on how much you want to spend on your engagement ring. Never buy into the myths that say an engagement ring should cost at least two to three months of your yearly salary. This is simply not true and should be completely ignored. The reality is you should buy an engagement ring that is realistic for you and you should spend only what you are comfortable with. An engagement ring is a sign of love and should fill your heart with joy and not dread on how you are going to make next month’s instalment on your purchase. Next we need to understand your partner style choice. Do they prefer a ring with a big stone or are they willing to compromise on the stone size in order to get a better quality of diamond?

Set a budget for engagement rings


Do they like the classic and vintage round diamond or do they prefer opting for elongating fancy shapes like ovals, marquise, pear or radiant cut diamonds?  When budgeting for an engagement ring, it’s important to create a list of which characteristics are most important to you and your partner so that you are aware of the areas that you can compromise. From precious metal type, ring style, diamond carat weight, shape, color, and setting type, talk with your partner about which elements matter the most and begin your planning. Again, we may sound biased but if you are going in for a lab grown diamond engagement ring the budgeting becomes much easier. Lab diamonds cost significantly less than naturally mined diamonds of comparable quality and carat weight. Center diamond carat weight can be one of the biggest contributors to the cost of your engagement ring, so lab diamonds are a great choice for couples who are set on getting a particular carat weight at a great price.

Tips and Tricks to make your Ring Dazzle

Most couples to want to maximize their purchase by getting their center diamond as big as possible. Being aware of a few design tricks that help accentuate the size of your ring is important so that the ring you decide to buy for your significant other melts their hearts and not your wallets. One trick is by choosing a ring with a Halo setting. A halo is a circle of smaller diamonds encircling a larger solitaire thus enhancing its look.

Tips and Tricks to make your Ring Dazzle

Another popular  trick involves the use of smaller diamonds on the shank to accentuate the sparkle of your ring. Other unique details like metal beading, a twisting band, or hand engraving can also add to the visual interest and beauty of your ring without dramatically increasing the overall price. Still confused? Reach out to our Jewelery expert here

Consider a Ring With No Centre Stone

Another way to make an engagement ring more affordable is to opt for a diamond band ring that does not feature a center diamond. Eternity rings, five stone rings, or other bands can give you quite a gorgeous and dazzling look without the additional cost of a center diamond. Some couples prefer this style because no raised center stone means that their ring is less prone to damage. These styles are also easy to stack with other bands, such as future wedding or anniversary rings.

Consider a Ring With No Centre Stone

Sparkle From All Angles

Many couples want their center diamond to be elegantly shining while still fitting in under a certain budget. One way to create an affordable diamond ring that is still incredible is choosing a ring setting that will help add to the overall sparkle of your look. Styles like 3 Stone, Halo Rings or Pavé set bands, like mentioned on our “How to speak Jewelry” blog; will add more sparkle to the center stone and overall ring. Halo settings add a circle of diamonds around the center diamond to add sparkle and make the center diamond appear larger. Other unique details like metal beading, a twisting band, or hand engraving can also add to the visual interest and beauty of your ring without dramatically increasing the overall price.

Sparkle From All Angles to all Engagement Rings
Look for Something Fancy in engagement rings

Look for Something Fancy

Opting for elongating fancy shapes like ovals, marquise, pear, and elongated radiant diamonds can make the diamond you choose appear to take up more space than a round diamond of comparable carat weight and make your engagement ring look fashionable.

Consider Lab Created Diamonds

Lab Grown Diamonds  are an excellent choice for couples who want to get a larger center diamond that fits within their budget. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds and have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as naturally mined diamonds. Other than gemologists or jewelers using special equipment, no one looking at your ring will be able to distinguish whether you’ve chosen a lab grown or a natural diamond. However, because they are slightly easier to source, lab diamonds usually cost less than naturally mined diamonds of comparable quality and carat weight.

Consider Lab Created Diamonds

Center diamond carat weight can be one of the biggest contributors to the cost of your engagement ring, so lab diamonds are a great choice for couples who want to get the best price they can and are set on getting a carat weight.

Pick The Perfect Ring Size

Pick The Perfect Ring Size

The most accurate way to determine ring size is to have your partner’s ring finger measured by a professional jeweler. Ask your partner’s parents or close friends about her ring size. But if that’s not possible, don’t worry, we have made it easier for you sitting at home. Try borrowing one of your partner’s existing rings. Using our online Ring Sizing Guide, you’ll be able to determine the ring size she wears. Our online ring sizing guide contains some additional hints on ring size as well.

Opt for Online Purchase

This might sound biased saying this, but it’s true! Research shows reputable online jewelers will have much more variety and inventory than a typical brick and mortar seller. Having more of a selection will always mean that there are more choices for you, and therefore more opportunities for you to find something you love within your set budget. Looking to an online seller is one of the best ways to get the most value for your diamond engagement ring. If you are nervous about buying your engagement ring online, keep in mind that most established online jewelers will have a return policy. La Joya offers complimentary 30-day returns.

Opt for Online Purchase for engagement rings


While it might seem overwhelming initially using a few tips as mentioned here you will find that the process can actually be great fun without breaking the bank and you will end up getting the perfect ring which says ‘happily ever after’.


The Bottom Line

Considering the above tips, you can decide quickly and know what you seek. Show off your eye for picking the best jewelry by going for an elegant lab-grown diamond engagement ring from La Joya. At La Joya, we have a wide range of engagement rings made with the best and hand-picked lab-grown diamonds. It won’t just make your partner scream ‘Yes’ but also stay as a symbol of your unconditional love forever. 

FAQS about Lab-grown Diamond Engagement Ring

 

Is a lab-grown diamond a good choice for an engagement ring?

Yes. An engagement ring symbolizes the start of something beautiful. You can start with an ethically grown, affordable ring that wouldn’t break the bank. Lab-grown diamonds have every quality of a natural diamond and can stay durable for decades. Hence, lab-grown diamonds are the best choice for an engagement ring.

Can lab-grown diamonds break or crack?

No. Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds stay the same way and retain the sparkling effect without cracks or damage. Hence, they are the right option for an engagement ring you want to preserve for a long time.

Do lab-grown diamonds come with flaws?

Lab-grown diamonds can have flaws and inclusions, just like natural diamonds. However, since lab-grown diamonds are grown in controlled conditions, they may have fewer inclusions than natural diamonds.

What is the best metal band for lab-grown diamond rings?

The metal band of engagement diamond rings depends on your personal preferences. It can either be platinum or white gold. Platinum is strong, durable, and great for sensitive skins due to its hypo-allergenic properties, whereas white gold is affordable, soft on rings, and gives a polished look.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Lab-grown diamonds suit affordable, chic, modern, and eco-friendly engagement ring collections.
  • Pay more attention to the cut and the slightest attention to the carat. The finer the cut is, the more sparkling your ring will be. 
  • Round, brilliant shape dazzles the most and gets instant attention. You can choose an oval or emerald cut if this is outside your budget.
  • Platinum or Tungsten are some popular and robust metal options for ring bands.
  • If you want cheaper options, go for fancy-colored lab-grown diamonds or gemstones. 
  • Always buy from a reputed seller with fine details, the best deals, and a wide range of collections. A diamond certification from the seller is an added advantage.