Natural Diamond Prices – November 2024
At PriceScope, we remain committed to delivering timely and insightful updates on the diamond market’s latest trends. Our expert analysis focuses on the economic and social changes that shape consumer…
As the demand for sustainable and affordable jewelry continues to rise, lab-grown diamond pendants have emerged as a popular choice for consumers seeking elegance and ethics. Unlike their earth-mined counterparts, these gems are created in controlled environments, replicating the natural diamond growth process.
The end result? A beautiful, high-quality diamond that’s virtually indistinguishable from those mined from the earth, often at a more attractive price point. In this comprehensive buying guide, we will explore the allure of lab-grown diamond pendants, their variety and affordability, the process of customizing your own pendant, and how to choose the perfect piece to add to your collection or give as a cherished gift.
What Exactly Are Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants?
This refers to diamond pendants set with lab-grown diamonds rather than earth-mined diamonds. A pendant is a small jewelry piece that can be attached to a chain and worn on different parts of your body, such as an anklet, necklace, or bracelet. It may include gemstones or be plain without any stones. On the other hand, a necklace is specifically worn around the neck and can also have gemstones or be plain. Therefore, a pendant can be a necklace (and often is), but it can also be worn as a bracelet or another type of jewelry. Similarly, a necklace can be a pendant, but it can also be a multi-stone, station, or another style of necklace.
Pendants have ancient origins as protective talismans against evil spirits. In the Middle Ages, men and women often wore religious symbols like crosses and medallions as pendants. Wealthy nobles during the Renaissance favored elaborate pendant designs adorned with pearls and gemstones. Using a lab-grown diamond is a fresh update on a classic style.
Educate Yourself Further: Not quite ready to make your diamond purchase just yet? That's okay! PriceScope is committed to educating its users. Check out our vast library of educational content to better understand diamonds and make a confident decision when you're ready.
Find The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants For You
Your choice will be based on appearance, but you will want a great diamond in high-quality gold or platinum. Always get your lab-grown diamond pendant from a trustworthy vendor, like the vetted PriceScope vendors. If your pendant is made well with high-quality pieces, it can last for generations.
Where To Buy Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants?
When buying any diamond jewelry, you need to find a reputable vendor. If you want beauty and longevity from your new necklace, you will want to ensure you get the best quality lab-grown diamond in your style and budget. Educating yourself about what you are buying is essential to make a choice confidently. We want to ensure you are armed with the knowledge to make the best choice.
We strongly recommend purchasing lab-grown diamond pendants from one of our vetted vendors like James Allen, Blue Nile, or Whiteflash.
Designing Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants
You can create a stunning custom lab-grown diamond pendant at any of our trusted vendors. James Allen has a diamond pendant creation page to get you your dream lab-grown diamond pendant! This step-by-step process will ensure you have a pendant that will last for decades. This will allow you to pick the style, the metals, and the diamonds to make the best piece possible. Pick your setting, metal, diamond, and create something that is expressly you!
Pricing Lab-Grown Diamonds
The price of a lab-grown diamond pendant varies based on its size, quality, and type. Compared to mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are more affordable due to lower production costs. Prices range from around $300 for a small pendant with a single lab-grown diamond to several thousand dollars for larger pieces with bigger stones or elaborate settings. To get the best deal within your budget and style preferences, shopping around amongst reputable vendors and comparing prices is essential. There is no definitive resale market for lab-grown diamonds, though earth-mined diamonds retain at least 50% of their purchase price on average.
As with any diamond purchase, you want to focus on the 4 Cs and diamond shapes.
Compare Diamond Prices: Looking to ensure you're getting the best deal for your diamond? PriceScope’s diamond price comparison tool lets you compare prices from our trusted vendors. Make an informed and financially smart decision today.
Diamond Carat Weight
When it comes to diamond jewelry, the first noticeable aspect is its carat weight, which determines the stone’s weight which often affects the visible size (but not always). For instance, a 1-carat diamond will be smaller than a 2-carat one. To put it in perspective, a one-carat round diamond is about 6.5 millimeters in diameter, roughly 1/3 to 1/4 the size of a U.S. dime (17.91 millimeters in diameter).
Diamond Color
Diamond color and fancy colored diamonds are distinct concepts. Fancy colored diamonds exhibit natural hues like yellow, pink, or blue, while diamond color grades the whiteness of a white diamond. The scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (yellow tint). When choosing a diamond, consider the significance of having a colorless stone to suit your preferences. We suggest staying in the D-I range of colorless to nearly colorless lab-grown diamonds.
Diamond Cut Quality
Diamond cut quality refers to how well a diamond has been shaped, enhancing its brilliance and beauty. Various styles, like round brilliant and fancy cuts, impact how light is reflected within the diamond. However, these styles are not indicators of quality.
What truly matters is the diamond’s cut grade, measured by organizations like GIA or IGI. Grades range from Excellent to Poor. Opting for a well-cut diamond is crucial as it enhances sparkle, while a poorly cut one may diminish its radiance.
Diamond Clarity
The final of The Four Cs is diamond clarity, which assesses a diamond’s imperfections both inside (inclusions) and outside (blemishes). These flaws can affect the diamond’s brilliance and overall beauty, making it appear less clear and sparkling. Clarity grades are: FL (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless), VVs1 or VVs2 (Very, Very Slightly Included), VS1 or VS2 (Very Slightly Included), SI1 or SI2 (Slightly Included), I1 or I2 or I3 (Included).
Diamond Shapes
The shape of a diamond, including lab-grown diamonds, determines its style and sparkle. There are three main styles: classic and popular (round, princess), vintage-inspired (cushion, asscher, emerald), and unique cuts (marquise, oval, pear).
The round shape is the most popular and exceptionally brilliant. Princess shape offers glamour at a slightly lower price per carat.
The vintage-inspired cuts include the cushion, resembling a square with rounded corners and offering a vintage look. The Asscher cut has a 1920s feel with a square shape and edged corners. The emerald cut is step-cut, offering a bigger appearance and larger flashes of light.
The unique shapes deviate from traditional styles. The marquise cut has a football-like shape and creates a unique and larger appearance. The oval shape is modern and elongated, offering a classic yet distinct look. Lastly, the pear shape, also known as teardrop, is elegant and bold, appealing to those seeking individuality in their jewelry.
Understanding Diamond Certification: Whether you're leaning towards a lab-grown or natural diamond, PriceScope offers detailed guides on diamond certifications from globally recognized institutions. Equip yourself with knowledge and confidence before you buy. Learn About Diamond Certification Here
Setting Your Lab-Grown Diamond Pendant
After selecting your diamonds, the next step is choosing the setting. There are two main setting designs to consider: prong and bezel.
The bezel setting encircles the diamond, offering superior protection and security. It shows only the top of the diamond and has a modern look.
On the other hand, the prong setting exposes more of the diamond, allowing for increased sparkle and the appearance of a larger stone. While beautiful, prong settings require more maintenance to ensure the prongs stay in place and secure the diamond. Regular checks are advisable to prevent potential stone loss. As a benefit, when you have it checked, you can always get it cleaned and refresh that “new diamond sparkle.”
Picking The Setting Metals
You’ve chosen your preferred setting style, so now the next step is selecting the metal. The most common options for diamond pendants are platinum and various types of gold.
Platinum offers exceptional durability due to its hardness, making it resistant to scratches and bends. It resembles white gold but is even more robust.
Gold, on the other hand, comes in yellow, white, and rose variations, providing versatility to match your personal style. When buying gold, look for the karat number, such as “14k” or “18k.” This indicates the percentage of pure gold in the metal. Higher karats mean a higher gold content, but it also increases the metal’s susceptibility to scratching.
Completing Your Dream Lab-Grown Diamond Pendant
Equipped with all the information about your lab-grown diamond pendant options, it’s time to make your decision. Choose the pendant that resonates with you or the person you’re shopping for, complimenting your style and adding sparkle to your life. For a satisfying purchase, ensure you buy from an authorized and reputable retailer.
Looking to Buy Your Perfect Diamond? Now that you understand the differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds, why not start shopping? Whiteflash offers fantastic high-quality options for lab-grown diamonds, along with James Allen, Blue Nile, and Adiamor.
Final Thoughts
Lab-grown diamond pendants are a fantastic addition to your jewelry collection. Beauty and versatility within a more approachable budget. If you get a smaller pendant, you can wear it as a necklace, bracelet, or anklet interchangeably. Get all the sparkle and glamour of earth-mined diamonds with a smaller price tag.
