Natural Diamond Prices – December 2024
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If you’re thinking of investing in a pair of diamond stud earrings, consider the increasingly popular option of lab-grown diamonds. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to the world of lab-grown diamond studs, helping you understand what they are, how to choose the best pair, where to buy them, and how to customize your perfect set. You’ll also learn about pricing, diamond grading, shapes, settings, and metal types, equipping you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed purchase. Whether you’re buying for yourself or gifting a loved one, our guide to lab-grown diamond studs will ensure you find the perfect pair that combines lasting beauty with sustainable and budget-friendly practices.
What Are Lab-Grown Stud Earrings?
This refers to diamond stud earrings set with lab-grown diamonds rather than earth-mined diamonds. Diamond stud earrings are a staple in many jewelry lovers’ wardrobes. That classic single diamond in the ear lobe is understated and elegant, but getting larger stones can still create statement pieces. Dangles, halos, and more can be added to a stud earring for a more eye-catching look.
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 Studs For You
A lot of your choice will be aesthetic appearance, but you will want a great diamond in high-quality gold or platinum. Opt to get your lab-grown diamond studs from a trustworthy vendor, like the vetted PriceScope vendors. If your studs are made well with high-quality pieces, they can last for generations.
Where To Buy Lab-Grown Diamond Studs?
When buying any diamond jewelry, you need to find a reputable vendor. If you want beauty and longevity from your new earrings, you will want to ensure they are the best quality you can get 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 studs from one of our vetted vendors like Whiteflash, James Allen, or Blue Nile.
Designing Lab-Grown Diamond Studs
You can create a stunning set of custom lab-grown diamond stud earrings at any of our trusted vendors. James Allen has a diamond stud earring creation tool that will get you your dream earrings! This step-by-step process will ensure you have a pair of earrings you love that will last for decades. This will allow you to pick the style, the metals, and the diamonds to make the best set possible for you.
Pricing Lab-Grown Diamonds
Generally, lab-grown diamonds cost less than their earth-mined counterparts. You can find a great set of studs between $1,500- $7,500, there are cheaper sets and some far more pricey, but that window is a good path on your jewelry journey. 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.
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Diamond Carat Weight
When it comes to diamond jewelry, the first noticeable aspect is its carat weight, which determines the stone’s weight and 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 1-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, graded 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 4 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).
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.
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.
Setting Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
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 as well 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 studs 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 Studs
Equipped with all the information about your lab-grown diamond stud options, it’s time to make your decision. Choose the studs that resonate 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. We strongly recommend purchasing lab-grown diamond studs from one of our vetted vendors like James Allen, Blue Nile or Whiteflash.
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
Final Thoughts
Lab-grown diamond studs are a fantastic addition to your jewelry collection. Beauty and versatility within a more approachable budget. Get all the sparkle and glamour of earth-mined diamonds with a smaller price tag.
