Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring: Styles And Buying Guide
on Jan 08 2026
At one time, there was only one option for choosing an engagement ring: a natural diamond or gemstone. Today, the scenario has changed, as lab-grown diamonds have entered the market. A new player has joined the competition, but with more options comes confusion. Customers are now experiencing decision paralysis, wondering whether to buy a natural diamond engagement ring or a lab-grown engagement ring.
People often ask us questions like, "Are lab-grown diamonds real? Are they suitable for a ring? What is their sparkle like? What is their value and resale value?" You will find the answers to all these questions in this guide. We will explore every aspect of lab-grown diamonds. After reading this article, you will be able to decide for yourself whether a lab-grown engagement ring is right for you or not. Let's get started!
Origin and History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Attempts to create lab-grown diamonds were made in the early 20th century, with the first success achieved by General Electric in 1954. GE used a high-pressure, high-temperature technique to create a lab-grown diamond, but it was not identical to natural diamonds and was intended for industrial use.
Later, in 1971, success was achieved in creating gem-quality lab-grown diamonds. Today, most lab-grown diamonds are produced using chemical vapor deposition(CVD) or high-pressure, high-temperature(HPHT) techniques. In recent years, the trend of lab-grown diamond engagement rings has experienced a significant increase.
According to recent data from Fortune, 52% of engagement rings sold in 2024/25 were lab-grown. In fact, men are now also preferring lab-grown diamond engagement rings, and why wouldn't they? Lab-grown engagement rings are available at prices 30% lower than those of natural diamond engagement rings, and they don't involve any unethical practices, such as mining.
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds: What's the Difference?
If you're going to buy an engagement ring, the most important question will be whether to choose a natural diamond engagement ring or a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. This is understandable, as an engagement ring is an expensive purchase. Let's look at the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, but they are not natural. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory by replicating the natural diamond formation process. While natural diamonds take thousands of years to form, lab-grown diamonds can be created in just a few weeks.
The process that occurs naturally to create diamonds involves high temperature and high pressure. Using the exact same pressure and temperature parameters, diamonds are created in a lab. This is why the properties and chemical composition of lab-grown diamonds are exactly the same as natural diamonds. That's why we say that lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, but not natural.
Natural Diamonds vs Lab-Grown Diamonds: Property Comparison
How Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Graded?
The quality of any diamond is determined by four parameters: cut, clarity, color, and carat. It is very important to keep these four aspects of the diamond in mind while shopping for an engagement ring, because these four parameters determine the price and appearance of your engagement ring. The same parameters apply to lab-grown diamonds as well.
Just like natural diamonds, organizations like GIA and IGI also evaluate lab-grown diamonds. Although lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment, it doesn't mean they don't have inclusions; they do, but in smaller quantities. So, if you're wondering how to buy a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, first understand its 4Cs.
Cut

Source: GIA
Cut is a parameter that affects the brilliance and sparkle of a lab-grown diamond. The round brilliant cut is the most popular. Diamond cutters use the same tools they use to cut natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have fewer inclusions, making them slightly easier to cut. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has established five main grades for cut: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.
Excellent cut diamonds have the most brilliance, while poor cut diamonds have the least. Several parameters are checked under the cut grade, such as length-to-width ratio, table percentage, depth percentage, and symmetry and polish. So, whenever you go to buy a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, be sure to ask the jeweler about the diamond's cut.
Color
Source: GIA
The cut of a lab-grown diamond is responsible for its brilliance, but the color of the lab-grown diamond will affect the overall look of the engagement ring. Lab-grown diamonds primarily come in two types of colors: colorless variations and fancy color variations such as pink, red, and green. For colorless lab-grown diamonds, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has established grading parameters.
Colorless lab-grown diamonds are categorized alphabetically from D to Z. A D-category diamond is completely colorless with no yellow tint, while a Z-category diamond has a yellow or brown tint. The more color tint a diamond has, the lower its price will be. So, if you choose a D-color lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring, the price will be higher.
Clarity
Clarity defines how clear a diamond is internally, how many inclusions it has, and what type of inclusions are present. These inclusions, which are essentially impurities trapped inside the diamond during its formation, affect the diamond's brilliance. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment, so they generally have fewer inclusions compared to natural diamonds.
However, during the HPHT process, some metallic inclusions can remain from the metallic flux, and the CVD process can leave behind black spots. For clarity, GIA has created grades such as Flawless, VVS, VS, and SI. When shopping for a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, always ask the jeweler about the inclusions, because even these seemingly invisible imperfections can significantly affect the diamond's sparkle.
Carat Weight
A carat measures the weight of a diamond. Compared to natural diamonds, it's easier to find larger stones in lab-grown diamonds, which can easily reach up to 10 carats. However, the trend for larger diamonds is increasing, and larger stones are being produced more frequently than smaller ones. The average consumer chooses a 1 to 3-carat lab-grown diamond engagement ring.
Lab Diamond Engagement Ring vs. Natural Diamond Engagement Ring: Price Difference
According to the latest Britco article, lab-grown diamonds are four times cheaper than natural diamonds. While a 1-carat lab-grown diamond costs approximately $800-$1000, you would have to spend $4000 for a natural diamond of the same size. According to Britco, the price of lab-grown diamonds has decreased by 20-80% in the last year, and the purchasing demand has increased by 47%.
Let's consider this in the context of engagement rings. Suppose there are two identical engagement rings, both made of 14k yellow gold, both featuring a single VVS clarity stone with a round cut. The cost of both rings would be calculated according to the table given below.
|
Cost Component |
Lab-Grown Diamond Ring |
Natural Diamond Ring |
|
Gold Type |
14K Yellow Gold |
14K Yellow Gold |
|
Metal Cost |
$400 |
$400 |
|
Diamond Type |
Lab-Grown Diamond |
Natural Diamond |
|
Diamond Shape |
Round Cut |
Round Cut |
|
Diamond Clarity |
VVS |
VVS |
|
Diamond Cut |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Diamond Color |
D-E |
G |
|
Diamond Carat Weight |
1 Carat |
1 Carat |
|
Diamond Cost |
$800 - $1,000 |
~$4,000+ |
|
Total Estimated Ring Cost |
$1,600 - $1,800 |
$4,800 - $4,900 |
A lab-grown diamond engagement ring will give you the same look and aesthetic at four times less the price. The biggest advantage is that unless you tell someone, no one will know that it's not a natural diamond.
Pros And Cons Of an Engagement Ring With a Lab-Grown Diamond
Everything has two sides to it; it has both advantages and disadvantages. Until now, we have only praised lab-grown diamonds, but there are many aspects where natural diamonds cannot be replaced. Before you buy a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, we want to tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of lab-grown diamonds so that you don't face any problems later and can make a completely informed decision.
Advantages of Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
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More affordable than a natural diamond engagement ring
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Comes with real diamonds with identical physical, chemical, and optical properties
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Same brilliance, fire, and sparkle as mined diamond rings
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More ethically sourced and conflict-free
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Environmentally friendlier than a natural diamond ring w
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Allows a larger carat size within the same budget
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You can have Higher color and clarity grades of diamond at accessible prices.
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Wide availability of shapes and styles
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Ideal for modern, value-conscious buyers
Disadvantages of Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
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Lower resale and trade-in value compared to a natural diamond ring
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Prices can depreciate faster due to increasing supply.
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Limited appeal for traditional or investment-focused buyers
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Not ideal for those who value geological age and naturally occurring stone
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Fewer long-term market benchmarks compared to the mined diamond engagement ring
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Older generations may prefer natural diamonds for emotional or legacy reasons.
Tips for Buying a Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
We hope you now have a general idea about lab-grown diamonds and you understand the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds. We also hope you are now more encouraged to buy a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. Go ahead and buy one! At DIAGAA, we have over 200 unique ring designs featuring lab-grown diamonds. However, before making a purchase, please consider the points mentioned below, which will make your shopping experience more informed and thoughtful.
Metal and Shape
When shopping for a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, keep in mind the preferences of the person you're buying it for. The shape of the stone changes the overall personality of the ring. If your partner believes in simplicity, a round brilliant cut will be most suitable. If they are a bit more fashionable, you can opt for a fancy cut diamond, such as a princess or oval.
Besides the diamond shape, the metal color also matters a lot, as an engagement ring is a combination of metal and stone. Metal colors include variations like yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. If you prefer a classic and traditional ring design, yellow gold is a good choice, while rose and white gold are more preferable for a slightly more modern aesthetic.
Budget
Before purchasing a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, it's essential to decide on a budget. You might have heard about the "three-month salary rule," but what matters more is setting a budget based on your future expenses and your current financial situation.
Decide on a spending range you're comfortable with, and focus your search within that limit. The perfect ring isn't about a number; it's about finding a piece that reflects your partner's vision while keeping your finances stress-free and balanced.
Ring Size
Choosing the perfect ring size is a key factor. Nobody wants a ring that doesn't slide onto the finger easily (meaning it's too tight) or one that spins around on the finger (meaning it's too loose). Typically, the average ring size for women is between 5 and 7. For more information on ring sizes, please read the article below.
Read - Ring Size For Women
Personalization & Customization Options
A custom engagement ring is the perfect way to reflect your partner's unique style and personality. With DIAGAA, you have complete creative freedom to design a ring from scratch down to the finest details, so it's truly one of a kind.
Certification & What to Look For
Always ask for an authenticity certificate when purchasing a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. A certified diamond verifies that the jeweler's claims are genuine, giving you complete confidence in the stone's quality and value.
Lab Diamond Engagement Ring With Different Diamond Cuts
In a Nutshell..
Lab-grown diamond engagement rings have completely transformed the way modern couples choose their jewelry. They offer the same brilliance, durability, and beauty as natural diamonds, but at a more affordable price. In this guide, we've discussed in detail the origin of lab-grown diamonds, their grading system, differences from natural diamonds, price differences, and their advantages and limitations.
We've also shared essential buying tips, including choosing the right shape, metal, budget, ring size, certification, and customization options. With the right information, choosing a lab-grown diamond engagement ring becomes a smart and well-informed decision.
