The 6 Cheapest Places to Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds in 2023

We test all recommended products and services independently and exhaustively. If you buy through our links, we might receive compensation. Our recommendations are not influenced by monetary considerations. Learn more.

By Rolf Hartmann, Diamond Expert and Managing Editor.

The Bottom Line: My Recommended Cheapest Jewelers

Are you in a hurry and want to know where to find the best and cheapest places to buy lab-grown diamonds? Then, see my personal recommendations just below and check them all out.

• Cheapest lab-grown diamonds overall: Ritani
• Cheapest lab-grown diamond jewelry: Clean Origin
• Best shopping and customer service: James Allen
• Best engagement rings: Grown Brilliance
• Most sustainable diamonds: Brilliant Earth
• Best try-before-you-buy: With Clarity

You can also skip to my detailed review and recommendations of the cheapest places to buy lab-created diamonds.

Affordable Diamonds for All

Have you ever found yourself gazing at the sparkling beauty of a diamond, only to snap back from your daydream due to its hefty price tag?

You’re not alone.

The world’s growing fondness for lab-grown diamonds is like an unstoppable river; it’s flowing fast and transforming the landscape of jewelry shopping. These gems aren’t just pocket-friendly alternatives – they also carry a wave of ethical responsibility.

“But where do I find these sustainable diamonds?” you might ask. We’ve got you covered!

In this guide to the cheapest lab-grown diamonds and jewelry, we’ll introduce the places to buy the best diamonds without burning holes in your wallet. From understanding their origins and grading system, weighing online versus in-store buying, down to tips on purchasing and saving – consider this guide as your treasure map towards owning guilt-free and affordable luxury!

How We Have Compared the Cheapest Jewelers

At LabGrownDiamonds, we review countless lab diamond jewelers. We spent weeks analyzing, testing, and assessing places to buy lab-created diamonds. Through our numerous lab diamond jeweler reviews, we have found the cheapest places where you can purchase lab diamonds.

In this guide, I have assessed jewelers based on price, quality, shopping experience, customer service, trustworthiness, sustainability, shipping, and return policies. Our team has personally shopped at all the jewelers and examined their diamond and jewelry quality. I have thoroughly tested their customer support and spent many days reviewing each lab diamond jeweler so you can find the cheapest lab-created diamonds.

Ranking criteria

We have evaluated and ranked all lab-grown diamond jewelers against these criteria:

• Price
• Diamond inventory
• Jewelry selection
• Quality
• Shopping experience
• Customer service
• Shipping and return policies
• Sustainability

Top 6 Cheapest Places to Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds

The hunt for the perfect lab-grown diamond can be thrilling. But where do you start? To make your search for the perfect lab-grown diamond a breeze, here is our list of the best jewelers selling the cheapest lab-created diamonds.

Ritani

Ritani offers transparent pricing and rock-bottom prices alongside click-and-brick partnerships with local jewelers, allowing you to see diamond jewelry before committing.

Bottom-line:

Our team and I consistently find that Ritani is the cheapest place to buy lab-grown diamonds. In all our price and quality comparisons, Ritani comes out as the cheapest almost every time.

Learn more in our full Ritani review.

Clean Origin

Clean Origin prides itself on transparency and ethical practices. You’ll find a wide range of options here without breaking your bank account.

Bottom line:

When I compare lab-grown diamond jewelry prices, Clean Origin is almost always the cheapest. From stud earrings to engagement rings, Clean Origin’s jewelry prices are unbeatable.

Learn more in our full Clean Origin review.

Grown Brilliance

Grown Brilliance has stormed onto the lab-grown diamond scene with its astonishing jewelry designs and collaborations and features such as its advanced ring designer and truly custom options.

Bottom line:

Our expert team and I have rated Grown Brilliance as the best jeweler for lab-grown diamond engagement rings. I also find their prices very reasonable, and my colleague, Sharon, praises their modern and trendy designs.

Read more in our full Grown Brilliance review.

James Allen

James Allen is one of the best-known diamond jewelers—and for good reason. James Allen is a favorite diamond retailer with hundreds of thousands of diamonds, market-leading shopping features, and unbeatable customer support.

Bottom line:

While we find that James Allen’s prices are sometimes slightly higher than at the cheapest lab diamond jewelers, I find that the small premium is well worth it. In my experience, you won’t find better and more qualified customer support. You are sure to find the perfect diamond at James Allen. And still a lot cheaper than at almost any other jeweler.

Read our full James Allen review to learn more.

Brilliant Earth

A favorite among eco-conscious shoppers, Brilliant Earth offers stunning lab-grown diamonds in various cuts and sizes. They’re committed to ethical sourcing, which makes them stand out.

Bottom Line:

I find that Brilliant Earth is the best and cheapest place to buy sustainable diamonds, including lab-grown diamonds. But 100% guaranteed sustainable diamonds are, in general, more expensive.

See more in our full Brilliant Earth review.

With Clarity

With Clarity is, perhaps, best known for its engagement ring home preview, offering free realistic replicas of the rings you are considering. But they also provide some of the lowest lab-grown diamond prices and gorgeous jewelry designs.

Bottom Line:

In our lab-grown diamond price analysis, With Clarity is often among the top 3 cheapest jewelers. Not only are they cheap, but the home preview is incredible (and free). So, if you are looking for diamond engagement rings, I suggest you try With Clarity and their free try-before-you-buy replicas.

Learn more in our With Clarity review and Home Preview test.

Other cheap jewelers to consider

VRAI

VRAI presents a minimalist approach to jewelry. Their lab-grown diamonds are sleek, modern, and guaranteed to make a statement. And, like Brilliant Earth, they offer 100% sustainably produced lab-created diamonds.

Learn more in our VRAI review or visit VRAI to see their prices.

Blue Nile

Blue Nile has long been a favorite diamond jeweler, known for their exceptional customer service, quality, and large diamond and jewelry selection. While not as low as at the above jewelers, I find that prices are still very reasonable, and often, their service and quality are worth the sometimes higher cost.

Read more in our Blue Nile review and visit Blue Nile to compare prices.

Tips for Buying Cheap Lab-Grown Diamonds

Buying lab-grown diamonds can feel like a puzzle, but it becomes as easy as pie with the right tips. Be sure to inquire about the details of your diamond’s origin and grading when considering a lab-grown diamond purchase. Reputable retailers should give you all the info you need about your diamond’s origin and grading.

Next up: certification is crucial. Ensure that your diamond comes with a report from an established gemological laboratory such as GIA or IGI, which guarantees its quality and characteristics.

Budgeting also matters when buying these sparkling gems. Knowing what factors influence pricing helps you make smart choices within your budget range. And remember – bigger isn’t always better. Prioritize quality over size.

• Diamond Shape: This influences both price and style; some shapes cost more due to their cut complexity.
• Cut Quality: A well-cut diamond shines brighter even if it’s smaller or of lower clarity grade.
• Metal Type: Platinum settings are pricier than gold ones because they’re more durable and hypoallergenic.

A little secret: You can save big by choosing slightly below whole carat weights – e.g., opt for .9 instead of 1 carat.

To wrap things up, buy from trusted sources offering return policies – just in case. For instance, Brilliant Earth offers free returns within 30 days.

Quality and Pricing of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are real, sparkly, and beautiful, just like their natural counterparts. The difference? They’re more affordable, as we have documented in our price comparison of mined and lab-created diamond prices.

Graded on the same scale, lab-grown diamonds have identical physical properties to mined ones: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight – often referred to as 4Cs. But they come without hefty price tags or ethical dilemmas.

You can expect a lab-grown diamond’s cost to be about 60-80% less than that of a natural diamond. This doesn’t mean you’re compromising quality for cost; it simply reflects lower production costs.

• The first reason is that there are no mining operation costs.
• The second one is the reduced transportation expenses since labs are usually closer than mines.
• The third advantage comes from economies of scale because growing multiple diamonds at once in a lab is cheaper per unit compared to individual extraction from the earth’s crust.

If you fancy larger stones but don’t want your bank account shedding tears every time you glance at your finger sparkle, consider this stunning example:

A 1-carat round brilliant-cut I-J-color VS clarity grade mined diamond will set you back around $3-4000. A similar quality lab-grown diammond costs roughly $1000.

LabGrownCarats.com guide to 1-carat lab-grown diamond prices November 2023

Buying Online vs. In-Store

Deciding where to buy can be challenging if you’re in the market for lab-grown diamonds. You’ve got two main options: online or in-store.

The Pros of Buying Online

Shopping online offers convenience – no need to leave your home. Plus, websites like our recommended cheapest places for lab diamonds offer vast selections and detailed information about each diamond.

You can score much better deals when you shop online since e-retailers have lower operational expenses than physical stores, leading to more savings for the consumer. This means more savings for you.

And you avoid pushy salespeople while you can compare diamonds side-by-side and find the best and cheapest diamond.

The Cons of Buying Online

But buying online isn’t perfect. The biggest drawback is that you don’t see the diamond up close before purchase. Although reputable sites provide high-quality images and 360-degree videos, it’s not quite the same as seeing it in person.

If seeing the diamond is critical for you, consider Ritani’s click-and-brick offer, where you can see your diamond jewelry in a partner store before you commit to buying. Grown Brilliance and Clean Origin have several showrooms you can visit, while Brilliant Earth has stores across the country while still offering you the benefit of low online diamond prices.

Pros and Cons of Buying In-Store

Purchasing from a physical store lets you touch and examine your potential investment firsthand. However, their selection is extremely limited compared to what’s available on the internet, and often, the diamonds are of lesser quality but much higher price.

Besides, salespeople might pressure you into making a decision quickly rather than giving you the time needed for thorough research.

To wrap this up? Both methods have pros and cons, but given our digital age, we recommend buying lab-grown diamonds online.

Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds, also known as manufactured or synthetic diamonds, are created in controlled laboratory environments. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using advanced techniques such as HPHT and CVD to replicate the natural process of diamond formation. Despite their lab origin, these gems share identical physical and chemical properties with mined diamonds.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a leading gemstone authority, verifies this fact by grading lab-grown stones similarly to natural ones. Yet what makes them stand out is not just their quality but also how they address some major ethical concerns associated with traditional mining.

Eco-conscious jewelry lovers are drawn to lab-grown diamonds because producing them results in less environmental damage compared to conventional diamond extraction. These sparkling beauties represent a shift towards more sustainable practices in the industry.

Here are a few fascinating facts about diamonds:

• No two lab-created diamonds are exactly alike—each has its unique growth patterns and characteristics, like those formed over billions of years beneath Earth’s crust.
• You can even have your own carbon turned into a custom-made diamond—a concept that many find intriguing and romantic.

Growing Popularity

In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in popularity for these ethically sourced alternatives; people love getting great value without compromising ethics or beauty. As proof, Bain & Company predicts that by 2030, lab-grown diamonds could account for nearly one-third of the total diamond jewelry market.

In my personal opinion, with lab-grown diamonds being so much more affordable, they may even surpass mined diamonds in popularity before long.

That’s because people increasingly choose to buy items with ethical considerations in mind, indicating a shift in consumer behavior. More and more people make conscious choices in their purchases—lab-grown diamonds are no exception.

Ethical Considerations for Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are turning the jewelry world on its head. They offer a new and ethical alternative to mined diamonds, raising important questions about environmental impact and human rights.

The production of lab-grown diamonds has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional mining. A study cited by the BBC found that creating one carat of diamond in a lab emits 18 times less CO₂. That implies sustainable energy is being used in production, as Vrai through Diamond Foundry, Pandora Diamonds, and Brilliant Earth’s sustainable diamonds offer. But newer data shows lab-created diamonds emitting less CO₂ than mined diamonds in general.

Beyond just being eco-friendly, they’re also humane. Mined diamonds often come with heavy social costs, including child labor and poor working conditions. But when you choose lab-grown, you sidestep these issues completely.

• No risk of funding conflict or war.
• No child labor was involved in their creation.
• All workers involved get fair wages under safe conditions.

Making ethical decisions is a wise decision not only from a moral standpoint but also economically. Demand for items that have been acquired ethically is increasing as more customers become mindful of these matters.

Navigating Certification and Grading

Buying lab-grown diamonds can be exciting, but knowing your stuff is essential. This includes understanding the certification and grading process.

Diamonds are graded based on their 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight, and Color. These grades help you understand the quality of your diamond. Lab-grown diamonds undergo this same rigorous process at certified labs like GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

The GIA sets a high standard for diamond grading. They use an exacting system that ensures every grade given is consistent with those awarded to similar stones in the past.

Certification Matters

Certification proves that what you’re buying is genuine, as the seller describes. Without it, you’re taking a gamble on whether or not your diamond matches up to its claims.

A certificate from an accredited gemology lab will tell you everything about your stone – from its carat weight down to any tiny flaws invisible to the naked eye.

Pick Your Diamond Wisely

No two diamonds are alike. So pick one that speaks to you – within budget – even if it doesn’t have ‘perfect’ grades across all categories. After all, one’s personal opinion is what matters most.

---

FAQs About Buying Cheap Lab-Grown Diamonds

Conclusion: Where to Buy The Cheapest Lab-Grown Diamonds in 2023

Discovering the world of lab-grown diamonds is like stepping into a new era. The magic lies not just in their brilliance but also in their ethical sourcing and affordability.

We dove deep into these sustainable gems, didn’t we? From understanding how they’re created to appreciating why they’ve captured hearts worldwide.

It’s clear now – buying online offers more advantages than traditional stores when hunting for these eco-friendly dazzlers. It lets you choose from some of the best places to buy lab-grown diamonds at your convenience.

You’re also armed with knowledge about diamond grading and certifications – vital tools that ensure quality while shopping!

Remember, buying a diamond is an investment – whether grown in the earth or in the lab. But lab-grown diamonds are a much more affordable and wise investment.