Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by LabGrownCarats

Lab-grown diamond pendants have become increasingly popular as a sustainable and ethical alternative to mined diamonds. These exquisite pieces of jewelry offer the same brilliance and beauty but with a significantly smaller impact on the environment – and on your wallet!

In this guide to lab-grown diamond pendants, you’ll learn how to choose the perfect lab-grown diamond pendant based on factors such as shape, size, and setting style. In addition, we will share our expert tips on finding the perfect lab diamond pendant and saving money. We will also cover essential care and maintenance tips to ensure your precious piece remains dazzling for years.

We’ll end our guide with recommendations for reputable sources where you can buy high-quality lab-grown diamond pendants that suit your taste and budget. By the end of this lab-created diamond pendant guide, you’ll be armed with all the information needed to make a wise choice when investing in these exquisite jewels.

What is Pendant Jewelry?

Pendant jewelry is a type of accessory with a decorative element, often a gemstone or precious metal, suspended from a chain or cord. This jewelry style has been popular for centuries and can be traced back to ancient civilizations.

A Brief History of Pendants

The use of pendants dates back to ancient times when they were worn as talismans and amulets for protection against evil spirits. In the Middle Ages, religious symbols such as crosses and medallions were commonly worn as pendants by both men and women. During the Renaissance, elaborate pendant designs featuring pearls and gemstones became fashionable among wealthy nobles.

Famous People Wearing Pendant Jewelry

Throughout history, many famous people have been known for wearing iconic pendant pieces:

• Marilyn Monroe’s diamond-studded “Moon of Baroda” pendant was famously featured in her film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
• Elizabeth Taylor owned several stunning diamond pendants, including the La Peregrina pearl necklace with its distinctive heart-shaped ruby drop pendant.
• Kate Middleton wore an elegant diamond-encrusted acorn pendant during her visit to Canada in 2011, which sparked a trend in acorn-themed jewelry.

Reasons to Buy Pendant Jewelry

Pendant jewelry makes an excellent addition to any collection due to its versatility – it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Here are some reasons why you might consider buying pendant jewelry:

• Versatility: Pendants come in various shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that complements your style perfectly, whether formal or casual.
• Meaningful: Pendants can hold sentimental value as they are often given as gifts to commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations. They can also be engraved with initials or messages, making them even more personal and meaningful.
• Affordability: Pendant jewelry is available at a wide range of prices, so you don’t have to break the bank to own a beautiful piece of jewelry. Lab-grown diamond pendants offer an affordable alternative without sacrificing quality and beauty.

Suitable Occasions for Pendant Jewelry

Pendant jewelry is versatile enough to be worn on any occasion, but some events where it may be particularly suitable include:

• Casual outings: A simple pendant necklace paired with jeans and a t-shirt adds an elegant touch to your everyday outfit without being too flashy.
• Bridal parties: Bridesmaids wearing matching pendant necklaces create incredible photo opportunities while adding subtle elegance to their attire.
• Gifting occasions: Whether it’s Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas, gifting someone special with a personalized pendant shows thoughtfulness and care that will be cherished forever.

In summary, pendant jewelry has been popular throughout history due to its versatility and ability to add elegance and meaning, casually or formally. With lab-grown diamonds becoming increasingly popular due to affordability without compromising quality, there has never been a better time to buy one!

Next, in our lab-grown diamond pendant guide, we’ll explain why you should choose a lab-grown diamond for your pendant.

What are Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants?

A lab-grown diamond pendant is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a beautiful diamond created in a laboratory setting rather than mined from the earth. These diamonds possess the same chemical makeup and outward characteristics as those mined from the ground, making them indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Conditions like those found in the Earth’s mantle are recreated to create lab-grown diamonds. This results in either High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods used to grow these dazzling gemstones.

You can learn more about the lab diamond creation process in our introduction to lab-grown diamonds.

Difference between Lab-Grown and Mined Diamonds

• Eco-friendly: The production of lab-grown diamonds has significantly less impact on the environment than traditional mining practices. According to studies, they generate up to 4-7 times fewer greenhouse gas emissions per carat than their mined counterparts, and that’s not considering land clearing, pollution, and other negative impacts of mining.
• Affordability: Since lab-grown diamonds do not require expensive mining operations, they are 60-80% more affordable for consumers without compromising quality or beauty.
• Ethical sourcing: Unlike some mined diamonds that may be associated with conflict zones and human rights abuses, lab-created options offer an ethical alternative as they are produced under controlled conditions without any negative social implications.
• Certification: Just like natural diamonds, many reputable diamond labs such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute) provide grading reports for lab-grown diamonds, ensuring their quality and authenticity.

Lab-grown diamond pendants come in various styles, including solitaire, halo, three-stone settings, or even custom designs to suit your personal taste. So whether you’re looking for a timeless piece to wear daily or a statement pendant for special occasions, there’s a perfect lab-created diamond pendant waiting for you.

Having learned that lab-grown diamond pendants are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional mined diamonds, let’s find out what that means for you as a shopper.

Selecting Larger Diamonds at Lower Prices

For those searching for a more impressive diamond, lab-generated diamonds offer better value for money. Due to their affordability, you may be able to purchase a bigger and higher quality lab-created diamond pendant without breaking the bank compared to buying an equivalent mined diamond.

Supporting Innovation in the Diamond Industry

By choosing a lab-grown diamond pendant, you’re not only making an eco-friendly and ethical choice but also supporting innovation within the diamond industry. As demand grows for these sustainable alternatives, it encourages further technological advancements that could potentially revolutionize how diamonds are produced and sold worldwide.

The benefits of lab-grown diamond pendants are numerous, from their ethical sourcing to the cost savings they offer. However, when searching for a lab-created diamond pendant, knowing how to make the ideal selection is critical.

How to Choose the Right Lab-Grown Diamond Pendant

Now that you might be convinced that a lab-grown diamond pendant is the right choice, we’ll guide you through the buying process. Selecting the perfect lab-grown diamond pendant can be an exciting process, but it’s essential to do some research to make your purchase. Assessing factors such as shape, color, clarity, and carat weight can help you pick a stunning piece of jewelry that meets your expectations.

Size

When deciding on a pendant, size should be one of the primary factors when selecting lab-grown diamonds. If you prefer a more subtle look or are on a budget, smaller lab-grown diamonds may be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you want something eye-catching and luxurious, larger lab-grown diamonds might better suit your style.

Note that diamonds are usually measured by weight, not size. However, to add to the mystical appeal of diamonds, they are not weighed using metric or imperial systems but rather carats. A diamond carat is equal to 0.2 grams or 0.007 ounces. Learn more about lab-grown diamond carats.

Shape

Diamonds come in various shapes, such as round brilliant cut (the most popular), princess cut (square-shaped), cushion cut (pillow-like appearance), and emerald cut (rectangular with step facets), among others. When selecting a lab-grown diamond shape, consider which one best complements your style or has sentimental value.

Read our guide to lab diamond shapes to see all diamond shapes.

Diamond Quality

The diamond’s 4Cs determine the quality of a lab-grown diamond: cut, clarity, color, and carat. In addition, characteristics such as polish, fluorescence, and more are factors, but the 4Cs are the primary indicators of diamond quality.

Lab diamond cut

The diamond cut is by far the most critical diamond grade for any brilliant-shaped diamond, such as round, pear, or marquise. But it’s critical for all shapes, and you generally should not compromise on cut quality.

If you’re searching for a brilliant-shaped diamond, you should always pick an excellent cut (GIA’s highest grade) or an ideal cut (IGI’s highest grade). Only fancy-colored and some fancy-shaped diamonds should have a cut grade lower, but never go below “very good” (which, for brilliant shapes, is not very good).

Learn more about lab-grown diamond cut grades.

Lab diamond color

Lab-grown diamonds typically range from colorless (D-F) to near-colorless (G-J). Colorless lab-grown diamonds are considered higher quality because they allow light to pass through them without interference from the stone’s impurities. However, in almost all cases, near-colorless will be indistinguishable from colorless. Except for on the price tag.

By choosing a color grade between F and J, you’ll save a lot compared to D-E. If set in gold, you can move towards the lower end of the spectrum and pick an I or J-colored diamond since the yellow tint from the gold will affect even a completely colorless diamond.

Read more about lab diamond colors and fancy lab-grown diamond colors.

Lab diamond clarity

The clarity grade refers to how many flaws or inclusions exist within a diamond. Lab-grown diamonds often have fewer inclusions than mined diamonds, making them a more desirable option for those seeking high-quality stones.

Generally speaking, you’ll want an eye-clean diamond with only minor flaws visible under magnification. The inclusions should be few and far apart and ideally not on the center of the diamond’s surface. Picking a VS1-2 is often a good grade, but be sure to check the HD images and videos of the diamond to ensure it’s free of most inclusions. You can sometimes be lucky to find an S1-2 that is just as good as a VVS1!

Find out more about lab diamond clarity.

Lad diamond carat weight

We’ve mentioned diamond size before, but the carat weight of your lab-grown diamond pendant is another crucial factor to consider. A higher carat weight typically means a larger and more valuable lab-grown diamond. Still, it’s essential to balance this with the other factors mentioned above (size, shape, color & clarity) to find the perfect piece that fits your budget. Often carat weight should be your lowest priority, and where you compromise (a high-quality diamond will appear much larger than a dull, low-quality diamond).

Setting & Metal Type

Finally, remember the setting and metal type when choosing your lab-grown diamond pendant. The right setting style can enhance the beauty of your chosen lab-grown diamond while providing added security for the stone. Popular metal options include white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum, each offering unique aesthetic appeal.

Considering the various elements involved, you can make a well-informed decision when selecting a gorgeous lab-grown diamond pendant that will be treasured for years.

Deciding on the ideal lab-grown diamond pendant is critical, so it’s essential to be aware of all your alternatives before buying. When caring for your new lab-grown diamond pendant, some key tips can help keep it looking its best over time.

Pendant types

Whether you’re looking for something simple or extravagant, there’s a pendant style that will suit your taste. Here are some of the most popular types of lab-grown diamond pendants:

Solitaire Pendants

A solitaire pendant features a single lab-grown, typically round or princess-cut diamond. This classic style is perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. When buying a solitaire pendant, consider the size and shape of the diamond to ensure it suits your personal style.

Buying Tip: Because the diamond sits by itself, all focus is on the diamond’s quality. So make sure you pair it with a lab diamond with an excellent or ideal cut grade.

Halo Pendants

A halo pendant features a center lab-grown diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds to create an eye-catching sparkle effect. A halo pendant has a center stone surrounded by smaller diamonds in a circle or square shape. This design gives the illusion of a larger diamond while adding extra sparkle.

Buying Tip: Choose white gold or platinum settings to enhance the brilliance of the diamonds.

Cross Pendants

The cross pendant has been around since ancient times but remains one of the most popular jewelry pieces today. Cross pendants feature diamonds set into cross-shaped designs. These pieces can be religious symbols or simply decorative accessories with a beautiful shape.

Buying Tip: Consider colored gemstones like sapphires or emeralds to add color and contrast against white diamonds.

Heart Pendants

A heart pendant featuring lab-grown diamonds is a romantic and meaningful gift for someone special. A heart-shaped pendant is perfect for romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries. The heart symbolizes love and commitment, making this piece an ideal gift for someone special in your life.

Buying Tip: You can either go for a heart-shaped lad diamond, which is typically more expensive, or a heart-shaped setting with several smaller diamonds.

Choosing the perfect lab diamond pendant summary

There are plenty of options if you’re shopping around lab-grown diamond pendants. Consider the style that best suits your personality and taste while considering the abovementioned buying tips. Also, consider size, shape, color, and clarity factors. A higher carat weight typically means a larger and more valuable lab-grown diamond. However, balance it with the other factors mentioned above to find the perfect piece that fits your budget. Finally, don’t forget about the setting style and metal type, which can enhance the beauty of your chosen lab-grown diamond while providing added security for the stone.

Care and Maintenance of Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants

Proper care and maintenance of your lab-grown diamond pendant will help keep it looking its best for years. Like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are durable and resistant to scratches, but they still require some attention to maintain their brilliance.

Cleaning Your Lab-Grown Diamond Pendant

To clean your lab-grown diamond pendant, follow these simple steps:

1. Mild soap solution: Prepare a solution of warm water mixed with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
2. Soak the pendant: Place your pendant in the soapy water and let it soak for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Gentle brushing: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or jewelry brush to gently scrub the surface of the diamond and any metal components on the pendant. Apply only light pressure when cleaning the diamond and metal parts to avoid any damage.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse off any remaining soap residue under running water, making sure all traces are removed from both the diamond and metal parts.

Proper care and maintenance of your lab-grown diamond pendant are essential to keep it looking its best. Following these simple cleaning steps ensures that your pendant remains brilliant and beautiful for years.

Now that you are ready to care for your future lab-grown diamond pendant, let’s explore where you can acquire these gorgeous pieces.

Where to Buy Lab-Grown Diamond Pendants

Finding the perfect lab-grown diamond pendant can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially when you know where to look for quality pieces at competitive prices. Several options are available for purchasing these stunning pendants, all of which have received our highest review ratings.

Below are our recommended places to buy lab-grown diamond pendants. They are chosen based on offering high diamond and jewelry quality, large selections, low prices, and excellent customer service.

James Allen review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

James Allen

James Allen is one of our best-rated places to buy lab-grown diamond pendants. The service is top-notch, prices are low, the selection is enormous, and the quality and craftsmanship are superb.

Pendants at James Allen

Ritani review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ritani

Ritani tops our list of the best places to buy lab-grown diamond pendants because of their market-leading low prices and price transparency, the largest inventory of lab diamonds, customization options, and jewelry store partnership.

Pendants at Ritani

Brilliant Earth review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth is the leading sustainable lab-grown diamond jeweler. Their deep commitment to sustainability, including being the only seller of sustainable graded lab diamonds, sets them apart. The prices are excellent, too, and they have an extensive inventory of lab-grown diamond pendants.

Pendants at Brilliant Earth

With Clarity review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

With Clarity

With Clarity is another of our favorite places to buy lab-grown diamond engagement rings because of their unique 3D ring replica home previews (that you can try for free). In addition, they have a large selection of stunning lab-created diamond pendants and excellent prices.

Pendants at With Clarity

Clean Origin review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clean Origin

Clean Origin is another of our favorite places to buy lab-grown diamond jewelry, including pendants. We recommend Clean Origin for its unbeatable prices, large selection of lab-grown diamonds and jewelry, and excellent support (plus 100-day risk-free returns).

Pendants at Clean Origin

Brilliant Earth, Clean Origin, and James Allen are reputable online retailers specializing in lab-grown diamonds. Shopping from home can be a convenient way to compare diamond styles, sizes, and costs. Additionally, many websites offer helpful resources such as educational guides on choosing the right diamond or even virtual consultations with experts.

No matter where you decide to buy your lab-grown diamond pendant, it’s essential to do thorough research beforehand. Compare prices across different retailers, read customer reviews, and ensure that any certifications or warranties are provided with your purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lab-grown diamond pendants are stunning pieces of jewelry. Set with lab-created rather than mined diamonds, they offer the same beauty and durability without ethical concerns or high price tags. Consider factors such as cut, clarity, carat weight, and setting style when choosing a lab-grown diamond pendant.

To keep your lab-grown diamond pendant looking its best, be sure to clean it regularly and store it properly when not in use.

If you’re interested in purchasing a beautiful and affordable lab-grown diamond pendant or gift, see our guide to the best lab-grown diamond pendant jewelry!