What's the first question people ask when you tell them you're engaged…”Let me see that ring!”
Your engagement ring is probably your most prized accessory and its sentimental meaning reminds you that someone special thinks you're the most important person in their world.
While beautiful, diamond rings are known to come with a hefty price tag. Tradition says that an engagement ring should cost three months salary, but modern couples are being smarter with their dollars and shying away from the equivalent of wearing a brand new car on their fingers.
As the times have evolved, so has shopping for an engagement ring, so we researched the budget-friendly, lab-grown diamond trend to see if it's really worth the savings.
Let us break down three reasons why lab-grown diamonds are the way to go when it comes to nailing that little extra sparkle.
*This post is sponsored by Clean Origin but is 100% our thoughts and opinions. We only partner with businesses who we value and trust.
Chemically Lab-Grown Diamonds are Same as Mined Diamonds
There's no time like the present to educate yourself on the difference between lab-grown diamonds and the diamonds you spend a whole lot of dough on. So let's start with the basics. When you break things down, the one true difference between the bling is where it comes from. It all starts with the origin.
To learn more about this new-ish way to buy diamonds, we partnered with Clean Origin, which specializes in high-quality lab-grown diamonds. In fact, their founder is a third-generation jeweler!
Also known as man-made diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are made through cutting-edge technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. Lab-grown diamonds are essentially identical to those grown beneath the Earth's surface while also being eco and budget-friendly.
But we know what you might be thinking…So they are fake diamonds? Nope! Actually, far from it.
A common misconception is that lab-created diamonds aren't real diamonds. Chemically these are real diamonds! The only difference is the way they are “grown,” in a lab using innovative technology versus created by Mother Nature. To the naked eye, they look, feel and shine just like a mined diamond (plus are better for the environment, which we'll cover.)
All Clean Origin stones are fully certified by an independent diamond grading laboratory that uses the same standards as mined diamonds, including the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Learn more about Clean Origin's “growing” process
Lab-Grown Diamonds are Environmentally Friendly
Just as the fashion scene has fully embraced (and often prefer) faux fur, modern couples are choosing lab-grown diamonds because of their gentler impact on the Earth and humanitarian practices.
Although “blood diamonds” are a rarity compared to the '90s and earlier, mining still takes a toll on the environment using heavy machinery, explosives, and destructive methods to extract the stones from deep in the Earth's surface.
Unbeknownst to us, the most common practice today is marine mining which requires drilling underwater and disrupting the sea life. Think about it, were so conscious about where the fish we eat comes from and not using straws to create a safer environment for turtles, so it makes sense to support non-drilling techniques for diamonds.
Learn more about the diamond mining process
Clean Origin Lab-Grown Engagement Ring
Lab-Grown Diamonds Cost 20-40% Less
Buying diamonds doesn't have to break the bank anymore. (Wouldn't you rather use that money for a killer honeymoon or down-payment on a house?) With lab-grown diamonds, there's a significant 20-40% difference in price, which means more money in your pocket.
What drives up the price for mined diamonds is the extensive supply chain process. Lab-grown diamonds skip the extra processing, passing on the savings to you.
According to the Clean Origin site, a 2-carat diamond that would cost over $15,000 on the online site Blue Nile (mined diamond), is less than $8,000 on the lab-grown site. Plus, they have a 100-day money-back guarantee (the longest in the industry)!
Why We Recommend Clean Origin
As a third generation jeweler, Clean Origin's CEO, Alexander Weindling, knows beautiful, quality diamonds. Add that to company's expertise, passion about quality, and commitment to customer service we believe that Clean Origin is a smart choice for choosing a lab-grown diamond.