Environmentally speaking, there are pros and cons to each. Ultimately, it’s whatever you value most and how you weigh things—compare the energy and water usage required for your chosen lab-grown diamond and compare that to the power and labor necessary for mining. In the end, like the best vintage jewelry, a diamond piece already in existence is the most sustainable option, though plenty of consciously made new designs are out there.
Whether you’re looking to adorn a holiday party dress or source a truly spectacular gift for a special someone on your holiday list, ahead, peruse an edit of scintillating necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings from nine of the best places to buy lab-grown diamonds.
If you’re shopping for loose lab diamonds, turn to Grown Brilliance for some of the best—the retailer proudly works with lab-grown diamonds only. Shop by shape, carat size, clarity, or cut and purchase the stone solo or exercise your fine jewelry eye by creating your dream custom engagement ring. Or, shop the brand’s assortment of ready-to-ship pieces, ranging from wedding and anniversary bands to everyday pieces like round-brilliant stud earrings, tennis bracelets and bangles, and bezel-set pendant necklaces. Whatever you choose, a commitment to ethics ensures Grown Brilliance’s quality, from the controlled environment with strict labor laws to offering a lifetime manufacturing warranty. In addition, the brand certifies all of the lab-grown loose diamonds acquired through its Design Your Ring program—shoppers will receive a certification card from one of the world’s most reputable independent certification organizations, such as IGI (Independent Gemological Institute) or GIA (Gemological Institute of America)—while certification cards are provided for all other jewelry with a center stone (or matched pairs) that weigh half a carat or more.
- Styles offered: Engagement rings, wedding jewelry, everyday fine jewelry, custom designs
- Price range: Pieces start at $125
- Special services: Free shipping and returns, lifetime warranty, certification cards, loose diamonds, Design Your Ring program
Brilliant Earth is a company of many firsts in the lab-grown diamond realm, and sustainability is at the forefront of the business. The online jewelry destination was one of the first to offer lab-grown diamonds, beginning in 2012, and in 2021, it became one of the first authorized retailers to introduce the independently certified Sustainability Rated Diamond collection. Every diamond within this assortment comes with a certificate to provide assurance of origin, responsible production practices, ethical stewardship, and climate neutrality with each lab-grown diamond. By 2025, Brilliant Earth’s goal is for 50% of lab-grown diamonds to be certified to an environmental product standard.