10 Of The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings To Wear And Gift To Others
Lab-grown diamonds have been around for more than a half century: They were first created by General Electric in 1954 and became commercially available in the 1980s. Today, lab-grown diamonds are growing in popularity because they’re typically more affordable, are sourced with transparency and have a lesser environmental impact than mined diamonds. The best lab grown diamond earrings are part of a rapidly growing global market that’s projected to reach $49.9 billion by 2030.
The best lab-grown diamond earrings are sustainable, affordable and plenty stylish.
The variety of lab-created diamond jewelry seems to know no bounds. The best lab-grown diamond earrings sparkle and shine bright, and are very much “real:” The stones share the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as mined diamonds. Here are the best lab-grown diamond earrings to give, receive or just covet. It’s never too early to start dropping hints for your holiday wish list.
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings Overall: Blue Nile Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings
- Best Value Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings: Kimai Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Hoop Earrings: Brilliant Earth Bliss Lab Created Diamond Hoop Earrings
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Drop Earrings: Grown Brilliance Pear Diamond Halo Drop Earrings
- Best Unique Lab-Grown Diamond Earring: Vrai Del Sol Drop Earrings
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Huggie Earrings: Clean Origin Cecelia 12MM Huggies
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Statement Earrings: Lark And Berry Palm Diamond Statement Fluted Earrings
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Pavé Earrings: Jem Paris Octogone Pave Lab Created Diamond Earrings
- Best Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings: With Clarity Flower Halo Lab Diamond Earrings
How We Chose The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
To compile this list, we reached out to gem experts their insight, including Andrew Brown, CEO of MyGemma, and Sally Mangana, a researcher and senior manager of gemstone identification for the Gemological Institute of America. We thoroughly researched the most well-respected diamond retailers to put together a consummate—and stylish—collection of lab-created diamond earrings at different price levels.
What To Look For In The Best Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
The Four Cs“Like any natural diamond, a lab-grown diamond is graded on a variety of characteristics, including the 4 Cs: clarity, cut, color and carat weight,” says Andrew Brown, CEO of MyGemma. “Lab-grown diamonds come in all shapes, sizes and quality, but choosing one is identical to that of a natural one: you’re looking at the 4 Cs for the right diamond in your budget.”
A Quality ReportThe best way to be certain of the quality of the diamonds or laboratory-grown diamonds you buy is to get one that has a certified report from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) of the International Gemological Institute (IGI). “The GIA uses its decades of gemological research to evaluate the stone to determine quality, if it is natural or laboratory-grown, and discloses any treatments discovered during examination,” says Sally Mangana, GIA researcher and senior manager of gemstone identification. GIA also has a Retailer Lookup where you can search a city or postal code to find retailers who carry GIA-graded diamonds or have GIA-trained staff.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real Diamonds?
“Laboratory-grown diamonds and natural diamonds have the same chemical, physical, and optical characteristics,” says Magana. “They are almost identical but what makes them completely different is the way in which they form.” Laboratory-grown diamonds are created by two processes, either utilizing the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method or the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Natural diamonds are formed over millions of years within the earth and are brought to the surface, where they are mined. “It takes a trained gemologist to be able to properly distinguish these stones,” says Magana.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Cheaper Than Naturally Occurring Diamonds?
Yes. “The most alluring part of lab-grown diamonds is their price point compared to their natural counterparts,” says Brown. “Lab-grown diamond manufacturers typically sell certified, lab-grown diamonds at 30 to 50% less than the equivalent natural diamonds.” Lab-grown diamond prices have been steadily dropping in recent years, too, adds Brown.
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Durable?
Yes. “Laboratory-grown diamonds have the same physical properties as natural diamonds,” says Mangana. “When measuring the hardness of stones, jewelers reference the Mohs Scale of Hardness,” explains Brown. “On this scale, both lab-grown and natural diamonds rank the highest at a 10, making them extremely durable and known as the hardest substance on earth.”