Diamonds 101: Fact or Fiction, Part 2
Our Diamonds 101 series, Fact or Fiction is back!
We gathered another round of common misconceptions and assumptions in the jewelry industry from fictitious commentary about lab-grown diamonds to the price war between gold and platinum.
We dive into each statement, providing you with a brief explanation as to whether the assertion is fact or fiction and why. We hope you enjoy this diamond education series. If you have any further questions about the topics below or a general inquiry about Lauren B Jewelry, you can email us at info@laurenbjewelry.com.
Fact or Fiction: Lab-grown diamonds are all colorless with no inclusions.
Survey Says: Fiction
Lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds are virtually identical in both physical appearance and chemical composition. There is one major difference between these two gemstones, however: natural diamonds are formed deep under the Earth’s surface over the course of billions of years while lab-grown diamonds are created in a simulated lab environment within a matter of weeks.
The lab environment that produces lab-grown diamonds is simulated to mimic the exact environmental conditions that create a natural diamond. As a result, lab-grown diamonds are also privy to inclusions throughout their growth process. The GIA classifies imperfections in a lab-grown diamond as “Growth Remnants” regardless of the shape or size of the inclusion.
Lab-grown diamonds are colored synthetically as opposed to natural diamonds, which gain a colorful tint as a result of various elements that seep into the diamond during formation. During the growth process, color is introduced into the lab-grown diamond seed, which will result in a varied color of the stone. Since colorless and near colorless GIA color grades are more desirable for natural diamond gemstones, the majority of lab-grown diamonds are produced within the D through H color grade as well.
F Color | VVS2 Cushion Loose Stone
E Color | SI1 Radiant Loose Stone
I Color | VS1 Cushion Loose Stone
Fact or Fiction: A diamond with an SI (Slightly Included) clarity grading is a lower quality gemstone and a bad value.
Survey Says: Fiction
Many SI or “Slightly Included” diamonds are considered eye-clean. The term “eye-clean” means that from 6-12 inches away (without the use of a microscope), a gemstone appears to have no inclusions face-up. An eye-clean SI diamond is a great value since the lower clarity rating reduces the price of the stone while the diamond has no visible inclusions. If you want a more in-depth look, you can watch our IGTV about eye-clean diamonds.
4.03 ct Hybrid Step Cut Engagement Ring (SI1)
4.30 Carat Round Diamond Six-Prong Engagement Ring (SI1)
1.82 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond Pave Engagement Ring (SI1)
1.90 carat Round Diamond 6-Pave Prong Engagement Ring (SI2)
Fact or Fiction: You can only choose from one metal (white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum) for a ring setting.
Survey Says: Fiction
Whether you cannot commit to one metal color or you want just a slight pop of color to highlight your center stone, at Lauren B we can make any of our settings two-toned. Want to learn more about our metal colors and how to mix them? Watch our Metal Color Face-Off IGTV.
A two-toned engagement ring setting can enhance or maintain the color of your center stone and add depth to your engagement ring design. Our two-toned engagement rings can be fully customized and designed to order.
Oval Morganite and Cushion Moissanite Duo Ring
4.02 Carat Pear Shape Yellow Diamond Two-Tone Engagement Ring
Fact or Fiction: Platinum is more expensive than gold.
Survey Says: Fiction
Platinum is more expensive than gold when used for jewelry purposes because it is a dense metal with 95% purity whereas gold is a lighter metal with either 75% or 58% purity. However, gold is more expensive per ounce than platinum. Watch our comparison video on YouTube.
5 Stone Pear Shape Diamond Band: GIA Graded (Platinum)
Oval Cut Diamond ‘Snowflake’ Eternity Band (Platinum)
1.65 CT Round Diamond ‘Snowflake’ Eternity Band (White Gold)
1 carat TW Illusion Set Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Fact or Fiction: Oval diamonds are the most popular diamond shape, which makes them the most expensive.
Survey Says: Fiction
The round or “brilliant” cut diamond is the most expensive diamond shape per carat. The reason for this is two-fold: the round cut is the most popular diamond shape and it requires more rough diamond to create the perfectly symmetrical shape.
Fact or Fiction: A 4 carat moissanite costs double the price of a 2 carat moissanite.
Survey Says: Fact
Moissanite gemstones are priced on a linear scale (around $700 to $900 per carat) with a steady increase in price as the size of the moissanite gemstone increases. This is vastly different from natural diamonds, which surge exponentially in price as you step up in carat weight.
To note, there is only a slight increase of around $200 to jump from a near colorless moissanite to a colorless moissanite compared to a $2,000 jump in price for natural diamonds. Additionally, moissanite shapes are priced evenly across the board with no difference between round moissanite and fancy moissanite shapes.
Fact or Fiction: An elongated-shaped center stone appears larger face-up than a square-shaped center stone.
Survey Says: Fact
Elongated shapes like the oval, pear, marquis, radiant, and emerald, by nature of their cut ratios, will appear larger than a traditional round “brilliant” or square cut gemstone. This effect is a result of the finger coverage provided by a well-cut elongated stone and is a great way to maximize your engagement ring budget.
A 2.5ct oval diamond solitaire will appear larger on the finger than a 2.5ct round diamond solitaire as a result of the elongated ratio of the oval diamond center stone.
2.50 ct Oval Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.50 ct Round Diamond Thicker Band Engagement Ring
The same elongated effect occurs with a 2.8ct radiant cut when compared to the 2.8ct cushion cut diamond. The 2.8ct radiant cut diamond will appear larger on the finger than the rounded square shape of the 2.8ct cushion cut diamond.
2.80 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond Split Band Ring
2.8 carat Cushion Cut Diamond Pave Prong Ring
Fact or Fiction: A wedding band should only be worn on the same finger as your engagement ring.
Survey Says: Fiction
There are no firm rules when it comes to styling your bridal stack. Whether you prefer mismatched metals or unexpected gemstone shapes, your ring stack is unique to your preferences. This holds true to how you wear your ring stack, as well.
A wedding band can be worn alongside your engagement ring, on the opposing hand of your engagement ring, or without your engagement ring entirely. We recommend that larger eternity bands like the 7ct Emerald Cut Eternity Band featured below, be worn without your engagement ring or on the opposing hand. Large eternity bands can cause unnecessary friction with your engagement ring, which may damage your engagement ring over time. Additionally, statement bands may detract from the allure of your engagement ring, if worn on the same hand.
7.15 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Shared Prong Eternity Band
4.95 ct Pear Shape Diamond “Up & Down” Eternity Band
Fact or Fiction: An engagement ring should fit tightly so that it is a struggle to remove.
Survey Says: Fact
An engagement ring should fit snugly around your ring finger making it difficult to both place on the finger and remove from the finger. If your engagement ring fits loosely it may spin around your finger from the weight of the center stone; a slight knock of your engagement ring against a hard surface, and you run the risk of damaging the settings or the center stone.
When fitting an engagement ring, it is imperative to size the ring as close to your actual ring finger size as possible (only a ring worn on her engagement ring finger will provide accurate engagement ring sizing).
Fact or Fiction: To the naked eye, natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds look identical in appearance.
Survey Says: Fact
Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are identical in chemical composition and indistinguishable to the naked eye. Only trained professionals, with specific magnification tools, can identify the differences between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. Don’t believe us? Watch our Instagram Reel and try to figure out which pear-shaped diamond is lab-grown and which one is natural!
The visual and physical comparability between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds paired with the cost savings of lab-grown diamonds has contributed to the surge in popularity of lab-grown diamonds as engagement ring center stones.
3.01 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond Pave Basket Engagement Ring
3.06 carat Lab-Grown Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Your Questions, Answered
Questions about engagement ring styles or customization options? Or just a general diamond inquiry? Email us at info@laurenbjewelry.com and one of our design consultants will get back to you as soon as possible.
Are you a resident of the Tri-State area? Schedule an in-store appointment to visit our showroom at 44 East 46th Street, New York, NY. We look forward to meeting you!
