Lab Diamond Guides
Short, honest reads to help you walk into a viewing knowing what to look for. No jargon you do not need.
Read a little, then come and look
Buying a diamond should not feel like an exam. Most of what you need to know fits in a few short reads, and the rest is easier to learn with real stones in front of you. These guides are written for that first step. They explain the words you will hear at a viewing, the grades that change how a stone looks and the ones that mostly change the price.
If you are just starting, begin with whether lab grown diamonds are real. It covers what is the same as a mined diamond, what is different, and the honest part about value. Then read the 4Cs for lab grown diamonds to see where a budget goes furthest.
Guides for the visit itself
Some of these guides are practical. Visiting the Diamond District walks you from the subway to the suite, and our guide to choosing a lab diamond in person shows you what to look at once the tray is in front of you. If the ring is a surprise, the ring size guide has quiet ways to find a size.
What these guides will not do
They will not tell you which diamond to buy. That depends on what you love and what you want to spend. They also do not replace seeing stones side by side, which settles most questions in a few minutes. When you are ready, request stones for your visit or book a viewing at 30 West 47th St, Suite 805. Bring your questions. We are happy to go through any report with you, line by line.
How to Choose a Lab Diamond in Person
What to look at when you see lab grown diamonds in person: light, loupe, report, side by side comparison and the questions to ask before you choose.
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IGI vs GIA Reports for Lab Grown Diamonds
IGI and GIA grading reports for lab grown diamonds compared: what each lists, how to read one, laser inscriptions and how to check a report number online.
Read the guide A Guide to Lab Diamond Shapes
Every popular lab grown diamond shape compared: how each one sparkles, how big it looks per carat, what to check and which settings suit it best.
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Ring Size Guide
How to find a ring size at home or in secret, a US ring size chart, how band width changes the fit, and when a ring can or cannot be resized later.
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Caring for Diamond Jewelry
How to clean lab grown diamond jewelry at home, what to avoid, when to check prongs and clasps, and how to store rings, studs and tennis bracelets.
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Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real? Lab vs Mined
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds? How they compare with natural diamonds in hardness, sparkle, grading, price and resale, explained plainly.
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The 4Cs for Lab Grown Diamonds
The diamond 4Cs applied to lab grown stones: which grades you can see, which you cannot, and where to spend or save on cut, color, clarity and carat.
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Visiting the Diamond District: A First Timer’s Plan
Planning a visit to NYC's Diamond District on 47th Street: how to get there, how the buildings and showrooms work, what to bring and how to shop calmly.
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Lab Grown Diamond Prices: A Plain Guide
What lab grown diamonds cost by carat, shape, color and clarity, with sample price ranges for 1, 2 and 3 carat stones and how to spend your budget well.
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