Whether you’re a diamond novice or an experienced jewellery buyer, it’s important to understand your options when considering purchasing lab grown diamonds. We’ve rounded up some of the top companies offering these ethical and sustainable alternatives to mined diamonds in the UK.
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, optically and physically the same as natural stones. Jewellery makers are now adopting them as a way to differentiate themselves from the traditional industry and are attracting new buyers in the process.
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a Best Man Made Diamonds, known for its conflict-free and sustainable diamonds. They sell diamonds from ethical mines that do not suffer human rights abuses, and their social mission is to invest in local communities and support community development.
In addition to conflict-free diamonds, Brilliant Earth also offers lab-grown diamonds. These are chemically identical to natural diamonds and are usually more affordable.
They offer a variety of color ways and a wide range of size, from a.03 carat for a small engagement ring to a 1.00 carat for a large ring. They have a variety of shapes, from round brilliant to princess cut, and each diamond is GIA graded.
They have 20 showrooms across the US, so you can get one-on-one help if you need it. They also offer competitive 30-day returns and a lifetime upgrade policy. You can trade in your diamond for a new one of equal value.
Clean Origin
Clean Origin is one of the few online diamond retailers that specializes in lab grown diamonds. Founded by a team of industry experts, they are on a mission to “improve the diamond buying experience” and to keep their prices affordable.
Their lab grown diamonds are certified by reputable laboratories such as the GIA, IGI, and GCAL. These grading certificates help buyers make informed decisions about their diamonds and ensure they are authentic.
They also offer free shipping and a 100-day return policy, which is unique in the diamond market. This is especially helpful for customers who are unsure about their choice of diamond and don’t want to risk their investment.
With a huge inventory of over 13,000 lab diamonds, Clean Origin is a great place to start your search for a lab-grown diamond. You can filter your search by size, shape, color, clarity, and more. They even have a 360-degree view of their diamonds so you can see them up close before making your decision.
Ingle & Rhode
Ingle & Rhode is one of the first and most well-known jewellery companies to offer ethically sourced, lab grown diamonds UK as an alternative to mined diamonds in their jewellery. Their jewellery is crafted in the UK from recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds that can be traced back to their origin, helping you to choose a ring that meets your own ethical standards.
The company’s ethos is to make ethically sourced and beautifully crafted jewellery available to everyone, regardless of their budget. Their metals are either recycled or from Fairtrade-certified manufacturers and their conflict-free diamonds can be traced back to the source.
Their lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, so they look just as brilliant under magnification. They also have the same fire, scintillation and sparkle.
Novita Diamonds
Novita Diamonds is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of lab grown diamonds. With a range of jewellery in their inventory including bespoke wedding and engagement rings, Novita Diamonds offers a superior alternative to mined diamonds.
The brand is also a leader in promoting sustainability within the diamond industry. The company works with small mining communities internationally, helping them develop sustainable mining practices and avoiding child labour.
A lab-grown diamond is made by mimicking the natural process of diamond formation. It consists of carbon atoms crystallised in an isotropic 3D form and shares the same optical and chemical qualities as naturally formed diamonds.
In conclusion
These gems are competitively priced and tend to be approximately 30% less expensive than natural diamonds. However, they do not have the same resale value as naturally-mined diamonds.