Buy a Lab-Grown Diamond With Confidence
Lab-grown diamonds have changed what’s possible.
They are real diamonds—identical in appearance and composition to natural diamonds—but they offer something natural diamonds cannot: significantly more size and quality for the price.
At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you can shop from a large selection of loose lab-grown diamonds, along with access to virtually any diamond you’re looking for through our extended network. These diamonds are not pre-set in rings during the selection process. Instead, you are viewing and comparing the diamonds in their loose form, which is the most accurate way to evaluate beauty, brilliance, and overall quality. Once you've selected the perfect lab-grown diamond, you can choose from our collection of mountings or work with our team to create a custom piece designed specifically around your stone.
You can also choose from our selection of complete lab-grown rings available for purchase today.
Want to get in touch with us to get the process started? Contact us via phone during business hours or email us anytime:
How the 4Cs Determine Price of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs as with earth-mined diamonds: carat, color, clarity, and cut. The difference is how much you pay for each level of quality.
Carat (Size)
With lab-grown diamonds, you can buy a significantly larger diamond for the same budget. What might be out of reach in a natural diamond becomes attainable.
Color
Most lab-grown diamonds are at the very upper end of the scale of color D-E-F because color can be more tightly controlled in the lab than in the earth. These higher color grades that command high prices in natural diamonds are far more affordable in lab-grown. Most customers choose these near-colorless or colorless diamonds because the price difference is much smaller than with natural diamonds.
Clarity
Inclusions in the better-quality lab-grown diamonds are typically not visible without magnification. Higher clarity lab-grown diamonds are much more affordable than in natural diamonds. With lab-grown, you can step into higher clarity grades without a major price increase.
Cut
Cut still matters a lot. A well-cut lab-grown diamond delivers the same brilliance and sparkle as a well-cut natural diamond—and this is where you’ll see the biggest visual impact. Because lab-grown diamonds are more plentiful than earth-mined, the cutters can waste weight to create a better proportioned diamond with more brilliance. However, not all lab-grown diamonds are cut to ideal proportions – you must still shop at a reputable jeweler who sells the well-cut stones.
Choosing the Right Size (Carat Weight)
This is where lab-grown diamonds truly stand apart.
You’re no longer forced to choose between size and budget. Many customers find they can move up in carat weight—sometimes dramatically—while staying within the same price range they originally had in mind.
The result is a diamond that looks more impressive on the hand without stretching your budget.
Choosing a Diamond Shape Based on Personal Preference
The shape of a diamond is a personal choice and should reflect your individual style. Some people prefer the classic look of a round diamond, while others are drawn to unique shapes that feel more distinctive. The right shape is the one that matches your taste, lifestyle, and the way you want your engagement ring to look and feel.
With lab-grown diamonds, you have more freedom to choose the shape you love without worrying as much about price differences between shapes.
Color & Clarity: Upgrade Without Overpaying
In natural diamonds, small differences in grading can mean large jumps in price. With lab-grown diamonds, those upgrades are far more attainable.
That means you can choose a brighter, cleaner diamond—or simply enjoy knowing you’re getting a higher-quality stone for the same investment. And just like natural diamonds, many slight inclusions or hints of color are not visible to the naked eye, giving you flexibility to prioritize what matters most.
Diamond Color
Diamond color refers to the absence of color in a white diamond. The industry uses a grading scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) that ranges from D to Z.
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D, E, and F diamonds are considered colorless.
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G, H, I, and J diamonds are considered near-colorless.
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Diamonds graded K and below begin to show more noticeable warmth or yellow tint.
The differences between adjacent color grades are on a gradual scale. A G-color diamond can appear colorless, especially once mounted in a ring. Only when diamonds are compared side by side is the difference between a D color and a G color apparent. But with lab-grown diamonds, the price difference between color grades is not as significant so higher colors become affordable.
Diamond Clarity
Diamond clarity measures the presence of natural internal characteristics, called inclusions, and external characteristics, called blemishes. Because diamonds form deep within the earth under intense heat and pressure, most contain some naturally occurring features.
The GIA clarity scale includes:
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FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
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IF (Internally Flawless): No inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
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VVS1-VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included): Minute inclusions that are extremely difficult to see under magnification.
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VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Minor inclusions that are difficult to see under magnification.
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SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included): Inclusions are visible under magnification and may sometimes be visible to the naked eye in SI2.
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I1-I3 (Included): Inclusions are generally visible and may affect appearance or durability.
One of the biggest misconceptions in diamond buying is that higher clarity grades always result in a more beautiful diamond. In reality, all VS diamonds appear completely clean to the naked eye, as their inclusions are difficult to detect even under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist. Many SI1 diamonds are also eye-clean, although some may contain inclusions that can be seen without magnification depending on their size, type, and location.
For many buyers, SI clarity diamonds offer excellent value. Rather than paying a premium for higher clarity grades such as VVS or IF, it is often possible to choose an eye-clean SI diamond and allocate more of the budget toward a larger diamond, a higher color grade, or a superior cut.
By viewing loose diamonds before they are mounted, you can compare clarity characteristics for yourself and determine whether a higher clarity grade provides a visible benefit or simply a higher price tag.
Smart Diamond Buying
Our specialists can help you compare loose diamonds side by side and identify exceptional values that maximize both beauty and budget.
Why Cut Still Matters Most
Even with the advantages of lab-grown diamonds, cut remains the most important factor.
A diamond with an excellent cut will reflect light beautifully and deliver the brilliance people notice immediately. A poorly cut diamond—no matter how large or high-grade—will not have the same life.
If your goal is a diamond that catches attention across the room, cut is where you focus.
A Smarter Way to Get More
You don’t have to settle.
Lab-grown diamonds allow you to maximize size, quality, and design—all within a comfortable budget. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you’ll be able to compare your options side by side and choose the diamond that gives you the most impact for your investment.
And if you have something specific in mind, we can find it.
Want to get in touch with us to get the process started? Contact us via phone during business hours or email us anytime:
Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown Diamonds
Do lab-grown diamonds look different from natural diamonds?
No. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. Even trained gemologists cannot distinguish them without specialized equipment. The real difference is origin and price, not appearance.
Why are lab-grown diamonds so much cheaper than natural diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments rather than formed over millions of years underground. This allows for a more efficient supply process and significantly lower cost, especially in larger carat sizes and higher clarity or color grades.
Will a lab-grown diamond last as long as a natural diamond?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds have the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale) and durability as natural diamonds. They will not cloud or degrade over time under normal wear and are very resistant to scratches.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold value?
Lab-grown diamonds generally have lower resale value than natural diamonds. Their pricing is driven by modern production rather than long-term rarity in the earth. For most buyers, they are chosen for size, quality, and design flexibility rather than investment purposes.
Can I get a larger diamond with lab-grown without sacrificing quality?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of lab-grown diamonds is the ability to move significantly up in carat weight while maintaining high color and clarity within the same budget. Many buyers choose a larger stone without compromising cut or brilliance.
Are lab-grown diamonds certified?
Yes. Most lab-grown diamonds come with grading reports from respected gemological laboratories such as GIA or IGI. These reports evaluate the same 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat—as natural diamonds.
Is cut still important if I choose a lab-grown diamond?
Absolutely. Cut has the greatest impact on brilliance and sparkle regardless of whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown. A well-cut lab-grown diamond will outperform a poorly cut one of higher color or clarity every time.
Are lab-grown diamonds considered “real” diamonds?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They share the same crystal structure and composition as natural diamonds (pure carbon arranged in a crystal lattice). The only difference is how they are formed.
Can you tell if a diamond is lab-grown just by looking at it?
No. Lab-grown and natural diamonds look identical to the naked eye. Identification requires specialized gemological testing, not visual inspection.
Are lab-grown diamonds a good choice for engagement rings?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings because they allow buyers to prioritize size, quality, and design while staying within budget. They are durable enough for daily wear and can be set in any engagement ring style.
Can lab-grown diamonds be upgraded or replaced later?
Yes. Many customers choose lab-grown diamonds with the intention of upgrading size or changing designs in the future. Because they are more affordable, it is easier to redesign or reset a stone over time.
What matters most when choosing a lab-grown diamond?
Even with the pricing advantages, cut still matters most. After that, buyers typically focus on selecting the best balance of size, color, and clarity for their budget—often prioritizing what looks best to the eye rather than just what appears on a grading report.
