Different Diamond Options for Engagement Rings

Did you know that there are different diamond options for engagement rings? Monroe once sang, ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend‘, but women’s best friend in the twenty-first century may be a lab-grown diamond, an eco-friendly and completely ethical version of the romantic, glittering icon. Unfortunately, the diamond industry has a storied past, which means that many looking for engagement rings today are looking elsewhere for options.

However, this doesn’t mean that you have to give up your diamond dreams! Let’s discuss the different diamond options for engagement rings you have today. Fortunately for modern couples, there are many different routes you can take to gift your loved one that beautiful engagement ring. Below we discuss the different diamond options for engagement rings from natural to simulants.

Natural Diamonds

Time, pressure, and heat—that’s what goes into making a mined diamond. Molecules of carbon burrowed hundreds of miles into Earth’s mantle begin to cook themselves into the precise structure that results in the clear pattern of a beautiful diamond for hundreds and thousands of years. This is part of what makes mined diamonds so expensive — and the illusion that they are rare: it’s a lot of investment under a lot of very special circumstances.

Because they are so expensive, much of the diamond industry has succumbed to corrupt practices in order to get ahead—which is why many couples are looking for other options to celebrate and commemorate their unions. One of the most popular options is, very simply, a beautiful diamond—but one manufactured in a completely different way.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Diamonds that aren’t found in the wild might have a stigma, too — often, people think they aren’t real diamonds. This isn’t the case! Lab-grown diamonds are just that: diamonds that are grown in a lab. They have exactly the same physical and chemical makeup as a ‘natural’ diamond; their only difference is where they came from—and how ethically they were made.

Lab-grown diamonds have been proven to look exactly the same as mined ones. Many a diamond expert has been stumped to figure out the difference between the two! Whether a diamond is manufactured by creating similar high temperature/high-pressure environments or formulated through chemical means, the end result is a beautiful gem that is identical to its mined counterparts.

The Pros of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Luckily, lab-grown diamonds come in exactly the same cuts, colors, and clarities as natural diamonds do; you’ll be able to find one that matches precisely what you’re looking for. As an added bonus—because the availability of lab-grown diamonds is on the rise, you may be able to find one for significantly less than one of its mined equivalents might have cost you. In short, not only are lab-grown diamonds a great choice aesthetically, but they are also a budget-friendly option.

Treated Diamonds

Treated diamonds are also an option! These are mined or lab-grown diamonds which perhaps didn’t meet the standards for stellar sales the first time around and have been chemically altered to improve their clarity and color. Often, you’ll be able to find these at a discount as well. This is a great time for those looking for diamonds simply because of the options available to modern customers!

Diamond Simulants

A third option comes in the form of a diamond simulant. These aren’t diamonds but are gems manufactured with attributes specifically made to mimic the luster and beauty of a real diamond. Advantageous due to their availability and low cost, gems of these types include moissanite and cubic zirconia—and many couples these days are seriously considering them as options. Providing, as they do, much of the same sparkle and gleam as the original, these can be a great alternative to a natural diamond.

Modern couples have lots of different options when it comes to finding a diamond for their engagement rings. Whether you go with natural, lab-grown, or a stimulant, you’re sure to find something beautiful that works for you. Make sure to do your research before you go shopping, and keep your eyes open—the perfect diamond option may not be what you expect, and perfection can always surprise you.