Tips and Tricks

Best Places to Buy Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

A comprehensive guide to why Rare Carat is the best place to buy lab diamond jewelry in 2026

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Summary
  • Rare Carat offers a large selection of lab-grown diamond jewelry, including engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and tennis bracelets.
  • Lab diamonds cost 60-85% less than natural stones with identical 4Cs quality, allowing for larger or better-quality pieces within budget.
  • All diamonds are certified by GIA/IGI/GCAL and undergo a two-step verification process, including laser inscription checks and UV fluorescence testing.
  • Free guidance from 100+ GIA-certified gemologists helps buyers make informed choices, with customization options for metal and setting.
  • Customer perks include 30-day returns, a lifetime warranty, free insured shipping, and a 5-star Trustpilot rating.

Lab-grown diamonds are no longer a niche product. They have become a mainstream choice for fine jewelry shoppers. This is mainly because they possess the same sparkle and strength as natural diamonds while providing an opportunity to consider larger or more intricate pieces without the associated cost constraints. Now, due to their popularity, a wide range of diamond jewelry styles is available to consumers.

Rare Carat helps simplify that search by combining a large selection of certified lab diamonds with a growing fine jewelry collection, allowing shoppers to compare options and choose jewelry that fits both their style and expectations.

Let’s find out what makes us one of the best places to buy lab-grown diamond jewelry.

1. Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry: Making the Right Choice is Simple

While shopping for diamond jewelry today, many buyers find that they have to choose between two types of diamonds: natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. Though the origin of the two types of diamonds is different, their look and performance are quite similar. The lab stones have the same properties (optical, physical, and chemical) as mined diamonds. They also sparkle and shine just like natural diamonds.

Lab-grown diamond vs. Natural diamond side by side

In everyday jewelry—whether it’s engagement rings, earrings, pendants, or tennis bracelets—the visual difference between the two diamond types is virtually impossible to identify without specialized equipment.

One aspect that has been seen to impact the buying decision is cost. Lab stones are significantly cheaper (1/3 to 1/4 the price) compared to mined diamonds with similar qualities or 4Cs ratings. The price difference is the main reason why buyers can consider larger stones or more elaborate designs within their set budget when these diamonds are selected over natural diamonds.

To illustrate how the pricing difference can impact jewelry purchases, the table below compares approximate costs for common diamond sizes used in popular jewelry pieces.

Diamond Size Typical Jewelry Piece Natural Diamond Price (Est.) Lab-Grown Diamond Price (Est.) Estimated Savings
1 Carat Engagement rings or pendants $4,000 – $8,000+ $800 – $1,800 ~70–80%
2 Carat Statement rings or larger pendants $15,000 – $30,000+ $2,000 – $4,000 ~75–85%
3+ Carat Luxury engagement rings $40,000+ $5,000 – $12,000 Major price difference

Estimates are based on commonly selected diamond grades (Excellent Cut, G–H Color, VS Clarity) and may vary depending on certification, jewelry setting, and market conditions.

We at Rare Carat make it easier for you to make a decision between the two by offering to tailor your search according to your preferred type of diamond from the very beginning. In this way, you can find what you are looking for more quickly and effortlessly.

Almost every piece in our fine diamond jewelry collection comes with both options, allowing a quick comparison. We provide such an easy choice between the two to ensure buyers can truly make a well-informed purchasing decision.

2. Rare Carat’s Expanding Lab Jewelry Collection

Different occasions call for different pieces, and the right design often depends on how the jewelry will be worn—daily, occasionally, or for a milestone moment. Some shoppers arrive looking for a single piece. Others explore multiple styles before settling on the one that fits their taste. Having access to several jewelry categories in one place makes that process easier.

A large selection is one of the first things buyers notice when browsing our lab-grown diamond jewelry collection. In fact, with over 1,700 ring styles and over 2,500 fine jewelry styles, Rare Carat offers one of the largest collections of any other brands operating in and around the US.

Rare Carat’s fine jewelry catalog continues to grow across several popular categories. Instead of limiting shoppers to a small set of designs, the collection spans everything from classic engagement rings to everyday diamond pieces. This variety allows buyers to compare styles, stone sizes, and settings before deciding what feels right.

Below is a quick overview of popular lab jewelry types and the situations where buyers commonly choose them.

Jewelry Type Popular Style or Design Ideal For Common Buying Occasion
Engagement Rings Solitaire, halo, hidden halo settings Buyers choosing a center diamond and custom setting Proposals and milestone commitments
Earrings Stud earrings or hoop designs Daily wear or versatile diamond jewelry Anniversaries, gifts, or personal purchases
Pendants & Necklaces Solitaire diamond necklaces Minimalist jewelry lovers Birthdays, celebrations, everyday wear
Bracelets Diamond tennis bracelets Buyers looking for statement diamond pieces Luxury gifts or special occasions

Since lab stones help in the selection of bigger stones and multi-diamond pieces, jewelry types such as drop earrings, solitaire pendants, and tennis bracelets are becoming popular among buyers who want to see sparkle without breaking the bank.

Rare Carat’s increasing variety in jewelry types enables buyers to view different types of jewelry simultaneously, allowing them to make a confident purchase based on their preferences and the occasion.



Composite image of Lab Diamond Jewelry pieces from Rare Carat, one of the best places to buy lab-grown diamond jewelry

3. Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds With a Two-Step Verification Process

One of the most significant factors in buying diamond jewelry is certification. Whether it is a natural (mainly GIA) or lab-created diamond (mainly IGI), it provides buyers with an understanding of the quality of the diamond they are purchasing.

At Rare Carat, all diamonds used in fine lab jewelry pieces are accompanied by reports from well-known gemological labs such as GIA, IGI, or GCAL. These reports grade the diamond based on established parameters, the well-known 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Nevertheless, certification alone does not always tell the whole story. A grading report identifies quantifiable characteristics, but it does not always reflect how that diamond will look to the naked eye in an actual piece of jewelry. And, for this reason, Rare Carat has developed an additional two-step verification process.

The first step is to verify the authenticity of the certification and the grading information provided with the diamond. This is to ensure that the diamond meets the required standards before it is incorporated into the jewelry collection. This is done by verifying the laser inscription on the diamond using a professional 60x to 110x magnification process.

Unclear Diamond Inscription Details (Before) Vs. Now-Clear Diamond Inscription Details after lab correction (After)

There are certain aspects, however subtle, that may affect the beauty of the diamond when in use. Therefore, the second step is geared towards assessing the attractiveness and quality of the diamond. This is done by testing the authenticity of the diamond using a professional-grade UV fluorescence machine and a Yehuda machine for rarer diamonds, such as Type IIa.

Test results by a Yehuda machine

By using independent laboratory certification and an additional quality review, Rare Carat ensures that the buyer will receive the diamond that not only meets the requirements of the grading report but also provides the brilliance that is expected of any fine diamond jewelry.

This way, the customer can shop for and purchase the jewelry with confidence.

After looking at the different lab-grown diamond jewelry pieces, the next question that often comes to mind is the size of the diamonds used for the specific type of jewelry. The size of the diamonds used can differ according to the way the jewelry is worn or the level of sparkle a person desires.

Here are the typical sizes of diamonds used for the most popular jewelry pieces:

Jewelry Piece Typical Diamond Size Why This Size Works
Engagement Rings 1 – 3 carats Creates a noticeable center stone while remaining practical for daily wear.
Stud Earrings 0.5 – 2 carats (each) Balanced sparkle without appearing too heavy for everyday use.
Pendants / Necklaces 1 – 2 carats Provides visible brilliance while maintaining a clean, elegant look.
Tennis Bracelets Multiple small diamonds A continuous row of diamonds creates consistent sparkle across the wrist.

diamond carat size comparison on a hand

While Rare Carat is most well-known for its engagement rings, our collection covers so much more ground. A growing line of diamond jewelry is also now available, and you can go through a wide selection of time-honed favorites—bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and more—with ease.

With Rare Carat, every piece comes with the assurance of the same transparency, quality, and value that have earned us the reputation as the most trusted online destination for diamond jewelry.

If you are wondering which jewelry category suits lab diamonds, the answer is all of them. But these three below are the most popular ones:

A Statement Like No Other: Lab Tennis Bracelets

This iconic statement piece is an all-time favorite that is bound to stand the test of time. Because the design uses multiple diamonds, shoppers often opt for lab-grown alternatives for this bracelet style to maintain a higher total carat weight without exceeding their budget.

Check out your options available at Rare Carat:



Composite image of tennis bracelets from Rare Carat, one of the best places to buy lab diamond jewelry

Everyday Sparkle: Lab Studs

Lab and natural diamonds share not only optical but also physical properties. For this reason, they have the same hardness, durability, and longevity as a natural diamond. And this is the reason why lab stones have become a favorite choice for all the popular everyday jewelry styles, especially for stud earring styles. With lab alternatives, buyers can own a beautiful, reliable everyday piece with a much larger carat weight or better cut or color than initially intended.



Composite Image of best lab diamond stud earrings from Rare Carat the best place for lab-created diamond jewelry

Simple Yet Sophisticated: Solitaire Necklaces

As a necklace frames the face and can draw the eyes in with its brilliant yet elegant sparkle, a striking diamond shape or large carat weight is usually preferred to achieve the desired look and feel for the piece. This is why lab necklaces, including the ever-popular solitaire necklace, are currently trending.

By customizing settings and other design elements, shoppers can discover a piece that truly feels crafted just for them. Take the carat weight, for example. For instance, a subtle 1-carat weight can result in a delicate, everyday piece, whereas a 5-carat weight can instantly transform the same style into a bold statement with exceptional brilliance.

With Rare Carat, customers can browse solitaire necklaces with varying carat weights to suit their level of sparkle, budget, and style preferences:

Besides the solitaire style, other popular lab necklace settings that can be found at Rare Carat are:



Lab Diamond Necklace Collection From Rare Carat, one of the best places to buy diamond jewelry

6. Expert Assistance for Lab-Created Diamond Jewelry Shopping

Rare Carat is the one-stop shop to buy lab diamond jewelry because we provide an informed and confident shopping experience. Customers can directly interact with GIA-certified gemologists whenever they get stuck during the shopping process. This is available for free, 24/7.

Our team comprises over 100 certified gemologists. Their job is to educate, assist, and reveal all the defects of the diamond so you can make the best decision. The advice you will get will be unbiased and comes from real expertise in working in the prestigious GIA lab.

Their advice will be unfiltered and is intended to help you make the right decision to select a diamond that will look great on you.

7. Making It Your Own with Setting Metal Options

To ensure the final product is one that represents your wants and needs, you should consider making the jewelry piece align with all your requirements. With customization options available, even an undesired style can be personalized to make it perfect for your needs.

At Rare Carat, not only can you customize the setting’s style, but you can also choose its metal. Most people believe that the only use for the setting metal is to establish durability and security for the product, including the diamond/diamonds. However, these setting metals offer much more than just that.

As all setting metals have their own unique style and color hue, one can use the setting metal to personalize the piece. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure a proper overall shopping experience.

At Rare Carat, all four popular setting metals, including platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold, are available for all our fine jewelry designs, allowing you to shop as per your requirements and budget with ease.

A closer look at all the setting metal options available:

metal type options available at Rare Carat, one of the best places for custom lab diamond jewelry

8. Rare Carat's Customer-Focused Policies and Services

For a lab jewelry shopper, it is only rewarding when they can find a perfect piece of jewelry that completely meets all their preferences and requirements. But that's not all; they also want a seamless shopping experience that is also safe. Hence, we are responsible for everything, including our customer care services.

To ensure the whole shopping experience is always confident with us, some of our offerings include:

  • Premium Packaging
  • Free Insured Shipping
  • A 100% money-back guarantee
  • A 30-Day Return Policy
  • Free resizing within one year of purchase (30 days for eternity rings only)
  • A lifetime manufacturer’s warranty on jewelry sold
  • Jewelry Insurance
  • Financing Options

Because of the above services and transparency, we are Trustpilot’s top-rated online jeweler, with a perfect 5.0/5.0 rating across over 3,000 verified reviews. This is the second time we have received this honor from our customers for our dedication and commitment.

screenshot of trustpilot's page showing Rare Carat as the top-rated jeweler

9. Why Choose Rare Carat for Lab Diamond Jewelry

Key Advantage How Rare Carat Stands Out
Large Selection of Lab Diamond Jewelry Rare Carat offers thousands of engagement rings and fine jewelry designs, allowing buyers to explore multiple styles such as earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets in one place.
Certified Diamonds From Trusted Labs All diamonds used in Rare Carat jewelry are graded by reputable gemological laboratories such as GIA, IGI, or GCAL, ensuring that buyers receive stones evaluated according to internationally recognized standards.
Additional Two-Step Diamond Verification Beyond certification, Rare Carat performs an extra verification process that includes inscription checks under high magnification and advanced testing equipment such as UV fluorescence and Yehuda machines.
Expert Guidance From Gemologists Shoppers can consult with GIA-trained gemologists 24/7, helping them understand diamond quality, compare options, and select the most suitable piece for their preferences.
Buyer-Focused Policies Free insured shipping, a 30-day return policy, financing options, lifetime jewelry warranty, and premium packaging contribute to a secure and convenient shopping experience.

With a growing collection of lab-grown diamond jewelry, certified stones, and a transparent buying process, Rare Carat continues to stand out as one of the best places to shop for lab diamond jewelry online. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift or a personal statement piece, the platform makes it easier to compare options and find a diamond that fits both your style and budget.

If you need more help or if the search filters are too technical, take our quiz. It is designed to make your buying experience completely tailored to your liking.

Lab Diamond Jewelry FAQs

What jewelry pieces are most popular with lab diamonds?

Engagement rings, stud earrings, solitaire necklaces, and tennis bracelets are among the most commonly purchased styles. These designs highlight the diamond while keeping the look classic.

Are lab diamonds certified like natural diamonds?

They are. Many lab diamonds are graded by respected gemological labs such as IGI, GIA, or GCAL, which evaluate the diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Can I wear my lab jewelry every day?

Yes. Diamonds are extremely durable, which makes them ideal for daily jewelry like rings, earrings, or necklaces.
Rare Carat
Rare Carat
Rare Carat is an online diamond jeweler that helps customers compare and purchase certified natural and lab-grown diamonds with transparent pricing. Buyers can explore one of the largest selections of diamonds online, choose from thousands of settings to custom-build engagement rings, and shop fine jewelry with guidance from GIA-trained gemologists.