Diamond Buying Guide

In This Guide

What Is a Diamond?
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
How to Choose a Lab Diamond
Expert Tips
Certification & Grading
Diamond Shapes
Popular Ring Styles
Lab Diamond Fine Jewelry
Why Buy from Lucenjuri?
Lab Diamond Buying FAQs

Close-up of round lab grown diamonds on a light background

What Is a Diamond?

A diamond is a crystal in which carbon atoms are arranged in a distinct cubic structure. Diamonds form under considerable pressure and heat, leading to their exceptional hardness and brilliance. Diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so they are the hardest natural substance on Earth- perfect for everyday wear, especially in engagement rings.

While many enjoy diamonds for their sparkle, that sparkle is a product of four factors: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. These variables determine how light reflects and refracts off of the diamond, and how bright it appears to the viewer. Diamonds are magical, whether they were formed in nature or in a laboratory, because of their incredible optical properties and emotional symbolism.

Comparison between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds with leaves and stone background.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds — also called man-made or cultured diamonds — are real diamonds created in a laboratory setting using advanced technology that replicates the natural diamond-growing process. The result is a stone with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds.

The primary difference? Origin. Lab grown diamonds are created in weeks, not billions of years, and they also offer a more sustainable and more ethical alternative. At Lucenjuri, our lab diamonds are created in zero-emissions facilities using renewable energy in the growing process, then cut and polished to exacting standards to maximize beauty.

Lab diamonds are indistinguishable from mined diamonds to the naked eye and are graded by independent gemological institutes (like IGI or GIA) with the same 4Cs - therefore giving you confidence in the quality and value of a diamond with a lighter environmental impact.

Five lab diamonds of different shapes and sizes on a dark background

How to Choose a Lab Diamond: The 4Cs

When selecting a lab grown diamond, understanding the four Cs—cut, color, clarity and carat—is important. Together, the 4Cs determine the overall beauty, value, and visual effect a diamond can have.

• Cut will influence how much brilliance a diamond will display.

• Color measures the colorless-ness of the diamond.

• Clarity will take into consideration if the diamond has any internal or surface flaws.

• Carat will measure the weight and size of the diamond.

Understanding how to balance these four Cs, based on your personal preferences and priorities, can help you find a visual piece which portrays your style while remaining on budget, whether you're searching for a big statement piece or a classic and understated ring you would wear everyday.

Expert Tips for Selecting Your Lab Grown Diamond

Choosing the Best Cut for Your Engagement Ring

For the dazzling sparkle of your lab grown diamond engagement ring, the cut will be the most essential quality. If brilliance is your main priority, always aim for the optical standards of an excellent cut. Round brilliants achieve superior light performance, but many fancy cuts can also achieve wonderful sparkle. Besides brilliance, you should consider the overall style you want, which shape looks best on your finger, and of course your budget when selecting the cut that that aligns with your vision.

Tips for Choosing the Right Color Grade

Selecting the ideal color grade for your lab grown diamond can greatly influence its appearance and value:

• D–F: These colorless diamonds are perfect for platinum or white gold settings, where their icy brilliance truly shines.

• G–H: For a similar near-colorless appearance at a better value, G and H grades are an excellent choice.

• I–J: These grades look fantastic when paired with warm metals like yellow or rose gold, as the hue of the metal can beautifully offset any subtle warmth in the stone.

Recommended Clarity Grades for Jewelry

Understanding clarity helps you balance perfection with practicality for your lab grown diamond:

• Higher Clarity (IF or FL): These internally flawless or flawless grades are the best option for collectors or as a magnified centerpiece where absolute purity is desired.

• VVS1–VS2: Ideal for those seeking a nearly flawless appearance, these grades offer exceptional clarity that is eye-clean and difficult to distinguish from higher grades without professional magnification.

• SI1–SI2: These grades provide an excellent balance of value and eye-clean beauty, meaning any inclusions are typically not visible to the naked eye.

What’s the Best Carat Size for You?

There is not a single "perfect" carat weight for your lab grown diamond. It depends on your personal style, the size of your hand, and your budget. While engagement rings typically range from 1–2 carats, at Lucenjuri, we have a range from 0.5 carats to over 10 carats. You can find your perfect carat size without sacrificing quality or the sparkle you want.

Prioritizing for Your Budget

When balancing the 4 Cs to fit your budget, strategic prioritization is key. For maximum sparkle, always prioritize an excellent cut. Ideally, you always want to prioritize an excellent cut if maximum sparkle is your goal. If your end goal is to get a larger size for your budget, be flexible with your color or clarity grades (while never compromising on the cut!). You can also maximize visual size with elongated step-cut shapes such as oval, emerald, or radiant, which often appear larger than their carat weight suggests.

Whether you're aiming for the most value for your money or the highest possible quality, understanding how to prioritize and balance the 4 Cs is essential for your lab grown diamond.

IGI diamond certification booklet with diamonds on a dark background

Lab Grown Diamond Certification & Grading

Like mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds are certified and graded by independent gemological institutes to promote transparency and consistency in quality. These reports are your assurance that the diamond you are selecting is consistent, and that you can objectively compare lab grew diamonds based on their rigorously graded quality—not just how they look.

Lab diamonds on a reflective surface with a dark background

Diamond Shapes: Which One Matches Your Style?

Typically when people check out diamonds, its the shapes that they notice first—and this is typically the most personal choice of the purchasing process. Whether you are more of a classic and timeless person or lean more to modern and bold styles, the shape of your lab diamond will determine the overall look and feel of your engagement ring.

Here are some of the most loved lab grown diamond shapes:

• Round Brilliant: Classic sparkle and maximum brilliance

• Oval: Elegant and elongating on the finger

• Cushion: Romantic with vintage charm

• Pear: Teardrop silhouette for a soft, unique look

• Princess: Sharp angles with contemporary style

• Emerald: Clean lines and Art Deco glamour

• Marquise: Regal and elongating

• Asscher: Square elegance with step-cut brilliance

• Radiant: A perfect blend of sparkle and structure

• Heart: Boldly symbolic of love

Round

Oval

Cushion

Pear

Princess

Emerald

Marquise

Asscher

Radiant

Heart

Lab grown diamond engagement ring with a large central lab diamond and accent diamonds on a gray background

Popular Lab Diamond Ring Styles and Settings

The diamond ring setting you choose affects the look of your ring as well as the practicality. At Lucenjuri, we offer a beautiful selection of lab grown diamond engagement rings in both classic and trending styles to suit every personality and preference.

Popular ring styles include:

• Solitaire: Minimalist elegance that puts the spotlight on your diamond.

• Halo: A circle of sparkling pavé stones that enhances size and brilliance.

• Three Stone: Symbolic and balanced, with side stones for added sparkle.

• Vintage-Inspired: Detailed metalwork and romantic designs that nod to the past.

• Toi et Moi: Two-stone styles that celebrate love stories and individuality.

• Accents: Subtle sparkle from every angle for a modern twist.

Accents

Classic

Halo

Hidden Halo

Luxe

Nature Inspired

Solitaire

Three Stone

Unique

Vintage

Lab Diamond Fine Jewelry: Necklaces, Earrings & More

Looking beyond engagement rings? Lucenjuri also offers an exquisite collection of lab grown diamond fine jewelry that brings everyday luxury to your wardrobe. Each piece is thoughtfully designed for elegance, wearability, and radiant sparkle.

Explore our curated categories of lab grown diamond jewelry:

• Necklaces: From classic solitaire necklaces to modern bezel-set pendants.

• Earrings: Dazzling studs, huggie hoops, and drop earrings for every occasion.

• Bracelets: Diamond tennis bracelets & bangles, charm bracelets and stackable designs.

• Rings: From anniversary diamond rings and wedding bands to fashion pieces and stackers.

Our fine jewelry is crafted with the same high standards as our engagement rings—featuring IGI-certified lab diamonds, sustainable materials, and expert craftsmanship.

Why Buy from Lucenjuri?

We’re redefining luxury by making high-quality, lab grown diamond jewelry accessible—without the markup of traditional retail. When you shop with Lucenjuri, you’re choosing:

• Certified lab grown diamonds, handpicked for quality and brilliance

• Transparent pricing with no middlemen

• Design-driven craftsmanship with modern aesthetics and heirloom durability

• Custom and bespoke options through our exclusive Artisan Studio

Whether you are celebrating love, life milestones, or simply yourself, we are here to help you find the perfect piece—made with intention, integrity, and sparkle.

Lab Diamond Buying FAQs

What’s the difference between lab grown and mined diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are actually made of the same physical, chemical and optical properties as mined diamonds however they are manufactured in a controlled environment in a lab. The only difference is the origin of the stones. Lab diamonds are sustainable and ethical as they do not have the environmental and social consequences of mining and sourcing diamonds.

Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same structure and sparkle of mined diamonds. They are graded and certified using the same grading system. They can even test "diamond" on professional grade diamond testers.

Do lab diamonds hold value like mined diamonds?

Lab diamonds offer incredible beauty and quality at a better price. They’re best chosen for their craftsmanship, design, and symbolism—not as an investment asset.

What’s the best carat size to buy on a budget?

1 to 1.5 carats offers an ideal balance of finger presence and value. Elongated shapes like oval or marquise can also help maximize visual size without increasing carat weight.

Which ring setting makes a lab diamond look bigger?

Halo settings, thin bands, or bezel designs all enhance the look of size. If you want the most sparkle, it is about getting an excellent cut and styles that draw attention to the center stone.

Are lab diamonds suitable for engagement rings?

Absolutely! Lab diamonds are durable (10 on the Mohs hardness scale), ethically made, and as brilliant as their mined counterparts, making them a great option for today's engagement ring.

Can I customize a lab diamond ring?

Yes! At Lucenjuri, our Artisan Studio allows you to create a bespoke engagement ring or jewelry piece with your chosen lab diamond, setting, and design preferences. Perfect for a one-of-a-kind expression of love.