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A Comprehensive Guide to Lab-Grown Diamond Shapes, Sizes, Color, and Clarity

 

Lab-grown diamonds have revolutionized the jewelry industry, offering consumers an ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and more affordable alternative to mined diamonds. These diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds, with the only difference being their origin—created in a laboratory instead of the Earth's crust. However, like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, colors, and clarities. Understanding these attributes can help you make an informed decision when purchasing a lab-grown diamond. In this guide, we’ll compare the different shapes, sizes, colors, and clarities of lab-grown diamonds to help you navigate your options.

1. Lab-Grown Diamond Shapes

The shape of a diamond significantly affects its appearance and sparkle. Lab-grown diamonds are available in nearly all of the same shapes as natural diamonds. Here are some of the most popular:

  • Round Brilliant: The most popular and classic diamond shape, the round brilliant is known for its exceptional brilliance. With 58 facets, this shape is designed to reflect light to the highest degree. It is ideal for those who seek maximum sparkle.

  • Princess: A square or rectangular shape with sharp corners, the princess cut is known for its modern, clean lines. It’s the second most popular shape after round diamonds and is especially sought after for engagement rings.

  • Cushion: Featuring rounded corners and a pillow-like shape, cushion-cut diamonds offer a soft, vintage aesthetic. They often have a romantic appeal and a distinctive sparkle.

  • Emerald: With a rectangular shape and step cuts, emerald diamonds have a sophisticated, timeless look. The large, open facets of the emerald cut often emphasize the clarity of the diamond.

  • Oval: An elongated version of the round brilliant cut, the oval shape offers a unique, elegant look while maintaining the same brilliance. It can make fingers appear longer and slimmer.

  • Asscher: A square-shaped cut with a similar style to the emerald cut, the asscher shape has stepped facets that create a dramatic "hall of mirrors" effect.

  • Radiant: The radiant cut combines the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round cut. It’s square or rectangular with cropped corners, providing an eye-catching appearance.

  • Marquise: This elongated shape features pointed ends, resembling the shape of a boat. Its shape gives it a larger surface area, making it appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight.

  • Pear: A teardrop shape, the pear cut combines the round and marquise shapes. It is popular for its graceful and asymmetrical form.

  • Heart: The heart shape is perfect for those who want to express love and sentiment. It’s an intricate cut, requiring precision to ensure the shape’s symmetry.

2. Lab-Grown Diamond Sizes

The size of a diamond is generally measured in carats (ct). The carat weight doesn’t necessarily correlate directly with the physical size, as the shape and cut can impact how large a diamond looks. For example, a 1-carat round diamond will appear smaller than a 1-carat oval diamond due to the oval’s elongated shape.

  • Small (0.25-0.50 carats): Smaller diamonds are often chosen for accent stones, side stones in a ring, or simple stud earrings. They’re ideal for those who prefer a more subtle look.

  • Medium (0.50-1.0 carats): Diamonds in this weight range are perfect for engagement rings or pendants and are widely chosen for their balance of size and price.

  • Large (1.0+ carats): Larger diamonds are striking and perfect for statement pieces. These diamonds offer a more substantial presence, making them popular for engagement rings or special occasion jewelry.

3. Lab-Grown Diamond Color

Color is one of the four "Cs" used to assess a diamond’s quality. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the more valuable it typically is. Lab-grown diamonds come in the same color grading scale as mined diamonds.

  • Colorless (D-F): Diamonds with these color grades have no noticeable color. They are considered the most valuable, with D being the rarest and highest quality.

  • Near Colorless (G-I): These diamonds have slight traces of color, but it is typically only noticeable when compared to higher-grade diamonds. G-H diamonds offer excellent value.

  • Faint or Light (J-Z): As the color grade descends, diamonds show more yellow or brown hues. These diamonds can be more affordable and still offer beauty, though the color may be visible to the naked eye.

While most people prefer colorless or near-colorless diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can also be found in a range of vibrant colors, such as pink, blue, and yellow. These fancy color diamonds are graded separately from the D-Z scale and are graded based on hue, tone, and saturation.

4. Lab-Grown Diamond Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes. The fewer imperfections a diamond has, the higher its clarity grade and value. Lab-grown diamonds, just like natural diamonds, are graded on the following clarity scale:

  • Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Extremely rare and highly valuable.

  • Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions visible under 10x magnification, but there may be slight surface blemishes.

  • Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Inclusions are very difficult to detect under 10x magnification. These diamonds are still considered excellent quality.

  • Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Inclusions are small and can be detected under magnification but are hard to see with the naked eye. These diamonds offer good value.

  • Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Inclusions are visible under magnification, and in some cases, they may be noticeable to the naked eye.

  • Included (I1, I2, I3): Inclusions are visible to the naked eye and may affect the diamond’s overall appearance. These diamonds are generally more affordable.

Lab-grown diamonds tend to have fewer inclusions than natural diamonds, so you may be able to get a higher clarity grade for the same price compared to mined diamonds.

Conclusion

Lab-grown diamonds provide a fantastic opportunity to own a diamond with excellent quality while being more affordable and environmentally responsible. Whether you're looking for a round brilliant for maximum sparkle or a princess cut for a modern look, understanding the different shapes, sizes, colors, and clarity options will help guide you in making the right choice. Keep in mind that while size and shape are a matter of personal preference, color and clarity can impact the overall value and visual appeal of the diamond. No matter your preferences, there's a lab-grown diamond out there for every taste and budget.