The Couple’s Guide to Lab Diamond Engagement Rings

The perfect engagement ring represents the beginning of your forever… but with so many styles, cuts and stones to choose from, finding the one that truly captures your love can feel quite daunting.

Lately lab grown diamond engagement ring in Toronto has become very popular – promising all the sparkle of a traditional diamond but with a modern twist that’s capturing hearts everywhere. So what exactly are these gems and why are so many couples falling in love with them?

Let’s find out.

What is a Lab Grown Diamond?

A natural diamond forms over billions of years deep in the Earth, with carbon atoms creating its sparkling crystal structure.

A lab grown diamond has the same carbon, crystal structure and sparkle. The only difference is where it forms. Instead of the Earth's crust, scientists recreate those extreme conditions in a controlled laboratory environment. 

The result is a diamond that is:

• Just as hard (10 on the Mohs scale)

• Just as brilliant in appearance

• Just as durable for daily wear

• Just as carefully graded using the same 4Cs

So when you choose a lab diamond ring, know that you're buying a real diamond. It may have a different origin story–  though its meaning remains unchanged: a promise, a lifetime of memories and a bond that shines just as brightly as the diamond itself. 

How is a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring in Toronto Made?

If you’re the type who likes to know how things work before committing to a piece of jewelry – this part’s for you.

There are two methods used to grow diamonds in a lab: HPHT and CVD. Both start with a tiny diamond seed – a small piece of existing diamond that acts as the foundation for growth.

HPHT – High Pressure, High Temperature

This process recreates what happens naturally deep beneath the Earth’s surface. A tiny diamond seed is surrounded by carbon and exposed to immense pressure - more than a million pounds per square inch while temperatures rise above 2000 degrees Celsius. In this intense environment carbon atoms bond together and gradually crystallize around the seed - eventually forming a diamond.

CVD – Chemical Vapor Deposition

This is a newer, more controlled process. A thin slice of diamond is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon rich gas – typically methane. The gas is heated to a plasma state, breaking the molecules apart so carbon atoms can attach layer by layer to the seed. Over time a diamond crystal grows upward.

What Does This Mean for You?

Whether a lab grown diamond is made with HPHT or CVD – the result remains the same: a real diamond – not a simulant or knock off. Both methods produce stones that can be cut, polished, graded and set into engagement rings just like natural diamonds

And the best part? They’re chemically and structurally identical – with the same brilliant sparkle guaranteed to make your fiancée swoon.

Want to know how to take care of your precious ring? Check this guide〜 How to Clean Your Diamond Ring?

Lab Grown vs Diamond Simulant Engagement Rings

How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Certified And Graded?

Now that you know how lab grown diamonds are made, let’s dive into certification and grading – because you want to be absolutely sure that the sparkling stone on your fiancée’s finger is a real, high quality diamond that will last a lifetime – just like your love.

For many years, diamond grading labs either wouldn’t grade lab grown diamonds or would simply label them as “synthetic.” Thankfully, that has changed. Today most reputable labs grade lab grown diamonds and clearly list them as “lab created” on their certificate. 

Each stone of a lab grown diamond engagement ring in Toronto is evaluated with the same strict standards used for natural diamonds – inspected by expert gemologists using advanced tools to determine the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, carat.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. GIA: This is the gold standard. They invented the 4Cs standard and are trusted by jewelers and insurers worldwide. 

2. AGS (American Gem Society): Known for being super precise, especially with cut and light performance for maximum sparkle.

3. GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab): Offers independent verification and consistent grading. They even include measurements and light performance information so you know exactly what you're getting. 

4. IGI (International Gemological Institute): One of the first labs to specialize in grading lab grown diamonds. Their reports cover all the traditional 4Cs and are recognized world wide.

Benefits of Lab Diamond Rings - Your Love Deserves Thoughtful Choices

✔ Cost

Lab grown diamonds typically cost 40 – 60% less than natural diamonds – meaning you can get a larger, better quality stone without stretching your budget. 

✔ Ethics

When buying a lab grown diamond engagement ring in Toronto, you don't have to worry about the ethical concerns that come with traditional mining – giving you a ring that reflects the values you both hold dear.

✔ Quality

As mentioned earlier lab grown diamonds are graded using the same standards as natural diamonds, offer the same dazzling sparkle and are often purer and more colorless.

✔ Environmental Impact

A lab grown diamond requires less water, produces lower emissions and has a smaller carbon footprint compared to mined stones. It's a way to honor not just your love but the world you'll build your future in together. 

✔ Customization

Since lab grown diamonds are made in labs – jewelers have more flexibility to create custom cuts and sizes that might be harder or more expensive to find with natural stones. 

Looking for ideas to design a ring as special as your relationship? Read 〜 5 Unique Ways to Design Your Custom Diamond Ring

Make Your Love Shine

Lab grown diamond engagement rings prove that you don’t have to compromise on beauty, quality or meaning when making such a significant purchase – allowing you to celebrate your love story with a thoughtful and modern touch.

At AAA Diamonds, we help bring that story to life. From choosing the perfect setting to adding the personal touches that make your lab grown diamond engagement ring in Toronto truly one of a kind, our experts guide you through every step of the process.

Let’s design your dream engagement ring together. Reach out to us now.

FAQs

1. Are lab grown diamond engagement rings less expensive?

Yes. They typically cost 40 – 60% less than natural diamond engagement rings of similar size and quality.

2. Do lab grown diamonds test as real diamonds?

Yes. lab grown diamonds are sure to pass a diamond tester – because they are real diamonds.

3. Are lab grown diamonds flawless?

Not automatically. Each stone is graded for clarity (just like a natural diamond) so some may have tiny inclusions while others are completely clear.

4. Do lab grown diamond engagement rings get cloudy?

Not at all! Lab grown diamonds retain their shine just like natural diamonds. If your ring ever looks dull, it’s likely that it just needs to be cleaned.

5. Are lab grown diamonds a good investment?

Diamonds, be it lab or natural – are generally not purchased for resale value. They’re an investment in your relationship, not the stock market.