When purchasing your Lab Grown Diamond there are a few factors you will definitely want to consider so you get exactly what you are dreaming of! We had a little chat with our Sales Manager, Justine, and she let us in on the mistakes to avoid when splurging on your forever stone.
Spending way over budget
When considering what center stone to buy, keep your budget in mind. There are plenty of tips and tricks to get a gorgeous style with a showstopper center stone without breaking the bank. First off, going with a Lab Grown Diamond or Gemstone is far more affordable than earth-mined. Lab Grown Diamonds can be up to 40% less! They are also chemically, optically, and physically identical to earth mined diamonds and you can be sure they are 100% conflict-free. Be realistic about your budget and ask our jewelry experts to help you find the most gorgeous engagement ring within your cost limit. The first step is to determine what factors are most important to you- Do you know what size the stone needs to be? What shape? Think it over before clicking that ‘check out’ button.
Not thinking about longevity
Will you still like what you chose in ten years? Maybe right now you love pear shaped sapphires, but in ten years you may wish you had purchased a classic round Lab Grown Diamond. If you are going for a stone you want to keep and pass down, then consider what you will always like. We all go through phases- like that one tattoo we want removed! So when considering your fine jewelry and your tattoos- think about what will be timeless.
Not understanding the 4 C's
When selecting your center stone, it’s important to understand the quality of the Lab Grown Diamond you are purchasing. Cut has the greatest influence on your Lab Grown Diamond’s appearance and price- it is the cut of a diamond which creates the sparkle we love so much. Clarity is the measurement of inclusions in your sparkly gem. The jump in price from an SI2 (slightly included) to VVS1 (very very slightly included) clarity is significant but with an SI, you could still have an “eye clean” diamond on your hands without the high price tag. For Color, we are referring to the whiteness, or lack of color present in the diamond itself- Lab Grown Diamonds are rated on a scale of D-Z with D being colorless. As the grade goes down there are tints of yellow and eventually brown. Choosing the right Carat size is another important factor, which we will discuss more about, below.
Choosing a setting you can’t upgrade later
If you go with a stunning halo you will have a ring that accentuates your center stone- the only drawback is that if you wish to upgrade your center stone later on you’ll have to also choose a new setting meaning a new ring entirely. If you know you may change your style of stone later, then opt for a solitaire- it's easy to adjust the prongs and put a new center stone in its place! That way you can upgrade to the bigger stone when you have the budget!
Getting a Lab Grown Diamond that is post-treated
Not all Lab Grown Diamonds are created equal. Check that the stone you are about to purchase is grown in good quality, aka not post-treated. Post-treatment implies that the Lab Grown Diamonds were pulled from the growing process early to cut down costs and are then post-treated to fix the color from brown or yellow to colorless. It’s incredibly important for consumers to do their homework. Make sure you ask where a diamond is grown, and order from a company with a return policy in case the quality does not meet your standards. At MiaDonna, we only work with reputable growers so we can ensure our customers receive the highest quality stones; you will receive the quality you deserve, at an affordable price!
Getting the wrong carat size
You may want to get an idea of carat size before diving in and buying your forever rock. A 1.0ct may look delicate on the photo you are viewing on social media, but it could look very different on your finger. Different carat sizes may feel too big or too small when you actually put them on- you want the one that is just right! We recommend going to a local jewelry store to try on rings and see what the carat sizes feel like- then you know the carat size you really want. If you are on a budget you can always go a bit smaller, and when you have the money in the future use our diamond upgrade program where we buy back your original Lab Grown Diamond to put toward the cost of your new Lab Grown Diamond! You can also try our Home-Try-On program to get a better idea of what sizes would look like- the majority of the styles are 1.0ct, and from there you’ll know whether you want that size, bigger, or smaller!
Check the sustainability
At MiaDonna we exist to give back. We want to leave the communities we work with better than we found them. When shopping for your Lab Grown Diamond or Gemstone make sure you shop with a company you can trust. Many jewelers will claim sustainable practices, but it can be a marketing gimmick. Ask our jewelers the background of your diamond to learn more about how you are not only saving lives by purchasing your stone with us, but also getting the highest quality.
Not insuring your fine jewelry
We suggest getting your ring covered by insurance in case it is lost or stolen. You can do this by looking through your insurance policy and finding out what it covers. You may be able to add your engagement ring or other pieces of jewelry onto your homeowners or renters insurance! Read more on our blog about protecting your fine jewelry.
Reach out to us with any questions you may have. We want to help in any way we can to get you the ring of your dreams!
