Diamonds are the April birthstone and with so much talk around lab grown diamonds, we thought it may be beneficial to share some insights around these beautiful stones. Renowned for their beauty and strength, diamonds are the most popular stone used in engagement rings, and for good reason. The stone is tasteful, timeless and easily complements a wide variety of other fine jewelry you may have in your collection.
As part of the custom design process with our team, we will hand-select an array of spectacular diamonds just for you, based on your style, vision and ring budget. At your private stone viewing you’ll learn how diamonds are graded and the unique qualities of each stone. Finding the perfect stone feels special and instinctual; just like the relationship with your partner.
At Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry, we offer both natural and lab diamonds from the most sought after diamond dealers to find the most perfect stone for our clients. Beauty and quality are of the utmost importance to us and all of our gemstones are ethically sourced.
Natural Diamonds
Rare and dazzling, natural diamonds are mined from the earth and have a finite supply. Due to the scarcity of these stones, natural diamonds tend to retain their value and often grow over time, making it a long term investment as well as a family heirloom.
Lab Diamonds
Physically identical to natural diamonds, lab diamonds have the same chemical composition and properties of a natural diamond. Lab diamonds are grown in highly controlled environments that mimic the conditions of the creation of a natural diamond. As lab diamonds are more plentiful they can be a more affordable option versus those mined from the earth, although lab grown diamonds do not retain value or grow in long term value like natural diamonds.
Appearance
Lab and Natural diamonds are optically indistinguishable. All diamonds can have inclusions, small imperfections that can be found within the structure of diamonds, depending on their clarity grade. Even the most highly skilled gemologist cannot tell the difference between a lab diamond and natural diamond, without testing it with a very expensive machine (or looking at the microscopic grading inscription on the stone, which will read LG if lab). Regardless of type, the diamonds we share at Hannah Florman have been reviewed with care to ensure they are right for our clients. Given their beauty and cost-savings potential, we offer lab grown stones to clients when appropriate. Our standards for stone sourcing remain true to that of a natural diamond - lab grown stones must be of fine quality, cut and clarity to be considered as part of your final piece.
Grading
All of the diamonds we work with are certified (natural diamonds GIA and lab diamonds GIA, IGI or LGA) and graded on the 4C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight). The higher the grade of diamond the more the value increases. Regardless of the type of diamond you select, we will ensure they are the most brilliant and high quality within your price range.
Which one is right for you?
Choosing a diamond is a very exciting and personal process, and everyone prioritizes different features in a custom piece of jewelry. If size and/or quality are a top priority for you, and a natural diamond of that caliber is not in your desired budget a lab diamond might be the right choice for you. However, you want to make sure you’re comfortable with the idea of it not having the same long term value or resale value as a natural diamond.
Ultimately our goal is to create a ring specifically for you, and one that is even more beautiful than you could have hoped for. The first step towards designing a custom ring with Hannah Florman Fine Jewelry is to book a complimentary phone consultation. That call is a great time to discuss your diamond preference and ask questions about natural mined and laboratory grown diamonds, as well as using heirloom stones in a new piece.
Diamonds are a beautiful and special way to commemorate special moments in time. Whatever diamond you choose, our wish is that it lasts a lifetime. Schedule a consultation today with our team to start designing a custom diamond engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry.
