The Complete Guide to Planning Your Destination Proposal & Engagement with Destify

What Are Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings?

2022 data shows that lab grown diamond ring sales skyrocketed by 63%. That number is no accident — lab grown diamond engagement rings are becoming a highly popular alternative to traditional diamond rings!

But wait, what exactly are lab grown diamonds? Compared to naturally occurring diamonds, what makes them better, worse, or otherwise?

Strap in and learn about the rising trend of lab grown diamond engagement rings for 2025!

What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?

These diamonds may be synthetic, artificial jewels, but they are no different from diamonds found on the earth.

In truth, lab grown diamonds look the same, feel the same, and have the same chemical composition as natural diamonds. Without highly specific scientific equipment, professional jewelers and geologists can’t tell the difference between the two.

Diamonds occur in nature when the carbon atoms of a stone are arranged in a crystal-like formation. Science is at the point where scientists can manually induce the conditions that lead to diamonds using heat and pressure.

Some claim that lab grown diamonds are ‘simulants,’ truly fake gems like Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite.

Once again, there is no chemical distinction between lab grown diamonds and real diamonds. Something like Cubic Zirconia may look like a natural diamond, but it tends to scratch and loses its color and clarity easily.

Here’s a little test for you.

Guess which of the diamonds pictured above is the real one, and which is the fake?

We’ll give you the answer at the end of the article. 😉

Pros of Lab Grown Diamonds

Low Costs

The absolute number one benefit of lab grown diamonds is their cost.

While it varies, artificially created diamonds cost 50-70% less than their real counterparts!

We’re talking about $5,000 vs. $20,000!

Scientifically The Same As Regular Diamonds

From their molecules to their appearance, there is no detectable difference between a lab grown diamond and a naturally mined one.

The cost difference stretches to colored diamonds, which are usually astronomically expensive.

Environmentally & Ethically Friendly

The mining process for diamonds is a massive undertaking. The operations destroy forests, displace tons of soil, and put workers in dangerous situations and unsanitary conditions.

While creating lab grown diamonds is not an entirely environmentally friendly process, it is much safer for workers, the atmosphere, and nature.

Lab grown diamonds also guarantee an ethically sourced product.

While human rights violations, labor practices, and potentially violent conditions around diamond mining have seen drastic improvements in the last few decades, there is still no way to guarantee a totally conflict-free diamond.

With lab created diamonds, you can rest assured that your wedding ring is 100% ethically sourced!

Cheap To Insure

Because of their cheaper value, lab grown diamonds are less to insure.

With insurance, you won’t have to worry about damage, theft, losing them, or anything else happening to your lab grown wedding ring.

Cons of Lab Grown Diamonds:

Lack-Of-Rarity

Lab grown diamonds are as beautiful as their real-world counterparts, but they are ultimately mass-produced products.

So if you or your partner value the one-of-a-kind quality of natural gemstones, lab grown diamonds might not scratch that itch.

Low Long-Term Value

Artificially created diamonds will depreciate in value over time.

Diamonds are technically a limited supply, while their human-made counterparts could be endless.

You may be disappointed at your resale value if you plan on selling your diamond later or want to sell your ring in exchange for a different one.

Expect to get 10-20% of what you paid originally if you resell your lab grown diamond!

Remaining Environmental Impact And Ethical Concerns

While the mining process of procuring natural diamonds creates way more wreckage and damage to nature, the synthetic diamond process has its own problems.

A massive amount of energy, heat, and pressure is required to create lab grown diamonds, leading to tons of greenhouse gasses being released into the atmosphere.

As well, despite the issues involved with the mining process, natural diamonds are a crucial economic cornerstone for the countries that produce them. Manufactured diamonds may take away or lessen that needed money supply.

Best Places To Buy A Lab-Grown Diamond

Curious about where to buy these lab-created diamonds?

Here are some of our favorite online retailers:

James Allen

Price Range: $1,000-$20,000

A high-cost, high-quality boutique with lots of customization.

Helzberg

Price Range: $100-$12,000

A hundred-year-old brand that has adapted to the times, offering artificially created rings as beautiful as their natural diamonds. They are such a popular brand that their sales reps are ordained ministers, just in case a client wants to say ‘I do’ right there in the store!

Stunning and Unique Engagement Rings

When it comes to engagement ring designs, the selections can seem boundless, making it nearly impossible to pick a style you like. You’ve come to the perfect place if you’re the type of bride who wants something a little different from the typical engagement ring. From celestial stones to vibrant rose golds, we break the mold of traditional rocks and explore our top recommendations for unique engagement rings:

Multi-Color Gems

The surprising colors of refreshing sapphire, warm yellow, and dark amethyst are all featured on many of the distinctive engagement rings trending right now. A trendy alternative to a classic engagement season ring, an intricately stacked ring complete with stones in refreshing colors go so well with the unusual design.

Uncommon Shapes

While round and square-shaped stones are timeless classics, stones of unusual shapes are becoming increasingly popular as “delightfully surprising” engagement rings. With a seemingly endless variety of unorthodox ring shapes available, many jewelers offer the following intriguing sets of designs:

Pear-shaped

Hexagonal

Octagonal

Interstellar Knots

The night sky serves as a key source of inspiration for these lovely whimsical creations. You’ll discover stars, the moon, and constellations as motifs in a number of these distinctive rings. Infuse your unique engagement ring with the everlasting glow of Orion’s Belt, or a favorite constellation that you and your partner share.

Thick Bands

Diamond engagement rings have traditionally consisted of a single stone placed atop a medium-weight band. Thicker bands, on the other hand, are a unique engagement ring trend that is gaining popularity due to its more solid look and feel. They blur the line between engagement ring and wedding band, but offer an intriguing option that’ll make your wedding photos pop.

Rose Gold Engagement Rings

The rose gold in this ring is romantically trendy, from the stone to the band, especially when matched with a diamond-shaped silhouette. Garnering the lightest touch of gold within a rich rose background, pair this with an oval stone that reflects subtle lavender colours.

Floral-Inspired Stones

This vintage floral-inspired jewel is bold but not flashy, and sweet enough for sun-soaked tropical destinations. It has a flower-like pattern and appears to have been plucked from a diamond garden.

7 Steps to Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring

Purchasing an engagement ring is both a momentous relationship achievement and a significant financial undertaking. You want the perfect ring…but it has to fit into your budget. There are so many options that the search can be daunting. If you’re looking for something truly unique that’s not only beautiful but also meaningful, consider exploring the stunning collection from Celestial Crystals. Their selection of crystal jewelry and gemstones offers a refreshing alternative to traditional engagement rings, with each piece carrying its own story and energy.

Their creations allow you to choose something that speaks to your soul while still fitting within your budget, offering a perfect blend of elegance, symbolism, and personal significance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to shopping for the perfect engagement ring for those who are about to take the plunge!

Step 1: Choose a Centerpiece Stone

A prominent centerpiece stone can be used in almost any engagement ring. Although some rings are constructed as three-stone rings, the middle stone is usually slightly larger than the side stones in such designs. If you’ve decided on a diamond as your centerpiece, you’ll need to find out what shape you want it to be. Even gemstones come in a wide range of shapes.

Split, clarity, and color grades are assigned to certified stones. The labs’ certificates also include the stone’s carat weight and other details (including fluorescence and the types of blemishes and inclusions found in or on the stone). Let’s take a closer look at the 4Cs.

Cut: Diamond cutting is a mathematically accurate art form. There are a certain number of facets that must be present for a form to be considered perfect. These facets must be precisely cut. For the cut to be considered “ideal,” the stone must also have the proper proportions. Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor are the cut grades.

Color: The color of a diamond is graded on a scale of D to Z by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The letter D stands for colorless, while the letter Z stands for light yellow. Then, as the letters progress up the scale, there are variations in between. If you’re on a budget, you might consider downgrading this C because yellow gold can hide warmer-colored diamonds.

Clarity: Think of clarity in the same way that a diamond is transparent. The presence of inclusions under 10x magnification determines the clarity level, which varies from Flawless (FL) to Included (I). Perfect stones are extremely rare and expensive. In-between grades include Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Slightly Included (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), and Slightly Included (SI).

Carat: Larger stones are more costly. Even a single decimal point in carat weight will significantly affect a stone’s price. When buyers choose a half-carat diamond, prices will rise, but the difference in size between a 0.90 carat and a full carat is negligible.

Step 2: Pinpoint your metal and setting

Now that you’ve found the right stone, you can cross it off your to-do list! The next move is to figure out which metal would work best in your environment. White gold is the most common metal for engagement rings. To find the best band for your dream ring, look into various setting types.

Step 3: Work out Details

Do you want to complement your center stone with side stones? Alternatively, pave diamond accents set inside the band may be desired. After you’ve decided on the perfect setting theme, add some additional info for a more personalized touch. Some people enjoy placing birthstones next to a center diamond. You should have your birthstone alongside his or hers. Diamond side stones, of course, are still stunning.

Just make sure the shape of your side stone matches the shape of your center stone. The addition of a halo around a center stone draws attention to the focal point. Colorful gemstones, diamonds, or even seed pearls may be used to build a halo (for antique appeal).

Step 4: Figure out payment method

Choosing an engagement ring is a difficult task. Set your budget, research your purchasing choices, and then find out the ring’s specifics. Always keep wants, expectations, and budget in mind. Spend as much time as you need talking to seasoned jewelers who can assist you in making the best choices. Figuring out your ring budget will also let you devote some money towards an all-inclusive wedding at resorts like Hyatt Ziva Cancun or Majestic Elegance Punta Cana!

Step 5: Consider ring insurance

An engagement ring is a significant financial commitment. Consider buying an insurance policy for your engagement ring to protect it from injury or theft. You will usually add an umbrella policy to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover valuables like jewelry. You would, however, get the ring appraised. Inquire with the insurance company about the particular coverage they suggest.

Step 6: Plan the proposal!

Congratulations on your achievement! You’ve discovered the ideal engagement ring! Now it’s time to consider how you’ll pop the question. Every proposal is special to the couple, and yours will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just remember to take a few pictures…and a ring selfie!

Step 7: Breathe

How are we feeling? It’s a lot to keep track of, but there’s no shame in taking a step back from the jewelry counter and weighing your options. Yes, you’re shopping for one of the most important purchases in both yours and your partner’s lives. But it is equally important to enjoy the moment, in every way that you can. You only shop for an engagement ring once, keep it light and fun!

You’ve Got The Ring, Time To Book Your Destination Wedding!

Ready for the answer to the question above?

The left-side diamond is lab-grown!

You’ve got the ring, lab grown or otherwise. 2026 is right around the corner, now is the perfect time to propose!

Once they’ve said yes, it’s time to give us a call!

We’ve sent thousands of happy clients to their daydream destination weddings in locales like Mexico and Jamaica.

We’re ready to give your love story a happily ever after!

Talk to one of our wedding experts today!