Real vs. Lab Diamond

For a real diamond, maybe check smaller local stores or pawn shops. The traditional Zales & Kays always mark things up. I assume you can't tell the difference between real & lab unless you are trained in diamonds.

View Quoted Comment I second this. You can also look on Etsy or consider alternative stones (I have a white sapphire and no one really knows the difference).

You cannot tell a difference between natural diamonds and lab created diamonds - they both technically are real based on the chemical and physical composition! Natural diamonds do have the possibility for inclusions, such discolored spots, that are caused by other minerals. Other inclusions like feathering are very hard to see unless the ring is examined in a magnifier, and I am not sure if these occur in lab-created diamonds because they are sometimes made while the diamond "grows".

As far as finding natural diamonds at a reasonable price, I would visit a small jeweler (not a big chain like Jared, Kay, etc.). They should be able to teach you about cut, clarity, carat weight, and color -- all of which affect the cost. My FH bought the setting for my ring off of the floor and received a discount.

Some stores do have the option for lab created diamonds as well and that is something you should inquire about, but they are more commonly found online. You may want to browse the websites Brilliant Earth and Clean Origin. I know people with rings from both and they look great.

We chose to get a moissanite which is a lab created gem stone as well no one has noticed a difference, but i do talk about it often

Pic didn’t post!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

View Quoted Comment That looks really nice! Thank you!

View Quoted Comment

I second this. I also have a moissanite and while I don't have an actual diamond to compare it to, I've done a lot of research when deciding on a moissanite. So I can pick out aspects of my stone that give it away that it's not a diamond, but typically only in really good light. People who don't know what my stone actually is have no clue it's not a diamond. Also, the bigger you go with a moissanite stone, the easier it is to tell the difference. But since that wasn't something I cared about and I went for a larger moissanite stone for more fire and brilliance. Honestly, I don't think anyone other than a jeweler will be able to tell whether it's real diamonds, lab created, or another diamond lookalike stone!

I 100% second nice pawn shops! They tend to have "older", mined stones for significantly less than big box stores.