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People dont have to compromise anymore to own something exceptional.
Photo: Courtesy of Dorsey/Ashley Barrett
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds.
Not simulants, not stand-ins.
So why the lingering hesitation?
The kind passed down like an heirloom from an era when real luxury was defined by scarcity and secrecy.
But timesand tasteshave changed.
They offer the same brilliance and claritybut they align with how I want to shop and design today.
The craftsmanship would be identical.
Would you want one?
Why, yes; yes, of course!
As Kym Canter of The Invisible Jewels puts it: Theyre a modern solution to an outdated luxury problem.
Each piece is meticulously crafted in 14k solid gold, ensuring both elegance and durability.
A thoroughly modern jewelry line beloved by A-listers and It girls alike.
Theres something incredibly empowering about being able to buy your own diamonds.
And theyve made good on that promise.
Its proof that lab-grown luxury doesnt just sparkleit leads.
The brands partner in this feat of science-meets-sustainability?
Minimal, sculptural, and quietly impactfulperfect for those who want their jewelry to say something without shouting.
If you believe diamonds should shine without casting a shadow, Grown Brilliance makes an undeniably strong case.
Kinn’s collection seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary minimalism.
The brand offers both lab-grown and natural diamonds, ensuring adherence to the Kimberley Process for conflict-free sourcing.
In April 2023, he made perhaps his boldest move yet: transitioning his entire brand to lab-grown diamonds.
The pivot wasnt just about ethicsit was about creative freedom.
Lab-grown diamonds have freed us from the constraints of rarity and price, he toldVogue.
They allow designers to be more creative than ever before.
Jean brought a truly innovative approach, Jackson toldVogue.
He collaborated with me to design a piece that beautifully integrated unique metalwork, silhouettes, and accents.
Its jewelry that honors traditionwhile giving it a long-overdue update.
The brand offers a range of designs, from timeless classics to modern styles, catering to diverse tastes.
By overseeing the entire production processfrom design to sourcing and manufacturingNoemie delivers exceptional craftsmanship directly to consumers.
These are the jewels you reach for dailyand layer forever.
Thats the ethos behindThe Invisible Jewels, founded by former fashion executive Kym Canter.
No prongs, no heavy metalworkjust the stone, suspended, whispering rather than shouting.
Lets just be special all the time, she tellsVogue.
And she means it.
Theyre not rave-y, she explains of the face gems.
Shes in it for the reinvention.
The opportunity with lab-grown wasnt just to swap it in for mined, she says.
It was to create something that hadnt existed before.
The Invisibles
bobby pin
THE INVISIBLES
heart shaped Naked pendant
Kendra Scott
Think you know Kendra Scott?
That doesnt feel great.
“I stopped wearing my engagement ring on my wedding finger three years ago, Fisher explains.
Now I wear it on my pinkyand people literally stop me on the street.”
Designed in 18k gold, her pieces favor substantial, single-stone silhouettes over sparkle overload.
The market is already saturated with pave, she says.
People want one visually extraordinary stonenot a bunch of tiny ones shoved into a setting.
Theyre not buying them to be subtle, she says.
Theyre buying them because they want a stone that feels bold, modern, and truly theirs.
From the science behind the sparkle to their ethical implications, consider this your lab-grown cheat sheet.
A Brief History of Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds arent new, per se.
Only in the last decade has quality and accessibility caught up with demand.
What is a lab-grown diamond?
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are molecularly exactly the same as mined diamonds.
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
Lab-grown diamonds undergo the same formation process, just at warp speed in a lab.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD):Places a diamond seed into a vacuum chamber filled with carbon-rich gas.
The gas is heated until the carbon atoms crystallize on the seed, layer by layer.
However, its worth noting that the process requires significant energy input.
The energy footprint varies widely depending on the labs source (renewable vs. fossil fuel).
How can you tell the difference between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds?
What is the highest grade of lab-grown diamonds?
However, achieving these top grades remains rare.
Do the 4 Cs apply to lab-grown diamonds?
The 4 Cscolor, clarity, cut, and carat weightapply to lab-grown diamonds like to mined diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds are evaluated by independent grading labs such as GIA, IGI, and GCal using identical standards.
The higher the color and clarity, the rarer the diamond.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
Theres no simple answer here.
Value, as Fisher puts it, isnt always about resale.
Its about accessbeing able to buy the ring you actually want.
Are lab-grown diamonds more ethical?
Symbolically, the fact that were not digging into the ground to unearth diamonds resonates, says Dousset.
While lab diamonds still require significant energy, some labslike Vraisoperate entirely on renewable power and produce zero emissions.
The better question may be: whats the overall impact of a companys operations?
It comes down to traceability, says Chen.
Thats where the ethics lie.
