Radiant Cut Lab-Grown Engagement Rings

What should I look for when selecting a lab-created radiant-cut diamond?

Radiant diamonds were created with the purpose of introducing the brilliance that was lacking in square or rectangular shaped diamonds such as asscher and emerald cut. Due to their brilliant faceting, radiant cuts are more forgiving to imperfections than its step cut counterparts. We would leave the minimum color at J and minimum clarity at SI2 only if the diamond is clean to the eye. For an elongated radiant cut diamond, an acceptable length to width ratio would be 1.15:1 all the way up to 1.40:1. For a square radiant cut your ratio is going to be in the range of 1:1 and a little above.

Does a lab-grown radiant cut diamond look better than a natural diamond?

Known for its beautiful, brilliant faceting and eye-catching trimmed corners, the radiant cut diamond combines the sparkle of round brilliants and the elegant shape of an emerald cut. The radiant cut finds its charm in a vibrant play of light. When dealing with a lab-grown radiant cut as compared to a natural radiant cut, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. Both natural diamonds and lab diamonds share identical physical and optical characteristics, making it impossible to tell the difference by the naked eye. When choosing between natural radiant cuts and lab-grown radiant cuts, to aide your decision will be personal.

How is a lab-grown diamond created?

There are two methods to create lab diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).HPHT was the first major method for creating lab-grown diamonds. It mimics the natural process of diamond formation in the span of a several weeks as opposed to several billion years. A diamond seed is placed into a special press with carbon. The area is until it reaches a temperature of around 1600 degrees Celsius, or about 2900 Fahrenheit. The chamber exerts pressure up to and over 870,000 pounds per square inch. Molten metal (typically from a source like graphite) in the chamber then dissolves the carbon source, and a diamond begins to form and build around the diamond seed.In CVD, a diamond seed is placed into a sealed vacuum chamber. After the chamber fills with carbon-heavy gas, like methane, it’s heated to a high temperature of around 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperatures convert the gas into plasma, which releases pieces of carbon. Those carbon pieces build upon the diamond seed originally placed in the chamber. Eventually, a full diamond forms after layer and layer of carbon pieces attach to the seed. The whole process produces incredible, chemically-pure diamonds free of most impurities. They don’t contain metal inclusions, either.You can read more about HPHT and CVD in our blog, An In-Depth Look at CVD vs. HPHT.

What’s the difference between lab-grown diamond engagement rings vs natural diamonds?

Natural diamonds form over millions of years under pressure from the Earth’s crust, and are mined, cut, and polished to produce the brilliant stones you find in jewelry. Lab-grown diamonds undergo the same process, only instead of millions of years, they form in a few weeks via a high temperature or a chemical vapor process. The difference between a natural and lab-grown diamond is indistinguishable to the naked eye. They have the same chemical and physical attributes, but specially trained gemologists may be able to use a magnifying tool to indicate growth patterns or the presence of elements that would help distinguish one from the other. However, the most trusted method is to use a testing machine. Both types can have inclusions, or tiny flaws, but have identical hardness.

Are lab-grown diamonds as durable as natural ones?

Natural and lab created diamonds have the exact same chemical composition. Because of this, lab diamonds are also just as durable as natural diamonds meaning they are the hardest, most durable gemstone on the Mohs scale.

Is a lab-created radiant-cut diamond an affordable option?

Due to the formation process being faster than that of a natural diamond, lab-grown radiant cut diamonds are less costly to produce at scale. What used to be a 30% price difference several years ago has now ballooned to about over 75%. Additionally, since natural diamonds are a finite resource, they are far more rare than the infinite number of lab-grown radiant diamonds that can be produced. Over time, the price gap between natural and lab-grown diamonds steepen, with the latter being more affordable.

How does a radiant cut differ from an emerald cut?

Although similar in appearance, there are various factors that set radiant cuts apart from emerald cuts when shopping for engagement rings. Both beautiful, each of these cuts boasts its own unique and distinctive allure. The radiant cut diamond, for example, features a beautiful and brilliant style faceting pattern. Radiant cut diamonds maximize brilliance, making it a popular option for both modern and classic styles. The emerald cut, on the other hand, is distinguishable by its trimmed corners and elongated rectangular shape. Prioritizing features like clarity over brilliance, the emerald cut contains open facets, resulting in a sophisticated and beautiful mirrored effect.

Are lab-grown diamonds GIA-certified?

Not all lab-grown diamonds are GIA certified. However, all lab-grown diamonds at Lauren B are GIA certified! Browse our inventory of GIA Graded lab diamonds.

Does a bezel setting suit a lab-grown radiant-cut diamond?

A bezel setting is a thin line of metal encircling the diamond similar to idea of a halo without the diamonds. Bezel settings evoke a retro feel while radiant cut diamonds are more modern. However, this setting frames the angles of a lab-grown radiant-cut diamond without overshadowing its beauty and protects the edges from damage. If you are on the fence about a full bezel setting, you can always opt for a half-bezel for the best of both worlds!