FAQ

Diamond simulants are NOT diamonds. The most common simulants are cubic zirconia and moissanite - they are man-made and DO NOT have the same chemical and physical characteristics as natural or synthetic diamonds. Simulants scratch much easier, can discolor over time, and don’t carry the same thermal conductivity properties as natural diamonds. Hence, they also tend to be far less expensive than natural diamonds.

Yes. Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are cut and polished from a rough-cut diamond stone so they are available in virtually all shapes, cuts and sizes.

That is a great question! Lab-grown diamond manufacturers are required to laser engrave the girdle of the diamond to identify it as a lab-created diamond. The laser engraving can be seen using a traditional 10x jewelry loupe. Without the engraving, it is virtually impossible to distinguish cultured from natural using magnification or traditional diamond testing equipment. We are confident that ethical cultured diamond manufacturers are properly identifying their products. While not currently a prevalent problem, the opportunity certainly exists for unethical manufacturers to try to pass off their lab-created diamonds as natural diamonds. The good news is that there are now more sophisticated (and expensive) testing equipment available that can identify if a diamond is natural or lab-created. At K.Hollis Jewelers, we only carry lab-grown diamonds produced by ethical manufacturers that can verify the diamond source, provides laser inscription and certification for their products. K.Hollis Jewelers also has a high-end diamond tester that can distinguish lab-grown diamonds from natural diamonds so you will ALWAYS know exactly what you are buying.

ORIGIN: Lab-grown diamonds come from above the ground; mined diamonds come from below the ground. CREATION TIME: Thanks to science, lab-grown diamonds take approximately one month to grow, while mined diamonds take millions of years. COST: Current technology makes lab-grown diamonds cost-efficient and easier on your budget. A Lab-grown Diamond from reputable manufacturer current costs anywhere from 20 to 40 percent less than a mined stone. This allows you to buy a similar lab-grown diamond for less OR buy a larger, higher quality lab-grown diamond for the money you were planning to spend on a natural diamond. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Created in labs rather than dangerous mines, lab-grown diamonds are safe, conflict-free, and have fewer adverse effects on the earth.

Optically, their sparkle is indistinguishable. Physically, their shape is the same. Chemically, both are 100% carbon. Lab-grown diamonds are created under the same conditions as mined diamonds, but in a chamber over about a month, speeding up the natural process.

The ONLY diamond certificate that you can trust is a GIA certificate. There are dozens of organizations that grade diamonds and produce grading certificates. Be warned that many of the grades on certificates other than a GIA certificate are inaccurate. You can end up paying too much for a diamond that is something other than what it says it is on the certificate.

Do some online shopping with reputable jewelers to get an idea of what diamonds should cost, but keep a couple of essential things in mind - not all diamonds you find on the internet are what they appear to be. Many of them are not available. The look of a diamond is the result of how light reflects and exits from the top of the stone, so it is important to see the stone in person. Consider disregarding diamonds that are significantly cheaper than the average - just like anything else, something that looks too good to be true probably is.

Shop with a jeweler that values your needs. A jeweler interested in helping you buy the right diamond will be happy to bring additional diamonds into their store (usually within a day or two) if they need the perfect diamond in stock. Except for unusual sizes, shapes, or other characteristics, diamonds are not as rare as most in the jewelry business would have you believe. Additionally, work with a jeweler you can trust and that will be there for you after the sale. Buying a diamond, choosing a setting, and setting the stones should be enjoyable, not a pressure-filled, agonizing task. Find someone you enjoy working with and are interested in a long-term relationship, not just a one-time sale.

Begin with a budget and ask your jeweler to show you diamonds within that range. Focus on shape and size first, then compare diamonds with different color, cut, and clarity grades. One diamond will often stand out, and it won't always be the most expensive one.