You’ve probably seen the buzz.. maybe on Instagram, from a friend who just got one, or during a late-night “are diamonds even ethical?” Google spiral (been there).

Lab grown diamonds are everywhere right now. And honestly? They deserve the spotlight.

They’re not just a trend. They’re real diamonds (yes, real real. It's actually a pretty cool process), and they’re changing the jewelry game in the best way possible: ethical, sustainable, and in a lot of cases, more affordable.

And for me? This isn’t just theory. When G and I first started talking about marriage and spending our lives together, I remember blurting out one very specific request: “Please make sure my engagement ring is lab grown!”

Romantic, I know. 😅

That decision came after watching the movie Blood Diamond years earlier, which completely changed how I looked at the industry. I couldn't unseen it.

But at the same time, I’ve always loved diamonds. Earrings, necklaces, rings… I didn’t want to not wear them. I just wanted a way to keep the sparkle without the guilt.

So… are lab grown diamonds even real?

Yes. 1000x yes.

They’re not fakes or knockoffs. Lab grown diamonds are the same as mined ones—same look, same sparkle, same strength. Even diamond experts need special tools to tell them apart.

The only difference? How they’re made.

• Mined diamonds = take millions of years to form deep underground.
• Lab grown diamonds = made in just a few weeks above ground, using science and cool technology.

Basically, labs copy the exact process that happens in nature, but they do it indoors. The result? A diamond that’s every bit as real as one dug out of the earth.

Why the big price difference? 🤔

One of the biggest questions people have is: “If lab grown diamonds are real, why are they so much cheaper? There has to be a catch.”

Here’s the truth: lab grown diamonds aren’t “cheap” — they’re fairly priced. Mined diamonds are the ones that are overpriced.

For decades, one company (De Beers) basically ran the diamond world. They controlled supply by only releasing a limited number of stones, which created the illusion of rarity.

Then in the 1940s, they launched the legendary “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign — one of the most successful ads of all time (it was even named the slogan of the 20th century).

From a marketing perspective, it was genius. From a consumer perspective? Not so great.

I love nerding out on marketing, and this was brilliant in its own way… but also kind of awful, because it convinced the entire world that diamonds were rare, priceless, and the only “real” choice for engagement rings. And beyond the marketing, the industry itself has been notoriously unethical — with human rights issues, conflict funding, and environmental destruction tied to many mined stones.

And let’s not forget — they were controlling the entire global supply of diamonds. They made them look rare on purpose!

That single ad campaign in the 40's “democratized” diamonds, making them a thing not just royals could afford, but something every couple aspired to. And here we are with engagement rings 😅

Not that I’m complaining. My engagement ring is still my favorite thing in the world! I'm just happy lab grown diamonds are an option now. They skip all the games.

Lab grown diamonds are real, sparkly, and priced for what they actually are — not for decades of hype and unethical industry practices.

The 4 things to know before you buy 💎

1️⃣ Carat = size

Think of it like weight. More carats = bigger diamond.

2️⃣ Clarity = how clean it looks

Diamonds have little “freckles” inside called inclusions. The fewer they have, the clearer (and pricier) they are.

• FL/IF = flawless (super rare and $$$)
• VVS = very, very slight inclusions
• VS1 or VS2 = very slight inclusions (the sweet spot!)
• SI = slight inclusions (still pretty, usually invisible to the eye)

3️⃣ Color = how white it looks

Diamonds range from icy white to a little yellow. Most people can’t tell the difference unless it’s obvious.

• D–F = colorless (highest price)
• G–H = near colorless (still looks white to most people, better value!)
• K+ = warmer tones

4️⃣ Cut = sparkle factor

This affects sparkle the most — an excellent cut will shine like crazy. Even a flawless diamond won’t shine if the cut is poor. Always aim for Excellent or Very Good.

💎 Quick cheat sheet 💎

If you want something beautiful without overthinking it, look for:

✅ VS1 or VS2 clarity (sometimes you'll see a 'plus' sign, which is even better!)

✅ G or H color (sometimes you'll see 2 letters combined. For example: FG → This means the diamond falls in the F–G range on the color scale. Basically colorless, which is a good thing.

✅ Excellent or Very Good cut - arguably the most important! The cut is EVERYTHING! Non-negotiable.

Reading about all this stuff can feel like reading fabric descriptions when you’re shopping for clothes. A little overwhelming at first, but once you know the basics, you finally have the tools to make the right choice for you.

And remember — this isn’t just about engagement rings! Lab grown diamonds are perfect for everyday jewelry too. I’ve added a few pieces to my own collection:

• ​These stud earrings - they didn't arrive on time, so I haven't seen them yet. But they have raving reviews! I got the 1 CT ones.
• ​This wedding band I got earlier this year. I travel with it instead of my engagement ring.
• ​This pendant necklace I have in my cart for Christmas (often sold out, but it’s one of my favorites). It'll look gorgeous with the stud earrings.

If you’re curious, Quince is my top pick for minimalist, timeless pieces that are easy to wear every day. The only problem lately is that they've been selling out so quickly. Not sure if there's something up with their diamonds because of the tariffs.

​Brilliant Earth is also a solid option (that’s where my engagement ring is from), though honestly… their website drives me a little crazy 😅

Now that you know what to look for, finding a beautiful, ethical, and fairly priced diamond doesn’t have to feel like rocket science.

If you want to keep reading about lab grown diamonds, there are more details in this blog post.​

Thanks for reading!

XO,

Aimara

>>> PS: I know this wasn't exactly travel related content, but I'm trying to find space in these emails to talk about other things I like. And I guess good jewelry does help your travel outfits feel more elevated! Although, I wouldn't recommend traveling with expensive diamonds to every destination.

My personal rules for traveling with expensive jewelry: (just based on places I've been, not the entire continent)

• Europe - mostly ok. But have to be careful in super touristy places.
• Middle East - ZERO problems.
• Asia - ZERO problems.
• South America - NO.
• Mexico, Central America - NO.

I'm getting to know Mexico better because this is where we spend most of our time now. Safety varies a lot by city. For example, in Merida I can wear anything I want, with ZERO issues. Right now, we're in Playa del Carmen and I will be more careful.

Next year we plan to spend a lot of time in the Baja Peninsula, and I think it will be fine.

See? Now this was travel related 😅