There are many more options within the realm of diamonds than most people realize. When shopping for an engagement ring, narrow down which types of diamonds interest you, then look at the options within each type. Slightly in order of popularity:

Modern Brilliant # Lab-Created # Antique # Trendy Cheap

Modern Brilliant

This is my non-technical term for the brilliant sparkly diamonds that most people buy today, the most common of which is the round brilliant cut. There are several different shapes of diamonds to choose from - for a summary of diamond shapes, follow this link, eventually.

Modern Brilliant are the easiest to find, since they are highest in both demand and supply. There is a wide range of qualities within each shape, and the price varies massively within the spectrum. For more information regarding the four C’s and the different qualities associated with modern brilliant diamonds, follow this link, eventually.

Lab-Created

About a decade ago - after a couple hundred years of trying - the first cultured diamonds were available on the retail market. Unlike other diamond substitutes such as Cubic Zirconia or Moissanite, lab-created diamonds are actually carbon that is heated and compressed in a lab to speed up the process of diamond formation. At first, the technology was only able to produce smaller stones, but in 2014, labs began creating larger, less expensive stones. White diamonds are available over 2 carats at price points that are generally 20% lower than natural whites. Blue, yellow, and pink diamonds are also available at higher price than the whites, but many times lower than their natural counterparts. For more information about cultured diamonds, follow this link, eventually.

Antique

The modern round brilliant diamond cut was borne from a PHD thesis by Marcel Tolkowsky, and technological advances in diamond cutting in the 40’s popularized them. The diamond cuts that were popular before had fewer and larger facets, resulting in a less scintillant diamond with larger flashes of light. The three antique cuts I offer are Old European Cut, Antique Cushion, and Mine Cut. These diamonds are by definition repurposed, and were mined and cut before the diamond-fueled armed conflicts in several African countries. For more information about antique diamonds, follow this link, eventually..

Trendy Cheap

These fall below the usual standards for gem-quality diamonds, but are more valuable than industrial grade. These diamonds became popular after the financial crisis, and are sold as “fashion-fine” jewelry which has been trending substantially in the past few years. Diamonds that are heavily included are often sold uncut or as rose cut (a diamond cut that does not showcase a diamond’s fire and brilliance). Very heavily included diamonds can be irradiated and sold as colored or opaque black diamonds. These options tend to fit with an alternative, bohemian, and less materialistic customer. For more information about trendy cheap diamonds, follow this link, eventually.. diamond slices, rose cut, uncut, black, etc.