Lab-grown diamonds have transformed the jewelry industry over the last five years — and Solomon Jewelers in Wichita has been at the center of that shift. Here's everything you need to know before you buy.

What Exactly Is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond. It is not cubic zirconia, not moissanite, not a simulant. It's carbon atoms arranged in the diamond crystal structure — grown in a controlled laboratory environment using one of two methods: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The result is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond. The only difference is where it came from.

How Are They Graded?

Lab-grown diamonds are graded by the same laboratories that grade natural diamonds — GIA, IGI, and others — using the same 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. When you buy a lab diamond at Solomon Jewelers, it comes with a certificate from a recognized grading laboratory, just like a natural diamond.

How Much Do They Cost?

Lab-grown diamonds currently cost approximately 50–70% less than natural diamonds of equivalent quality. A 2-carat G/VS2 lab diamond that might retail for $8,000–$12,000 as a natural stone can be found for $3,000–$5,000 as a lab-grown stone. That's a meaningful difference that most couples are putting toward a larger stone, a custom setting, or the wedding itself.

Do They Hold Their Value?

This is the honest answer: lab-grown diamonds have depreciated significantly in resale value as production has scaled up. If resale value or generational wealth transfer matters to you, natural diamonds hold value better. If you're buying a diamond to wear and love — not to resell — lab-grown is an exceptional choice.

Are They Ethical?

Lab-grown diamonds avoid the environmental and humanitarian concerns associated with diamond mining. They're grown using energy (which varies in its own environmental impact by facility), but they don't involve land disruption or conflict-zone supply chains. For many buyers, this matters a great deal.

Where to Buy Lab-Grown Diamonds in Wichita

Solomon Jewelers at 7700 E Kellogg Dr carries a full selection of lab-grown diamond engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry — in every shape, setting, and price range. Come in and we'll show you what your budget can actually get you.

Shop lab diamond rings → or learn more about lab diamonds in Wichita →