At Karlise Fine Jewelers, we believe choosing a diamond should be as meaningful as the moment it represents. Whether you’re designing an engagement ring, celebrating an anniversary, or reimagining a family heirloom, the diamond you select plays a central role in telling your story.
Today, that choice is more exciting than ever. With both lab-grown diamonds and natural mined diamonds available, you now have a broader spectrum of possibilities—each offering exceptional beauty, enduring quality, and its own unique appeal. What was once a simple decision of shape or size has evolved into a richer conversation about personal style, design flexibility, and how you want your jewelry to reflect who you are.
In this blog, we’ll explore what sets these two diamond types apart, where they beautifully align, and—most importantly—how their availability has transformed what’s possible in the world of fine jewelry.
Lab-Grown vs. Mined Diamonds: Exploring Your Options in Fine Jewelry
When you compare lab-grown and mined diamonds, the most important thing to understand is that both are real diamonds. They are visually, chemically, and structurally identical. What differs is their origin—and that subtle shift has had a profound ripple effect on how jewelry is designed, selected, and worn.
Because lab-grown diamonds offer the same beauty at a more accessible price point, they’ve opened the door to greater creative freedom. Clients are no longer restricted by carat size or clarity concerns within a set budget. Instead, they can explore designs that were once out of reach.
Think of a three-stone engagement ring with a bold center diamond and two flanking side stones—now easily within budget using lab-grown gems. Or an anniversary band with a row of brilliant stones encircling the finger, celebrating a lifetime of love in full sparkle. These are not compromises—they are elevated expressions made possible by choice.
Understanding the Brilliance: Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds Explained
Rather than framing lab-grown and mined diamonds as opposing options, we encourage clients to think in terms of what’s right for their needs, style, and vision.
Natural diamonds often appeal to those who value tradition. There’s something undeniably romantic about a diamond that formed in the earth over billions of years, and for many, that symbolism carries weight—especially in heirloom pieces, classic solitaire rings, or vintage-inspired halo designs.
Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, offer flexibility and boldness. Many clients are drawn to them not just for the price, but for the opportunities they create: a larger center stone, enhanced clarity, or the ability to include diamond-accented details like hidden halos, pavé bands, or intricate side stones without compromise.
At Karlise, we often see clients mixing both in their jewelry wardrobe—wearing a mined diamond engagement ring and pairing it with lab-grown diamond earrings, or choosing a lab diamond for a custom necklace while reserving a mined diamond for a family heirloom setting.
The choice is no longer either-or. It’s both—and more.
Design Possibilities with Lab-Grown and Mined Diamonds
One of the most exciting outcomes of lab-grown availability is the creative freedom it offers. Because the cost-per-carat is significantly lower, clients can prioritize design and personalization in ways that weren’t always practical before.
Imagine a statement cocktail ring featuring an emerald-cut lab diamond framed by colored gemstones. Or a stackable ring set, each band showcasing different diamond shapes—pear, oval, cushion—crafted with precision and personal meaning. Even custom pendants and bracelets can now incorporate generous diamond accents, turning everyday jewelry into extraordinary conversation pieces.
We’ve also seen a rise in multi-diamond wedding bands, using lab diamonds to achieve a look that’s full, luxurious, and beautifully balanced. These styles—once reserved for only the most costoso of budgets—are now accessible to more clients, allowing them to express their love and personality in fuller, bolder ways.
And with our state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, every custom piece at Karlise is designed for an exact fit and finish—whether using lab-grown diamonds, mined diamonds, or a blend of both.
Choosing Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds: What You Need to Know
One of the most frequent questions we hear is, “Will a lab diamond last as long as a natural one?” The answer is a resounding yes.
Both types of diamonds are graded using the same 4Cs criteria—cut, color, clarity, and carat—and both are equally durable, rating a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Whether you’re selecting a delicate bezel-set necklace, a bold cathedral-style engagement ring, or a timeless tennis bracelet, you can trust that your diamond—lab or mined—will shine for decades to come.
Each diamond we offer is accompanied by a detailed certificate from a respected gemological lab, giving you clarity and confidence in your choice. And should you wish to upgrade, resize, or redesign your piece in the future, our full suite of services is available to support your jewelry journey at every step.
Personalized Guidance, From Our Family to Yours
Karlise Fine Jewelers was founded not just to sell jewelry—but to help clients feel confident, inspired, and informed in every decision they make. Our roots are deep in this community. After three decades working with Fremeau Jewelers, Michael Archambault opened Karlise in 2017, alongside his daughter Kara, in the very same Church Street location.
We’re proud to be family-owned—not just in name, but in how we treat every visitor who walks through our door.
Whether you’re new to diamonds or building your second or third custom piece, we take the time to explain your options, compare quality and style, and make sure your final choice is something you’ll treasure every time you wear it.
Because here at Karlise, jewelry isn’t just about adornment—it’s about meaning. And no matter how your diamond was formed, we’re here to make sure its future shines with you.
Visit Us in Downtown Burlington
Step into our showroom at 78 Church Street, right in the heart of Burlington, and explore a world where mined and lab-grown diamonds sit side by side—both ready to become something extraordinary. Let us help you dream up a custom piece, redesign a family treasure, or select the perfect ring that captures your love story.
Karlise Fine Jewelers
78 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 658-0333
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Final Thoughts: One World, Two Beautiful Paths
The introduction of lab-grown diamonds didn’t divide the jewelry world—it expanded it. It gave designers more room to innovate, and clients more freedom to personalize. Whether you choose a naturally formed diamond with billions of years behind it, or a lab-grown gem born of cutting-edge craftsmanship, the real beauty lies in what you create from it.
At Karlise, we’re here to celebrate that beauty—your beauty—with diamonds that reflect your values, your vision, and your future.
Let’s create something remarkable together.
