Brilliant Earth Lab Diamonds Review 2026

I have spent more than 25 years in the diamond business, and I have watched Brilliant Earth grow into one of the biggest names in lab grown diamonds. So in this review I will tell you what you actually get when you buy one. No fluff. Just what I would tell a friend across the table.

Bottom line: Brilliant Earth is one of my top recommendations for lab grown diamonds. You get a huge selection across every shape and size, high-resolution video of the exact stone you are buying, independent grading on every loose diamond, and strong policies that protect you after the sale. You can buy a loose stone, drop it into an engagement ring setting, or buy finished diamond jewelry. That range is hard to beat.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

• Are Brilliant Earth Lab Grown Diamonds Worth It?
• Selection and Availability
• Lab Grown Diamond Quality: Cut, Brilliance, and Proportions
• Carbon Capture and Renewable Energy Lab Grown Diamonds
• How Much Do Brilliant Earth Lab Grown Diamonds Cost?
• Brilliant Earth’s Online Diamond Search Tools
• Diamond Grading and Certification
• Three Ways to Buy: Loose, In a Ring, or as Jewelry
• In-Person and Virtual Guidance
• Customer Service, Warranty, and Care
• The Lifetime Diamond Upgrade Program
• Bottom Line
• FAQ

Are Brilliant Earth Lab Grown Diamonds Worth It?

Yes. In my experience, Brilliant Earth is one of the strongest places to buy a lab grown diamond right now. Here is the short version of why.

Brilliant Earth carries one of the largest selections of lab grown diamonds I have seen, in every popular shape and a wide range of carat weights. Every loose lab grown diamond comes with an independent grading report from a lab like IGI or GIA, and you can see each stone up close with high-resolution 360-degree video before you buy. Brilliant Earth then backs the sale with free shipping both ways, free 30-day returns, free resizing for the first year, and a free lifetime warranty.

That mix of selection, proof, and protection earns Brilliant Earth a spot near the top of my list. Let me walk through each part.

Selection and Availability

This is where Brilliant Earth really stands out. The selection is deep.

Brilliant Earth carries lab grown diamonds in all major shapes: round, oval, emerald, cushion, elongated cushion, pear, radiant, princess, marquise, asscher, and more. So no matter what shape your partner wants, it is there.

The carat range is just as wide. When I checked the Brilliant Earth lab grown diamonds inventory, stones started as small as about a quarter carat and ran all the way past 5 carats. If you want something bigger or a specific look, Brilliant Earth also offers custom cut lab grown diamonds.

And if you want something unique, Brilliant Earth also carries colored lab grown diamonds in blue, pink, yellow, green, red, orange, and brown, plus their own Pacific Green and Malibu Blue colors that match California’s coastal water. Those are fun options if you want a stone nobody else will have.

The takeaway is simple. Most people can find the exact stone they want here without settling.

Lab Grown Diamond Quality: Cut, Brilliance, and Proportions

Carat weight gets all the attention, but cut is what makes a diamond sparkle. A great cut sends light back at your eye. A poor cut lets light leak out the bottom and the stone looks dull, even if the specs look good on paper.

Brilliant Earth grades cut on the same scale used for natural diamonds. When I looked through the lab grown inventory, most stones were graded Ideal or Super Ideal. Super Ideal is the top tier. These are cut to tight proportions so they throw back the most light. Brilliant Earth even flags its best cuts, so you are not left guessing.

You can also filter for Hearts and Arrows diamonds. These are round stones cut with such precision that they show a pattern of eight hearts and eight arrows when viewed under a special scope. It is a sign of very careful cutting.

Here is my advice. Do not chase a huge carat weight with a weak cut. A well-cut 1.5 carat lab grown diamond will look brighter and more alive than a poorly cut 2 carat stone. Brilliant Earth makes cut easy to sort for, which helps you avoid that mistake. If you want to go deeper, their diamond cut guide explains it well.

Carbon Capture and Renewable Energy Lab Grown Diamonds

This is an area where Brilliant Earth does something most stores do not. If you care about how your diamond is made, pay attention here.

Carbon Capture Lab Grown Diamonds

Brilliant Earth offers Carbon Capture lab grown diamonds. These are grown using carbon that is pulled from the air before it can be released into the atmosphere. Brilliant Earth calls it the world’s largest collection of planet-first lab diamonds.

What does that mean for you? It means the carbon in your diamond came from the air instead of adding more to it. If sustainability is part of why you chose lab grown in the first place, this takes that idea a step further.

100% Renewable Energy Lab Grown Diamonds

Brilliant Earth also offers 100% Renewable Energy lab grown diamonds. These stones are grown, cut, and polished using renewable wind and solar power. Growing a diamond can take a lot of energy, so where that power comes from matters. Brilliant Earth was also one of the first to offer independently Sustainably Rated lab grown diamonds that are certified carbon neutral. That is proof, not just a claim.

How Much Do Brilliant Earth Lab Grown Diamonds Cost?

Let me give you real ranges. I pulled these straight from the Brilliant Earth lab grown inventory while writing this review. Prices move as stock changes, so treat these as a guide, not a promise.

Small loose lab grown diamonds around a third of a carat start near $150. These are especially great for Brilliant Earth’s design your own stud earrings or necklace process. A 1 carat round lab grown diamond often starts around $500. A 1.5 carat round can start near $800. Two carat stones commonly start from about $900, and 3 carat stones can start from around $1,700 or more. The rarest stones, like a 3 carat Flawless diamond, can run well over $10,000.

Why the big spread? A few things drive the price:

1. Carat weight. Bigger stones cost more, and the jump gets steeper as size goes up.
2. Cut. A Super Ideal cut costs more than a lower cut grade, and it is worth it for the extra sparkle.
3. Color. A colorless D stone costs more than a near-colorless G, even though both can look white in a setting.
4. Clarity. Flawless and Internally Flawless stones sit at the top of the price range. Eye-clean stones a step or two down cost less and still look clean.
5. Shape. Round diamonds usually cost more per carat than shapes like oval, emerald, or pear.

One thing I like about Brilliant Earth is the everyday pricing. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no fake “sales” that make you wonder if a deal is real or just a marked-up price brought back down. That kind of clear, steady pricing makes it a lot easier to compare stones and trust what you are getting.

My tip: pick the two things that matter most to you, often carat and cut, and be a little flexible on color and clarity. A G color, VS clarity, Super Ideal cut stone gives you a bright, clean look for a lot less than a D Flawless, and Brilliant Earth has plenty of stones in that smart middle.

Brilliant Earth’s Online Diamond Search Tools

Buying a diamond online only works if you can really see what you are buying. Brilliant Earth gets this right.

Every loose lab grown diamond has a high-resolution 360-degree video. You can zoom in and spin the exact stone before you commit. You are not looking at a stock photo. You are looking at the diamond that will show up at your door.

The search filters are strong. You can sort by shape, carat, price, cut, color, clarity, length-to-width ratio, fluorescence, polish, symmetry, table percent, depth percent, and more. You can even filter by which grading lab reviewed the stone. If you know what you want, you can zero in fast.

Not sure where to start? Brilliant Earth has quick presets like Most Sparkle, Best Balance, and Top Quality that point you toward good stones without needing to know every term. There is also a compare feature that lets you line up your favorites side by side. And if you are on a deadline, a Quick Ship filter shows what arrives soonest.

Each stone also lists its full specs and a link to its certificate. So you can check the grading yourself. That is the kind of openness I want to see.

Diamond Grading and Certification

This one is simple but important. Never buy a loose diamond without an independent grading report. It is your proof of quality.

Brilliant Earth independently certifies all of its loose diamonds through respected labs. For lab grown diamonds, most reports come from IGI or GIA, and some come from GCAL or HRD. These labs grade the stone on cut, color, clarity, and carat, and they confirm it is genuine.

Why does this matter? Because the seller is not grading their own stone and telling you it is great. An outside lab did the grading, that report travels with your diamond, and you can pull it up before you buy. It also helps later if you ever want the stone appraised or insured.

Three Ways to Buy: Loose, In a Ring, or as Jewelry

Brilliant Earth gives you three clear paths, and this flexibility is one of my favorite things about them.

1. Buy a loose lab grown diamond. If you want just the stone, you can buy it on its own. This is common for people who plan to set it later or work with a local jeweler.
2. Add it to an engagement ring. Brilliant Earth lets you start with a lab grown diamond and pair it with any setting you like. Or you can pick a setting first and drop a stone in. You can also shop finished lab grown diamond engagement rings that are ready to ship.
3. Buy finished diamond jewelry. If you want earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet, Brilliant Earth offers lab grown diamond jewelry across a range of styles and budgets.

Most stores make you pick one lane. Brilliant Earth lets you shop the way that fits you.

In-Person and Virtual Guidance

Buying a diamond is a big deal. It helps to talk to a person. Brilliant Earth gives you a few ways to do that.

Brilliant Earth has more than 40 stores across the country, including a flagship in Beverly Hills. You can book an appointment and work one on one with a jewelry specialist. You can see stones in person, try on settings, and ask questions face to face. The visits are low pressure, which I appreciate.

If there is no store near you, Brilliant Earth offers virtual appointments that give you the same one-on-one help over video. Their specialists are also available 24/7 by phone, chat, and email. So if a question hits you at midnight, someone can help.

This mix of online tools and real human help is what makes buying online feel about as safe as buying in person.

Customer Service, Warranty, and Care

A diamond is a long-term thing. What happens after the sale matters just as much as the stone itself. Here is where Brilliant Earth backs up the purchase.

• Free shipping both ways. You do not pay to get it, and you do not pay to send it back.
• Free 30-day returns and exchanges. If it is not right, you have a month to return it. You can read the full 30-day return policy on their site.
• Free resizing for one year. If the ring does not fit, Brilliant Earth will resize it at no cost during the first year.
• Free lifetime warranty. Brilliant Earth stands behind its work with a free lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects for as long as you own the jewelry.
• Flexible payment options. Brilliant Earth offers financing through Affirm and layaway, with rates as low as 0% APR for those who qualify.

That is a strong safety net. It tells me Brilliant Earth expects you to be happy long after the box is opened.

The Lifetime Diamond Upgrade Program

This one deserves its own section because a lot of people miss it.

Brilliant Earth offers a Lifetime Diamond Upgrade. When you are ready for a bigger or nicer diamond down the road, Brilliant Earth gives you full credit for your original diamond toward the new one.

Why is that useful? Say you buy a 1 carat lab grown diamond now because that is what fits today. In a few years, for an anniversary, you want to go bigger. This program lets you put the full value of your first stone toward the upgrade. You are not starting from zero. Not every store offers this, so it is worth knowing about before you buy.

Bottom Line

After looking at the full picture, Brilliant Earth is one of my top recommendations for lab grown diamonds, and it is easy to see why.

You get one of the largest lab grown diamond selections around, in every shape and a wide range of sizes and quality grades. Every loose stone comes with an independent grading report and a high-resolution 360-degree video, so you know exactly what you are buying. The pricing is clear and steady, with no fake sales. And the after-sale care, free shipping both ways, free 30-day returns, free first-year resizing, a free lifetime warranty, and a lifetime diamond upgrade, protects you for the long haul.

Add in the Carbon Capture and Renewable Energy options, the 40+ stores, and the 24/7 support, and you have a store that covers the whole experience from search to setting to service. If you are shopping for a lab grown diamond, Brilliant Earth has earned a spot at the top of your list.

FAQ

Are Brilliant Earth lab grown diamonds genuine diamonds?

Yes. Brilliant Earth lab grown diamonds are genuine diamonds. They have the same carbon makeup, the same hardness, and the same sparkle as natural diamonds. The only difference is that they are grown in a lab instead of formed in the ground.

Are Brilliant Earth lab grown diamonds certified?

Yes. Brilliant Earth independently certifies all of its loose diamonds. Most lab grown diamonds come with a report from IGI or GIA, and some are graded by GCAL or HRD. You can view the certificate for each stone before you buy.

Can I see the actual diamond before I buy it?

Yes. Brilliant Earth shows a high-resolution 360-degree video for each loose lab grown diamond. You can zoom in and spin the exact stone you are considering. You are not looking at a stock image.

Can I put a lab grown diamond into an engagement ring at Brilliant Earth?

Yes. Brilliant Earth lets you start with a lab grown diamond and pair it with any setting, or pick a setting first and add a stone. You can also buy finished lab grown diamond engagement rings that are ready to ship.

What shapes and sizes do Brilliant Earth lab grown diamonds come in?

Brilliant Earth carries lab grown diamonds in all the main shapes, including round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear, radiant, princess, marquise, asscher, and heart. Sizes run from about a quarter carat to more than 5 carats, with custom cut options for larger or special stones.

Does Brilliant Earth offer eco-friendly lab grown diamonds?

Yes. Brilliant Earth offers Carbon Capture lab grown diamonds, which are grown from carbon pulled from the air, and 100% Renewable Energy lab grown diamonds, which are grown, cut, and polished with wind and solar power. It also offers Sustainably Rated stones that are certified carbon neutral.

What happens if my lab grown diamond ring does not fit?

Brilliant Earth offers free resizing for the first year. If the ring still is not right, you have 30 days to return or exchange it, with free shipping both ways.

About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.