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The Selection Process
With years of expertise and access to the industry's most exclusive sources, Lauren B reviews hundreds of loose diamonds to select only those that meet strict quality criteria. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are available as center stone options. For clients seeking lab-grown diamonds graded to the most exacting standards, VeraLume™ offers advanced evaluation that extends beyond the 4Cs, ensuring unmatched transparency.
A Personal Touch
Unlike platforms that list stones that have not been inspected, every loose stone in our inventory has been carefully examined by our experts and is priced transparently. Once you identify a diamond of interest, it can be purchased directly or placed on temporary hold. From there, a Lauren B consultant provides personalized guidance throughout your design journey.
Schedule an Appointment
Connect in-store or online with a consultant to review diamond options and choose confidently.
Diamond Certification
Every natural diamond is accompanied by a GIA grading report - the most stringent and respected certification in the world. While these reports provide a trusted benchmark, a diamond's true beauty is best appreciated through expert review and visual inspection.
Select lab-grown diamonds are also offered through VeraLume™, with both a GIA lab-grown report and VeraLume™'s proprietary advanced grading report. This dual reporting evaluates Visual Performance, Color Tone, and Growth Lines-details rarely disclosed in standard grading.
Shop Loose Natural Diamonds
Shop Loose Lab-Grown Diamonds
Select lab-grown diamonds are also offered through VeraLume™, with both a GIA lab-grown report and VeraLume™'s proprietary advanced grading report. This dual reporting evaluates Visual Performance, Color Tone, and Growth Lines-details rarely disclosed in standard grading.
Diamond Grading - Our
Standards vs. IGI
Our Grading: Strict & Consistent
For natural diamonds, GIA is recognized worldwide for precision and consistency. A GIA report offers the most trusted assessment of the 4Cs. By contrast, IGI is often seen as more lenient, which can create discrepancies. For example, an "E" graded by IGI might be a "G" by GIA - a visible difference that impacts both beauty and value.
For select lab-grown diamonds, VeraLume™ provides transparency beyond both GIA and IGI's standards by combining GIA grading with its own advanced assessment, offering one of the most comprehensive evaluations available. Discover the differences between our grading and IGI's "soft grading".
Discover grading differences
For select lab-grown diamonds, VeraLume™ provides transparency beyond both GIA and IGI's standards by combining GIA grading with its own advanced assessment, offering one of the most comprehensive evaluations available. Discover the differences between our grading and IGI's "soft grading".
Diamond FAQs
Learn more about the diamond selection process at Lauren B
What is the process for selecting a diamond at Lauren B?
If you are browsing our loose diamond inventory online, you have two options: you may place your desired stone on a three-day exclusive hold with a 10% deposit or you can add your diamond to your cart and check out. Either way, a design consultant will reach out to you to go over next steps, whether that be shipping the loose stone to you or adding it to a custom ring!
Are Lauren B diamonds conflict-free?
All of our diamonds are conflict free, based upon our personal knowledge and the information provided to us by our suppliers who follow the Kimberley Process. We will always strive to uphold the legitimacy of the diamond trade and disclose the source of all our gemstones.
What makes GIA grading important for diamonds at Lauren B?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the most prestigious and established grading institution, known for its stringent standards and widely recognized certificates. Beyond grading, GIA is a leading educational institution, investing in gemological research and training gemologists worldwide, which further enhances its credibility. At Lauren B, all our natural loose diamonds come with GIA certification, and some lab-grown diamonds also include GIA reports. By working with GIA-certified diamonds, we ensure our clients receive the highest standard of quality and transparency.
Can I reserve a diamond I see online?
If you have found a diamond that you wish to move forward with or would like to see further, you can place it on a three day exclusive hold. If you choose to reserve one of our loose diamonds, you must put down a deposit of at least 10%.
A Lauren B design consultant will contact you regarding next steps (i.e. adding this diamond to a custom ring design or purchasing the stone by itself).
How does Lauren B's diamond selection maximize brilliance and value?
Our diamond inventory is specially curated by trained gemologists who sort through hundreds of diamonds every day. Each diamond in our inventory is cut to maximize surface area while preserving brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Can I see a comparison of different diamond options at Lauren B?
Of course! Whether in-person in our showroom or through a virtual appointment, your design consultant will happily compare different diamond shapes, ratios, etc. during your one-on-one scheduled time. You can also visit our virtual diamond inventory any time and compare up to four different loose stones at a time via video.
What educational resources does Lauren B provide about diamonds?
Lauren B is unique in our commitment to educate our clients and the general public on diamond knowledge. You can visit our YouTube library to watch curated playlists about different diamond topics or visit our blog to read even more!
Can customers request a virtual consultation for diamond selection at Lauren B?
Absolutely! We know that not everyone is able to make it to our Manhattan showroom so we offer virtual one-on-one appointments with one of our talented design consultants. During your appointment, you can look through and compare several diamonds from our exclusive inventory.
Are there options for upgrading diamonds at Lauren B in the future?
All certified natural diamond center stones bought from Lauren B are eligible for up to a 100% credit towards a new diamond, provided the new diamond is at least double in value after a minimum of three years following the original purchase. You can read more about our Upgrade Policy and what qualifies here
What customer support is available for questions about diamond selection?
If you have any questions, you can contact your design consultant directly. If you have not been connected with a design consultant, you can send your inquiries to info@laurenb.com and a design consultant will reach out within 24-48 hours.
How does VeraLume™ fit into Lauren B's diamond selection process?
In addition to our own careful evaluation, certain lab-grown diamonds feature VeraLume™ grading, which provides added detail on qualities like Color Tone, Growth Lines, and Visual Performance. This gives you even more information to compare when choosing your center stone.
Will I see VeraLume™ grading on every diamond I review?
VeraLume™ grading is applied only to select lab-grown diamonds that meet strict standards. During your appointment, our team will indicate which stones include this enhanced grading.
How does VeraLume™ help me make a decision?
VeraLume™ adds another layer of transparency to the 4Cs, helping highlight differences between stones that may appear similar on paper. It can make it easier to feel confident that you're selecting the right diamond for your ring.