No pressure, no diamonds. 💎

Kristy Cullinane (she/her), co-founder of Plum Diamonds, has been in the jewelry business for a while now, but her own engagement made her interested in more ethical and eco-friendly alternatives to mined stones. Her company was born because she knew her team “could provide superior lab-grown diamond jewelry, direct to conscientious couples.” What makes them extra special is  they design, craft, and service the jewelry themselves, so the level of quality and care is elite.

You’re prob thinking, “Wait, you can grow diamonds?” Don’t worry, we answer that and other FAQs below.

What is a lab grown diamond? How’s it different from a mined diamond?
Lab diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds except  they are made in a lab. It’s kind of like ice formed in a freezer vs. ice formed outside. The big differences between lab diamonds and mined diamonds are origin, environmental impact, and price.

Lots of people are worried their friends would be able to tell their ring has a lab-grown diamond. Is that a real concern?
There’s no way to tell the difference without very specialized equipment. Most of our clients are proud to choose lab-grown and would rather not wear mined diamonds for ethical and environmental reasons.

How are lab-grown diamonds more ethical?
Lab-grown diamonds bypass the dark side of diamond mining entirely. The diamond industry has been plagued for decades by human rights abuses, funding conflicts (even today, Russia is a huge exporter), monopolistic practices, and of course the obvious environmental degradation. Even when mines close, local communities are subject to terrible aftereffects such as mining waste accidents and polluted agriculture. Lab diamond production isn’t always perfect in that regard (although many labs are moving towards carbon neutrality or even positive impact), but it’s infinitely better than mining activities and aftermath.

You sell gorg engagement rings, but for women who want to buy diamonds for themselves, what do you suggest as an entry piece?
Everyone loves our diamond bands. And my other personal favorites are stud earrings (which will come to Plum Diamonds soon). I wear mine every day, even when I can’t wear my rings or am out running errands. I just feel a tiny bit better with some sparkle! Go for whatever size you feel best in. For most, it’s anywhere between 1-3 carats total, which is a big range! There’s a perfect carat weight for everyone.

How should you care for diamonds?
You should care for lab-grown diamonds just like you care for mined diamonds: clean them gently with warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush, and don’t wear them when working out or aggressively using your hands (ex: gardening). Have your diamond jewelry checked for loose prongs annually by a professional so they stay secure.