Frequently Asked Questions

Lab-grown diamonds offer an accessible, affordable, and truly ethical diamond option that is long overdue. Thanks to advancements in science, we are now able to grow real diamonds in a laboratory, and the benefits are limitless! The production process of lab-grown diamonds is socially responsible, greatly reduces the negative environmental impact of traditional diamond mining, and allows diamonds to be more affordable than ever before.

It’s important to note that lab-grown diamonds and earth mined diamonds have identical physical, chemical, and optical properties. They are both made of carbon and perform the same way under the same conditions. Lab-grown diamonds are cultivated through the same processes as earth mined diamonds, from the crystallization process to the faceting and polishing by skilled diamond cutters around the world.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has defined a diamond to include “those grown in a laboratory.” This recognition is significant, as it acknowledges that lab-grown diamonds are just as valuable and desirable as earth mined diamonds.

Natural diamond mining has a significant impact on the earth and its ecosystems. Here are a few ways in which diamond mining can be harmful to the environment:

1. Deforestation: Diamond mines require large areas of land to be cleared and prepared for mining. This results in the destruction of forests and other natural habitats, which leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of local ecosystems.
2. Soil and Water Contamination: Diamond mining involves the use of heavy machinery and chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury, which contaminates the soil and water in the surrounding areas. This harms plants, animals, and people who live in or near the affected areas.
3. Carbon Emissions: Diamond mining and transportation produces significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. This is because mining equipment, chemicals and transportation vehicles require energy to operate, which is often generated from fossil fuels.
4. Ecological Imbalance: Diamond mining disrupts local ecosystems and creates an ecological imbalance. This is because mining activities can displace wildlife, destroy plant habitats, and disrupt natural waterways and drainage patterns.

Natural diamond mining has significant and lasting negative impacts on the environment.

While the diamond industry has “tried” to make efforts to minimize these impacts, it’s important to consider the environmental cost of diamond mining when making a decision. Choosing a lab-grown diamond is a more eco-friendly choice, as it doesn’t require mining or the use of heavy machinery, chemicals, and has a lower carbon footprint.

At Gaia, we understand that not everyone wears an even size, and many people wear quarter sizes like 6.75. To ensure that we get the sizing right the first time and avoid the need for resizing, we recommend having your finger professionally sized at a local fine jewelry company prior to ordering. Remember the wider the ring the snugger it will fit.

In most cases, you will want the ring to fit snugly enough that it takes some effort to pull it over your knuckle and off your finger. If you can easily slide the ring on and off in one motion, it typically means that the size needs to be adjusted. Keep in mind that fingers can swell in the heat and shrink in the cold. Therefore, we recommend choosing a ring size that fits comfortably year-round, as it may not always fit perfectly. We suggest making this decision on a day when your fingers feel their most “normal.”

To keep your ring looking its best, we recommend that you handle it thoughtfully. Although all fine jewelry is made with malleable precious metals, it is not indestructible. Therefore, we suggest that you avoid exposing your jewelry to harsh chemicals, lotions, hairsprays, and detergents whenever possible. It is also best to remove your ring before exercising, lifting weights, sleeping, swimming, or showering. If you cannot avoid exposing your ring to harsh chemicals or participating in these activities while wearing it, we recommend that you clean it afterward to keep it looking its best.

The fastest and most convenient way to clean your fine jewelry is to use a cleaner designed for jewelry, such as our eco-friendly and non-toxic Gaia Diamonds Cleaner available on our website.

Alternatively, you can use a gentle household solution such as Palmolive or Dawn diluted in a glass of warm water. Soak your ring for 10 minutes and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove lotion, hairspray, hand soap, and other debris from behind and on top of the stones. Rinse the ring and let it dry.
Using a microfiber lens cloth can help remove fingerprints from the top of your gemstones. To prevent wear and tear, we recommend that you make your jewelry the last thing you put on in the morning and the first thing you take off at night.

NEVER USE TOOTHPASTE