Engagement season is in full swing, but even if you're not shopping for a sparkler to put on your beloved's ring finger, you might be in the market for gorgeous diamond earrings, bracelets, or a necklace.

In either case, have you considered lab-created diamonds? Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, and look the same to the naked eye, even to a professional.

They're also the only way to know that your diamond jewelry is 100-percent ethically sourced and not contributing to the social and environmental destruction caused by the mining industry.

"The mining industry causes rapid deforestation, displaces communities (including Indigenous peoples), and harms biodiversity," says Clean Origin co-founder Alexander Weindling. "In 2021, mining companies used 126 gallons of water per carat mined."

Weindling, a third-generation diamond jeweler, started Clean Origin in 2017 with Ryan Bonifacino, combining more than 200 years of diamond expertise with modern, ethical practices. They exclusively sell 100-percent conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds and, when possible, recycled precious metals.

What started out as an online-only company now has showrooms in Houston, Dallas, and Columbus, Ohio, with locations opening soon in Chicago, Southern California, and Northern Virginia.

Customers can meet a qualified jewelry consultant and explore engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, tennis bracelets, and fashion jewelry.

They can also learn how lab-grown diamonds are created just like natural diamonds, using technology that mimics the heat and pressure created by the earth’s crust. These diamonds still have variations like mined diamonds — not all lab-grown diamonds are perfect — and are still measured with the 4 Cs:

• Cut: how the diamond refracts light. Note: This is different from shape, which refers to the diamond’s physical shape (such as oval, round, etc.).
• Color: the hue or tint of the diamond.
• Clarity: the measure of internal or external imperfections.
• Carat: the weight of the diamond.

All of Clean Origin's diamonds are independently certified to ensure they are of the highest quality.

Some other perks of shopping with Clean Origin include a generous 100-day return policy and free resizing for engagement rings, and all orders include complimentary expedited shipping to ensure your jewelry arrives swiftly and safely.

Clean Origin’s online ring builder helps you envision your or your partner’s dream engagement ring. If you’re just beginning the diamond buying process, schedule a free virtual appointment with one of their qualified jewelry consultants, who will talk you through the process and answer any questions you have about the selection.

And here's the kicker: lab-grown diamonds can be anywhere from 20-40 percent less expensive than mined stones, meaning you can get more wow factor for way less. What's not to love about that?

Photo courtesy of Clean Origin

To the naked eye, lab-grown diamonds look identical to mined diamonds.