LAB GROWN SOLAR DIAMOND RINGS
The Trefoil
lab-grown solar Diamond
the Solitaire
lab-grown solar Diamond
the Trilogy
lab-grown solar Diamond
the Mayfair
lab-grown solar Diamond
bespoke colours
lab-grown solar Diamonds
What are solar Diamonds?
Diamonds have been coveted throughout history for their strength and beauty. The Ancient Greeks would wear Diamonds in battle with the belief that the Diamonds would make them unconquerable. Their symbol of invincibility derives from how strong the stone is, as it is the hardest naturally occurring material and rates as a 10 on the mohs scale of hardness. We believe in only the best, for you and for the next generation, so while most of the world's lab-grown diamonds are grown using fossil fuels, our Solar Diamonds are created by renewable solar energy. Chemically identical to mined diamonds, we are slowly creating the next generation of eco-friendly diamonds.
Same sparkle, different sources
We pride ourselves on providing you with the gold standard of responsibility and quality within the jewellery industry.
Solar Diamonds®
Lab-grown with renewable energy, our Solar Diamonds are both chemically and physically identical to naturally mined diamonds as well as being eco-friendly. They share the same chemical identity, brilliance and hardness (10 Mohs) as naturally mined diamonds, but can undercut them in price by up to 4x. 1ct starts from £2,500
Naturally Mined Diamonds
Naturally mined diamonds are those formed in the ground. It is this process that is recreated to form Solar Diamonds. We have been working hard to find only the best suppliers for you, to ensure your naturally mined diamonds are conflict-free and always compliant with the Kimberley Process. 1ct starts from £4,965
Crafted for life
We are always committed to finding ways to offer exceptional value without compromising on provenance or quality. Apart from their provenance, Solar Diamonds are identical to natural Diamonds to the naked eye. We have always used E/F colour and VS clarity Diamonds in line with other luxury jewellery houses as it's the best combination of C's to have a beautiful colourless Diamond with no visible inclusions.
Responsibly Grown
Certified B‑Corp
Highest Quality
The Four C's
Cut
Cut
The cut refers to how a diamond has been shaped and faceted, which directly impacts its sparkle, brilliance, and overall beauty. A well-cut diamond allows light to enter, reflect off its facets, and exit through the crown, creating the captivating play of light and sparkle that diamonds are known for.
When talking about cut, we typically think of shape (such as round, oval, emerald, princess, pear and cushion) but the cut of a diamond actually refers to its facets. It’s how the light interacts with these facets that distinguishes a higher-quality of diamond. Skilled workmanship and laser cutting along with symmetry and polish, delivers the maximum return of light, completely unique to diamonds.
Some terms you may come across when referencing the cut of a diamond are:
Brightness: The internal and external white light that reflects from a diamond
Fire: The scattering of white light to produce a rainbow of colours
Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond has, and the combination of light and dark areas caused by reflections within the stone.
When talking about cut, we typically think of shape (such as round, oval, emerald, princess, pear and cushion) but the cut of a diamond actually refers to its facets. It’s how the light interacts with these facets that distinguishes a higher-quality of diamond. Skilled workmanship and laser cutting along with symmetry and polish, delivers the maximum return of light, completely unique to diamonds.
Some terms you may come across when referencing the cut of a diamond are:
Brightness: The internal and external white light that reflects from a diamond
Fire: The scattering of white light to produce a rainbow of colours
Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond has, and the combination of light and dark areas caused by reflections within the stone.
Colour
Colour
Interestingly, in terms of the 4Cs relating to a white diamond, colour actually refers to the lack of colour. Diamond colour is evaluated based on how colourless or how much colour is present within the stone. The GIA grades colour on a scale from D to Z to distinguish quality. D is the highest grade and represents a completely colourless diamond and Z indicates a noticeable tinge of light yellow to brown shades. Special lighting specific to diamonds helps professionals view the colour of diamonds accurately.
While the diamond colour scale provides an example of how each grade appears, factors including cut, carat weight and shape, may impact how colour appears differently among different diamonds.
It is also worth noting that typically, the naked eye cannot tell the difference between two adjacent colour-graded diamonds, though this may be significantly reflected in the price between the two stones. It is worth checking the opinion of the gemologist in your appointment to ensure that you get the best-suited diamond for you.
While the diamond colour scale provides an example of how each grade appears, factors including cut, carat weight and shape, may impact how colour appears differently among different diamonds.
It is also worth noting that typically, the naked eye cannot tell the difference between two adjacent colour-graded diamonds, though this may be significantly reflected in the price between the two stones. It is worth checking the opinion of the gemologist in your appointment to ensure that you get the best-suited diamond for you.
Clarity
Clarity
A diamond's clarity refers to how ‘clean’ a diamond is. Formed from carbon through intense heat and pressure, it is natural for diamonds to include internal blemishes and inclusions, as this is part of their makeup. However included diamonds tend not to be as sought after due to their sometimes visible imperfections. The GIA’s clarity scale helps determine the value and quality of a diamond through its level of inclusions and blemishes.
The term “eye-clean” is often used when discussing diamond clarity. This refers to inclusions or internal blemishes that may be visible only under magnification, and not to the unaided eye. It can occur that two diamonds of the same clarity grade may appear slightly different as one may be eye clean and the other not, depending on where the inclusions are placed inside the stone.
The scale of clarity is categorised by:
Flawless (FL): no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF): no inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): inclusions so slight they are difficult for a professional to see under 10x magnification.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but are minor.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.
Included (I1, I2, and I3): inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which can affect the transparency and brilliance of the diamond.
The term “eye-clean” is often used when discussing diamond clarity. This refers to inclusions or internal blemishes that may be visible only under magnification, and not to the unaided eye. It can occur that two diamonds of the same clarity grade may appear slightly different as one may be eye clean and the other not, depending on where the inclusions are placed inside the stone.
The scale of clarity is categorised by:
Flawless (FL): no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF): no inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): inclusions so slight they are difficult for a professional to see under 10x magnification.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but are minor.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.
Included (I1, I2, and I3): inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which can affect the transparency and brilliance of the diamond.
Carat
Carat
The final of the 4Cs; carat weight is what most people associate with when referencing diamonds. The carat weight measures how much a diamond weighs. This is the most accurate gauge for measuring diamonds as two one-carat diamonds may differ in size depending on the shape of the diamonds and how they are cut.
One carat is defined as 200 milligrams, with each carat divided into 100 points, allowing for precise measurements to a hundredth decimal place, so one-carat measures 0.2 grams. The term carat is derived from the carob seed, which measures the same 200 milligrams, this seed was used as it was seen as a reliably consistent weight. Using carats as a measuring tool was standardised in 1907, creating a universal system to prevent any varying carat weights.
One carat is defined as 200 milligrams, with each carat divided into 100 points, allowing for precise measurements to a hundredth decimal place, so one-carat measures 0.2 grams. The term carat is derived from the carob seed, which measures the same 200 milligrams, this seed was used as it was seen as a reliably consistent weight. Using carats as a measuring tool was standardised in 1907, creating a universal system to prevent any varying carat weights.
FAQs
What are the environmental impacts of Solar Diamonds vs naturally mined diamonds?
What are the environmental impacts of Solar Diamonds vs naturally mined diamonds?
They each impact the environment in different ways.
Naturally mined diamonds are a natural resource and therefore found in diamond mines or alluvial deposits (e.g. riverbeds). If mined responsibly, the impact to the surrounding environment is controlled and many communities will nurture the local environment, for example by re-planting trees. Furthermore, diamond mines can create local beneficiation.
Solar Diamonds are lab-grown and therefore require energy for production. At Fenton, we do this using renewable solar power so as to limit the environmental impact as much as possible and reduce the reliance on natural diamonds where possible.
Other types of lab grown diamonds are created without the use of renewable energy (e.g. fossil fuels) and can therefore be detrimental to the environment.
At Fenton, we are always trying to ensure we make the right decisions for the betterment of the industry and its people, the environment, and for our customer.
Why are naturally mined diamonds more expensive than Solar Diamonds?
Why are naturally mined diamonds more expensive than Solar Diamonds?
Solar Diamonds are created in a lab using solar power, and are therefore not reliant on the geology of naturally mined diamonds, nor the immense expense of natural mining, cutting and import / export. These factors all contribute to the price difference between the two gemstones.
The price difference is not to do with the quality or stability of the two types of diamond, which are both chemically identical.
How are Solar Diamonds different to lab-grown?
How are Solar Diamonds different to lab-grown?
xSolar Diamonds and lab-grown Diamonds are both created in a laboratory setting using either intense pressure or intense heat to create a Diamond in a matter of days and months rather than over many years. The key difference is that most lab-grown diamonds do not necessarily disclose the source of energy they use, with over half the world's supply grown by fossil fuels. Our Solar Diamonds are grown using only fully sustainable and renewable energy sources. We believe that Diamonds from a preferred provenance and limited supply such as Solar Diamonds will prove a better source of retained value than the majority of lab grown diamonds in years to come.
Are solar diamonds rare?
Are solar diamonds rare?
According to our research, Solar Diamonds and other lab-grown diamonds that are grown using fully renewable natural sources of energy including wind and hydro power make up less than 5% of the total offering on the market currently. We are proud to be at the forefront of sharing the true green potential of this scientific advancement with our customers.
How do their prices and value compare to mined diamonds?
How do their prices and value compare to mined diamonds?
We recognise that the pressure and expectation around engagement rings can tarnish what should be a period of pure joy for a happy couple. Therefore we are committed to always finding ways to offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. Due to their lab-grown production and our direct-to-consumer supply chain we are thrilled to be able to offer Solar Diamonds at between half and a quarter of the price of the same carat and quality mined diamond. By sourcing a responsible alternative we are able to undercut the mined diamond industry by as much as 4x, whilst providing you with the same level of luxury fine jewellery.