This is one of the most common questions I see here.
| Option | Typical Cost |
| Lab created | $100 |
| Natural stone | 5-10x more |
| Plated alternative | $20-$50 but will tarnish |
If you are on the fence, go with the middle option. The plated stuff looks fine for a month then turns skin green. The natural stone is beautiful but the markup is brutal.
I will give you the straight answer.
| Option | Typical Cost |
| Lab created | $5,000 |
| Natural stone | 5-10x more |
| Plated alternative | $20-$50 but will tarnish |
If you are on the fence, go with the middle option. The plated stuff looks fine for a month then turns skin green. The natural stone is beautiful but the markup is brutal.
Good thinking asking this before buying.
The sparkle is actually more brilliant than a diamond in my opinion, especially under indoor lighting. Up close, nobody has ever guessed it was not a natural stone.
I paid $800 including the setting. A comparable natural diamond would have been at least five times that. The price difference is the main reason most people go this route.
It is still going strong after two years. I clean it once a month with warm soapy water and a soft brush. No scratches, no cloudiness.
Based on my experience: My jeweler recommended Pandora. I asked my jeweler the same thing. He said it is safe for daily wear as long as you avoid harsh chemicals.
Not worth the risk in my experience. Spend a little more and buy from a real store.