Couples Swap for a Bigger Lab Grown

(IDEX Online) - Couples are trading in the mined diamond from their engagement ring for a larger lab grown, says a CNN report.

They're taking advantage of lower prices to get a bigger sparkle for their buck, according to US jewelers.

"Just last week we had three or four couples who've been married for a few years come to us to upgrade the diamond on the engagement ring," said Joel Klein, CEO of New York-based Ritani, which allows customers to design custom jewelry online.

First-time couples are increasingly opting for lab growns and buyers who chose a mined gem for their first marriage are more likely to pick a lab grown the second time around.

Pic shows a Ritani diamond engagement ring