Synthetic diamonds are grown in a laboratory and have essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds formed millions of years ago. In the last 30 years, gem quality synthetic diamonds have been grown in Japan, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Synthetic diamonds are generally produced using either High Pressure/High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

Purchasing a diamond is a big step and finding the right one can be pretty intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be. Before you make your purchase of a lifetime, make sure to ask the following 5 questions to your jeweler.

When your guy gets down on one knee and pops the question, you know what you want to see inside that little box. But does he? When it comes to engagement rings, even the most well-intentioned soon-to-be fiancé can use a little help. That’s where you come in—read on for 5 easy tips to getting the diamond you’ve always dreamed of.

Getting ready to pop the big question is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and exciting times of your life. At the same time, things can get pretty hectic as you consider everything that goes into such an important purchase. With some preparation beforehand, shopping for that one-of-a-kind ring will become a breeze.