All that and then some I was raised with the understanding that buying a significant other a piece of jewelry was the ultimate sign of affection. My mother cherished her jewelry, because in my eyes they reflected the beauty my father saw in her. Being a young professional in Manhattan, it is a very competitive professional and social environment and people often have very strong opinions about everything from women’s rights to the cross streets you live on. When I was looking for the right piece of jewelry as a gift for my girlfriend’s (very special) birthday, I immediately considered brands like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, etc. When a friend recommended to me a company called the Carat Lab, I was hesitant at first because this friend explained the stones on their pieces were lab grown. I immediately considered what my mother would think, what my girlfriend would think, and how would I be seen by our friends and family as the buyer/giver of this gift. With that said, let me try and shorten this up - I quickly came to the conclusion that the Carat Lab’s pieces are (in my opinion) of a quality of famed Jewelers along 5th Avenue. More so the price cannot be beat, and the customer service was impeccable! Long story short my girlfriend, a picky one, loved the gift and we spent a large portion of her birthday (after admiring the piece) discussing the Carat Lab and our new interest in the company. We are now both huge advocates and want nothing more than to see others enjoy the gorgeous pieces they sell. My consensus would be – take a hard look and DO it. Sincerely – the best BF of the year 😉