Author: Brittanie Pyper

By now many Americans have received their $1,400 stimulus checks. Most received by direct deposit.

While some are still waiting on the 3rd wave which includes checks and debit cards via mail, there is another issue at hand.

Many people are reporting only to have received half of their stimulus check they were expecting.

Meaning, only received $700 instead of $1,400 even when they qualify.

In fact, it has been such a problem, that people have even started a Facebook group called “Half Stimulus Missing/Received Status.”

“It was a pretty big shock when we thought we were going to receive $4,200 and only got $2,100,” Joshua Bair of Kentucky told King5.

So, what is happening?

Well, that is the problem, nobody knows.

For whatever reason, the IRS believes they are sending the full amounts to people but the people are not receiving the full amounts.

While many have reached out to the IRS about this issue, there hasn’t been a solution just yet.

My guess would be, people will be able to claim the missing funds on their 2021 taxes but as of right now, we just don’t know.

As soon as we know more, I will update you all.

For now, you can track your stimulus payment and the method it was sent, on the IRS website.

You know what they say… Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and who am I to argue?

It’s no secret that diamonds are expensive which is why I only own two pieces of real jewelry with actual diamonds!

Well, I may just be adding to my collection of diamonds real soon because I found a way you can save on diamonds!

Are you ready for this my diamond loving friends?

The trick is buying lab grown diamonds. No, I am not kidding and hear me out…

What are lab grown diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are also known as man-made diamonds so if you ever hear either of those terms, they mean the same thing.

Now you might be wondering, and yes, lab grown diamonds are actual diamonds. So, don’t worry that you’d be getting a fake diamond or cubic zirconia. You may hear someone reference lab created diamonds as mined ‘diamond alternatives’ but this is simply because of how they’re made.

The difference between a lab-created diamond and a natural diamond is its origin. 

As you might guess, a lab-created diamond is “grown” inside a lab that replicates the natural diamond growing process. 

The result is a man-made diamond that is the same as those grown beneath the Earth’s surface.

What are the benefits of lab grown diamonds?

Probably the biggest benefit about lab grown diamonds is that they are less expensive. In fact, they are up to 40% less than mined diamonds.

Remember how I said I knew of a way to get diamonds for less? Well, this is it!

You get all the beauty, look, and feel of a diamond but it will cost you less.

Aside from cost, lab grown diamonds are ethical and more eco-friendly than mined. 

Are Lab Grown Diamonds Less Expensive?

Yes! As I mentioned before, lab-created diamonds are up to 40% less expensive (typically 20-40% less expensive than mined diamonds).

So, why exactly are they less expensive? Well, while the outcome of the diamond is the same, the way they are made is not. 

As you can probably guess, the amount of work and equipment to mine diamonds can get expensive. It requires multiple people and tools to do it.

With lab-created diamonds, you have less of a supply chain and it takes less time to create the actual diamond and that time and money saved, it basically passed on to you.

Further, some companies, such as Clean Origin, are direct to consumer, meaning there are no middlemen between their products and their customers, allowing them to offer such competitive pricing on all of their diamonds.

What’s the difference between mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds?

To put in the simplest of terms, mined diamonds are created when carbon is exposed to great amounts of heat and pressure — the result over billions of years is a diamond.

Lab grown diamonds are made using High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

As you might imagine, the two processes are extremely similar, but the man-made environment allows the diamonds to produce at a much faster rate — usually around a month. Which again, helps make them less expensive. 

So, how do you know if lab grown diamonds are right for you?

Well, do you like saving money? Ha! Seriously, it really comes down to that.

The process is the same and you are getting the same diamond. They are graded the exact same as mined diamonds and you still have all the options in terms of cut, color, clarity, and carat. Just the way they are created is a bit different and of course, you are saving your hard earned money.

There are also no visual differences between lab grown and mined diamonds. Even diamond experts will not be able to tell you the difference without high tech equipment. 

I am kicking myself for buying overpriced diamonds but at least now I know of a way to buy diamonds that are more affordable while being just as beautiful.

If you are interested in learning more about lab grown diamonds or even buying some, check out the Clean Origins website, here.