Mine-free materials offer another way to design an engagement ring with care. At Alexis Gallery, we work with lab grown diamonds, lab grown gemstones, moissanite and gemstone-free designs for clients exploring alternatives to newly mined stones.
Each material changes the direction of the ring. The choice may not affect the look of the ring, but as a symbol of forever, it can allow it to align with your values.
Our role is to explain each option’s origin, impact and how it looks compared to its earth-mined counterpart. You can also view our engagement rings to see how different materials work in finished pieces.
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a controlled environment. They have the same chemical and visual properties as mined diamonds, with a different origin.
Many people consider lab grown diamonds for mine-free sourcing, value and modern technology. Depending on the stone, the same budget may allow for a larger size or a higher grade.
Jeweller’s Tip: Can’t find the perfect shape or cut? Custom cut lab grown diamonds allow for your precise vision, no compromises.
Best in: The sky is the limit! With lab grown diamonds available in all shapes and sizes, there’s no custom engagement ring design you can’t achieve.
Lab grown gemstones offer incredible colour through mine-free materials. At Alexis Gallery, we work with high quality lab grown sapphires, rubies, alexandrite, emeralds and spinel. Our lab gemstones exhibit exceptional consistent colour and beautiful cut quality.
Lab sapphires offer a wide range of colours, including pink, blue, yellow and champagne. The metal choice also affects the final look, since yellow gold, white gold and rose gold can shift how the colour appears.
Jeweller’s Tip: Don’t forget that you can use lab gemstones as accent stones! Consider mixing colourless and colour for a unique engagement ring.
Best in: Three-stone, solitaire, halos.
The first moissanite was actually found as an earth mined gemstone, which still exists today but is extremely rare. Modern moissanite, used in jewellery, is lab grown. It has a bright, lively look with colourful flashes of light, which can make it a compelling choice for the right design.
It suits clients who want a centre stone with strong visual impact, a little more fire, and more room in the budget for the setting details.
Jeweller’s Tip: While Moissanite makes a lovely centre stone, we advise lab diamonds if your design features accent stones. Don’t worry, they will match!
Best in: Larger centre stones and simple custom settings
A ring can be designed around metalwork as the main feature. This approach suits clients who want meaning through form, texture and craftsmanship.
A bold band can include hand engraving or a custom surface finish. Milgrain details can add an antique-inspired more detailed finish. In gemstone-free designs, we often forge the ring directly in metal, not needing 3D digital renderings (depending on the design).
Jeweller’s Tip: Decide on width, profile and finish early. These choices shape the entire piece.
Best in: Bold bands, gender-neutral designs and custom wedding rings
Yes. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same chemical and visual properties as mined diamonds, with an origin rooted in controlled lab growth.
Lab grown diamonds are often considered for mine-free sourcing, value and innovation. They usually allow for a larger size and higher grade within the same budget.
Aside from lab grown diamonds, we work with lab grown sapphires, rubies, alexandrite, emeralds and spinel. Lab sapphires offer a wide colour range, including pink, blue, yellow and champagne.
While it can be colourless like a diamond, moissanite is its own gemstone. Modern moissanite is lab grown and has its own chemical makeup, light pattern and visual presence.
Yes. A ring can be built around the band, engraving, texture and metal choice. This creates a quieter design where the craftsmanship carries the meaning.
Mine-free materials can align better with some clients’ vision and values. We turn the materials into thoughtful custom design. At Alexis Gallery, we work with lab grown diamonds, lab grown gemstones, moissanite and gemstone-free bands to create rings that reflect the person, the couple, the occasion and their values.
Our process brings the material, setting and hand-finished details into one clear design direction. From centre stone selection to engraving and finishing, each choice is guided with care so the finished ring feels personal. To begin exploring mine-free or lab grown options, contact Alexis Gallery to start a design conversation.
