Seattle, known for its forward-thinking and eco-conscious mindset, has become a hub for sustainable and ethical shopping. In recent years, this trend has extended to the realm of fine jewelry, with lab-grown diamonds gaining popularity as a conscious and beautiful alternative to traditional mined diamonds. MiaDonna draws many fine jewelry shoppers from Seattle to Portland. After all, shopping for an engagement ring is a celebration — why not make a weekend out of it?
Starting to search for the perfect engagement ring in Seattle? Does your partner want an ethical engagement ring? Do you want to get the biggest diamond possible for your budget? If you're looking to embark on a journey to find the perfect lab-grown diamond in Seattle, you're in for a sparkling adventure just three hours south (with no sales tax!).
Save Money on Your Engagement Ring in Portland
First, it’s time to consider how much you’d like to spend on your engagement ring purchase. Whether or not you adhere to the outdated, arbitrary “two months salary” rule is entirely up to you! No matter what you decide to spend, you do want to get the biggest, brightest diamond possible with your budget. It’s easier in Portland at MiaDonna for two reasons…
1. Lab Grown Diamonds cost less than Earth-Mined Diamonds
2. Portland, Oregon, has no sales tax
As of March 2024, Seattle residents pay 10.25% in sales tax. Plus MiaDonna offers no sales tax when purchases occur in our Portland store. With a minimum state tax rate of 6.5%, Washington shoppers save at least $65 for every $1000 they spend on their wedding ring by shopping at MiaDonna in person. Buying your engagement ring at MiaDonna in Portland could increase the size of your diamond from 3-22%!
| Seattle Diamond Budget (State rate 6.5% and city rate 3.75%. Total tax rate: 10.25%) | Oregon Diamond Budget (No Sales Tax - all your money goes toward your diamond!) | |
| $20,000 | $17,950 for ring $2,050 for sales tax | $20,000 for ring Estimated 12.7% bigger diamond! |
| $15,000 | $13,462.50 for ring $1,537.50 for sales tax | $15,000 for ring Estimated 7.3% bigger diamond! |
| $10,000 | $8,975 for ring $1,025 for sales tax | $10,000 for ring Estimated 3% bigger diamond! |
| $5,000 | $4,487.50 for ring $512.50 for sales tax | $5,000 for ring Estimated 13.8% bigger diamond! |
| $4,000 | $3,590 for ring $410 for sales tax | $4,000 for ring Estimated 24.8% bigger diamond! |
| $3,000 | $2692.50 for ring $307.50 for sales tax | $3,000 for ring Estimated 11.5% bigger diamond! |
| $2,000 | $1,795 for ring $205 for sales tax | $2,000 for ring Estimated 7% bigger! |
| $1,000 | $897.50 for ring $102.50 for sales tax | $1,000 for ring Estimated 22% bigger diamond! |
*Numbers calculated according to 2024 tax rates and Lab-Grown Diamond pricing as of March 2024.
Start Shopping Online to Learn Before You Buy
Now that you’ve decided how much you’d like to spend, you can start learning about the best diamond cut, color, clarity, and carat size for you. Shopping for engagement rings and diamonds online can seem hard, but it doesn’t have to be!
MiaDonna’s jewelry specialists are engagement ring experts. If you don’t live in Portland, we’re happy to meet with you virtually to answer all the questions you might have about diamond cut, clarity, carat, and color.
Some of the best questions to ask when you first start shopping for an engagement ring are…
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What to look for in a good diamond?
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What to know when buying a diamond?
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How do I know a diamond is real?
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How can you tell if you have a good diamond?
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How much should I spend on a diamond?
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How much should an engagement ring cost?
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What shape of diamond should I get?
You might even wonder why you should choose a lab-grown diamond instead of an earth-mined diamond — we can talk about that for hours! Our virtual appointment is a great way to learn everything you need from the comfort of your home. Our jewelry specialists are non-commissioned, so there is no pressure to buy.
Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond from MiaDonna?
We’re happy to tell you anything you want to know about lab-grown diamonds, but here’s the short of it: lab diamonds have revolutionized the jewelry industry. These gems are created in laboratories using advanced technological processes that replicate the conditions in which natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle. The result is a gem that is physically, chemically, and optically identical to its mined counterpart but with far fewer environmental and ethical concerns.
Seattle, with its stunning natural surroundings and environmentally conscious population, has been at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement. Unsurprisingly, lab-grown diamonds have gained significant traction here for many sparkling reasons.
Ethical Peace of Mind
Shoppers in Seattle are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional mined diamonds, which often come with a heavy ecological footprint and concerns about human rights in mining regions. As the first Lab-Grown Diamond retailer in America, MiaDonna offers the most comprehensive technical knowledge and design advice for conscientious consumers.
Lab-grown diamonds provide a level of ethical transparency that is nearly impossible to achieve with mined diamonds. MiaDonna shoppers can rest assured that their purchase is not contributing to environmental degradation or unethical labor practices. When you buy a lab-grown diamond from MiaDonna, you're making a statement about your commitment to responsible consumption.
We give 10% of our net proceeds to our The Greener Diamond Foundation to fund enrichment projects in diamond mining communities like farms and schools, so you can enjoy your clear diamond with a clean conscience.
The Science of Sparkle
Lab-grown diamonds are not just an ethical choice; they also offer superior quality and value. When you visit MiaDonna in Portland, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the science behind these gems. Discover how we use advanced technology to create diamonds with exceptional brilliance, purity, and durability. We mean it when we say we offer the Top 1% of lab diamonds in the world.
Cost and Clarity
As mentioned earlier, lab-grown diamonds typically cost 50% less than their mined counterparts, making them an attractive choice for savvy shoppers. Whether you're looking for a modest and affordable piece or a show-stopping masterpiece, you'll find the fairest pricing of all at MiaDonna.
Need proof? Lab-grown diamonds must come with third-party verifications on technology and grading for your protection. MiaDonna’s lab-grown diamonds are graded by IGI, GCAL, and GIA. Every one of MiaDonna’s Lab Grown Diamonds is a Type IIA diamond. This is the purest form of diamond, making them harder and more brilliant than regular Type Ia diamonds, which make up 98%-99% of diamonds mined from the earth. Type IIa diamonds represent a small percentage of all diamonds and are considered among the most coveted due to their purity and rarity.
Pacific Northwest Pride
Did you know the lab-grown diamond industry was founded here in the Pacific Northwest? MiaDonna’s Founder & CEO, Anna-Mieke Anderson, started the company in the attic of her Portland home while raising two little kids. She had befriended a family in a diamond mining community in Liberia, Africa, and learned firsthand from them the horrors and instability wrought by diamond mining corporations. She knew there had to be a better way to offer consumers an ethical, sustainable diamond without that devastating impact. She could not have revolutionized the entire diamond industry without the globally-minded, rebellious spirit of the Northwest.
Plan a Weekend Trip to Portland to Get Your Ring
Now that you’ve decided which ring styles are your favorite and what diamond shape you might want, treat yourself to a relaxing visit to Portland. In case we didn’t mention it, you avoid paying sales tax if you pick up your MiaDonna engagement ring at our Portland store in person. Just shop online for your ring and then select “Portland Showroom Pickup” as your shipping method during checkout.
Why not make a weekend out of it for a romantic getaway? When you book your MiaDonna store appointment, just tell our diamond experts that you’d like access to our preferred rate at the beautiful Heathman Hotel to save money on your stay. We’ll be ready with champagne to celebrate your selection.
Seattle's embrace of lab-grown diamonds represents a broader shift in the fine jewelry industry. As consumers become more environmentally and ethically conscious, lab-grown diamonds are becoming the new standard for responsible luxury. Seattle, with its progressive values and appreciation for innovation, is at the forefront of this sparkling revolution. MiaDonna is proud to welcome visitors from Seattle to our Portland store to build the engagement ring of your dreams.
