This is Part II of this post, which details why lab-created diamonds are much better for the environment, society and your pocketbook. Now that you’re (hopefully) willing to give lab-created diamonds a shot, here’s how to pick a good one:

There are about 500 gazillion manufacturers of simulated diamonds on the Internet. Most of them are just cubic zirconias. At first, a CZ stone might fool some of your friends and family. Anyone who knows a thing or two about jewelry, however, will be able to spot the fake.

One of the reasons why CZ stones are easily pointed out as fake is because they are so porous. As a result, dirt, grime and everyday grossness can infiltrate the stone and make it appear dull and dirty. Basically, if you’re going to go faux, don’t go CZ.

Instead, try a lab-created diamond. They’re specifically engineered to be perfectly clear (which is an extremely costly trait in mined diamonds), the hearts and arrows are perfect, the cuts are microscopically precise and there’s really no way to tell the difference.

I’ve spent several hours researching different manufacturers of lab-created diamonds, and so far the best that I have found come out of Diamond Nexus Labs. Their stones are just as hard as mined diamonds, so there’s no need to worry about the stone getting dull. Plus, they’re extremely affordable (a two-carat solitaire ring comes in at just under $500, compared to around $20,000 for a similar mined stone). With all of the money you’ll save, you can buy yourself something nice…like a new hybrid car.