Home Blog Page 206

Lab-grown diamonds: a celebration of meaning, beauty, and modern values is currently in fashion

Lab-grown diamonds are the most striking trend hitting the jewelry market in recent years and are hard to overlook. These unique pieces, created as an alternative to natural diamonds, have gained recognition, especially within the last year. Lab-grown diamonds are now prominently featured in a wide range of items, from glamorous red-carpet jewelry to simple minimalist wedding sets. This year, they remain at the forefront of fashion trends. 

Why do fashionistas prefer lab-grown diamonds, and how can they style them for a trendy look in 2025?

The most attentive readers have already noticed the answer to this question since it was ‘spoilered’ in the article’s title. There are three main reasons for choosing lab-grown jewelry – a unique blend of meaning, beauty, and values, which is so appreciated in fashion. 

Meaning 

From the beginning of time, diamonds have symbolized eternal love and appreciation. With the emergence of lab-grown diamonds, this meaning is not only preserved but enhanced with new aspects that reflect the gems’ innovative features. Lab-grown diamond jewelry can now represent your deep love, a long-standing friendship, memorable moments from your life, or anything else you wish to convey. These diamonds are highly customizable, allowing anyone to create unique designs that can be implemented in days or even hours.

Another significant advantage of lab-grown diamonds is their affordability, which redefines the meaning of luxury fashion in jewelry. For centuries, diamonds were largely inaccessible, with only a select few able to afford them, while the average person could only dream of owning diamond jewelry. Today, anyone can afford to purchase their dream diamond.

These new opportunities provided by innovative products have dramatically transformed the essence of luxury fashion. In the past, luxury items dictated a person’s style, constrained by limited design choices and the scarcity of naturally occurring diamonds. Now, individuals have the freedom to define their own jewelry style, creating a luxury segment that reflects personal choices rather than simply following trends. Today, luxury is no longer about “blind obsession” but is associated with personal freedom and expression. 

Beauty

Although lab-grown diamonds are often referred to as simulants of natural gems, they are, in fact, real diamonds that retain all the best qualities of their natural counterparts. They are not imitators or substitutes. Manufacturers use pure carbon to create these diamonds, just as natural diamonds are composed of pure carbon. As a result, the chemical, physical, and optical properties of both lab-grown and natural diamonds are identical. The key difference is that lab-grown diamonds are created in a laboratory rather than being mined from the earth.

Lab-grown diamonds are as beautiful as natural gems and offer more options for color. While saturated colors are rare in nature, it’s easy to create diamonds of any hue in a laboratory setting. The same goes for inclusions; they are uncommon in natural diamonds but can be with lab-grown diamonds.

Values

Sustainability has become the highest value in the modern world and, thus, the essential characteristic of luxury products. The jewelry sector is no exception but vice versa – it is one of the most representative ones speaking loudly about sustainable values and mirroring reality.

More customers are currently making thoughtful choices and valuing ethical business practices as well as environmentally friendly products. There is no surprise that this shift entails the rise of lab-grown diamonds, which represent a groundbreaking development step in the fine jewelry industry toward sustainability. 

Unlike mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments, eliminating the need for harmful mining practices. These man-made diamonds offer a guilt-free option for purchasing high-quality jewelry, as they are just as beautiful and durable as their natural counterparts. Lab-grown diamonds are setting a new standard for sustainable jewelry trends due to their transparent sourcing and reduced carbon footprint.

These products resonate with the values of conscious consumers who recognize that what they wear can be beautiful and impactful simultaneously without compromising anything.

So, what lab-grown diamond jewelry items will help you to look stylish this year? 

Lab-grown diamonds are the ultimate engagement ring trend for 2025, says the wedding resource The Knot. The majority of couples chose round (28%) and oval (25%) diamonds for their engagement rings, while a smaller percentage opted for emeralds or princess cuts (10%). When it comes to metal preference, white and yellow gold remain the most popular choices, with 70% of couples selecting these materials. Notably, the popularity of yellow gold increased by 5% year over year, while white gold saw a decline of 3%.

Prong settings continue to be favored, with 35% of couples requesting them. Additionally, a new style has gained popularity: the hidden halo, which features a cluster of diamonds surrounding the base of the cathedral, along with the halo setting that showcases a circle of diamonds around the center stone.

Consider also some other fashion recommendations from Madestones, the largest lab-grown diamond distributor, which knows, for sure, a lot about trendy consumers’ requests in 2025.

A Solitaire Diamond Ring

A solitaire lab-grown diamond ring epitomizes elegance and simplicity. As one of the standout rings for summer 2025, its timeless charm makes it ideal for warm-weather fashion. Whether worn solo for a sophisticated look or stacked with other rings for a contemporary flair, this classic piece beautifully complements flowing dresses, beach attire, and evening wear.

Minimalist Elegance in Necklaces

Sleek and understated designs continue to be in Vogue. Think of delicate pendants and thin, lab-grown diamond jewelry that enhance everyday outfits. Minimalist necklaces featuring cultivated diamonds are essential additions to your collection. 

Stackable Rings

Combining stackable rings is a playful way to personalize your style. Lab-grown diamonds provide these modern rings with a brilliant sparkle, whether they’re layered in different styles or paired with various metals.

Summer Statement Ring

For those who appreciate bold, eye-catching designs, a summer statement ring is a must-have. This season’s rings showcase oversized stones, chunky gold bands, and vibrant gemstones, making them perfect for sunny days and exciting nights. Whether you lean toward abstract art or a splash of color, statement rings inject personality into your summer wardrobe. 

Bold Necklaces

Right now, statement necklaces featuring striking clusters and geometric designs are trending. With the decreasing cost of lab-grown diamonds, these once-luxurious items have become more accessible. These trends are clearly evident.

This list provides direction for discovering trendy styles, but remember that with lab-grown diamonds you are free to set your own style that can become trendy in a minute. Feel free to shine bright!

Weak Hero Season 3: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Action-packed K-drama Weak Hero shows no signs of slowing down. After a successful debut in 2022, the series returned with a second installment that premiered on Netflix in late April 2025.

Over the course of eight episodes, it continued the story of Yeon Si-eun, a model student who became the unexpected hero of his class. However, since fans had to wait three years between seasons, they quickly devoured the new installment.

Are there more episodes on the way?

Weak Hero Season 3 Release Date

At the time of writing, Netflix hasn’t officially announced any plans for Weak Hero season 3.

That said, the K-drama became the most-watched non-English show on Netflix globally immediately after its season 2 debut. In other words, the show’s chances of renewal look good. Additionally, the series sets up a new threat for the protagonist to face during his senior year, leaving the door wide open for more episodes.

Whether that happens, we hope it won’t take another three years for a new season to come out. Maybe we could get it in 2027, at least?

Weak Hero Cast

  • Park Ji-hoon as Yeon Si-eun
  • Choi Hyun-wook as Ahn Su-ho
  • Hong Kyung as Oh Beom-seok
  • Ryeoun as Park Hu-min
  • Choi Min-young as Seo Jun-tae
  • Lee Min-jae as Go Hyun-tak
  • Yoo Su-bin as Choi Hyo-man

What Could Happen in Weak Hero Season 3?

Weak Hero centres on Yeon Si-eun, a quiet student who uses his sharp intellect to stand up to bullies and protect himself and his friends.

After becoming targets of escalating school violence, Si-eun teams up with a couple of colleagues, forming a powerful trio. Even so, their bond is repeatedly tested as Si-eun undergoes a transformative journey from passive observer to active fighter.

In season 2, Si-eun finds himself drawn into his new school’s oppressive environment and clashing with a notorious student gang known as the Union. He forms new alliances, confronts his past traumas, and ultimately steps up to challenge the corrupt system threatening his peers.

The season builds to a massive showdown that proves to be worth the wait. Once all is settled, though, a mid-credits scene teases that senior year might be even more troublesome for Si-eun and his friends. If Weak Hero season 3 happens, the action is likely to intensify.

Is Weak Hero Based on a Book?

Yes, the series is based on the webtoon of the same name by Seopass and Razen. You can check it out here.

Battle Camp Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

If you’re a fan of the Netflix Reality Universe, you’re probably already caught up on new series Battle Camp.

Familiar faces from shows like Love Is Blind, Perfect Match, Too Hot to Handle, The Circle, and more came together to battle it out for a substantial cash prize. Bragging rights are also in order.

Over the course of 10 episodes, fans could cheer on their faves as they faced off in various challenges meant to test their physical and mental strength.

The rules make the show particularly fun and chaotic. It’s no wonder viewers are already curious whether there will be a season 2.

Battle Camp Season 2 Release Date

Battle Camp premiered on Netflix in late April 2025. At the time of writing, the reality series hasn’t been renewed for more episodes.

That said, the show proved popular and quickly climbed through the Top 10 in several countries. This significantly improves its chances for renewal, so we might see a new group of contestants head to the remote camp sometime soon.

In case Netflix decides to go forward with Battle Camp Season 2, fresh episodes could hit the streaming service in late 2025 or early 2026.

Battle Camp Cast

The series welcomes contestants from various Netflix reality shows. While there’s no news on season 2 just yet, the season 1 cast featured plenty of names you might remember.

The list includes Lorenzo from Squid Game: The Challenge Season 1, Avori from The Mole Season 1, Bri from Too Hot to Handle Season 6, Gabi from Cheer, Gio from Selling The OC, Irina from Love Is Blind Season 4, and Kyle from The Circle Season 6.

The show is hosted by Taylor Lewan.

What Could Happen in Battle Camp Season 2?

If we get Battle Camp Season 2, there’s a good chance it will follow the same (complicated) format as season 1.

Contestants are initially divided into three teams. Each episode features physical and mental challenges. The winning team gains immunity, while the losing team faces potential elimination.

From there, the winning team selects three members from the opposing teams to undergo a punishment. The individual who endures the punishment successfully avoids elimination, while the others have their names added to the elimination wheel. Then, all contestants vote for one individual to be added to the elimination wheel, increasing their chances of elimination.

Finally, contestants’ names are added to the wheel of misfortune based on challenge outcomes, punishments, and votes. The wheel is spun to randomly determine who is eliminated.

Whoever comes up on top by the end of the season leaves with a $250,000 prize. Not bad for attending a (gruelling) summer camp, don’t you think?

Are There Other Shows Like Battle Camp?

If you like Battle Camp, you might like some of the other competition series available on Netflix.

We recommend checking out Squid Game: The Challenge, The Circle, Celebrity Bear Hunt, and Floor Is Lava.

The Glass Dome Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Over the course of six episodes, Nordic crime drama The Glass Dome delivers an intricate web of storytelling that keeps viewers coming back for more.

After debuting on Netflix in April 2025, the Swedish thriller was met with positive reviews. It currently has an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

While critics admit that the show is a bit formulaic, they praise the complexity of the main character and the effective twists. If you’ve been equally impressed, you might wonder whether more episodes are on the way.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any clear answers just yet.

The Glass Dome Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, Netflix hasn’t officially renewed The Glass Dome for more episodes. However, the show broke into the top 10 in several countries, which is always a good sign.

Plus, showrunner Camilla Läckberg has a story for The Glass Dome season 2. “I already have a synopsis for season two… I definitely have thoughts on how this can continue,” she confessed in a recent interview.

As long as Netflix decides to go further, crime fans may get a new fix as early as 2026.

The Glass Dome Cast

  • Léonie Vincent as Lejla Ness
  • Johan Hedenberg as Valter Ness
  • Johan Rheborg as Tomas Ness
  • Minoo Andacheh as Alicia
  • Farzad Farzaneh as Said

What Could Happen in The Glass Dome Season 2?

The Glass Dome revolves around Lejla, a criminologist confronting the haunting traumas of her past. The story kicks off when she returns to her hometown after the sudden death of her adoptive mother.

Once there, her visit takes a dark turn as a young girl goes missing. The case bears eerie similarities to Lejla’s own childhood abduction, when she was held captive in a mirrored glass box by an unknown perpetrator. Determined to find the girl, she get entwined into the investigation. Shocking revelations ensue.

Season 1 ends with Lejla getting unsettling answers about not only the girl who went missing, but her own past nightmare. Without giving too much away, The Glass Dome season 2 could focus on a new case, while also delving into how Lejla is coping in the aftermath.

We’re guessing there might be some kind of time jump. Even so, recovering from trauma doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a good chance Lejla will have a few demons to face as the story moves forward.

Is The Glass Dome Based on a Book?

No, The Glass Dome is an original story by Camilla Läckberg.

That said, Läckberg is a prolific author whose work has been published in over 60 countries. Her Fjällbacka novels are particularly popular, starting with The Ice Princess.

The Eternaut Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

New series The Eternaut has given sci-fi fans plenty to obsess about.

Thanks to a captivating story, it broke into the Netflix global Top 10 soon after its release. Not only that, but it has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the show’s pacing and the depth of the characters.

Audiences seem to agree, so good word-of-mouth will likely help the series expand its fan base in the following weeks. Thankfully, the streaming overlords noticed, and more episodes are already on the way.

The Eternaut Season 2 Release Date

The Eternaut season 2 is a given, with Francisco Ramos, head of Netflix Latin American programming, confirming that the sci-fi concepts will get even more compelling.

“We believe that we will manage to close the whole story in a beautiful way, with probably eight more episodes,” he told Deadline.

In other words, season 2 will also mark the show’s end. Depending on how fast production moves, we could be getting new installments as soon as 2026.

The Eternaut Cast

  • Ricardo Darín as Salvo
  • Carla Peterson as Elena
  • César Troncoso as Favalli
  • Andrea Pietra as Ana
  • Ariel Staltari as Omar
  • Marcelo Subiotto as Lucas
  • Claudio Martínez Bel as Polski

What Will Happen in The Eternaut Season 2?

An Argentine sci-fi thriller, The Eternaut stars Ricardo Darín as Salvo, a former soldier thrust into a harrowing fight for survival.

The story kicks off in present-day Buenos Aires, when an inexplicable snowfall proves deadly and instantly kills anyone it touches. Salvo and his friends are caught off guard but quickly realise that the snow is not a natural phenomenon. In fact, it’s the first strike in a coordinated alien invasion. As the group navigates the desolate city, further horrors emerge.

The show is gripping and suspenseful, with haunting visuals and memorable performances. Once you tune in, we strongly advise you clear your schedule. You’ll be eager to find out how the narrative progresses, to the point of being willing to sacrifice sleep.

Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, the first season ends with the survivors understanding that their problems are just beginning. The aliens seem to have a solid plan, and the snowfall was only the first part of the equation.

As to what comes next, however, we’ll have to wait a while to find out.

Is The Eternaut Based on a Book?

The Eternaut is an adaptation of the iconic graphic novel of the same name by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López.

The novel has been translated into English, so you can check out the source material for yourself.

The Four Seasons Season 2: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

The world is in dire need of more cozy, compelling comedies. Given the success of new series The Four Seasons, there’s no doubt about it.

With an all-star cast and focus on relationships, it debuted at No. 1 on the Netflix English TV list and earned praise from critics and viewers alike. Watching the show feels like putting on a warm sweater, so it’s no wonder fans are craving more. Whether or not that will happen, though, it remains to be seen.

The Four Seasons Season 2 Release Date

At the time of writing, The Four Seasons hasn’t been renewed for additional episodes. Additionally, it was advertised as a limited series. Still, things can always change.

The ending of season 1 left room for a continuation, and the creators seem open to the idea. When asked if this is truly the end, Tina Fey teased: “We’re going to start talking next week (…). We’ll see.”

As long as the talks are successful, we could be getting The Four Seasons season 2 in 2026.

The Four Seasons Cast

  • Tina Fey as Kate
  • Will Forte as Jack
  • Steve Carell as Nick
  • Kerri Kenney-Silver as Anne
  • Colman Domingo as Danny
  • Marco Calvani as Claude
  • Erika Henningsen as Ginny

What Could Happen in The Four Seasons Season 2?

The Four Seasons is a TV adaptation of the 1981 movie of the same name. The plot follows three couples who have maintained a tradition of vacationing together.

However, things take a turn when Nick announces his intention to divorce his wife Anne after 25 years of marriage. Not only that, but he starts dating a younger woman, Ginny, whom he introduces to his friends. Needless to say, this revelation disrupts the group’s dynamic, leading them to reevaluate what they want from life.

The show explores themes related to friendship, marriage, aging, and life in general. The star-studded cast has amazing chemistry, and everyone’s performances are top-notch. Moreover, The Four Seasons delivers an irresistible blend of humour and emotional depth, keeping you invested throughout.

Season 1 ends with a tragedy, and the final episode follows the friends as they attempt to cope with the aftermath. The Four Seasons season 2 is likely to continue the format of revolving around seasonal gatherings, which would allow viewers to keep up with what’s going on in each couple’s lives.

We hope that happens, as we would love to catch up with these characters down the line.

Are There Other Shows Like The Four Seasons?

If you enjoyed The Four Seasons, you’re probably a fan of grounded comedies that explore the complexity of human relationships. As a result, you might also like Friends from College, Life & Beth, Catastrophe, On the Verge, or And Just Like That…

Watch Jessica Pratt and Destroyer Team Up on ‘Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney’

Jessica Pratt and Destroyer have both retained a reputation as enigmatic indie singer-songwriters, and they don’t do a lot of TV appearances. Last night, though, they guested together on the latest episode of Netflix’s Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney. Dan Bejar performed ‘Travel Light’, the closing track from his new Destroyer album Dan’s Boogie, which transitioned into ‘World on a String’ – sung acoustically by Pratt before Destroyer joined in. Mulaney described it as a “musical collaborative medley that all of us at the show have been looking forward to for weeks.” Check out a clip from the loungey, mystical performance below.

Read our inspirations interview with Destroyer, and check out where ‘World on a String’ landed in our list of the best songs of 2024.

The Raincoats’ Gina Birch Announces New Album, Shares New Single ‘Causing Trouble Again’

The Raincoats’ Gina Birch has announced her second solo album, Trouble. The follow-up to 2023’s I Play My Bass Loud comes out July 11 via Third Man. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Youth of Killing Joke. Its lead single, ‘Causing Trouble Again’, was inspired by 2024’s Women in Revolt, an exhibition of feminist art and activism at Tate Britain that included Birch’s 1977 short film 3 Minute Scream. The rambunctious post-punk epic features several female artists recording themselves saying the names of women who have inspired them. Check it out below.

The music video for ‘Causing Trouble Again’, directed by Dean Chalkley, features Birch’s Raincoats’ bandmate Ana da Silva, as well as Lora Logic (X-Ray Spex, Essential Logic), Amy Rigby, Neo Naturists co-founder Christine Binnie, painter Daisy Parris, artist Georgina Starr, writer Jill Westwood, artist and activist Bobby Baker, costume designer Annie Symons, photographer Shirley O’Loughlin, and more.

“For the ‘Causing Trouble Again’ video, after hearing Bob Dylan sing about a white ladder all covered with water, I became obsessed with white ladders,” Gina Birch commented. “I decided to use five white ladders, three with seven rungs…I realized later that this references Jacob’s Ladder and a connection from Earth to heaven, but I think I was thinking of ladders as a symbol of getting on, getting up. I wanted to have a choreographed movement with four of us with these ladders. How do we move with ladders? Do we move together, do we fight, do we dance?

“I also wanted to reference the wind scene from the film, The Colour of Pomegranates, and to include as many artist women from the Women in Revolt exhibition as I could. I wanted them to be troublesome, or just to shout ‘Causing trouble!’ I ended up inviting all the artist musician women I knew who could make the shoot, and it was a fantastic meeting of great women, many of whom had never met each other before.”

Trouble Cover Artwork:

Trouble cover artwork

Trouble Tracklist:

1. I Thought I’d Live Forever
2. Happiness
3. Causing Trouble Again
4. Cello Song
5. Keep To The Left
6. Doom Monger
7. Don’t Fight Your Friends
8. Nothing Will Ever Change That
9. Hey Hey
10. Train Platform
11. Sleep (Digital-Only Bonus Track)

Smokey Robinson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Smokey Robinson has denied allegations of sexual assault that were made by four unnamed women, all of whom worked as housekeepers for the Motown legend, earlier this week. In the lawsuit, which also names Robinson’s wife Frances, the women accused Robinson of rape, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and a hostile work environment, among other things.

In a phone call with The Daily Mail on Wednesday, May 7,Robinson briefly addressed the allegations, saying, “I am appalled.” He added, “I can’t speak about this right now.”

In a statement (via The New York Times), the 85-year-old’s lawyer Christopher Frost described the charges as “vile,” “false,” and “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.” He added, “We will have more to say in the coming days as we make our legal response, and in time Mr Robinson will respond in his own words. We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold.”

Reach Out for Help

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support.
Crisis Text Line
UK: Rape Crisis
US: RAINN

Erika de Casier Releases Surprise New Album ‘Lifetime’

Erika de Casier has surprise-released a new album, Lifetime, to follow up last year’s Still. The Copenhagen-based artist wrote and produced the LP between August 2023 and November 2024. Alonzo Vargas (Eartheater, Gaika) mixed and Joe Laporta (Beabadoobee, Kilo Kish) mastered the record, which was teased via a very limited run of untitled cassette tapes. Stream it below.

Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Erika de Casier.