lab grown diamonds

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Blansky

For my first wife, I got her diamond from a discarded drill bit used in the oil industry.

I told her it had been a mile down into the Earth's core and was far more interesting than a diamond bought at the mall.

Our relationship didn't last forever.

[AzPaul]

This has been an interesting, and at times, entertaining read. Here you have people on one side of the court embracing a certain narrative to justify their purchases while people on the other side embraces a different, though not necessarily contradictory narrative, to justify theirs. It really comes down to which specific aspect(s) of the purchase a buyer views as important.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by BETRNSX

Losing 100% of $2k is still (much) less than losing 50% of $10k...

Plus you get a better stone at $2k too. Let's not forget that.

Remember to check with Pawn shops to see what stones they have.

[Andy0331]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

If a jeweler can tell which is a lab grown diamond and which is a natural diamond with the use of a light, then they are not identical in my opinion.

It's not as simple as just looking at it with a light. I can't recall the specifics, but a jeweler friend told me that he can't determine the difference without the use of a not so inexpensive machine ($25k?.. I can't recall, but it wasn't cheap).

The lab grown variants are not the CZ's of old.

[THC]

Much like driving a new car off the lot.. that sonic boom you heard was the depreciation hitting immediately.. point being, diamonds are for women mostly and if they are happy with Labs so be it.. do not give your money a second thought

[arinsd]

Upgraded my wife’s stone on her wedding ring a couple years back with a natural diamond. When the jeweler showed us the size we could get with lab grown I was in shock.

With that said we went with natural. But lab does have its place in the market. To each their own.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Andy0331

It's not as simple as just looking at it with a light. I can't recall the specifics, but a jeweler friend told me that he can't determine the difference without the use of a not so inexpensive machine ($25k?.. I can't recall, but it wasn't cheap).

The lab grown variants are not the CZ's of old.

My jeweler demonstrated it to me in person. I will walk you through it again.

He has a box with a light, ultraviolet or what i do not know. He can stick up to 10 rings in it at one time. He takes a photo on his phone and uses an app that discerns whether the diamonds are lab grown or not.
The diamonds that are lab grown look like they have been blocked out with a marker.

The box was $500, I'm not sure if the app was included with the purchase or not.

I think eventually they will be able to fit the testers into the typical hand held model for $100.

I never said they were CZ's but if there is a test that can determine if they are lab grown, then how is it the same as a natural diamond?

[singe89]

Personally lab grown are not for me. Even if the market for natural diamonds collapsed I appreciate natures time and effort put into its creation then the work in mining and marketing to produce them and create the market. Lab grown are just the cheap almost exact copy made to ride the coattails of value/perception of the original. No different than copies of fine artwork or watches in my mind. Value and appreciation should be in the original not the copy.

[Moondoggy]

We will all be lab grown eventually.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

We will all be lab grown eventually.

Not the diamonds bro, no way, my kids sure, but not the wife's shiny rock.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by singe89

Value and appreciation should be in the original not the copy.

If you insist, sure, and we know the 'value' of real stones below 3 carats with imperfections is fairly low. Pawn shops are excellent places to find such stones at competitive pricing. If they don't have it, odds are they can get it for you very easily. Small (below 4 carats) diamonds with typical inclusions and color are fairly common on planet Earth.

Investment grade... 6 carat flawless (or very close it) is a good starting point.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by THC

Much like driving a new car off the lot.. that sonic boom you heard was the depreciation hitting immediatly

Much like Omega, or dare I say it, Tudor.

[East Bay Rider]

This was a fun read. I recently had some jewelry appraised for insurance purposes and this thread has me wondering how lab grown diamond jewelry is appraised compared to naturally mined.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Recently got engaged and fiancé chose to go with lab grown. She had choices but all considered, that was her decision and super happy with the ring design she picked out. Should she ever want a natural diamond, we can get her one.

Watched a video last week on how prices have cratered on all diamonds. They are not investment so buy whatever makes you and your SO happyz

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by ThatOtherGuy7

Recently got engaged and fiancé chose to go with lab grown...

Big congratulations to you both.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Big congratulations to you both.

Thank you, Bill!

[Gladiat0r]

It’s funny seeing this conversation…

I could care less about diamonds. I bought my wife hers many years ago. She said yes and we have lived happily ever after. This was before lab grown even existed or was popular.
I don’t have any diamond jewelry myself as it’s not really my style, but I’m pretty sure I just couldn’t wear lab growns knowing that it’s not dug out and formed from the earth…but I’m also very traditionalist.

But man, she tells me all about the gossip she’s been hearing lately from all her lady friends, ranging young 20’s-late 30’s, about “did you hear so and so has a lab grown? Omg really, that’s so embarrassing” Even at a family function recently, we congratulated a newly engaged couple. The engagement ring was a solid 3-4kt but she was shy to show it, knowing that it was lab grown. Almost like she was ashamed or worried people were talking.

My SIL was talking to my wife about how she hates lab grown and wouldn’t accept it…little does she know, her boyfriend already bought the engagement ring, and it’s a lab grown…I’m not sure how it will play out but it’s kind of sad that this has become something so important in the local society here.

I’m not siding one way or another. Just stating that it’s the perception that counts. Even if the item is identical. The only true value is how it makes her feel.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Gladiat0r

It’s funny seeing this conversation…

I could care less about diamonds. I bought my wife hers many years ago. She said yes and we have lived happily ever after. This was before lab grown even existed or was popular.
I don’t have any diamond jewelry myself as it’s not really my style, but I’m pretty sure I just couldn’t wear lab growns knowing that it’s not dug out and formed from the earth…but I’m also very traditionalist.

But man, she tells me all about the gossip she’s been hearing lately from all her lady friends, ranging young 20’s-late 30’s, about “did you hear so and so has a lab grown? Omg really, that’s so embarrassing” Even at a family function recently, we congratulated a newly engaged couple. The engagement ring was a solid 3-4kt but she was shy to show it, knowing that it was lab grown. Almost like she was ashamed or worried people were talking.

My SIL was talking to my wife about how she hates lab grown and wouldn’t accept it…little does she know, her boyfriend already bought the engagement ring, and it’s a lab grown…I’m not sure how it will play out but it’s kind of sad that this has become something so important in the local society here.

I’m not siding one way or another. Just stating that it’s the perception that counts. Even if the item is identical. The only true value is how it makes her feel.

How would anyone know? It's that something people ask the couple? "Nice ring, it's it real?"

[walds11]

I wouldn’t touch lab grown diamonds with a ten foot poll. I am a traditionalist and grew up working in the wholesale jewelry industry (and worked in the industry through college and a year after until I jumped to banking/finance).

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by walds11

I wouldn’t touch lab grown diamonds with a ten foot poll. I am a traditionalist and grew up working in the wholesale jewelry industry (and worked in the industry through college and a year after until I jumped to banking/finance).

I agree. It was too bad to see that Breitling stopped using real diamonds and now uses lab grown.

[Speedbird-1]

I've enjoyed reading through this post, and my thoughts turned to the legends of the fabled alchemists of the past.
I wonder where the worlds economies would be, if these early 'scientists' had been successful in their quest, to turn base metal into gold?
Rhodium Daytona anyone?

[Calatrava r]

I would have no problem with zero re-sale as these would never be re-sold anyway in most situations. Substantially cheaper going in is a big plus to me.

[PerioBear]

I remembering watching a documentary a few years ago called “Nothing Lasts Forever”. Check it out if you’re interested in this thread.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by ThatOtherGuy7

Recently got engaged and fiancé chose to go with lab grown. She had choices but all considered, that was her decision and super happy with the ring design she picked out. Should she ever want a natural diamond, we can get her one.

Watched a video last week on how prices have cratered on all diamonds. They are not investment so buy whatever makes you and your SO happyz

Major congrats

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

How would anyone know? It's that something people ask the couple? "Nice ring, it's it real?"

Yeah, seems crass.

That said, in the vast majority of cases someone wearing a 3-4 carat diamond engagement ring is wearing a lab grown diamond. Combination of trends, cost, etc…

So it is the most likely situation, which drives that assumption.

With lab grown prices plummeting (down something like 80% over the past few years) this trend may continue. Larger and larger synthetic diamonds. Now, I personally think overly large diamonds look garish / unappealing but that is mere opinion.

[Paul C]

If you prefer lab grown, why don't you go Vegan?

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

I agree. It was too bad to see that Breitling stopped using real diamonds and now uses lab grown.

Good bit of information there.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Major congrats

Thanks much!

[Gladiat0r]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

How would anyone know? It's that something people ask the couple? "Nice ring, it's it real?"

Apparently yes. When seeing a large multi karat diamond on the hand of someone with a very meager living situation and luxuries, the assumption is indeed that it’s a lab grown. So people start talking and of course someone will have enough nerve to ask it.
At least that’s how I think the rumors start, being a bit of a fly on the wall hearing my wife’s friends spewing gossip.