Synthentic diamonds

[Littlesharon]

Originally Posted by risingsun

Littlesharon~There is a combination of support, eye candy, and a high degree of technical education/accuracy on PS. There was a thread that went on for pages, with the experts running DiamCalc images and arguing about a certain crown angle and pavillion angle combination The tutorials provide a great deal of information that I haven't seen elsewhere. Enjoy your visits. It's a great place!! ETA: We also love to help people find wonderful diamonds

I agree and I did read that one till I got a little lost!!!!! It was way over my head!!!

There are some very good experts on PS. The site has a great vibe. Ive only lurked though....for ages!!!!

[Bitten]

I think spend your money on what you want and no-one can criticise you. It's your money. By the same token, you have to let other people spend their money on what they want. And you cannot criticise their choices - it's their money.

If you want a $50,000.00 diamond, car, painting, college tuition, deposit for a mortgage, then do it.

[button]

Originally Posted by Prada Psycho

I have diamonds. I have cubic. I love both, for different reasons. Cubic, when it's set in a substantial mounting, is nothing to be ashamed of and there's no reason to feel like you are "settling" for something less. Cubic is cubic. It's not a diamond or even a diamond simulant. It's a CZ. And this is hardly the same thing as buying a fake [insert favorite designer's name and style of bag] for just that reason. If you just want some bling in your life, get a nice piece of cubic and save your money for the important things in life, like a house.

Well said.

[risingsun]

CZ's really are diamond simulants. That's how they're classified. It doesn't make them bad, it just makes them what they are. Any search on CZ's will explain this, in detail

[Couturegrl]

I would rather have beautiful pearl ring, or a diamond eternity band, then a CZ ring (unless it was just a fun, cocktail-style ring)

I personally could not do CZ for an engagement/wedding ring.

[guccimamma]

is this for an engagement ring?

i have moissanite earrings, and i love them. I can afford diamonds, I have diamond earrings..and several family pieces, but I fear losing them. Right now all of my diamonds, with the exception of my engagement ring are in the vault.

If you are truly choosing between a down payment and a 50k diamond...i think the choice is obvious.

i'm 37...so my enthusiasm of having the biggest diamond isn't there anymore..but it was in my 20's, when each of my girlfriends would get a bigger engagement ring than the next.

it is up to you, but feel secure in your decision!

[Cristina]

Originally Posted by Lola24

What about that moissanite? I've seen it in person and have read great reviews, it's quite pretty in my opinion.

I'm a big moissanite fan. The BF knows I want a moissanite engagement ring, instead of diamond. Spending thousands of dollars on a diamond just doesn't seem reasonable to me and isn't at the top of our priority list. I'm also weary of "blood diamonds".

I wouldn't view other options than diamonds as "synthetic" - instead I'd look at them as "alternatives". Go with what you like and wear it proudly. When I mentioned to my mom that BF and I decided that my e-ring will be moissanite, she said, "You're not going to tell anyone, are you?!" I'll be proud to tell anyone who asks that I made a diamond-alternative choice for my ring

[risingsun]

As far as I'm concerned, anyone can wear what they want...for whatever reason they want. I've been studying diamonds for quite awhile and just want to put out accurate information. Moissanite and CZ are, indeed, alternatives to diamonds. Chemically, they are classified as simulants--but I don't think they are also called synthetics. Dashing off to consult a resource...
http://www.khulsey.com/jewelry/synthetic_diamonds.html

I think this makes for very interesting reading...

[claireZk]

Originally Posted by Prada Psycho

I have diamonds. I have cubic. I love both, for different reasons. Cubic, when it's set in a substantial mounting, is nothing to be ashamed of and there's no reason to feel like you are "settling" for something less. Cubic is cubic. It's not a diamond or even a diamond simulant. It's a CZ. And this is hardly the same thing as buying a fake [insert favorite designer's name and style of bag] for just that reason. If you just want some bling in your life, get a nice piece of cubic and save your money for the important things in life, like a house.

I agree!

When my grandmother passed away, I inherited some very valuable diamond studs. I wore them a lot until I lost one in a pool. My brother found it (thank goodness), but I can't wear them anymore without feeling REALLY nervous. They have too much material AND sentimental value to risk losing one. So, I bought some lab created studs and I LOVE them. They have a sturdy setting, platinum posts and the stones look almost identical to my real studs. For me, its not about trying to fool anyone... I can wear the cz's all the time and I don't have to worry about them. It's just more practical for me.

Just because the stones aren't real, doesn't mean the jewelry has to look cheap. You can get cz's set in any kind of metal you want and some is even faceted to sparkle like a real stone.

[Prada Psycho]

Originally Posted by claireZk

Just because the stones aren't real, doesn't mean the jewelry has to look cheap. You can get cz's set in any kind of metal you want and some is even faceted to sparkle like a real stone.

That's the key when you choose something other than a natural diamond. It's all about the setting and how well the CZ is cut (Signity CZ is awesome!). I have several pieces of CZ set in platinum, 18 karat and 14 karat gold. I also have some fantastic CZ bracelets that are sterling silver plated with rhodium or platinum. They look like estate pieces and I wear them as proudly as my 3 carat natural diamond bracelet.

[tasche13]

No not for a engagement ring. I've been married for 8 years now and was techically only engaged for 48hrs so did not get an engagement ring. I think I just want something pretty but not too pricey or over the top.

[chaz]

Conflict or blood diamonds are almost non-existent if you compare thier percentage against the overall world supplies,you probably would be the most unfortunate person in the world if you ended up with one!!!! Historically diamonds have always been involved in some kind of conflict or hardship to the poor guys who used to mine them so many years ago because of the nature of the market and they are so expensive( you'd be suprised to learn thet are'nt rare at all,the recovery process and polishing is so expensive and that makes them more expensive than other stones) If you want an expensive stone,go pre-owned,we did,had it re-set,its 1.74 carats and worth £26 k and it cost a hell of a lot less than that!!!! If pre-owned bothers you because you want a new diamond,think about this the youngest diamonds are 65 million years old!!!!! Most formed while Earth was forming!!!xxx
Hope this gives you a little help and insight?XXXX

[chaz]

Originally Posted by Littlesharon

I agree and I did read that one till I got a little lost!!!!! It was way over my head!!! There are some very good experts on PS. The site has a great vibe. Ive only lurked though....for ages!!!!

Being a fully trained Diamond Grader,I am always willing to offer up info or help,I enjoy helping out and am very keen to help dispel any concerns,and having worked in the retail trade for a long time I have a good in sight intothat side of things too!

[GoIrish]

Originally Posted by Lola24

What about that moissanite? I've seen it in person and have read great reviews, it's quite pretty in my opinion.

Moissanite's are genetically engineered to be like diamonds, and have terrific sparkle.......but litterally all the reviews I've heard about them compain about the awful color the stone turns in the sunlight.

[chinadoll724]

Originally Posted by GoIrish

Moissanite's are genetically engineered to be like diamonds, and have terrific sparkle.......but litterally all the reviews I've heard about them compain about the awful color the stone turns in the sunlight.

Haha, hate to be a nitpicker here, but stones cant' be "genetically" engineered . . . as they don't have genes.

My bf's actually the one who refuses to get me an e-ring out of anything other than diamond. I was considering other gemstones, and in a moment of extreme practicality, even CZ or another alternative, but he insists so that's what we're going for. I'd heavily consider an alternative just because I'm afraid of losing my ring and well, it just seems more practical.