Engagement ring -- Would you rather: (Smaller) Natural Diamond or (Bigger) Lab Grown

[RQH5061]

Are you able to try the two different stones/carat weight in person? Maybe that way you can decide which size suits your hand and makes your heart sing. And then you can decide on natural vs man made. Good luck!

A 2ct diamond in round and oval look great. However, a 2ct cushion cut looks significantly smaller than a 2ct round or oval . I'm super sad because I always dreamed of having a cushion cut someday, but I'm not ok with a 2ct diamond that looks like it's 1.5ct lol.

This isn't a 2ct diamond, but notice how one looks larger than the other? Hint: they're both the same size!

 

[RQH5061]

In that case, how about going directly to a dealer?

For some reason, I thought they only sold to professional jewellers. Looking into them now!

 

[NLVOEWITHLV]

A 2ct diamond in round and oval look great. However, a 2ct cushion cut looks significantly smaller than a 2ct round or oval . I'm super sad because I always dreamed of having a cushion cut someday, but I'm not ok with a 2ct diamond that looks like it's 1.5ct lol.

This isn't a 2ct diamond, but notice how one looks larger than the other? Hint: they're both the same size!

Keep in mind that carats are a unit to measure the weight of the stone not the visual size. You can have two round diamonds that are both 2 carats and due to perhaps a shallow cut or a larger table one could appear larger than the other.

 

[Compass Rose]

Interesting thread........maybe it is just me, and it probably is, but who goes around announcing that their diamond is lab created? If you are interested in showing off the size of your rock, carbon is carbon. Pick the lab created stone. I would.

 

[RQH5061]

Keep in mind that carats are a unit to measure the weight of the stone not the visual size. You can have two round diamonds that are both 2 carats and due to perhaps a shallow cut or a larger table one could appear larger than the other.

Yupp, I factored in depth and table percentage as well while comparing both shapes.

 

[RQH5061]

Interesting thread........maybe it is just me, and it probably is, but who goes around announcing that their diamond is lab created? If you are interested in showing off the size of your rock, carbon is carbon. Pick the lab created stone. I would.

I'd be more concerned about people asking why my diamond is slightly blue

Blue Nuance in Lab Diamonds

Blue nuance is caused by the presence of excess boron resulting from HPHT growth. Lab diamonds with blue nuance will have a slight blueish tinge and have limited to no resale value.

www.adadiamonds.com

 

[mrs moulds]

Do what YOUR heart desires. Who cares if is a mined stone or lab created. My e- ring, earrings, bracelet etc are mined diamonds. However, my niece was just engaged, and she was presented with a 3.0 carat cushion cut solitary and it’s BEAUTIFUL. She didn’t want a mined diamond due to the ‘Blood ‘ diamond issue and protecting the earth. She went with her heart ❤️ and so should you ❤️

 

[DS2006]

I'd be more concerned about people asking why my diamond is slightly blue

Blue Nuance in Lab Diamonds

Blue nuance is caused by the presence of excess boron resulting from HPHT growth. Lab diamonds with blue nuance will have a slight blueish tinge and have limited to no resale value.

www.adadiamonds.com

All lab grown diamonds do not have a blue nuance. You can learn a lot in the lab grown diamond section of the diamond forum mentioned earlier in this thread. Another option is to use someone like Jonathan Weingarten (distinctivegem.com) who has been in the jewelry and diamond business for years and is now on his own. He has a few natural and lab stones in stock, but he also helps people find great diamonds, and he can check out a lab diamond and definitely tell you if it has striations or blue nuance and find the best cut ones. He may be able to negotiate price and get you the diamond at the cost listed, so you won't actually be paying him over and above the cost of the stone. One other thing, if you want G color in a GIA graded natural diamond, you should not look at anything lower than F in lab grown.

I lean toward natural at the moment because many experts believe lab diamonds will go down much further in price as competition and supplies increase. Once the prices go lower, I think many more will go to lab diamonds.

 

[Lover Girl]

Heyy TPFers! I would really love your thoughts & opinions.

For an engagement ring, would you rather a natural diamond just over 2cts or a lab grown that's just over 3cts?

The specs would be roughly the same for both. We're looking at something along the lines of G, VS1 or VVS2, and Super Ideal. Shape is tbd!

Thanks for all your help!

I would definitely go for a natural Diamond. The inherent value will be there, and I was doing a ton of research and my fiancé’s friend who’s a a jeweler (she sells both natural & lab) said over time she has seen the lab diamonds turn yellow or brown.
I’m sure a quality lab Diamond would keep, but you could always upgrade later on.

 

[katieCH008]

I would definitely go for a natural Diamond. The inherent value will be there, and I was doing a ton of research and my fiancé’s friend who’s a a jeweler (she sells both natural & lab) said over time she has seen the lab diamonds turn yellow or brown.
I’m sure a quality lab Diamond would keep, but you could always upgrade later on.

I’ve read that they don’t turn any color. Is your friend sure about this?

 

[Lover Girl]

I’ve read that they don’t turn any color. Is your friend sure about this?

Yes, and she's still sells them because clients want them so she's unbiased about them. I think the technology has come a long ways so maybe the new lab diamonds wouldn't turn color.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Part of my family are Antwerp-based diamond dealers who work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds.

Quality lab diamonds are identical to natural stones; the only way to tell the difference is to examine the crystalline structure which actually requires specialized tools: in other words, an unmarked lab diamond can fool a jeweler.
Stones with blue nuance are rejects, if you're dealing with a reputable dealer.
I have never heard of lab diamonds turning color - not today's lab-grown.
The negative side is that, while labs have some value, it does not hold like naturals, and it will drop as the cost to produce them gets lower.

It is a very personal choice. I have ethical issues around diamond mining too, but ended up choosing a natural stone after I was able to get a ton of detail on its provenance - but that is not always possible.

I am assuming OP has made a choice by now - would be great to hear it!

 

[KKhloe]

I have started buying lab created/grown exclusively. It is truly the only way I can be for certain I have an ethically sourced stone. The GIA has certified lab grown stones as a diamond, so that is good enough for me. I have never viewed diamonds as an investment, so a stone being considered "worthless" does not even equate for me. I do know that the markup on mined stones is so insane their resale value is a farce.

My lab grown stones are completely colorless, 3 carat, so the blue color of your coworker's diamond makes me wonder if it's a stone that was purposely created for that color throw or an older stone before the techniques were refined.

 

[tinybutterfly]

One of my sons and his soon to be fiancee ended up going with lab-created diamonds due to concerns about sourcing and she wanted a bigger center stone. They got a 2 1/2 ct. radiant cut center stone with two .50 radiant cut side stones. I have seen a picture of the stones, they look gorgeous.

They both work in science related fields, so to them, there was a fascination with idea that diamonds could be made that are essentially the same as natural diamonds. They aren't concerned about resale value.

I do like the idea of colored gems for engagement/wedding rings. Paparadascha sapphires are lovely! Montana blue sapphires, especially in that teal color, are so pretty! I love garnets, but would worry they might not be hard enough for every day wear?

 

[katieCH008]

One of my sons and his soon to be fiancee ended up going with lab-created diamonds due to concerns about sourcing and she wanted a bigger center stone. They got a 2 1/2 ct. radiant cut center stone with two .50 radiant cut side stones. I have seen a picture of the stones, they look gorgeous.

They both work in science related fields, so to them, there was a fascination with idea that diamonds could be made that are essentially the same as natural diamonds. They aren't concerned about resale value.

I do like the idea of colored gems for engagement/wedding rings. Paparadascha sapphires are lovely! Montana blue sapphires, especially in that teal color, are so pretty! I love garnets, but would worry they might not be hard enough for every day wear?

I’ve been debating if I want to go on the lab route. My bf is waiting for me to decide what I think and I’m not sure just because of the value. I feel like I’ll be wearing a fake diamond with no value. Even though I won’t sell my ring but just the fact if I ever have to or want to trade I won’t be able to except trading for another lab. The good side is I could get a bigger stone just like what your son got. For a natural diamond he can only get me 2 carats with a similar tiffany setting.