Milestone birthday self gift

[ItsPurseonal]

I have a milestone birthday coming up and for the longest time, I had planned on splurging on a pair of classic natural diamond studs. I know I would wear them all the time and would never plan to sell them, but as I’ve been doing more research, I’m a little hesitant to spend so much $ on natural diamonds when the whole natural/lab dynamic hasn’t really settled and my POV may change down the line.

What I mean by that is: today I feel like lab diamonds are not for me, but I’m worried that down the line I’ll regret having spent so much on natural diamond studs (I’m looking for just under 3ctw, so they would be very pricey from Whiteflash’s ACA range - around 20k, but labs are obviously much more “affordable,” around 3.5k), if my POV on lab changes.

I can totally see the appeal of lab - exact same material for a much lower price, and if I’m honest with myself, I really just don’t want lab because it feels like I’m cheating somehow. I’ve been wearing CZ studs for the last few months to confirm the exact size diamond studs I want, and every time I put them on, I feel like I’m trying to trick people into thinking I’m wearing something more luxurious/expensive than I am. But even as I type this, I realize how absurd it sounds to have that POV about lab diamonds. The rational side of my brain says that it’s ridiculous to spend so much on something that came from the earth (that is not rare) when I could save a ton and get the exact same product, just grown in a lab.

I do have other items on my long term jewelry wishlist, but most of them (besides a watch) are diamond pieces so it doesn’t really solve my dilemma.

I think I still do want to go the natural route, but I’m wondering what others would do in my situation. Would you get the natural studs and accept that you may have “overpaid” or just wait a few years to see how you feel and get something else (like a watch or a special bag) in the meantime?

 

[sdkitty]

I have a milestone birthday coming up and for the longest time, I had planned on splurging on a pair of classic natural diamond studs. I know I would wear them all the time and would never plan to sell them, but as I’ve been doing more research, I’m a little hesitant to spend so much $ on natural diamonds when the whole natural/lab dynamic hasn’t really settled and my POV may change down the line.

What I mean by that is: today I feel like lab diamonds are not for me, but I’m worried that down the line I’ll regret having spent so much on natural diamond studs (I’m looking for just under 3ctw, so they would be very pricey from Whiteflash’s ACA range - around 20k, but labs are obviously much more “affordable,” around 3.5k), if my POV on lab changes.

I can totally see the appeal of lab - exact same material for a much lower price, and if I’m honest with myself, I really just don’t want lab because it feels like I’m cheating somehow. I’ve been wearing CZ studs for the last few months to confirm the exact size diamond studs I want, and every time I put them on, I feel like I’m trying to trick people into thinking I’m wearing something more luxurious/expensive than I am. But even as I type this, I realize how absurd it sounds to have that POV about lab diamonds. The rational side of my brain says that it’s ridiculous to spend so much on something that came from the earth (that is not rare) when I could save a ton and get the exact same product, just grown in a lab.

I do have other items on my long term jewelry wishlist, but most of them (besides a watch) are diamond pieces so it doesn’t really solve my dilemma.

I think I still do want to go the natural route, but I’m wondering what others would do in my situation. Would you get the natural studs and accept that you may have “overpaid” or just wait a few years to see how you feel and get something else (like a watch or a special bag) in the meantime?

If I were buying diamonds today I'd be open to lab ones. It's still a "real" diamond and you're never going to get your money back reselling the "real" ones anyway (if that matters). Buy retail - sell wholesale

 

[cindirella]

Hi I dont have a lot of money but a year ago maybe or less I as dreaming to have a piece of diamond earrings. I don't care how many carats so one day I went Macy's app and saw one on sale so I bought. Haha! I was so happy til this day whenever I see or wear them. The second time I bought a pair from Japan. They can be very expensive the natural diamond but like I said I don't have a lot of money I just want to have a pair because diamonds are forever.

 

[Onebagtoomany]

If you can afford it, go with mined. You won’t regret it further down the line, but you might regret getting lab ones which will end up being worth virtually nothing. Just my opinion - I’m not averse to buying smaller, fun pieces which feature lab stones but would always go with natural for a bigger item and especially for a milestone birthday.

 

[cindirella]

If you can afford it, go with mined. You won’t regret it further down the line, but you might regret getting lab ones which will end up being worth virtually nothing. Just my opinion - I’m not averse to buying smaller, fun pieces which feature lab stones but would always go with natural for a bigger item and especially for a milestone birthday.

I agree always buy mined diamonds. It's the best one no matter what we have, lab grown, CZ, etc etc. It's the best one.

 

[880]

Would you get the natural studs and accept that you may have “overpaid” or just wait a few years to see how you feel and get something else (like a watch or a special bag) in the meantime?

Happy birthday !
I have some mined diamonds from family members and I bought my studs many years ago
i love what I have, but if I were at all on the fence, I would wait. The heart knows what it wants,
and the fact that you are even asking the question is a red flag (JMO).

I do not have any lab diamonds, but that’s simply bc I find it best to reset or repurpose what I have
The diamonds that I might buy today are incidental to the design of a particular piece

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

I have a milestone birthday coming up and for the longest time, I had planned on splurging on a pair of classic natural diamond studs. I know I would wear them all the time and would never plan to sell them, but as I’ve been doing more research, I’m a little hesitant to spend so much $ on natural diamonds when the whole natural/lab dynamic hasn’t really settled and my POV may change down the line.

What I mean by that is: today I feel like lab diamonds are not for me, but I’m worried that down the line I’ll regret having spent so much on natural diamond studs (I’m looking for just under 3ctw, so they would be very pricey from Whiteflash’s ACA range - around 20k, but labs are obviously much more “affordable,” around 3.5k), if my POV on lab changes.

I can totally see the appeal of lab - exact same material for a much lower price, and if I’m honest with myself, I really just don’t want lab because it feels like I’m cheating somehow. I’ve been wearing CZ studs for the last few months to confirm the exact size diamond studs I want, and every time I put them on, I feel like I’m trying to trick people into thinking I’m wearing something more luxurious/expensive than I am. But even as I type this, I realize how absurd it sounds to have that POV about lab diamonds. The rational side of my brain says that it’s ridiculous to spend so much on something that came from the earth (that is not rare) when I could save a ton and get the exact same product, just grown in a lab.

I do have other items on my long term jewelry wishlist, but most of them (besides a watch) are diamond pieces so it doesn’t really solve my dilemma.

I think I still do want to go the natural route, but I’m wondering what others would do in my situation. Would you get the natural studs and accept that you may have “overpaid” or just wait a few years to see how you feel and get something else (like a watch or a special bag) in the meantime?

Honestly, I'm not sure you will be entirely satisfied with the lab diamonds -- at least, that's the impression I get after reading this. I would do one of two things in your situation -- either go with natural diamond studs for your special birthday, or wait for a while if you're not sure. Good luck deciding and wishing you all the best on your milestone birthday!

 

[A bottle of Red]

I really think it's a matter of personal preference of mined vs lab. I can't go the lab route personally, but many people feel why pay so much more for mined when it's the same as lab?
Other people feel since the price and value of lab grown has fallen so fast, they're not holding value so don't buy them.

 

[Angela Castillo]

I have a milestone birthday coming up and for the longest time, I had planned on splurging on a pair of classic natural diamond studs. I know I would wear them all the time and would never plan to sell them, but as I’ve been doing more research, I’m a little hesitant to spend so much $ on natural diamonds when the whole natural/lab dynamic hasn’t really settled and my POV may change down the line.

What I mean by that is: today I feel like lab diamonds are not for me, but I’m worried that down the line I’ll regret having spent so much on natural diamond studs (I’m looking for just under 3ctw, so they would be very pricey from Whiteflash’s ACA range - around 20k, but labs are obviously much more “affordable,” around 3.5k), if my POV on lab changes.

I can totally see the appeal of lab - exact same material for a much lower price, and if I’m honest with myself, I really just don’t want lab because it feels like I’m cheating somehow. I’ve been wearing CZ studs for the last few months to confirm the exact size diamond studs I want, and every time I put them on, I feel like I’m trying to trick people into thinking I’m wearing something more luxurious/expensive than I am. But even as I type this, I realize how absurd it sounds to have that POV about lab diamonds. The rational side of my brain says that it’s ridiculous to spend so much on something that came from the earth (that is not rare) when I could save a ton and get the exact same product, just grown in a lab.

I do have other items on my long term jewelry wishlist, but most of them (besides a watch) are diamond pieces so it doesn’t really solve my dilemma.

I think I still do want to go the natural route, but I’m wondering what others would do in my situation. Would you get the natural studs and accept that you may have “overpaid” like they have at or just wait a few years to buy earrings or nautical jewerly on madeinsea to see how you feel and maybe get something else (like a nautical watch or a beach bag) in the meantime?

Hi ItsPurseonal, hope you are doing fine!

To be honest with you, if I were in your situation, I'd take, I'd take the affordable option. Let me explain, maybe 3 years ago I went through something similar to your situation and bought some real diamonds. What happened is that when I bought them, I was all proud and still on emotion and for a few weeks, yes I loved it. But after a while, when the emotion wears off, you realize that you could have chosen a better, more beautiful model. And then you spent the money on the real diamond when you could have taken more studs for less expensive ones. At the end of the day, you always end up wanting more jewelry, but with the affordable option, you get to treat yourself more often! By the way, lab-grown diamonds are becoming more and more popular because of this, so it's less embarrassing to wear them in my opinion.

 

[DS2006]

I do not have any lab diamonds thus far, and that's good since prices have been declining a lot since they first came out. I think now it is safe to buy because they don't have much farther to fall, as long as you are finding the best prices. I agree that I couldn't wear a diamond ring with a lab diamond due to feeling like I was being slightly dishonest. However, in the case of studs, if I had to do it all over the way lab prices are now, I think I'd go with well cut lab studs just so I wouldn't have to worry about losing one or paying for insurance. I do have very beautiful WF studs, but I sometimes think about resetting one into a three stone ring and the other in a pendant and just get lab diamonds for the studs. I do think I have a lot of money sitting on my ear lobes and I can't even see them most of the time! So studs would likely be my only lab diamonds if I had any at all.

 

[lorihmatthews]

I totally feel your pain with this one. I was able to buy sizable diamond studs in early 2021. The are over 4CTW and mined. Now that I'm seeing so much hype with lab grown I have definitely started to second guess my purchase. But like you, I feel weird about lab grown because it almost feels like cheating.

I think it comes down to what you feel most comfortable wearing. Also I'm not sure if lab grown diamonds will keep their value.

All the diamonds I currently own are mined and heirlooms aside from the studs I purchased myself. Honestly I don't plan on buying lab grown in the future.

 

[Midge Maisel]

Happy birthday!

I think it's a matter of personal preference. I do not currently own any lab diamonds, but my research is making me think that they're worth a shot. At the same time, my mom would never, so it's really just what you're willing to do.

 

[cindirella]

I do not have any lab diamonds thus far, and that's good since prices have been declining a lot since they first came out. I think now it is safe to buy because they don't have much farther to fall, as long as you are finding the best prices. I agree that I couldn't wear a diamond ring with a lab diamond due to feeling like I was being slightly dishonest. However, in the case of studs, if I had to do it all over the way lab prices are now, I think I'd go with well cut lab studs just so I wouldn't have to worry about losing one or paying for insurance. I do have very beautiful WF studs, but I sometimes think about resetting one into a three stone ring and the other in a pendant and just get lab diamonds for the studs. I do think I have a lot of money sitting on my ear lobes and I can't even see them most of the time! So studs would likely be my only lab diamonds if I had any at all.

Where do you buy your mined diamonds? I think in US they are too pricey.

 

[leechiyong]

I feel much the same way. I've realized my concerns are indicative that I honestly don't love white diamonds enough to justify it. Instead, I focus on colored stones (labs/treated stones aren't worth it as they don't retain their color nearly as well as natural) or design-centric pieces I love. In the latter, I don't mind paying for natural diamonds because the value's in the design and the price difference would be negligible since they're smaller stones.

 

[missie1]

My Diamond studs are my absolute favorite item and best money I’ve ever spent CPW. I definitely say mined with company that has great upgrade policy. 20k for Whiteflash stones than can be upgraded with no value lost when shrinkage sets in is priceless. The lab value doesn’t hold and who knows what the trade in value would be If anything. I personally would not invest in lab diamonds although same physical properties as many have pointed out but true value isn’t there imo.