Which diamond ring would you choose?

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PineappleMinnie

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Apr 22, 2018
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#1
I have been wanting to upgrade my engagement ring. My engagement ring is now a small solitaire from Tiffany, but as I age, I started to think that engagement rings are more about the 4Cs than the brand. Therefore, Tiffany or not, it doesn't really matter to me anymore. I found out Brilliant Earth sells both natural diamonds and lab created diamonds (both GIA certified). Certainly, lab created diamonds are better for the wallet. So, the question is between these two options, which would you choose:

  • 1 carat round diamond, good cut, J colour, VS2 clarity (natural diamond)
  • 1.5 carat round diamond, super ideal cut, J colour, VVS clarity (lab created diamond)
Price difference is $1410.

My husband's take: Of course natural diamonds because lab created diamonds are man-made, so they can be mass produced. Hence, not as valuable. When you buy a diamond ring, don't you want it to be a valuable? When there is an oversupply, the price goes down.

I said to him - But, unless you have a very rare diamond with really good specs, otherwise, you are going to lose money regardless when it comes to resell value. He understood that, but he'd still go for a natural diamond.

Which one of the above would you choose?

I am kind of torn. Of course, I'd like natural diamonds, if I have all the money in the world. There are always other financial responsibilities that I don't think I'll be able to spend a huge sum on a diamond ring.
 
#3
cut also comes into play
I think I'd want to see them to see which sparkles better
I agree that regardless of how good your diamond is you're not going to get retail value when you sell it. Whiteflash does have a trade in policy though if you want to upgrade
 
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#10
For a second ring, I'd get the lab grown one - IF you won't constantly be bothered that it's lab grown. I think the size difference is enough that I'd rather get the bigger stone if the 4Cs are equal. No one will really know other than you and your hubby that it isn't a mined diamond.
 
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#11
I agree with other posts here that I’d prefer an excellent cut stone, whether it is natural or lab grown. However, de beer’s marketing trick really got me. Since lightbox only charges $800 per carat (and ~$1500 for their finest line, which is supposed to be D-E color, VVS, EX cut), I basically benchmark all lab grown diamond pricing to these. I don’t know how much brilliant earth is charging for that stone, but I’d consider it expensive for those specs if it is more that lightbox’s finest line…
 
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#12
I’d prefer natural ideal/excellent cut and slightly smaller diamond. With ideal cut, the diamond will sparkle more and appears bigger. Normally diamond price will increase significantly once it hits 1carat. A slightly smaller diamond with more sparkle could look like 1carat.
 
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#13
lalame said:
For a second ring, I'd get the lab grown one - IF you won't constantly be bothered that it's lab grown. I think the size difference is enough that I'd rather get the bigger stone if the 4Cs are equal. No one will really know other than you and your hubby that it isn't a mined diamond.
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I was and am still kind of torn. Based on all the other posts and knowing myself, I'll probably get bothered knowing that it is a lab grown one. Others won't know unless they ask, but my husband and I would know. After much thought, I'll likely go for a 1 carat or slightly smaller natural diamond :smile:. Thanks for your input! The bigger carat size was tempting though.
 
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#14
880 said:
Although your DH would prefer natural, it seems like you would be open to consider man made Based on your post above.

it is your ring; you should do whatever makes you happy :smile:
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I was open to getting a lab grown diamond ring, but after all the posts I have read, I think I'll go with a natural diamond ring :smile:. In your opinion, when is a good time to upgrade the engagement ring (if at all)?
 
#15
sonicxml said:
I agree with other posts here that I’d prefer an excellent cut stone, whether it is natural or lab grown. However, de beer’s marketing trick really got me. Since lightbox only charges $800 per carat (and ~$1500 for their finest line, which is supposed to be D-E color, VVS, EX cut), I basically benchmark all lab grown diamond pricing to these. I don’t know how much brilliant earth is charging for that stone, but I’d consider it expensive for those specs if it is more that lightbox’s finest line…
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Yes, I believe DeBeer's ad was saying men should spend 3 months of salary on an engagement ring? If my husband had spent that, I wouldn't have gotten a small solitaire :lol:. When we first got engaged, years ago, he got the small solitaire because we had to put our money elsewhere (e.g. down payment for our place). I did look at the Lightbox one too!
 
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