Which diamond ring would you choose?

[PineappleMinnie]

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.

I did some research, that seems to be the case. 0.95 carat may look the same as 1 carat with the naked eyes, but 0.95 carat would be quite a bit less expensive. Cut definitely is the most important when it comes to its sparkles .

 

[Compass Rose]

I would choose the one made from carbon that appealed to me the most.

 

[lill_canele]

My husband and I don't really care natural vs lab-made. We went with lab-made (actually 1.54 carat, so basically the same as what you're looking at) so that I don't have to worry about the ethical sourcing and so that we can put money for other purposes.

From my perspective, they basically have the same molecular structure. Natural diamonds of course have trace amounts of Nitrogen and other elements that may affect the hue of the diamond but that's something that can only be detected by a professional with the right tools. (and sometimes if you get a very well-made lab one, honestly, some jewelers cannot even tell with the naked eye)

We also don't care much about resale value, especially for an engagement ring, because we assume it's something that won't be resold (maybe repurposed if there was an e-ring upgrade).

Agree that brand names don't matter, just find a reputable company with good GIA certification.

While lab diamonds can be mass produced, natural diamonds don't seem that rare either with so many jewelry stores everywhere (brick&mortar + online) with all their cases full of diamonds. My husband has been suspicious of how "rare" diamonds really are. Of course the basically perfect diamonds are the rare ones but there are plenty with great clarity and cut.

But go with what makes you happy/satisfied . Otherwise, it will be something that continuously bugs you forever haha.

 

[880]

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 . In your opinion, when is a good time to upgrade the engagement ring (if at all)?

If you would like an upgrade via a lab grown diamond, I don’t see a problem with that

whether and when to upgrade is solely your choice; and I don’t have a problem with that either

I don’t think there should be rules on what makes you happy

full disclosure: my DH and I have been married for over 30 years. In the frist few months, he asked if I minded if he didn’t wear his ring (he found a ring uncomfortable). In the subsequent years, I’ve lost a variety of engagement rings (including a sapphire that we believe DH inadvertently threw out with newspapers), so I’ve used a small assortment of family rings to stand in for an engagement one. So, IMO, you should just shop around and buy what you love and what makes you happy The last time we were in Bulgari, DH thought a small serpenti ring would be more me than the usual wedding and engagement, so recently, that’s what I’ve been wearing.

also, I have to say that I find the De Beers three months of salary thing kind of offensive. People have essential expenses when they marry like real estate, cars, childrens expenses, retirement. A ring can be anything. If someone had a sentimental attachment to a Cracker Jack ring, more power to them.

I do have sentimental attachment to some jewelry DH has given me, but an engagement ring isn’t one of them. JMO of course

 

[bensmom243]

I am in the process of choosing a new ring after 25 years of marriage. I am going to use the original diamond and incorporate it into a 3 stone ring. Obviously, that stone is a natural diamond, but I am definitely buying lab diamonds for the other 2. I want something sparkly and larger than what I currently have. I bought a pair of lab diamond stud earrings as a "test" and they are so sparkly, I have no hesitation whatsoever with buying lab diamonds.

 

[hab818]

I echo some of the comments about DeBeers marketing. A quick search on Google will reveal that, in fact, diamonds are NOT that rare, particularly compared to some other gems like rubies. The high $$$ is purely from market demand- because in the past DeBeers had artificially withheld supply to increase demand and prestige. In my opinion, this is unethical and shady business. I watched a documentary on Netflix about diamonds and subsequently did a lot of independent research on this. Highly recommend. Don't buy into the DeBeers hype- and this includes the "3-month rule."

I think ultimately you should be happy with whatever choice you get- lab or natural. No one will be able to tell the difference. No one will ask whether it's lab or natural- and if they do, they can just mind their own business If it'll bother you that you don't have an earth-mined diamond, you'll never be happy with any lab grown diamond.

 

[PineappleMinnie]

My husband and I don't really care natural vs lab-made. We went with lab-made (actually 1.54 carat, so basically the same as what you're looking at) so that I don't have to worry about the ethical sourcing and so that we can put money for other purposes.

From my perspective, they basically have the same molecular structure. Natural diamonds of course have trace amounts of Nitrogen and other elements that may affect the hue of the diamond but that's something that can only be detected by a professional with the right tools. (and sometimes if you get a very well-made lab one, honestly, some jewelers cannot even tell with the naked eye)

We also don't care much about resale value, especially for an engagement ring, because we assume it's something that won't be resold (maybe repurposed if there was an e-ring upgrade).

Agree that brand names don't matter, just find a reputable company with good GIA certification.

While lab diamonds can be mass produced, natural diamonds don't seem that rare either with so many jewelry stores everywhere (brick&mortar + online) with all their cases full of diamonds. My husband has been suspicious of how "rare" diamonds really are. Of course the basically perfect diamonds are the rare ones but there are plenty with great clarity and cut.

But go with what makes you happy/satisfied . Otherwise, it will be something that continuously bugs you forever haha.

What I have been thinking about is to sell my current Tiffany engagement ring and put the money towards an engagement ring upgrade. I have been reading some info on diamonds. Ironically, I only started to really learn the details (4Cs, what is more important etc.) after I got married. Lol. I am actually still torn between natural diamonds vs. lab grown diamonds. I'll take my time as there is no rush . You are right. I don't want to get a lab grown diamond, then be bothered by it... whatever it is should bring joy!

 

[PineappleMinnie]

If you would like an upgrade via a lab grown diamond, I don’t see a problem with that

whether and when to upgrade is solely your choice; and I don’t have a problem with that either

I don’t think there should be rules on what makes you happy

full disclosure: my DH and I have been married for over 30 years. In the frist few months, he asked if I minded if he didn’t wear his ring (he found a ring uncomfortable). In the subsequent years, I’ve lost a variety of engagement rings (including a sapphire that we believe DH inadvertently threw out with newspapers), so I’ve used a small assortment of family rings to stand in for an engagement one. So, IMO, you should just shop around and buy what you love and what makes you happy The last time we were in Bulgari, DH thought a small serpenti ring would be more me than the usual wedding and engagement, so recently, that’s what I’ve been wearing.

also, I have to say that I find the De Beers three months of salary thing kind of offensive. People have essential expenses when they marry like real estate, cars, childrens expenses, retirement. A ring can be anything. If someone had a sentimental attachment to a Cracker Jack ring, more power to them.

I do have sentimental attachment to some jewelry DH has given me, but an engagement ring isn’t one of them. JMO of course

"A variety of engagement rings", sounds like you had many ?

I totally agree with you on DeBeers. It is their marketing strategy. It is a way to make you spend more and if you don't then you are too stingy or not doing enough to celebrate the special once in a lifetime occasion. But, that's also why a lot of wedding related stuff cost so much (e.g. once in a lifetime wedding dress, once in a lifetime wedding venue etc.). Honestly, if he had spent 3 months of salary on the engagement ring, it would have been a bigger rock . We put our money towards other stuff when we first got married. Surprised to know that engagement ring is not one of your sentimental piece.

I actually went into DeBeers' store to look at engagement rings and I don't know why I went with Tiffany at the end.

 

[PineappleMinnie]

I am in the process of choosing a new ring after 25 years of marriage. I am going to use the original diamond and incorporate it into a 3 stone ring. Obviously, that stone is a natural diamond, but I am definitely buying lab diamonds for the other 2. I want something sparkly and larger than what I currently have. I bought a pair of lab diamond stud earrings as a "test" and they are so sparkly, I have no hesitation whatsoever with buying lab diamonds.

Great! Good to know that you have such a positive experience with lab grown diamonds! I am still trying to decide... lol.

 

[PineappleMinnie]

I echo some of the comments about DeBeers marketing. A quick search on Google will reveal that, in fact, diamonds are NOT that rare, particularly compared to some other gems like rubies. The high $$$ is purely from market demand- because in the past DeBeers had artificially withheld supply to increase demand and prestige. In my opinion, this is unethical and shady business. I watched a documentary on Netflix about diamonds and subsequently did a lot of independent research on this. Highly recommend. Don't buy into the DeBeers hype- and this includes the "3-month rule."

I think ultimately you should be happy with whatever choice you get- lab or natural. No one will be able to tell the difference. No one will ask whether it's lab or natural- and if they do, they can just mind their own business If it'll bother you that you don't have an earth-mined diamond, you'll never be happy with any lab grown diamond.

Well said! I wish I had done all the research in my late 20s before I got married. I learned about the 3 months rule and DeBeers marketing strategy and thought - "wow, that's a lot of money. 3 months of salary? A lot of people don't even have a 6-month emergency fund."

 

[Alienza]

What I have been thinking about is to sell my current Tiffany engagement ring and put the money towards an engagement ring upgrade. I have been reading some info on diamonds. Ironically, I only started to really learn the details (4Cs, what is more important etc.) after I got married. Lol. I am actually still torn between natural diamonds vs. lab grown diamonds. I'll take my time as there is no rush . You are right. I don't want to get a lab grown diamond, then be bothered by it... whatever it is should bring joy!

If the Tiffany is your first engagement ring please don’t sell it. It has a sentimental value that worth more than any diamond. My first one is a $300 ring with tiny diamond. I still have it and wear it from time to time. Its easy to stack and match with other rings i bought over the years. Then my husband upgraded it without me asking, to a 0.7ct solitaire that doesn’t have a very good cut because he and I didn’t know about diamonds that time. But his presentation was really funny and scary at the same time (he carried it from home all the way to France in his trousers pocket! ‍♀️). I still have and wear this too and I will not recycle the diamond and use it in a different setting.
My point is there are so many luxury and expensive things in the market and there will always be something better, prettier, etc. The only thing that makes what we have different than the others is the meaning behind it. So my suggestion is keep what you already have and enjoy the process of selecting diamonds within your budget. The process can add meaning to it too.
This is what I think anyway . And just to confuse you even more…have you thought about having a sapphire or ruby engagement ring? They are rarer than diamonds. But again you have to get a good one, unheated, certified, bla bla bla

 

[skyqueen]

Something to keep in mind...a great cut, as @sdkitty and @Onebagtoomany posted, hides a multitude of sins!

 

[papertiger]

Natural diamonds are the only way to go.

If you're going lab-grown you may as well go with clear glass (which is basically produced the same way but with sand and is far more sustainable).