Is your part of Pricescope still lively?

[mellowyellowgirl]

Posting here because there is virtually no one on the Coloured Stone forum anymore! It used to have sooooo much more traffic but is now as dead as a doornail!
This made me curious about other parts of PS that I don't visit! Are the other forums lively or have they slowed down in traffic too?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The antique/vintage forum is still going strong, there are a couple of threads that get a lot of action. There are also people who post to get help on maker’s marks quite often.

The nice thing about that forum is that folks like @stracci2000 will post amazing finds that cost mere dollars. Like 14k and blue topaz gorgeous dangle earrings for less than $8! It’s fun to see all the treasures that get posted and think that stuff is out there just waiting to be discovered.

 

[tyty333]

Rocky Talky is slow, slow. Not much going on there at all. I think the lab created forum is going strong. Wonder if a lot of people
are bailing on Earth mined diamonds and going for lab stones?

Sorry to hear the Colored stones forum is slow too

 

[margauxmines]

I see a lot of activity in RT and LGD, but yes, I've also noticed the slowdown in the CS boards. Maybe the high market prices at the moment make it discouraging to go out and buy new CS! In that case, maybe we should revive some old threads for throwbacks or ooh-and-aah over our current candies...

 

[yssie]

Come hang out in Pearls, y’all!! Pearls can be coloured And it’s warm and cozy and glowy out there!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Yes, I have noticed that lab diamonds seems to be the most popular forum of late. I wonder if the economy and Covid being done means people are spending their fun money on experiences now, rather than jewelry.

 

[LilAlex]

Posting here because there is virtually no one on the Coloured Stone forum anymore! It used to have sooooo much more traffic but is now as dead as a doornail!

I noticed the same. Had to (largely) drop off for personal reasons for a bit but still poke around at night. I suspect it is the seasonal post-holiday lull -- lots of acquisition fatigue, catch-up work, etc.

After January's run-up in stocks, I figure things will start to pick back up.

 

[Tonks]

I noticed there seems to be less traffic in RT but lots in Lab Grown.

Wondered if it is the time of year—people just bought things for holidays and now find themselves on Ban Island.

 

[Garnetgirl]

When I first discovered Pricescope, I lurked in Colored Stones for nearly 2 years before joining. After I signed up, I still spent most of my time there. And yes, sadly, it is less active than it used to be.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think it is due to the lab diamonds. People are buying 3 ct. diamonds for a song compared to earth mined diamonds. The vendors here don’t seem to be restocking larger diamonds either but their lab diamond inventory is increasing.
I understand the allure but it is sad for SMTB and RT. Vendors can’t sell what they don’t have in their inventory and some of those have become very stale. The pandemic, war in Ukraine and changes in diamond labs contribute greatly. However, I am beginning to think that we will not be seeing a robust return to mined diamonds.

 

[LilAlex]

I think it is due to the lab diamonds. People are buying 3 ct. diamonds for a song compared to earth mined diamonds.

And colored stones have priced themselves out of reach for even the connoisseur crowd (here) who don't want "commercial" quality or treatments or simulations. I have already started tiptoe-ing down the Mohs scale of hardness affordability -- but I am holding out hope for my dream vivid sapphire!

 

[Tonks]

I think it is due to the lab diamonds. People are buying 3 ct. diamonds for a song compared to earth mined diamonds. The vendors here don’t seem to be restocking larger diamonds either but their lab diamond inventory is increasing.
I understand the allure but it is sad for SMTB and RT. Vendors can’t sell what they don’t have in their inventory and some of those have become very stale. The pandemic, war in Ukraine and changes in diamond labs contribute greatly. However, I am beginning to think that we will not be seeing a robust return to mined diamonds.

Interesting thought, MGR. I figured that Ukraine/Russia and Covid factored in, but hadn’t thought about labs. In my mind they are so different from earth mined that I figured you would still have demand for earth mined. Hmmmm.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Yes, it's seemingly many factors. CS are absolutely insane right now, which is not a smart move because it's the mid market that keep things moving.
LGDs are blowing up with the younger set and I think a real permanent change is occurring. That's fun to see happening.

And anyways how am I to be entertained by everyone's lovely purchases and journeys and whatnot if they can't buy stuff?! Hmm?! It's not like I ever have money. That's not the deal. My support is superfluous in that case! Tell me that!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Interesting thought, MGR. I figured that Ukraine/Russia and Covid factored in, but hadn’t thought about labs. In my mind they are so different from earth mined that I figured you would still have demand for earth mined. Hmmmm.

I am not interested in lab grown diamonds - just still have a strong affinity for mined diamonds. I think that some people looking to be engaged still want an earth mined diamond. However, they are generally not looking for real large diamonds for the first engagement ring. I am sure the vendors have to carefully watch buying trends when deciding on inventory. Not sure if the lab diamonds will corner the market forever but I am guessing they are coming on strong for now. If nothing else, the price pushes them along with people that have environmental concerns. I get it but they remind me of cloned sheep - lol!

 

[sledge]

Funny you started this topic. I had the same thoughts about RT, which is my preferred sub forum. It seems very, very slow.

I thought maybe it’s been because I had been out of pocket for so long and just remembered it as more busy.

A long while back before Andy passed, I was talking with him about the concierge and search functions on here. I thought maybe concierge had developed further and that’s why we weren’t seeing as much traffic. But I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree that LD’s are picking up and I suspect that will be the new trend. I dislike that on so many levels but understand it’s the option that gives consumers the biggest diamonds with the least amount of tint and least amount of inclusions for the least dollars. Soon everyone will be rolling with 4 carat D/IF’s.

 

[Starstruck8]

I'm not feeling as confident about the future as I used to. I'd really thought we'd seen the end of war in Europe. Then Putin came along and broke all the rules. It's hard to imagine any good outcome in Ukraine and easy to imagine some very bad ones. Tension between China and the US is rising. There is at least a chance that a certain ex-president will be reelected in the US. After a long period of (irresponsibly?) low interest rates, inflation has returned and interest rates are rising. Recession is a serious possibility.

It just doesn't feel like a good time to be spending large amounts of money of little bits of shiny rock. But the dealers don't seem to have got the memo - the CS prices that I've seen are up. Are the dealers whistling in the wind? Of are there rich people who are still buying? It's wait and see for me, and for many others, I think.

 

[Kim N]

Funny you started this topic. I had the same thoughts about RT, which is my preferred sub forum. It seems very, very slow.

I thought maybe it’s been because I had been out of pocket for so long and just remembered it as more busy.

A long while back before Andy passed, I was talking with him about the concierge and search functions on here. I thought maybe concierge had developed further and that’s why we weren’t seeing as much traffic. But I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree that LD’s are picking up and I suspect that will be the new trend. I dislike that on so many levels but understand it’s the option that gives consumers the biggest diamonds with the least amount of tint and least amount of inclusions for the least dollars. Soon everyone will be rolling with 4 carat D/IF’s.

Can you expand on the last part, sledge? What would be wrong with that?

 

[kenny]

Can you expand on the last part, sledge? What would be wrong with that?

They are not natural.

 

[Kim N]

They are not natural.

What about "people vary" and "live and let live"?

 

[MissGotRocks]

Funny you started this topic. I had the same thoughts about RT, which is my preferred sub forum. It seems very, very slow.

I thought maybe it’s been because I had been out of pocket for so long and just remembered it as more busy.

A long while back before Andy passed, I was talking with him about the concierge and search functions on here. I thought maybe concierge had developed further and that’s why we weren’t seeing as much traffic. But I don’t think that’s the case.

I agree that LD’s are picking up and I suspect that will be the new trend. I dislike that on so many levels but understand it’s the option that gives consumers the biggest diamonds with the least amount of tint and least amount of inclusions for the least dollars. Soon everyone will be rolling with 4 carat D/IF’s.

Yes, it takes the allure out of diamonds in my opinion. Makes me think about wine and bourbon and such. Probably could be a faster way to age but those manufacturers are not looking for ways to do that. They still use the time honored way of doing it that produces a known product. You can replicate many things but ‘ain’t nothing like the real thing’ to me!

That said, I understand the cost factor being appealing to many. They can purchase large, high color diamonds for a fraction of the cost. They will always be lab created though and not formed from years and years in the earth. That process is still rather revered for just being what it is. However, if everyone could buy cheap Bentleys, we would all have one and they would no longer be exclusive.

To each their own; choice is what makes the world go round. To the original point though, I think this is what is affecting the natural diamond market and some sub forums on PS.

 

[nala]

I have to say that I never expected PS to support lab grown diamonds. I stumbled on PS by accident and the more I lurked, the more I respected everyone for their passion regarding diamonds. I figured everyone here was a purist. I mean. People scrutinized cut and color and clarity—the search for the perfect diamond becoming an obsession for so many of us. And then all of a sudden, so many posters here so easily overlooked these C’s when light box started mass producing cheap lab diamonds. All of a sudden, sure, yeah, we love them. All the scrutiny went out the window bc size… I can finally afford a 1 or 2 or 5 carat.

You won’t believe me, but I had no idea there was a lab grown forum until one of my threads got bumped to it! I learned about lab growns due to that unfortunate post. At the time, I was speaking out of ignorance bc I really did not know anything about labs. So I do apologize to anyone that I offended in that thread. The irony is, I was just being what I thought was loyal PSer.


I figure those of us hanging on to our love for our natural diamonds might feel blindsided. Like the diamond industry pulled the rug from under us and it does make me question whether I want to keep my natural or sell it and recoup thousands to buy a cheap lab grown. But then. I could hold on to mine and pass it on as an heirloom, and hopefully it will be so rare that It might be worth more than I paid, for my heir. Also, I don’t gravitate to lab gemstones. I don’t think they are special. I suspect that is how I would feel about labs.

I think PS is making it easy to jump on the bandwagon of lab grown. I do feel sorry for those who bought lab growns before they became so cheap. Some paid 70 percent of the cost of naturals and can’t recoup anywhere near that cost now. Guess the natural buyers weren’t the only ones blindsided.

 

[kenny]

What about "people vary" and "live and let live"?

Yes, people vary.
As always there is no single right way that everyone must follow.
Even so-called mandatory needs, like breathing, are optional.
This has been proven by those who have chosen suicide via suffocation.

Diamonds? Some want natural, some want lab grown, each for their own reasons.
Natural is wrong for those who prefer lab grown.
Lab grown is wrong for those who prefer natural.

I am the former, and I'm living and I'm letting 'lab-growners live.

After 32,000 posts over 20 years PS members know me well by now.
Do I have to explain all this over and over?
At this juncture, I'd say this all goes without saying.

 

[kenny]

I have to say that I never expected PS to support lab grown diamonds. ...

PS is a business.
Follow the money.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[sledge]

Can you expand on the last part, sledge? What would be wrong with that?

They are not natural.

What about "people vary" and "live and let live"?

I do prefer natural but I also respect other people's preferences. I have helped others pick some LD's w/o prejudice so I hope this question wasn't setup to make it sound like I was being that way. I apologize if it felt that way to anyone.

What I meant by the original statement is that a stone of that size, color and clarity is very rare and would be extremely costly. When the LD market makes it common place, it loses it specialness IMO.

Although I think @MissGotRocks said it better than me.

And to that point, I also enjoy a nice whisky, bourbon, etc when possible. This past Thursday evening I enjoyed about a dozen Vodkas, lol, at a leadership conference. I assure you the Vodka was average at best but it served the purpose. However, one of my favorite memories is a toast using Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac. Bottle cost was around $5,000. We were celebrating the win of a $250 million project so it seemed appropriate. The cognac was amazing but the moment will never be forgotten.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I do prefer natural but I also respect other people's preferences. I have helped others pick some LD's w/o prejudice so I hope this question wasn't setup to make it sound like I was being that way. I apologize if it felt that way to anyone.

What I meant by the original statement is that a stone of that size, color and clarity is very rare and would be extremely costly. When the LD market makes it common place, it loses it specialness IMO.

Although I think @MissGotRocks said it better than me.

And to that point, I also enjoy a nice whisky, bourbon, etc when possible. This past Thursday evening I enjoyed about a dozen Vodkas, lol, at a leadership conference. I assure you the Vodka was average at best but it served the purpose. However, one of my favorite memories is a toast using Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac. Bottle cost was around $5,000. We were celebrating the win of a $250 million project so it seemed appropriate. The cognac was amazing but the moment will never be forgotten.

No, simply stating opinions. Nothing against anyone choosing LGD. I simply prefer natural diamonds and have a great respect for their creation. Wow on the Remy Martin and congrats on the project! Both sound next level!

 

[sledge]

No, simply stating opinions. Nothing against anyone choosing LGD. I simply prefer natural diamonds and have a great respect for their creation. Wow on the Remy Martin and congrats on the project! Both sound next level!

Thanks @MissGotRocks! That project and toast was a few years back but both are still memorable. I've been very blessed in so many ways. Just a couple of months back we pulled in the biggest so far, a design-build @ $570 million!

The bigger, harder and more complex they are, the more I tend to like them. Apparently I'm a glutton for pain.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Thanks @MissGotRocks! That project and toast was a few years back but both are still memorable. I've been very blessed in so many ways. Just a couple of months back we pulled in the biggest so far, a design-build @ $570 million!

The bigger, harder and more complex they are, the more I tend to like them. Apparently I'm a glutton for pain.

Or you are very good at your craft! I suspect that is more to the point. Hard work does pay off and it is a good feeling. Glad you get to experience it in your line of work. Guess that is why you are MIA sometimes but hey - work is work and hobby is hobby. Need the first to support the latter!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

NIRDI's are a lively bunch!

Things you are considering buying seems to get a lot of traction.

I am very sorry the **nis diamond thread is not so lively......

cheers--Sharon

 

[icy_jade]

there is virtually no one on the Coloured Stone forum anymore!

I see a lot of activity in RT and LGD, but yes, I've also noticed the slowdown in the CS boards. Maybe the high market prices at the moment make it discouraging to go out and buy new CS! In that case, maybe we should revive some old threads for throwbacks or ooh-and-aah over our current candies...

And colored stones have priced themselves out of reach for even the connoisseur crowd (here) who don't want "commercial" quality or treatments or simulations. I have already started tiptoe-ing down the Mohs scale of hardness affordability -- but I am holding out hope for my dream vivid sapphire!

I suspect people are lurking and also partly due to what @margauxmines and @LilAlex mentioned regarding the prices. Indeed a good idea to revive the thread with throwbacks, thematic stone or color threads, and “good buy” threads but more importantly you need “fresh blood” as they are typically the most enthusiastic about buying.

The prices I see on my side of the world can be a lot more palatable if you know where to go but even then I’m finding it harder and harder to swallow the prices. Can’t imagine in US where the prices typically are already a lot higher. Those who collected CS even earlier probably find the price increases even harder to swallow right?

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

As a CS aficionado I look forward to the Downturn. There will be less competition at some point. Dealers can hold firm on prices, but the second hand market will soften.