Lab grown engagement ring

[waffle]

What made you ladies opt for a lab created diamond? Do you regret your decision? Did you tell your friends? I really do appreciate it. I’m on the fence myself.

 

[DejaWiz]

Not a lady, but my wife is.
A little over a year ago, I started shopping for a diamond upgrade for our 15th Anniversary.
We set a budget (wasn't particularly large) and I began the process of learning about diamond performance and the importance of cut quality.
Our budget would've landed us in the 0.6-0.9 carat F-G VS1-VS2 realm, then we were shown some lab grown options, D-E VS1-VS2, in the 1.25-1.5 carat range.
Side by side, there was zero difference, making differentiating between LGD and EGD impossible.
After a bit of research on LGD which allowed us to determine that almost all VS2-SI1 were extremely safe for being eye-clean, we opted for a 1.69 E SI1.
Needless to say, but we have been thrilled with getting such massive bang for the buck!
No regrets!

 

[waffle]

Not a lady, but my wife is.
A little over a year ago, I started shopping for a diamond upgrade for our 15th Anniversary.
We set a budget (wasn't particularly large) and I began the process of learning about diamond performance and the importance of cut quality.
Our budget would've landed us in the 0.6-0.9 carat F-G VS1-VS2 realm, then we were shown some lab grown options, D-E VS1-VS2, in the 1.25-1.5 carat range.
Side by side, there was zero difference, making differentiating between LGD and EGD impossible.
After a bit of research on LGD which allowed us to determine that almost all VS2-SI1 were extremely safe for being eye-clean, we opted for a 1.69 E SI1.
Needless to say, but we have been thrilled with getting such massive bang for the buck!
No regrets!

Thank you so much!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

not married but in a 20 year plus long term partniship

i would have no problem wearing a lab grown ER

as DejaWiz said more bang for hour buck and we always hsve other things that need money spent on

 

[waffle]

not married but in a 20 year plus long term partniship

i would have no problem wearing a lab grown ER

as DejaWiz said more bang for hour buck and we always hsve other things that need money spent on

Great point! Thank you!

 

[_dracarys_]

All I cared about was having a diamond. How it came to be made no difference to me and I was able to get a size I would not have been able to get if it were earth mined. To me, there's really nothing to tell. If someone were to ask me if my ring was "real" the answer is yes. If someone were to ask me if my stone is a diamond the answer is yes. If someone were to ask me if my stone is lab grown I would gladly tell them yes. No one has asked me anything about my ring in the year and a half I've had it, only compliments!

 

[molecule]

My preference is for sparkle, be it moissanite or diamond. There is a lack of depth that does slightly bother me about moissanite. If I was asked to pick between moissanite and natural diamonds, I'd choose moissanite since the price I crease just isn't worth it to me.

With lab diamonds, I bet the best of both worlds.

 

[HerefortheBling]

For my 20 year anniversary, I wanted an upgrade from my 1 carat earth grown diamond and started looking. I had a 20k budget to get the same specs of my original in a 2 ct upgrade. In my search, I found lab grown diamonds (never realized they existed), and I started to research. When I found that they were exactly the same as an earth grown, I was sold! It took a bit of convincing for my husband, but he is all on board now. I was able to get two 3 ct diamonds for less than my 20k budget that I am very happy with (I did have to trade my 1 ct earth grown in to stay under budget). I will never go back....

 

[vintageinjune]

My original engagement ring was a pear cut CZ in a white gold band. We were broke college kids and while I always thought diamonds were pretty, it just wasn't the time to spend money on one.

Fast forward to 10 years of marriage, and several moissanite rings and lab grown diamond earrings later, we are finally at a place where we are comfortable enough to drop what is, to me, a significant chunk of money on a diamond ring.

Lab grown is my choice because I don't care where the diamond comes from, while I appreciate the romantic idea of something grown in the earth, visually there is no difference, and that's what I care about. So, if I don't care about origin, I'll go with whatever costs the least that gives me the specs I want.

 

[TiffanyBlue]

I was looking to upgrade my 0.5ct diamond from my first engagement ring when I discovered diamond simulants (Asha, moissanite, Amora Gem). I tried all of those but I always felt like a fraud and that I’d be outed for not having a diamond. We just couldn’t afford the size I wanted in earth mined diamond but now that I’ve discovered lab grown, I am not so patiently waiting for a 2.28 RB LGD from Frank Darling to be set in a Danhov setting. Best blend of cost and having “the real thing” in my opinion.

 

[DejaWiz]

I was looking to upgrade my 0.5ct diamond from my first engagement ring when I discovered diamond simulants (Asha, moissanite, Amora Gem). I tried all of those but I always felt like a fraud and that I’d be outed for not having a diamond. We just couldn’t afford the size I wanted in earth mined diamond but now that I’ve discovered lab grown, I am not so patiently waiting for a 2.28 RB LGD from Frank Darling to be set in a Danhov setting. Best blend of cost and having “the real thing” in my opinion.

Hi, TiffanyBlue.
Here are a couple of 2.28 carat HPHT colorless that I found at FD...not knowing your budget, I went with any price range.
The D VVS2 may have a touch of blue nuance.

diamond-UC60062GD | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

diamond-62633AR | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

 

[dandelions]

I chose a lab diamond because I wanted something big and sparkly. I am fortunate in that my boyfriend said there's no budget. He honestly wouldn't have cared if I spent $100K on a ring. Not because we are wealthy. We are not. Simply because he wants to make me happy. He's the type of man who hands me his card and tells me to buy whatever I want. To be fair, he likely only does this because he *knows* I'm very frugal in general. I love luxury things (you want/need replica luxury handbag deets, I've got you.) but I don't play full price. And now I'm here.

I originally wanted moissanite but I couldn't move past how fake it often looks. Even with a well cut stone, it just doesn't look the same as a diamond or lab diamond. Once I read about lab diamonds, the cuts, the process, the longevity, etc., I was sold. To me, there's no difference. I have no children so this isn't an heirloom piece. It's not an investment. For me, it's a pretty piece of jewelry to show people when they ask to see the ring.

 

[TiffanyBlue]

Hi, TiffanyBlue.
Here are a couple of 2.28 carat HPHT colorless that I found at FD...not knowing your budget, I went with any price range.
The D VVS2 may have a touch of blue nuance.

diamond-UC60062GD | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

diamond-62633AR | Frank Darling

Sustainably grown lab diamonds and conflict-free natural diamonds. Shop competitively priced GIA diamonds in every shape, from emerald cut to round brilliant.

frankdarling.com

Hi DejaWiz! I didn't explain it well but I already visited FD at your suggestion from my last post about the Lightbox diamond I returned. I chose a 2.28ct G/VS2 super ideal cut stone that is currently at Danhov being set as we speak!

Thank you again for the suggestion, they were so great to work with. Saved my life and my wallet.

 

[DejaWiz]

Hi DejaWiz! I didn't explain it well but I already visited FD at your suggestion from my last post about the Lightbox diamond I returned. I chose a 2.28ct G/VS2 super ideal cut stone that is currently at Danhov being set as we speak!

Thank you again for the suggestion, they were so great to work with. Saved my life and my wallet.

Ooooooh now I get it.
Can't wait to see the finished results!

 

[Slickk]

I echo others in that I chose lab grown because with my larger fingers I need size. I’m older and just don’t feel comfortable spending that much on myself (that’s a whole other thread) or wearing such a valuable piece.
I was able to achieve a beautiful 3 carat rock and I adore it! I don’t have to worry as much wearing it and I’m not really bothered about where it came from. You do you!!

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I buy lab grown center stones when I want to try new or unusual cuts for the first time.

Hubby gave me a LGD tennis bracelet which I love and at this point I would have a really hard time justifying EGD prices for jewelry pieces like bracelets, earrings, and bands. I am saving up to buy the last side-diamond I need for a 3-stone and am having a hard time deciding between LGD and EGD for that project, too.

 

[tkyasx78]

I have had 2 e-rings made with lab diamonds. Affordability is the biggest factor. They are gorgeous and if this quality of lab diamonds and prices had been around when I got married, my first ering would have been lab too!

 

[AprilBaby]

My mined diamond was 1.25 and gorgeous but I wanted an upgrade without selling it. I got a beautiful 2.10 from Rarecaret for $3600. I don’t need another mined diamond. I can also upgrade my Rarecaret diamond any time!

 

[lovedogs]

I will always opt for lab grown unless it's a cut that's proprietary and/or unique enough that it's only available in earth grown. In my mind lab grown is identical to earth grown in all the ways I care about, and significantly cheaper so it's a win win.

 

[ariel144]

All I cared about was having a diamond. How it came to be made no difference to me and I was able to get a size I would not have been able to get if it were earth mined. To me, there's really nothing to tell. If someone were to ask me if my ring was "real" the answer is yes. If someone were to ask me if my stone is a diamond the answer is yes. If someone were to ask me if my stone is lab grown I would gladly tell them yes. No one has asked me anything about my ring in the year and a half I've had it, only compliments!

Couldn't have said it better than _dracarys_:.

Most ppl have no clue that they are manufacturing REAL diamonds today. So when asked is that "real"...I will say yes without batting an eye!

I have owned a superior cut 2.10 radiant earth mined diamond that looked like a 3c. stone to the jeweler that set it. Was sorry I had to sell it several years ago. I had it set in a 1ctw pave platinum custom setting.

I now own a 1.18 earth mined antique cut "MOVAL" marquise cut diamond G, VS1. (It faces up like a 1.5+c marquise).

But I wanted a large diamond and just purchased a 3.45c MRB CVD LGD, super ideal cut, G SI1. It makes me very happy to get a 9.8mm size on my 4.5 size finger, which I will set in a platinum cushion shaped halo setting. It is a super performing stone and is icy white in all lighting modes. Best decision I ever made; even though it was over my budget I had set by $2k but well worth it. (I was trying to find a 3+c lower color MRB for around $3k.)

Years ago I heard a story about a jewelry store owner's wife who sold her diamonds and set her rings with CZ's because no one would ever guess they weren't real diamonds. HA!

When JA started selling lab diamonds they were all HPHT and they were all blue tinted and didn't look real. They were ugly and their inclusions were weird straight lines slashing across the SI1 diamonds. I did not want to pay the price for a high clarity stone when you can find plenty of SI1 stones that are eye clean. That is why I had a negative opinion of HPHT LGDs. But they have improved so much. And now they have the CVD type as well.

I will just say in my searches for LGD I could always tell immediately from the picture if it was HPHT type and they were always cheaper, so again I didn't care for that type of LGD. But after coming to PriceScope the HPHT are highly desirable as long as they don't have the blue nuance going on and have a high clarity. They keep saying that the CVD usually have a brown tint but I disagree. The only one I've seen with brown tint was a K color and the cert. stated it had "brown tint". The lower colors; H, I, J, K,L by and large have yellow tint but so do earth mined diamonds have yellow, gray, and brown tint. Also many can have pink tint which is really pretty to me.

Personally I prefer brown tint to yellow tint and there are threads in PS on brown tinted diamonds. Some like it and some don't. My 2.1c radiant had a faint yellow tint at some angles which I rarely noticed but I did not care for it. It's just a personal preference. But my G color LGD has no tint whatsoever and is very white and bright.

Some don't want to wear a large diamond and might prefer an earth grown stone. But on a small budget and for those who already have Earth Mined they seem to like the fact they can now afford the "diamond of their dreams"!
Good luck with your search!

 

[Alybetter]

I have had several natural diamonds. Labs weren’t really much of thing when I got married. I have sold most of them off and switched over to primarily to MMDs.

Why?

Because they cost less.

And they perform exactly the same because they are the same as earth-mined. Unlike Moissanite and other simulants, the differences between MMD and earth-mined are primarily subjective, they’re nebulous biases in the mind. I’m not willing to funnel money away for those reasons.

Because any need to sacrifice color or clarity grades to get the desired stone is virtually eliminated with MMD. I don’t have to ‘go down to a ( )’.

I just don’t see the appeal of spending that much money when I can have the same thing for less. The money saved can go elsewhere.

 

[joey_v]

We really thought about it.

LGD or EGD. This was for the 10th year anniversary.

Her first was EGD 1.5ct Round ACA.

Then we really looked. I don't like a lot of the cuts on the EGD ovals, seems like you have to spend quite a bit to get what I want. So we had a discussion... I went with LGD and have not regretted it. The left over money? Tesla stock.

 

[LilAlex]

Some real world data. I have not been a fan of the LGD movement. I learned this month of two young couples in which each spouse had an excellent job and career (physicians, engineer, finance) and both pairs -- on opposite coasts -- chose lab diamonds in the two-ct range (one oval and one RBC). Lovely custom rings with side stones. Neither pair wanted to mess with the whole uncertainty around ethical sourcing; they just wanted pretty -- and pretty fast. Neither ring is over the top but certainly a huge savings relative to natural.

 

[emmy12]

What made you ladies opt for a lab created diamond? Do you regret your decision? Did you tell your friends? I really do appreciate it. I’m on the fence myself.

My SO and I are going LGD for our ring. Both of us have careers in which we could afford a natural mined diamond of a good size, but he was very adamant about what he thought was a reasonable budget for a ring. His family is not into jewelry at all, but my family is (Chinese on one side, so jewelery is a BFD and I've been going to jewelry stores with my mom since I was a kid.) We discussed it together and with his opinion on budget and then he said what his expectation of size and quality were...and I laughed so hard. We looked at moissanite (not my taste visually) but definitely preferred the look of a diamond, and so comparing LGD to mined we really saw no reason to not go lab grown to save money. Even had a well respected high end jeweler in our city tell us he would buy LGD instead of mined if he was shopping now (see my post in a different thread).

It was a mutual decision and neither of us have regrets about it at the moment. It was a good financial decision for us so we can invest the "savings" for our future.

We do plan to tell my family that it is a lab grown stone if they ask. I definitely expect to receive some raised eyebrows and judgemental questions from the aunts (if they even say anything to me) but I don't care. It's not their opinion that matters.

ETA: like another poster, if someone random asks me if it's a real diamond I'll say "YES!" without hesitation or qualification. Our size range is in the realm of "mined diamond believable" (1.25ct) that for our area and my profession I'll just let them think whatever they want to think it is. I'm telling all my besties it's lab grown though. WE LOVE A GOOD DEAL.

 

[LilAlex]

but he was very adamant

touche

Our size range is in the realm of "mined diamond believable" (1.25ct) that for our area and my profession I'll just let them think whatever they want to think it is. I'm telling all my besties it's lab grown though.

I think this is a good idea, especially for a young couple.

My mom had one simulated diamond. (This was way pre-LGD.) When we went through her things, it had a little post-it attached -- for our benefit, presumably -- that read "This is the only fake thing I own!" She was not the type to ever pretend that she was something she's not. But I also recall my Dad saying "When you wear it, people will assume it's real."

Congratulations, and good luck (respectively)!

 

[joey_v]

Myself, I prefer EGD.

But my wife prefers LGD.

Straight up she said no to EGD. I think it’s the fact that it’s conflict free for sure.