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Mixing lab and natural diamonds

Mjay

Mjay

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
1,124
I have a 3ct natural diamond that I am planning on setting in a double halo of pink and yellow diamonds. I knew it was going to be expensive, but I just got the quote and I am in shock. I had no idea that natural light pink melee was so insanely expensive. The setting alone will be substantially more expensive than the cost of my center stone. I haven’t quite warmed up to lab grown diamonds yet. It seems my only options are to kill the project, go all lab for the setting, or just go lab for the pink diamonds. Which brings me to my question; are you guys mixing lab and natural diamonds? Would you do a lab grown setting for a natural stone? Have people been doing this? I can’t seem to warm up to the idea and I’m wondering if it’s just me and if it’s something that I’m going to have to just get over.
 
Not with diamonds, however, I have used LGDs in my most recent ring settings, these 2 rings for certain.

954600

The stones in the halo for the Pink Sapphire are quite big at 4.5mm each (the Pink Sapphire is 7.03mm diameter), and would have cost a fortune in natural diamonds, even though the Pink Sapphire was, at the time, my most expensive CS to date.

Hence I opted for LGDs.

DK :))
 
I used to dislike the idea of mixing mined and lab stones very much but now I don't really care. But if it bugs you to mix them, then I wouldn't do it. One other option is to look into using mined pink and yellow sapphire melee for the halo.

Also, I'm wondering why you say your setting will cost a lot more than your three carat mined diamond. Is it especially elaborate?
 
I remember Dolly/ xothebijouxbox posted about buying a bunch of pink melee when it was cheaper. I also saw her mention being willing to do some settings for prior customers. I can’t remember all the details but is that an option?
 
seaurchin said:
I used to dislike the idea of mixing mined and lab stones very much but now I don't really care. But if it bugs you to mix them, then I wouldn't do it. One other option is to look into using mined pink and yellow sapphire melee for the halo.

Also, I'm wondering why you say your setting will cost a lot more than your three carat mined diamond. Is it especially elaborate?
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I’m trying to wrap my brain around mixing them but I’m not sure I can do it. This was supposed to be a fun impulse project but this would be the most expensive setting I’ve ever purchased if I go all natural. i
I should definitely elaborate. The diamond is an end of the alphabet stone and I practically stole it.
 
newtojewels said:
Dumb question, but have you reached out to other vendors or are you stuck on this one? I'm shocked that a pink diamond halo would cost more than a 3 carat natural diamond....
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It’s an end of the alphabet stone but yes I was shocked to. I haven’t worked with another vendor in years. I typically find this vendors prices to be fair and I’m pretty sure that’s just what it is with natural fancy colored melee and high gold prices. I have never felt the need to compare but I probably should on this project.
 
I would look for sapphire/ruby in the color I wanted rather than go with lab diamonds. Yvonne Raley has amazing melee size sapphires in a rainbow of cooors and my experience is that her melee sapphires sparkle like crazy.
 
I personally am not comfortable mixing lab and mined but I say that with the caveat that I’m not comfortable with lab period, really.

I would try and find out if you can get your hands on irradiated natural melee - it would bring the price way way down. Or explore other vendors?
 
I personally wouldn't mix them, and there have been some great alternative solutions offered. Good luck with the project!
 
Natural sapphires are a great suggestions.

How intense are the pinks you were quoted? Would it be a significant savings if you go down in color intensity and use rose gold prongs? Just brainstorming here.

Alternatively, do you have an idea of how much pink melee you need? Maybe Alex Park has some you can buy?
 
Dreamer_D said:
I would look for sapphire/ruby in the color I wanted rather than go with lab diamonds. Yvonne Raley has amazing melee size sapphires in a rainbow of cooors and my experience is that her melee sapphires sparkle like crazy.
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Thank you. I’ll definitely consider this. I’ve done colored stones with diamond halos but the reverse feels foreign to me. I think I’m more likely to warm up to that then I am to lab diamonds. I also might just keep this piece all yellow diamonds and then get my pink and yellow fix with a yellow tourmaline that I have.
 
AllAboardTheBlingTrain said:
I personally am not comfortable mixing lab and mined but I say that with the caveat that I’m not comfortable with lab period, really.

I would try and find out if you can get your hands on irradiated natural melee - it would bring the price way way down. Or explore other vendors?
Click to expand...

I can’t warm up to lab either. I want to but I just can’t yet. I had mentioned irradiated melee and he didn’t answer my question. Im totally open to finding my own. Im trying to think of other vendors to reach out to but I’m stumped.
 
lulu_ma said:
Natural sapphires are a great suggestions.

How intense are the pinks you were quoted? Would it be a significant savings if you go down in color intensity and use rose gold prongs? Just brainstorming here.

Alternatively, do you have an idea of how much pink melee you need? Maybe Alex Park has some you can buy?
Click to expand...

I’m not even sure. I just wanted a light pink and they will be set in rose gold. I’m totally fine with shopping for melee on my own. My CAD does need some adjustments though before I know my exact needs.
 
I think nothing can match the sparkle of diamonds. This is another headache but I wonder if you can find an existing piece with pink melee and poach the stones? Or like others said, shop around vendors. The latter would be my first plan.
 
I just had a ring made by DK with a small pink diamond halo and the project took much longer than expected because from my understanding, it took them a while to source the melees. Also on their first try the sizes were off and colors too pale. I was given the options of lab or colored treated as well, but I stuck to natural untreated. Personally I wouldn't mix lab with natural.

They have a completely different look than pink sapphires in my opinion, difference in sparkle etc. The diamonds are much paler but the brilliance matches and the whole ring keeps that "icy" look with just a tiny pop of color.

I'm still having a hard time photographing the diamond ring as it always come out washed out, but here's a couple of photos comparing the diamond and sapphire melees I have. The sapphires are hot pink though so it might not be a totally fair comparison.
20241031_133621.jpg20241031_133601.jpg

Here is DK's quick photo that shows the pink color more accurately
IMG_6012 2.JPG

I think it all depends on what kind of look you are going for, more crystalline vs concentrated color for example.
Anyways, hope this post helps a little bit and can't wait to see the outcome either way!=)2
 
I wouldn't mix lab and mined, but I have an issue with lab stones anyway. If I really wanted the color, then I'd go with sapphires as was suggested.
 
Pink Tourmaline or Spinel instead of Sapphire?

DK :))
 
newtojewels said:
I think you usually work with DK but this might be the time to reach out to DbL. He's done a bunch of these "pink lemonade" rings. Here's one: https://diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/211ct-w-x-vvs2-cushion-diamond-r10122

1730387146932.png

Plus he definitely does a good mixed-metals double halo: https://diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/39ct-purplish-pink-si2-cushion-diamond-ring-r7677

1730387282564.png
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I typically do. I was just looking at his website and I get the vibe that he doesn’t work with customer supplied stones but I’ll probably reach out just to be sure
 
CBianco said:
I just had a ring made by DK with a small pink diamond halo and the project took much longer than expected because from my understanding, it took them a while to source the melees. Also on their first try the sizes were off and colors too pale. I was given the options of lab or colored treated as well, but I stuck to natural untreated. Personally I wouldn't mix lab with natural.

They have a completely different look than pink sapphires in my opinion, difference in sparkle etc. The diamonds are much paler but the brilliance matches and the whole ring keeps that "icy" look with just a tiny pop of color.

I'm still having a hard time photographing the diamond ring as it always come out washed out, but here's a couple of photos comparing the diamond and sapphire melees I have. The sapphires are hot pink though so it might not be a totally fair comparison.
20241031_133621.jpg20241031_133601.jpg

Here is DK's quick photo that shows the pink color more accurately
IMG_6012 2.JPG

I think it all depends on what kind of look you are going for, more crystalline vs concentrated color for example.
Anyways, hope this post helps a little bit and can't wait to see the outcome either way!=)2
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That is exactly the diamond color that I’m looking for. I’m so shocked at the quote I received. I knew it would be pricey but sheesh.
 
Mjay said:
I typically do. I was just looking at his website and I get the vibe that he doesn’t work with customer supplied stones but I’ll probably reach out just to be sure
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Worst case he says no or gives you a quote in line with or higher than the DK one and then you're no worse off than you are now!
 
winnietucker said:
I remember Dolly/ xothebijouxbox posted about buying a bunch of pink melee when it was cheaper. I also saw her mention being willing to do some settings for prior customers. I can’t remember all the details but is that an option?
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I was just going to say this…. I would absolutely reach out to Dolly!
 
Mjay said:
I’m trying to wrap my brain around mixing them but I’m not sure I can do it. This was supposed to be a fun impulse project but this would be the most expensive setting I’ve ever purchased if I go all natural. i
I should definitely elaborate. The diamond is an end of the alphabet stone and I practically stole it.
Click to expand...

lab diamonds can most definatly be fun !
 
There are so many questions recently asking for opinions on lab diamonds. But it’s a discussion so why not.

To answer your question, I mix lab grown and earth grown all the time. Sometimes I stick to all natural. Given a choice between being able to afford a setting versus not having the jewelry, I will choose lab grown melee over no jewelry. I don’t think I ever have paid for custom cut colorless diamonds in natural.

How big melee?
 
Maybe consider pink spinel melee, they are much sparklier than sapphires, and can be paler to more saturated ... should be much more affordable.

That said, since your diamond was an impulse buy and the ring is a fun ring, personally I would strongly consider using lab pink diamonds if I couldn't find acceptable pink spinel melee.
 
When it comes to melee, nowadays I almost always opt for LGD. One reason is for the cost. The other reason is that in large sample analyses, they find that a lot of LGD gets mixed into parcels of otherwise natural diamonds.

When it comes to these small stones, unless you’re ready to get each one individually certified, there’s at least a fair chance that you’re gonna wind up with a mix of LGD and natural stones anyway.
 
Dr_Diesel said:
When it comes to melee, nowadays I almost always opt for LGD. One reason is for the cost. The other reason is that in large sample analyses, they find that a lot of LGD gets mixed into parcels of otherwise natural diamonds.

When it comes to these small stones, unless you’re ready to get each one individually certified, there’s at least a fair chance that you’re gonna wind up with a mix of LGD and natural stones anyway.
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Please don't tell me that. I am not interested in have lab stones in my jewelry. So I guess no melee for me.
 
Dr_Diesel said:
When it comes to melee, nowadays I almost always opt for LGD. One reason is for the cost. The other reason is that in large sample analyses, they find that a lot of LGD gets mixed into parcels of otherwise natural diamonds.

When it comes to these small stones, unless you’re ready to get each one individually certified, there’s at least a fair chance that you’re gonna wind up with a mix of LGD and natural stones anyway.
Click to expand...

This may be different for colored diamonds however. The studies I alluded to were with colorless diamonds.

My only concern about using lab grown colored diamonds is that sometimes the colors look weird.

Personally, if the colors were passable, I would do go LGD…. But that’s me.

I just worry less when I know for sure that it’s lab grown rather than wonder if I got a mixed parcel, because I’m not willing to get every single stone certified.

Mind you, even if the seller is honest, they very well may not know.

Rough diamond is sold by weight in parcels. It is apparently very common for the LGD rough to get mixed in at that level…. So neither of the cutters nor the vendor would even know about it.

It’s quite a good trick because it’s almost impossible to detect, but it makes people like me always wonder what the heck I’m actually getting.

I mean, who sends a 1.5mm round for certification?
 
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