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Potential "upgrade"

K

kdvln

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 2, 2022
Messages
34
Hi!

I originally purchased a lab diamond that I adore for around 7k. Link here:https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-10533530. Though I love my stone, it bothers me that it is man-made and that its value has depreciated over such a short period of time.

JA will allow me to trade in my stone for an upgrade, and I am considering swapping my stone to a natural diamond. I am considering this 2.4 carat K that's around 16k, which I have on hold. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...lor-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-19097117.

My brain tells me this is a waste of money and we should use the money elsewhere, but my heart tells me I want a natural stone. I understand this is a personal choice, but I am curious. Would you go for it if you? Thanks for the input.
 
I am and will always be in the natural camp. It is simply my preference and I can appreciate wanting a natural diamond. There will be a color difference in going from an F to a K, but as long as that doesn’t bother you, I say go with what your heart wants! Diamonds are a true luxury item, and something that has to be very important and meaningful to you to spend the money. I take it that is the way you are feeling!
 
Personally, although I would use LGD in my jewellery projects without hesitation, I would not buy a LGD that could trump my own 1.19ct EC natural diamond which is set in a ring.

My last natural diamond purchase was for a 0.86ct OEC. I could have gone for a bigger LGD below 1.19ct, however, I decided I wanted a natural diamond.

DK :))
 
I think your lab F-VS2 diamond has the better cut as compared to the K-VVS2.

I think there will be a very obvious color difference between the two.

If you haven't seen a K-color diamond IRL, I highly recommend you do so, before making a decision.

If you have been able to try on K-colored diamond rings or place loose K-color diamonds against your skin, and you like the color (face-up and side view), then go for the trade.
 
I have gone back and forth between LG and earth mined. They are all beautiful, but I found I prefer the mind and totally a mind-clean issue. Saying that, I am fine with earrings being lab grown. I don't think there is a right or wrong.

Your ring came back as a 1.1 on the Cut Advisor, which is good.
 
personally i'd be looking for an eye clean Si1 (D/E/F) colorless similar to your Lab but toss in some Medium or Strong FL for discounted price + proof of natural origin authenticity.....
1730047984552.png

(these for example just to see the price points.. need to fine tune the cut/precison etc..)

60/60 type if you like that flavor...


1730044603762.png
 
I have no preference between lab or earth mined EXCEPT for my ongoing search for a very strong blue fluor stone, which obviously needs to be earth mined.

That said, I don't like the cut of the K you chose.
 
Thank you, this is helpful!

Question for those of you who dislike the cut of the K. Could you help me understand what is undesirable about it? It is labeled as the JA "true hearts" cut grade, and the associate I messaged claimed it was the best cut of all the ones I chose.
 
I'm in the 'Have your cake and eat it, too' camp.

Why not keep your lab as a travel ring and buy a K stone elsewhere (after you have vetted the color irl).

I'm just throwing this stone out as an example...

www.stonealgo.com

Price and quality scores for GIA Number 7452122706

View the fair price estimate, Cut Score® and price history for GIA Certified Diamond 7452122706. Everything you need to know to buy this diamond.
www.stonealgo.com www.stonealgo.com
 
Ohhhhh @lulu_ma I didn't even consider that! Thanks for the idea.
 
Hmmm… honestly, if I were you, I would look for a beautifully cut K/SI1 *with faint to mod fluorescence*

The combo of all three will reduce the cost of the diamond, so you can go as big as possible for your upgrade, and the fluorescence will help pull some warmth out of the stone. I would avoid fluorescence with a DEFGH because sometimes it makes the stone look hazy.
The trick is, finding a well cut stone.

Definitely keep us posted.
 
Actually, fluorescence can totally be your friend $ wise. Only 10% of fluorescent diamonds exhibit milkiness or hazy (probably strong or very strong fluoro).


But as LD mentioned, a K with fluoro would be a great find!
 
I would also really recommend you looking IRL at k color if you haven't already. I have had a j myself, and although the color wasn't obvious in most light situations, in some it was. And I have realized that I prefer colorless. Just a heads up since you are going from f to k.

Other than that, I am obviously very strongly in the lab camp (no going back, unless for antique pieces/branded etc). But that is of no help here since the important question is what you think and want.

You should get what makes you happy!
 
I think the K looks nicely cut. But in my experience the difference in color from a F will be noticeable. In warmer environments and lighting a K, even with blue fluorescence, shows noticeably more tint than a F. But it’s possible that you may like the color on the K more! I’m working on a ring right now with rose gold and colored stones where a J looks more fitting than an E!

As far as lab vs natural just get whichever makes you happy. I buy and appreciate both, although I buy naturals only with fluorescence now.
 
What is your budget?
Maybe someone who’s knowledgeable with MRB’s on here can dig through JA for you and pull a few good ones?
 
Are you working with a time line?

Curious if we could watch inventory for a bit incase there isn’t one today that looks like an option…
 
No timeline! I am not even 100% sure I will bite, but I am deeply considering it.
 
Sorry, one last question… it’s Sunday and I’m feeling scatterbrained today, bear with me lol …

How open are you to keeping the lab as a travel ring and upgrading elsewhere?

I ask, because I mainly look at Whiteflash’s ACA inventory and haven’t looked elsewhere for mrb for the past couple years, and even with JA’s true heart line, it’s like night and day… i just peeked through JA’s site for a bit and I’m surprised with the difference in cut.
 
If you paid more for your JA lab diamond than a comparable lab diamond sells for now, and if JA will offer you 100% trade-in value for it, then IMHO trading in now for an earth-mined diamond makes more sense.

If in the future you decide you want a travel ring, most likely a lab diamond will be even less expensive than today's prices.

Either way, here are 2 earth-mined warm diamonds at JA I came across that fit your parameters, both with blue fluorescence:

1. 2.5ct K-VS2 with Medium Blue fluorescence - 8.64 x 8.7 x 5.37mm - $12,560 - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-22840103

2. 2.81ct M-IF with Strong Blue fluorescence - 8.96 x 9.03 x 5.57mm - $15,480 - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...m-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-14595677
 
@lavenderdragonfly23
I am open to keeping the lab and buying a mined elsewhere, but JA will offer me the full trade in value. The cost of the new diamond needs to be 2x what I paid for the lab. So JA is likely the cheapest option overall, because I have that "credit" if I were to purchase now. Otherwise we would need to wait and save to purchase elsewhere.

@marymm both are stunning. Thanks for sending.
 
If JA is offering full trade in value definitely do the trade! No way you can get 7k for a 2 ct lab elsewhere. If you still want a 2 ct lab for travel later on, even a branded one from BG/WF would be less.
 
0-0-0 said:
If JA is offering full trade in value definitely do the trade! No way you can get 7k for a 2 ct lab elsewhere. If you still want a 2 ct lab for travel later on, even a branded one from BG/WF would be less.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. If you want a mined diamond then trade in the lab one now. The lab stone will probably depreciate more, so taking advantage of the trade in now makes sense. It's always possible that the JA trade in policy for this type of trade can be changed in the future so I vote to do it now.
 
This seems like a smart way to recoup the money spent on your lab when prices were so high, and buy a natural diamond now that natural prices are lower. You can always buy another lab for $900 if you want one again.
 
Echoing everyone else who is recommending trading in the lab now to protect the value you’ve already put in to it!

I personally have major hang ups with labs and didn’t even realise how strong they were. I was looking pretty seriously at buying the lab version of my own mined studs so I’d have them for travel, but I feel like it’s not mind clean for me and so there’s no point. Like I’d dearly love to let go of my hangups lol but I swear I can see the difference, though people I’ve shown can’t. I know it would be super useful for me to have, but I can’t do it lol so I’ve decided when I travel now I’ll just wear a pair of cheap pave “studs” so that I have something not too expensive in my ears.

Now this might not apply to you but I shared it to point out that sometimes your desires and opinions can be irrational but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of consideration. I’d echo trying to split the difference and go higher in colour / lower in clarity than K VVS2 if you can. And if you don’t have my hang ups lol you can always get a different lab for travel (it’ll be MUUUUCH cheaper now).
 
Just hopping in here to echo the sentiments of what many have already said. I, too thought about a Lab diamond for my upgrade, but alas, it wasn't mind clean for me or my Husband, I just felt as beautiful as they are, I "would know" and I knew, at least for me personally, I wouldn't enjoy it the way I should. With that said, I think it's wonderful that they have a policy that allows you to upgrade your Lab to a natural! I vote for this option simply because once you do have your natural diamond on your hand, I doubt you will reach for your lab much, if ever, given you are already struggling with the mind clean piece now. I say get as much as you can for a credit and offset the costs for a larger mined piece! Just my 2 cents...
 
Thought you could only trade in lab for lab? If they will give you a $7k credit to trade in a 2 carat LGD for a $14k natural diamond, then get a $14k natural diamond like you want, and use some of your remaining budget to buy another 2 carat LGD.

I like natural diamonds but these days will not spend $$$$$ on them unless they are special in some way.
 
From their FAQs:
oncrutchesrightnow said:
Thought you could only trade in lab for lab? If they will give you a $7k credit to trade in a 2 carat LGD for a $14k natural diamond, then get a $14k natural diamond like you want, and use some of your remaining budget to buy another 2 carat LGD.

I like natural diamonds but these days will not spend $$$$$ on them unless they are special in some way.
Click to expand...
Your post made me look that their site and you seem to be correct.

Do you have an upgrade policy?​

Yes. Any natural diamond can be exchanged for 100% credit towards a new natural diamond valued at least 2x the original amount. Any lab grown diamond may also be exchanged for 100% credit towards a new lab grown diamond valued at least 2x the original amount.

The diamond being upgraded must be in original condition and accompanied by the original laboratory grading document. James Allen can also remodel most rings to accommodate the new diamond for a minimal charge.

@kdvln have you spoken to JA about trading in a lab for a natural? it seems to go against what their website states about their ugrade policy.
 
Everyone is different, but I personally do not consider a lab grown diamond to be fine jewelry, I consider it to be "fashion" or "costume" jewelry. I would only buy one if I needed a "travel" ring/earrings. Sorry if that is offensive to some, but that's the reality and there's no point sugar coating it.
 
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