The Dilemma- Mined Vs. Lab-Created Gems

[seaurchin]

So, I've done what I said I wasn't going to do, collect gems without setting them. Now I keep changing my mind about what to do next. Which one would you set? Or maybe since I can't decide, it means I don't love any of them enough to spend another $1,500 or more on a setting for, and should keep looking?

The lab gems are bright and colorful under all lighting conditions. The mined gems are all pretty under certain lighting conditions but they're also meh a lot of the time.

What would you do?

Also, pics of your unset lab and/or mined gem collections are MOST welcome.

In the first pic, on the left are a 10mm round yellow lab sapphire and pink lab sapphire or spinel below it (I don't remember which right now). The mined gems are, clockwise: purple umba garnet, green zircon,two 5mm pink-purple spinels, spess, big rubellite. The other pics are to try to show the mined gems under better lighting conditions.

 

[MamaBear]

I won’t vote, bc two options drew me in first. The purple umba would probably be my first pic. I think it would look lovely with a halo of chunky bright white diamonds. I tend to be drawn to darker tones though… On the other hand, the lab pink spinel( or sapphire) would look lovely in a bezel or three stone setting with 2 white diamonds for sides. Im no help!

 

[strawrose]

Very pretty. You can always ask someone to make jewelry in sterling silver. Who says you need to spend big bucks to show the gems off?

 

[LilAlex]

I think if you would buy lab gems, you should be willing to mount lab gems and enjoy them! What's the use in having pretty lab gems in a box where no one can see them? Maybe keep your priceless Argyle pink or Kashmir sapphire in a (safe-deposit) box -- but wear your lab gems. That's what they're for!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Which colour would you wear the most? I’d set the most useful gem for accessorising!

 

[Neptune]

Could do a 2-stone or 3-stone ring, just have fun with it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

So, I've done what I said I wasn't going to do, collect gems without setting them. Now I keep changing my mind about what to do next. Which one would you set? Or maybe since I can't decide, it means I don't love any of them enough to spend another $1,500 or more on a setting for, and should keep looking?

The lab gems are bright and colorful under all lighting conditions. The mined gems are all pretty under certain lighting conditions but they're also meh a lot of the time.

What would you do?

Also, pics of your unset lab and/or mined gem collections are MOST welcome.

In the first pic, on the left are a 10mm round yellow lab sapphire and pink lab sapphire or spinel below it (I don't remember which right now). The mined gems are, clockwise: purple umba garnet, green zircon,two 5mm pink-purple spinels, spess, big rubellite. The other pics are to try to show the mined gems under better lighting conditions.

Sorry what was the question again?

 

[magnusgwyneth]

I think continuing to look can be a reasonable option if you feel like you haven’t found the perfect stone. You can look for other gemstones or explore new options to feel more satisfied before deciding to invest in a ring.
1v1 lol

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I think continuing to look can be a reasonable option if you feel like you haven’t found the perfect stone. You can look for other gemstones or explore new options to feel more satisfied before deciding to invest in a ring.
1v1 lol

This!!!

Is there a stone you really want @seaurchin? Perhaps you can focus on getting a stone that you love.

 

[seaurchin]

Now I realize my mistake, and I think it was just going too cheap tbh. So now I have a handful of so-so gems instead of one super nice one that's set. I don't have anything specific in mind right now, though. That said, I do have some less expensive gems (relatively speaking) and lab gems that are set and that I do like a lot. I think I've gotten snobbier over time.

Oh well. Lesson learned. I think I'll just put them away and leave it for now. Thanks, all.

 

[dk168]

Difficult decision to make!

For me personally, I was glad I had a number of precision cut CSs cut by Jeff White that I had yet to set to sell to raise funds.

I have now recalled all the CSs I had sent to the bench I use in China and have a lot more to list and sell!

Some were bought nearly 10 years ago, and I still have not got round to setting them, so I might as well sell them!

I would only set the nicer CSs (bigger size, precision cut etc.) in 14K WG (or even 9/10K WG) and LGDs.

The lesser ones would be set in cheaper settings with Rhodium plated Silver and either CS/Moissanite or LGDs.

I have set only one lab CS to date, a trillion cut Ruby. I might end up selling the lab CSs as I can't see myself setting them in the foreseeable future.

DK

 

[dk168]

BTW, I would set the lab Yellow and Pink stones as a moi et toi bypass ring as they look really nice together!

DK

 

[Tartansparkles]

BTW, I would set the lab Yellow and Pink stones as a moi et toi bypass ring as they look really nice together!

DK

Exactly what I was thinking. Bright and colourful especially if they perform well in all lighting conditions.