Jewelry

[SharkE]

Best thing is you don't have to pay for an appraisal and then insure them.

I had to do both...............               LOL

[Trinity11]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

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@pattypeep wrote:

Could someone please help me? What is the difference between lab grown diamonds and diamonique or absolute? Lab grown diamonds are very expensive, but are they worth the cost?

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Lab diamonds are identical, in every way, to mined-from-the-earth diamonds. Lab diamonds are not cheap but for the quality you get, they are a good option especially if you want stones that are near colorless with good clarity in a larger carat weight. Lab diamonds are not flawless and are graded just like natural diamonds.  Lab diamonds are a good alternative for people who want conflict-free stones.

Diamonique and Absolute are both trademarked names for simulated gemstones which are made of cubic zirconia (CZ). Those are man-made stones engineered to look like diamonds and some colored gems, for instance rubies. CZs may look like diamonds to many people but in fact their physical and optical qualities are very different from diamonds. Their sparkle is not exactly like a diamond. CZs have what is called double refraction which means they look like they have more facets than in actuality and that makes them sparkle more than a diamond.  Diamonds, otoh, have single refraction.

The use of lab diamonds in jewelry has caused quite a stir in the industry, especially in the way they are tested for authenticity. Expensive specialized testing devices are needed to differentiate lab diamonds from natural diamonds. Most jewelers do not have this type of testing equipment and they have to send stones out to get them authenticated. This process is costly and most of them will not do it.

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All the more important to have a GIA cert when purchasing a diamond solitaire. 

[SilleeMee]

The GIA does certify and grade lab diamonds, too.

https://www.gia.edu/gia-faq-gia-grade-synthetic-diamonds

[Lavenderjunkie]

Great discussion.

Just remember.... quality is an important factor in pricing and of course the beauty of any gem.    If you are comparing.... you need to compare like quality.... along all the factors.... size, color grade, clarity grade, how well the stone is cut,  and it's shape.    Only then can you decide if one stone is more or less expensive than another.

Then assuming your love it.... then you have to decide how much of your money it's worth to buy the 'better' stone!

CZ serves a purpose too.   They may not be inherently valuable,  but you won't panic if you lose an earring. 

And for some people sparkle and size are more important than 'real'.   

There are no wrong answers,  it's all jewelry.  We don't need any of it,  we just want it because we have been 'convinced' it's beautiful.  Supply and demand drives prices.

[AngelPuppy1]

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@froggy wrote:

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I don't know the facts about these LGDs, and I keep hearing them mentioned.  However, my current opinion is -- if they are not naturally occurring, then they are not "real" diamomds.  I don't see why they should be allowed to charge such large prices for something which is manufactured and which they try to make people believe are "real".

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They are not "allowed" to charge high prices. Sellers can charge whatever they want and you are free to buy or not.

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@froggy 

I know.  I understand that Sellers can charge whatever they want.  And I know that I am free to buy or not.  I am just giving my opinion.  So, my opinion was that they are not "real" and the prices should not be as high as real.  And --- I choose not to buy them.