So.. tell me about man-made/lab grown/synthetic diamonds.

[Zeze]

I'm in the market for an engagement ring. I just learned about synthetic diamonds. And they are... fractions cheap.

1. Man-made are indeed real diamonds yes? (just being cautious)

2. If 1 is true, they should be pretty much indistinguishable unless looked at by a jeweler?

3. What are some reputable synthetic diamond places?

4. If 1 & 2 all check out, why would anyone spend a fortune and buy the mined diamonds aside from industry brain washing? (I actually feel 'fake' myself considering them.)

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Does she care? You are lying to her if you don't tell her and this can only lead to resentment, more deception, hatred, and eventually, death.

 

[DAGTA]

As far as I understand, yes, the gems are chemically the same as found in the ground, except that they are more pure and have less defects.

The only reason they are different is emotional / sentimental / marketing.

That said, I would tell the truth. I bought some lab created sapphires for my girlfriend a few years ago and she was happy with them. I told her what they were and she had no issue with it. Of course, she's a bit of a nerd so her reaction probably isn't typical.

 

[BoomerD]

Are they "real diamonds?" Technically, yes they are.

Lab created stones, whether diamonds or "colored stones" are, if good quality, chemically the same as "real stones," but they're not seen as the same...but rather, as cheap reproductions.
The ONLY way I'd buy a lab-created stone for my wife is if she KNEW it was lab created...I'd NEVER buy one and try to pass it off as "real." (and I HAVE bought a few lab created emeralds and rubies over the years...and she knows they're "fake" stones)

 

[keird]

Scio Diamond bought up Apollo Diamond in Boston
Gemesis

Give them a call and see what discounts are avaialable. I called Apollo once and they offered 15% off their list prices as a military discount.

 

[Zeze]

It's fascinating how I just learned about them and due to DeBeers' successful brainwashing, we continue to insist on buying mined diamonds.

 

[BoomerD]

If you're gonna buy lab-created...buy GOOD lab-created.

http://www.chatham.com/Gallery.php

http://www.chatham.com/Knowledge.php

 

[keird]

Are they "real diamonds?" Technically, yes they are.

Lab created stones, whether diamonds or "colored stones" are, if good quality, chemically the same as "real stones," but they're not seen as the same...but rather, as cheap reproductions.
The ONLY way I'd buy a lab-created stone for my wife is if she KNEW it was lab created...I'd NEVER buy one and try to pass it off as "real." (and I HAVE bought a few lab created emeralds and rubies over the years...and she knows they're "fake" stones)

I buy fake gems off of ebay to give to my 3 year old. I put them in clear plastic boxes for her to look at. On the other hand there are some really neat rutilated quartz stones that I think are pretty cool.

But if you're really set on diamonds, I'll relate my story. I refused to buy a diamond for my wife and was looking at synthetics but my wife found a great compromise. We took the diamonds from jewelry of our previously failed relationships (an engagement ring and earrings) and set the stones in a custom setting. Frugal, sure, but that's us and the story behind her diamond ring.

 

[anderbd]

Still pretty expensive, most have color to them...

 

[keird]

If you're gonna buy lab-created...buy GOOD lab-created.

http://www.chatham.com/Gallery.php

http://www.chatham.com/Knowledge.php

I like sapphires, too. Neat stuff and almost as hard as diamond.

 

[drebo]

I don't mind other lab created gems, like rubies or emeralds. But, imo, lab-grown diamonds are "too pure". The sparkle and beauty of a diamond is created by its imperfections. A perfect diamond will be more clear, but it'll also be less sparkly.

So, because diamonds are supposed to be sparkly, I'd stick with real.

 

[keird]

The OP doesn't want to get into the whole DeBeers/blood diamond thing. I get that. I suppose if that was the case a Polar Diamond mined from Canada is an option. The prices are still market driven, though.

 

[BoomerD]

The OP doesn't want to get into the whole DeBeers/blood diamond thing. I get that. I suppose if that was the case a Polar Diamond mined from Canada is an option. The prices are still market driven, though.

What about the Australian pink diamonds? Very rare...and very expensive.

 

[bbhaag]

Do it man. She will never know. If she finds out tell her you did the world a favor by not buying a mined diamond.
See how it goes. Report back here if she ever finds out. Hilarity will ensue at your expense.

 

[BladeVenom]

1. Man-made are indeed real diamonds yes? (just being cautious)

Some are. You need to be cautious.

Another option is Moissanite. It can look better than a diamond.

 

[gorobei]

i have no problem with lab diamonds or other synthetics. women may have other ideas tho.

lab diamonds are actually too pure/no flaws or other elements in the matrix. as a result of the purity of composition and regularity of lattice, it flouresces under UV light. so its very easy to verify.

synthetic emeralds and rubies are closer to natural. one of them is actually indistinguishable and the manufacturer adds something so that they react under UV to keep people from passing them off as natural.

given the whole debeers blood monopoly and snake oil PR i dont think natural gems are really worth it. if you can get a bigger diamond for the same price or use the money saved for downpayment on house or better honeymoon, i would think your fiance wouldnt mind too much.

 

[HendrixFan]

I don't mind other lab created gems, like rubies or emeralds. But, imo, lab-grown diamonds are "too pure". The sparkle and beauty of a diamond is created by its imperfections. A perfect diamond will be more clear, but it'll also be less sparkly.

So, because diamonds are supposed to be sparkly, I'd stick with real.

The cut determines the sparkle.

 

[Baked]

Too early.

 

[BladeVenom]

The cut determines the sparkle.

Diamonds also have a high refractive index. That also contributes to their sparkle.

 

[HendrixFan]

Diamonds also have a high refractive index. That also contributes to their sparkle.

The clarity also increases the sparkle, hence the rating and the price increase. Synthetic diamonds, because of their perfection, have a better sparkle than any real diamond of the same cut.

 

[wirednuts]

just buy the knockoff and tell her its real. years later when she leaves you and tries to sell it, she will find out and youll have the last laugh

 

[SillyOReilly]

If you really love your fiancee, you need the diamonds acquired by african slave labor.

/woman logic

 

[nehalem256]

Tell her you are getting a man-made diamond. If she objects dump her for being too materialistic.

 

[IronWing]

Consider cubic zirconia. If you pick one in a color that diamonds usually come in (not white zinfandel pink, for example) and don't get stupid about size then they are indistinguishable from diamonds by anyone not trained to detect them and cubic zirconia is a lot cheaper than diamond. Use the savings to buy a bass boat or something else she would like. Oh, and tell her it's a fake.

 

[sdifox]

I don't mind other lab created gems, like rubies or emeralds. But, imo, lab-grown diamonds are "too pure". The sparkle and beauty of a diamond is created by its imperfections. A perfect diamond will be more clear, but it'll also be less sparkly.

So, because diamonds are supposed to be sparkly, I'd stick with real.

err, the sparkle is cut related.