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Exhausted and overwhelmed.

Quick question, if I find a ring I want on loupetroop, do I just message the seller and everything is handled on our own? Is there any protection from the website like if I send someone money and never get anything in the mail, is there any recourse? How do people usually do this?
 
frogplus said:
Quick question, if I find a ring I want on loupetroop, do I just message the seller and everything is handled on our own? Is there any protection from the website like if I send someone money and never get anything in the mail, is there any recourse? How do people usually do this?
Click to expand...

ALWAYS pay with Paypal, and if you don't know the person then use the normal paypal (not friends and family). That way if there's anything fraudulent going on you'll be covered.
 
frogplus said:
@sledge I think maybe you misunderstood me. I'm aware that the $1k is a very low budget for what I'm looking for, but wanted to see what options IDJ might have and where he could recommend i compromise, which is exactly what he did. I don't know if there are less perfect diamond out there that I would be perfectly happy with, and that's what I'm trying to find out. I've never heard of amora gem so I came here to ask. IDJ said it's not moissanite but what I'm reading looks like it's pretty similar. I'm not in any dilemma over there $100 for double the size, I think that's barely anything, I just don't know what size I actually want and if 1ct would be too big for me. I am not demanding IDJ give me perfect diamonds for a ridiculously low price and definitely not trying to set them up to fail.

Thank you @scarsmum. You're right, I'm overwhelmed with options. I thought I had it narrowed down to definitely wanting a diamond and now I have a new thing I have to research. Starting to feel overwhelmed again. Might just order the $250 moissanite and be done with this.
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I am a 5.25-5.5 finger. I wear a 6 for comfort during the humid summers, here in SW PA (hey, neighbor).
My EC is 1.07ct. She has great face up presence for a fancy cut, but I don’t believe she looks too big on my finger.
I also have an approx 0.75ct OEC set in a baguette semi mount, and she looks rather nice on my finger.
Just for fun, I tried a 2.20ct MRB with my EC, and there was not much obvious size difference (next to each other), on my finger.

See for yourself:

My 1.07ct EC next to a 2.20ct MRB:
85992E4F-5309-4A1D-9C9E-698A1D6BBD96.jpeg


My 1.07ct EC:
08A7FE14-3F78-4364-A254-0AF527DAD1DD.jpeg

My 0.75ct OEC:
8D86FEFA-E2B9-466B-A157-87449D585C88.jpeg
 
Got to say i’m Curious about why you’re buying your own ring in the first place. I would turn the whole thing over to the SO and be done with it that way.
 
frogplus said:
@HDer that sounds like a great option for me. Probably will bring my total price back up to $2k but for a full carat true diamond, maybe that's worth it. I'm just having such a hard time deciding how important a real diamond is to me.
Click to expand...

Lightbox is NOT a natural mined diamond, they will be LAB CREATED diamonds. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but let's be clear on that fact. As such, I am not sure what you define as a "true diamond" but most here consider that to mean a naturally mined diamond.

FYI, DeBeers owns Lightbox. Lightbox is to sell 1 carat stones for $800; however, they cannot be purchased loose and instead must be purchased as a pendant necklace, earrings, etc. I believe the cheapest setting is $100 (silver) or $200 (10k WG), which brings the total cost up to the $900-1,000 mark. You then have to take that piece, have the stone removed and reset in whatever jewelry piece you want. Obviously, you take the cheaper piece if you are removing & resetting, so $900. Currently projected to be available Fall 2018.

DeBeer's is marketing this as "costume jewelry" and focusing on more colored stones but white ones are also supposed to be available.

More info:
https://www.debeersgroup.com/en/new...-new-fashion-jewelry-brand-with-laborato.html

https://lightboxjewelry.com/

https://lightboxjewelry.com/pages/our-pricing
 
@scarsmum As much as I hate this shopping process, he would hate it 300x more. I would never ask him to do this chore, and honestly prefer to pick it myself so I know what I'm getting. I barely know what I want, it would be an impossible task for him to pick it for me.

@sledge Sorry, my wording was confusing. I do know that it's not a mined diamond. When I said "true" diamond I meant the chemical make up or whatever. I wouldn't call a moissanite a diamond because it's different, but if a lab grown diamond is the exact same make up as a mined diamond, to me it's still a diamond. I just want to be about to show people my ring and say "it's a 1 carat diamond" instead of "it's a 1 carat equivalent moissanite?" and then have to explain what moissanite is without totally understanding it myself. If I got a moissanite I would never tell people it was a lab grown diamond the way I've seen it marketed before.

The lightbox sounds like a good deal, $900 for a carat when I was originally starting at .5 carat and the diamond alone was going to cost $11-1200. So if I could get double the size for slightly less, I would feel like that's a deal. Even though it's lab grown, it's still a diamond at it's core make up. Right? Or is there some other difference I'm not understanding?
 
@frogplus it's a diamond insofar as it's the same chemical make-up as a diamond, but it isn't "natural" because it's grown in a lab. Basically imagine a tomato grown in a lab vs. one grown in the ground. The chemical make-up might be the same, but one is from a lab and one is from the ground. Obviously for some people, the "natural" (e.g. not "created") element is important. For others, it isn't. That's definitely a personal choice, and something only you can decide if you are ok with.
 
@lovedogs For me, natural vs lab grown doesn't matter at all as long as it's the same chemical make up, especially when the savings can be so substantial. If it behaves and looks like a natural diamond, I'll be 100% happy. The only reason I wasn't thrilled about alternatives like moissanite, white sapphire, even CZ, is because none of them look and behave exactly like a diamond.

I'm just confused why debeers is talking about their lightbox diamonds like they are disposable. I guess it's because they are trying to devalue the lab grown diamond industry?
 
frogplus said:
@lovedogs For me, natural vs lab grown doesn't matter at all as long as it's the same chemical make up, especially when the savings can be so substantial. If it behaves and looks like a natural diamond, I'll be 100% happy. The only reason I wasn't thrilled about alternatives like moissanite, white sapphire, even CZ, is because none of them look and behave exactly like a diamond.

I'm just confused why debeers is talking about their lightbox diamonds like they are disposable. I guess it's because they are trying to devalue the lab grown diamond industry?
Click to expand...

I've felt the same way in terms of performance. I honestly don't care about chemical make-up--just how it performs at the end of the day. But you are correct, moissanite won't behave like a diamond, because it isn't one. I think when people buy it looking for the "same" thing they'd get from a diamond they are often disappointed. White sapphire and cz are significantly less good alternatives. Sapphire doesn't have the fire of diamond, and cz is more fragile and won't last.

RE: debeers and lightbox, IMHO they are trying to market to "millennials" who don't have the amount of disposable income vs. older and/or more established people. That's also why they are going to be making settings in silver. My guess is that these stones won't be well cut, and might not perform the way people want them to. But that's just my guess!
 
frogplus said:
@lovedogs For me, natural vs lab grown doesn't matter at all as long as it's the same chemical make up, especially when the savings can be so substantial. If it behaves and looks like a natural diamond, I'll be 100% happy. The only reason I wasn't thrilled about alternatives like moissanite, white sapphire, even CZ, is because none of them look and behave exactly like a diamond.

I'm just confused why debeers is talking about their lightbox diamonds like they are disposable. I guess it's because they are trying to devalue the lab grown diamond industry?
Click to expand...
I looked though your the thread , if I were you ,I would not rush and purchase something you are not sure about ! I would just get a wedding band ,diamond or simple gold one . I think it’s a better idea ! With time ,being married ,maybe your taste will change ,maybe you will even not wear both rings ,or you will get as crazy as most of ppl and be willing to spend enormous amount of $$$$$$$ on something little and sparkly . I think it should be very enjoyable event ,picking rings/dress/ whatever wedding related. If that make you stress and not happy ,don’t do it ! Not the rings make the marriage and commitment . I am more than sure that a lot of ladies here,same as me ,just love jewelry in general ,and for us it’s big entertainment to pick something and then look at it and enjoy the sparkle. Jewelry is luxury ,maybe yoUr luxury is going on fun vacation ?or fancy bag ?or new bike/laptop ! Who knows ! Your hard earned money should at least bring you some pleasure ,not stress =)2
 
Matthews1127 said:
I am a 5.25-5.5 finger. I wear a 6 for comfort during the humid summers, here in SW PA (hey, neighbor).
My EC is 1.07ct. She has great face up presence for a fancy cut, but I don’t believe she looks too big on my finger.
I also have an approx 0.75ct OEC set in a baguette semi mount, and she looks rather nice on my finger.
Just for fun, I tried a 2.20ct MRB with my EC, and there was not much obvious size difference (next to each other), on my finger.

See for yourself:

My 1.07ct EC next to a 2.20ct MRB:
[ATTACH

Your rings are beautiful! How did you take your last photo?? I take the most horrible pics and yours show the sparkle and fire. Absolutely gorgeous rings!
Click to expand...
 
I never understand how some of my replies get inside the OP’s quote..:think:
 

@Mamabean, That photo was taken at the beach in Clearwater, FL in early morning, Nov. 2017. We had perfect weather, and the sky was a beautiful aqua blue. Diamonds tend to pick up whatever colors are in their environment. Keep playing around; you’ll get beautiful photos of your beautiful rings!!! ;)2
 
@lovedogs The unknown of the lightbox is a concern, but then again even if it's not a perfect cut I doubt I will even notice. If maintenance and longevity is still the same, and it still sparkles, I think I'll be happy. And I'll be really happy with the savings.

@Golden_bird You're very right that vacations make me happier than jewelry! But I have to admit that I do want the traditional proposal with a big beautiful engagement ring, and I think I really want it to be the real thing, diamond. (I know it's not traditional for the woman to choose and buy her own ring but I'm fudging some things!)
 
frogplus said:
(I know it's not traditional for the woman to choose and buy her own ring but I'm fudging some things!)
Click to expand...

Not at all unusual for PS members! Don't feel awkward about it. It's a great way to be sure you will be happy and you have to wear it, not the asker. Believe me, knowing you are the wearer helps us be sure we are guiding you to a thing you will like.

While you feel uncertain, you have made some choices.
1) You want a solitaire
2) You want a diamond (lab or natural; not a sim)
3) You are willing to not do one-stop shopping to get a bigger lab stone (since you will be buying a "pendant", having the stone removed and set into a stock ring setting).
4) You are clear on your top budget of $2k to include the stone, setting and wedding band (though I'm in the camp of others that would not add the wedding band at this time. You may think you know what you want now, but once you actually wear a ring for a while you may actually dramatically change what you want. It's pretty common and one of the reasons we advise not buying the ering and wband together unless you were previously married and have relevant experience).

Questions to still ponder.
1) Do you want to wait on LightBox? If so, then I'd tell IDJ and any other vendors that you have inquires with that you have made that choice out of respect for their time.
2) What metal do you want? Gold or platinum? If gold, white gold (nickel sensitive) or yellow or rose?
3) What size is your max comfort for a center stone? You started wanting under 0.5 c, do you really want a 1 c?
4) What kind of solitaire do you like? Cathedral or not? How many prongs?

If you are going to pursue a LightBox Lab Diamond, then you should start a thread on a different sub-board. https://www.pricescope.com/community/forums/laboratory-grown-diamonds-man-made-diamonds-mmd.60/

If you decided to pursue a moissy, then you should start a thread on
https://www.pricescope.com/community/forums/fabulous-fashion-jewelry.95/

The Mods have been restrained on this thread, but we are only supposed to discuss natural diamonds mined from the earth on Rocky Talky. For a future setting, regardless of the stone type, you can always ask for help here on Rocky Talky.
 
frogplus said:
@lovedogs The unknown of the lightbox is a concern, but then again even if it's not a perfect cut I doubt I will even notice. If maintenance and longevity is still the same, and it still sparkles, I think I'll be happy. And I'll be really happy with the savings.

@Golden_bird You're very right that vacations make me happier than jewelry! But I have to admit that I do want the traditional proposal with a big beautiful engagement ring, and I think I really want it to be the real thing, diamond. (I know it's not traditional for the woman to choose and buy her own ring but I'm fudging some things!)
Click to expand...
Then in this case ,take your time and pick something and don’t rush ! As most of the ladies here ,we have changed our diamonds multiple times for bigger /better or different shape , or if you are sentimental type ,pick something really nice from the very beginning ! It can be something really small ,even 0.20-0.30 diamond,it will be around 250-350 $,put it in a little halo ring or bezel . If you ever decide to upgrade ,you can always enjoy that little something or give to your future kids , my 4 years old already have book my diamond necklace and earrings :))I am glad I bought them when I could afford great quality stones and hope In future she will have a awesome piece and proudly wear !and if ever pricescope will be here by the time she grows up, she will come over and be proud that mom did a good choice on diamonds :lol:
 
frogplus said:
@Golden_bird You're very right that vacations make me happier than jewelry! But I have to admit that I do want the traditional proposal with a big beautiful engagement ring, and I think I really want it to be the real thing, diamond.
Click to expand...
 
@rockysalamander Thank you! I am assuming you are a mod? Either way, mods, thank you for being lenient with me while I figure things out. I came in here ready to give up and I'm still really shaky but much more level headed now, and it's all thanks to the support I've been given here.

1. I am definitely confident with the look that I want, solitaire on a simple low profile 14k white gold setting. I might be open to a smaller diamond with halo to get the bigger look at a smaller price, but so far I haven't loved any of those looks.
2. I'm maybe 75% sure I want a diamond (lab or not) although I'm still waiting for that one person on loupetroop with the $250 moissanite to get back to me because I think I'll probably just buy that no matter what since it's so cheap, and just see what it looks like. Maybe I'll be blown away and be just as happy with that.
3. Now that I've made the connection with IDJ and feel like I have a jeweler I can trust, I would be willing to buy a stone separately and have it set by him. Assuming he is willing to do that.
4. Not really clear on the budget, and this is the worst part. I have a big pile of money in savings, I could afford something huge tbh, but I don't really want to spend a lot on one piece of jewelry, I literally have no expensive jewelry and have never been big into jewelry. On the other hand, this is a really important piece of jewelry, and I guess I'm feeling sentimental about it. This has been such an internal struggle, starting out thinking I would spend $500 total on a cheap moissanite ring, then realizing maybe I want the real deal and seeing the price tag that comes with it, bumping up my budget as I see what things cost and learn what I want. I don't know. I might be fine spending $3k total. I would also be okay just buying the engagement ring and now and waiting on the wedding band, I just thought it made sense to buy both so I could make sure they work together. Like if I get a very low profile engagement ring without thinking about the wedding band, I might not be able to wear them together right? Don't I need to think about that now? Although I have started peeking at my friends rings and realized a lot of people don't wear their engagement rings, just the wedding band.

Questions to ponder:
1. I guess I just can't decide. I did mention that to IDJ. I'm planning to take a trip to see him in person since I've been all over the place and he wants to show me some things in person to see what I will be happy with before we go any further. Good call by him, and I'm excited.
2. I'm pretty set on 14k white gold. I don't like yellow or rose gold on my skin, and I read that 14k is actually easier to maintain than 18k because it has less actual gold in it or something? Plus it's cheaper so win win. I like low maintenance and low cost. Platinum would also be great but it's definitely more expensive so I'm good with 14k white gold.
3. I initally thought 1 carat would be too big, but trying some on yesterday I think I would actually like that size. I guess I'm still undecided. This will definitely be something to figure out with IDJ when I go in person.
4. Definitely 6 prongs. Not sure about cathedral or not. I just like a pretty simple low profile setting. I've seen one that's like a petal setting? That one is nice.
 
Well it sounds like you have it a little narrowed down, and still have some things to decide. If you don't have a hard deadline then take your time and maybe it will be clear to you. Luckily all of this is not necessary, but a nice "bonus" to getting married. So might as well not stress yourself about it, and keep learning, and when you get to the thing that is right for you, you will know. Good luck!
 
Good call to go visit IDJ to figure out options in person. They make diamond shopping fun:dance:
 
baby monster said:
Good call to go visit IDJ to figure out options in person. They make diamond shopping fun:dance:
Click to expand...
Agreed! Also, give yourself permission to just enjoy the experience and be open.

When I was engaged, I was overwhelmed and hated dress shopping. Acres of white, frilly, fluffy expensive stuff for a 6-8 hour purpose. I could square buying nice earrings and rings, because I'd wear them for years or decades...so, $5k for nice diamond & sapphire earrings was in my comfort zone. I could not stomach the price of wedding dresses (some as much as $20k!) and hated the sea of white fluff and stuff....so I was miserable, stressed and unhappy. This was me...

upload_2018-8-17_11-29-58.png

But, I decided to look upon the experience as "field work" and to learn this whole new language. Once I did that, I learned about fabrics, support, structure and shape. So, when I choose a periwinkle blue bride's maid gown that cost under $300 -- I knew what shapes and features worked for me and my body. I had learned what kind of support and structure had to be in the gown. So, bottom line, don't get stressed. Just go and learn -- that will bring clarity.
 
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frogplus said:
@rockysalamander Thank you! I am assuming you are a mod? Either way, mods, thank you for being lenient with me while I figure things out. I came in here ready to give up and I'm still really shaky but much more level headed now, and it's all thanks to the support I've been given here.

1. I am definitely confident with the look that I want, solitaire on a simple low profile 14k white gold setting. I might be open to a smaller diamond with halo to get the bigger look at a smaller price, but so far I haven't loved any of those looks.
2. I'm maybe 75% sure I want a diamond (lab or not) although I'm still waiting for that one person on loupetroop with the $250 moissanite to get back to me because I think I'll probably just buy that no matter what since it's so cheap, and just see what it looks like. Maybe I'll be blown away and be just as happy with that.
3. Now that I've made the connection with IDJ and feel like I have a jeweler I can trust, I would be willing to buy a stone separately and have it set by him. Assuming he is willing to do that.
4. Not really clear on the budget, and this is the worst part. I have a big pile of money in savings, I could afford something huge tbh, but I don't really want to spend a lot on one piece of jewelry, I literally have no expensive jewelry and have never been big into jewelry. On the other hand, this is a really important piece of jewelry, and I guess I'm feeling sentimental about it. This has been such an internal struggle, starting out thinking I would spend $500 total on a cheap moissanite ring, then realizing maybe I want the real deal and seeing the price tag that comes with it, bumping up my budget as I see what things cost and learn what I want. I don't know. I might be fine spending $3k total. I would also be okay just buying the engagement ring and now and waiting on the wedding band, I just thought it made sense to buy both so I could make sure they work together. Like if I get a very low profile engagement ring without thinking about the wedding band, I might not be able to wear them together right? Don't I need to think about that now? Although I have started peeking at my friends rings and realized a lot of people don't wear their engagement rings, just the wedding band.

Questions to ponder:
1. I guess I just can't decide. I did mention that to IDJ. I'm planning to take a trip to see him in person since I've been all over the place and he wants to show me some things in person to see what I will be happy with before we go any further. Good call by him, and I'm excited.
2. I'm pretty set on 14k white gold. I don't like yellow or rose gold on my skin, and I read that 14k is actually easier to maintain than 18k because it has less actual gold in it or something? Plus it's cheaper so win win. I like low maintenance and low cost. Platinum would also be great but it's definitely more expensive so I'm good with 14k white gold.
3. I initally thought 1 carat would be too big, but trying some on yesterday I think I would actually like that size. I guess I'm still undecided. This will definitely be something to figure out with IDJ when I go in person.
4. Definitely 6 prongs. Not sure about cathedral or not. I just like a pretty simple low profile setting. I've seen one that's like a petal setting? That one is nice.
Click to expand...

I think platinum and gold are within the same price ranges right now. I think.
 
HappyNewLife said:
I'd probably buy this, like, NOW. It's a 2 ct moissanite (yeah, it's big, but these things shrink FAST) in a high quality and very coveted Tacori 2620 PLATINUM diamond halo setting AND.... a real diamond eternity band (though, you'd have to ask if there is a space available without diamonds for sizing):

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...ed-h-and-a-moissanite-platinum-tacori-setting

$1100
Click to expand...

i saw that yesterday and almost posted it here but there is one blurry pic....if anyone knows the seller and can vouch that's one thing but i'd be very cautious otherwise.
 
It comes with a real diamond eternity band, but the ring sizes are 7 and frogplus is not. Eternity bands aren't really sizeable.
 
Hmm. I don't really like that one, it doesn't look round, unless that's just the halo or setting making it look square. Plus I'm pretty sure 2 carats is way too big for me. If it was 6.5 or 7mm I might get it and have a jeweler change the setting to the 6 prong solitaire that I want, and size it for me, but I would also want to see the wedding band too. And like @bludiva said, the one blurry picture is concerning.
 
I would be concerned about the cut quality of the lightbox diamonds. If the cut is not good, regardless of it's chemical nature being the same as a natural diamond, it will not sparkle. Even real, non-lab created diamonds that are cut poorly do not sparkle and quite frankly look terrible because of it. I wouldn't go with one just because you want to tell people that what you have is a diamond. I'd instead suggest deciding on a budget, work with IDK to stay within your budget, and get the nicest, best cut stone (if you want a diamond) that you can afford (or want to spend). Have them set it into a simple, inexpensive setting, and you'll probably be much happier than going the sim route.

But having read through the thread, I think going and trying some things on would be your best bet. You might just not be a jewelry person, in which case, don't spend money on something you don't love. I was the same as rockysalamander on the wedding dress thing. I hated big white dresses and was NOT going to spend my hard earned money on something I was not going to love. So I went with a beautiful dove grey strapless dress that I suspect was designed for a bridesmaid or mother of the bride - it was gorgeous, made me feel like a princess, and cost me all of $800 all in (that was with a custom shawl having been made to match, all fittings, and the undergarment that was also custom fit). So if you don't love jewelry, don't spend your money on it. Just get a simple set of matching bands and call it a day.
 
bludiva said:
i saw that yesterday and almost posted it here but there is one blurry pic....if anyone knows the seller and can vouch that's one thing but i'd be very cautious otherwise.
Click to expand...

I emailed the seller (because I'm tempted by this listing just for the Tacori setting alone) and received a video. It looks nice! As does the band
 
I can well understand how the vast array of choice and price brackets available now for engagement rings causes confusion. I think it would be great for you to try on different rings and pair them up with potential wedding bands to see what look you like. Recently there was a poster who bought an engagement ring with a .5 diamond that i thought looked lovely on a size 5 finger. The tapered band made the diamond appear larger:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-cbi-0-5-e-vs1.240494/page-2
 
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