Blog Let's Talk about Lab-Grown Diamonds

[bcmacdonald]

John Pollard published a new blog post.

Lab-Grown Diamonds. ​

No subject has generated so much buzz and debate among jewelers and diamond enthusiasts since the 1990s when diamonds started being sold online.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-114441 size-large"...

Continue reading the Original Blog Post.

 

[Karl_K]

Thanks Sir John for a nice overview of the lab diamond market.

 

[AprilBaby]

Would I buy one? Yes, I did. Would i wear it over my mined diamond? Yes, because it is larger. Do I care about the emotion? No, not at all. Do I care if it loses value? No, my mined diamond which is gorgeous would lose even more value if sold. The only diamonds that gain value are museum quality. I’m very happy to own both.

 

[Mary Queen of Scotch]

Thank you for the overview! I find the subject of LGD vs. natural endlessly fascinating. And I agree with AprilBaby, most mined diamonds are about as good an “investment” as a Porsche Boxter, so that’s never been a compelling argument for me.

Perhaps I’m the only one who feels this way, but I think lab diamonds offer wonderful, engagement-appropriate symbolism. As a person who doesn’t believe much in fate, destiny, soulmates, and the like, but who does believe that love is an action — and a choice — I find the concept of MMD very romantic. A lab diamond is created, with intention, at the same time two people decide to make a lifelong commitment to each other, and it lasts forever. I can put some “emotional value” behind that!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks John, it really is an interesting topic and seemingly becoming an epic battleground.

I am on the record that both have a great future. Man made will take over the lower end of a lot of the Mall diamonds that are low in color and relatively lifeless. Because CVD LGD's are grown to minimal thickness to suit demand I am seeing the vast majority of rounds are scoring well on HCA.
The natural rounds are almost all cut the the steep/deep edge of GIA's Excellent proportions boundary and score poorly on HCA.
As a result, those Mall diamonds will end up where they belong - on the end of a drill bit. But that reduces the incentive to pay for prospecting for new mines. Eventually, like some of the rarer porsche limited editions, natural diamonds will get more expensive over time.

The hot pota-atoe thingy from Pandora is a bit of a joke. They sell less natural diamonds globally in a year than I sell in a week. But they got great free PR from it. A brilliant move.

 

[elizat]

Interesting topic.

1. Would you buy a lab-grown diamond?

Yes. I have. Lightbox studs x2, but I have since sold both.

2.Would you wear one?

Yes, see above. I'd likely consider a large asscher in LG down the line. It would be an occasional wear item and I wouldn't want to spend mined dollars on that.

3.Would you propose marriage with a LGD?

I don't see myself proposing to anyone!

4. Would you accept a proposal if it was made with a LGD?

Already have a partner, but I would prefer no engagement ring for a proposal. I have sufficient things that can be repurposed for this already.

5 What do you think will happen in the future with LGD values?

Believe they will drop and continue to drop until a leveling off period.

6. What about natural diamond values?

I think they are two different markets. I think there may be some overlap, but I do not believe that by and large the buyers that are looking for a larger lab grown diamond purchase are the same as most mined consumers. There are many consumers that are looking specifically for lab ground and not considering mined.

I don't think there is or will be sufficient cross over to put both of those items in the exact consumer pool to be a competition with one another for most consumers.

 

[bright ice]

Thank you @John Pollard for this informative article!

 

[marymm]

Regarding this and other threads about lab grown diamonds currently active in Rocky Talky,


The forum description for Rocky Talky is:

RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)​

New posts Post thread…
The place to be for everything on natural diamonds. Ask for a second opinion, learn about diamond grading (cut, color, clarity, etc), weigh in on pictures and topics, or ask for feedback on your own dream piece. Only mined, natural diamond-related questions and info, please.


The forum description for Lab Grown Diamonds is:

Lab-Grown Diamonds/Man-Made Diamonds (MMD)​

New posts Post thread…
Learn about and discuss everything on lab-grown diamonds here! No simulants (CZ, Moissanite, YAG, etc), please.


Under the forum scheme established by PS Admin, then, there should be zero threads about lab grown diamonds in Rocky Talky, and threads on lab grown diamonds mistaken posted in Rocky Talky should be relocated to Lab Grown Diamonds.

Personally I have little interest in lab grown diamonds, but since some lab grown diamond threads are allowed in Rocky Talky, then it seems only fair to allow all lab grown diamond threads to be posted in Rocky Talky and not just those by PS blog writers and those featuring PS preferred vendors. Or, retain both forums and update the forum descriptions to more accurately reflect what is permitted.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Regarding this and other threads about lab grown diamonds currently active in Rocky Talky,


The forum description for Rocky Talky is:

RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)​

New posts Post thread…
The place to be for everything on natural diamonds. Ask for a second opinion, learn about diamond grading (cut, color, clarity, etc), weigh in on pictures and topics, or ask for feedback on your own dream piece. Only mined, natural diamond-related questions and info, please.


The forum description for Lab Grown Diamonds is:

Lab-Grown Diamonds/Man-Made Diamonds (MMD)​

New posts Post thread…
Learn about and discuss everything on lab-grown diamonds here! No simulants (CZ, Moissanite, YAG, etc), please.


Under the forum scheme established by PS Admin, then, there should be zero threads about lab grown diamonds in Rocky Talky, and threads on lab grown diamonds mistaken posted in Rocky Talky should be relocated to Lab Grown Diamonds.

Personally I have little interest in lab grown diamonds, but since some lab grown diamond threads are allowed in Rocky Talky, then it seems only fair to allow all lab grown diamond threads to be posted in Rocky Talky and not just those by PS blog writers and those featuring PS preferred vendors. Or, retain both forums and update the forum descriptions to more accurately reflect what is permitted.

Have you tried reporting to the Moderator when you see this happening?
BTW I agree.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Great synopsis John!
It seems to me that there's a hardline segment in both segments that feel that pushing negative narratives help them sell whatever they're selling.
ie- LG sellers who claim environmental superiority. As you pointed out it's clearly NOT a 100-0 difference.
Hard to really say which has more of a carbon footprint- but that hasn't stopped sellers from making these claims.
It's also common for Natural Diamond sellers to make misleading claims about value and sustainability.
Which leads me to ask- can't we all just get along

 

[marymm]

Have you tried reporting to the Moderator when you see this happening?
BTW I agree.

I think I did once, sometime ago, and IIRC I was advised that the thread was more about cut so that's why it could be in Rocky Talky -- but I couldn't find an email from PS Admin/Ella stating same so I have nothing to back this up -- that said, this particular lab diamond thread was posted by PS Staff identified as Moderator ... do I report a Moderator to a Moderator lol?

I am suggesting, let's have some clarity on the matter, and fair play on the issue -- update the forum descriptions or combine the forums -- to continue with the loosey goosey preferential treatment really sends a mixed message to PSers and lurkers -- at least, that's how I perceive it.

 

[Ella]

Regarding this and other threads about lab grown diamonds currently active in Rocky Talky,


The forum description for Rocky Talky is:

RockyTalky (Diamond Discussion)​

New posts Post thread…
The place to be for everything on natural diamonds. Ask for a second opinion, learn about diamond grading (cut, color, clarity, etc), weigh in on pictures and topics, or ask for feedback on your own dream piece. Only mined, natural diamond-related questions and info, please.


The forum description for Lab Grown Diamonds is:

Lab-Grown Diamonds/Man-Made Diamonds (MMD)​

New posts Post thread…
Learn about and discuss everything on lab-grown diamonds here! No simulants (CZ, Moissanite, YAG, etc), please.


Under the forum scheme established by PS Admin, then, there should be zero threads about lab grown diamonds in Rocky Talky, and threads on lab grown diamonds mistaken posted in Rocky Talky should be relocated to Lab Grown Diamonds.

Personally I have little interest in lab grown diamonds, but since some lab grown diamond threads are allowed in Rocky Talky, then it seems only fair to allow all lab grown diamond threads to be posted in Rocky Talky and not just those by PS blog writers and those featuring PS preferred vendors. Or, retain both forums and update the forum descriptions to more accurately reflect what is permitted.

Hi there,

This thread is back from 2021 when the blog was just getting going and it was universally put in all forums. Newer blogs featuring lab grown shouldn't be showing up in RT for now.

As you can understand, conversations were being had around how to merge/change forums regarding lab diamonds when Andrey passed away, and it's going to take us some time to pick that back up.

Threads are often complicated these days, featuring lab AND earth mined, so we do our best to move threads to the most correct forum. If you notice something that feels out of place, please report as there is a good chance we just didn't see it.