Super Ideal Lab Grown Diamond?

[BarbieB]

Hi everyone! I’m currently looking at a possible upgrade for my e-ring. Right now I have a 3 stone with a BGD signature SI1, I 1.2 carat center diamond along with 2 .33 side stones. I got the BGD diamond over ten years ago with the help of Pricescope . However, DSS has kicked in, and I’ve learned more about lab diamonds now and am interested in upgrading carat size with a lab. Ideally, I’d like at least a 2.2-2.5 carat round to go in the center, and keep my .33 natural sides.

My question is around super ideal lab diamonds…. Is it possible to find one for cheaper with the help of Pricescope (I’ve seen several folks get help from the experts on here and the prices seem insane!)—or, if I want something super ideal like my current BGD signature, do I need to keep with a branded lab grown stone? I’m asking because of the price difference, the branded stones right now seem to be quite a bit more (like… thousands more?). I’d like to keep the whole thing around $3000 for the center diamond and new setting (I asked BGD if they could re-use my current Truthx3 setting and they said no), but everything I see at BGD and Whiteflash seems at LEAST 3k for the diamond alone and that was more around just a 2 carat.

So, long story short, I’m wondering if I need to manage my expectations and wait longer and increase my budget to get a super ideal stone, or if it’s possible to find one out there with help and come in around 3k for stone and new setting. Thank you for your guidance!!

 

[lulu_ma]

There are prosumers here that can definitely help you!

Here's a example of some current price-though this may not be a super ideal...

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[Kim N]

I've found you a beautiful ~2.3ct for under $1K with H&A designation on the report. It won't be super ideal cut level, but it's very well cut. Let me know if you're interested and ready to put it on hold, as I don't want a lurker to snipe it.

 

[MrsT]

I have the same issue. I want a WF premium cut but having trouble paying the premium price for earrings or pendant I’m trying to have made.
Good luck in your search.

 

[jeaniefish]

I would love to know what @Kim N , @Karl_K , @DejaWiz and any of the other prosumers would like to say about the major price difference between the most well known dealers ( …..BG, WhiteFlash,DG, etc) .
Is it simply that the premium price pays for their time to separate the very best from all the rest? I have yet to see a super ideal anything in a lab diamond unless it was available from one of the dealers mentioned above. Could it be that they have access to the cream of the crop when it comes to diamond cutters? Are they the only sellers who have taken the time to cultivate relationships with these cutters?Do they source the best materials? I know that BG( BTW, met him years ago and a really nice guy, very patient and knowledgeable) grows his own raw diamond material. Do the others do that too?
In other words, what accounts for the difference in $$ and the scarcity of really well cut lab diamonds? Q

 

[Karl_K]

Owning stock is more expensive, custom cutting with high level cutting and material requirements is more expensive, good imaging and documentation is more expensive and great customer service is more expensive.
Being the easy button to get all the above is worth more to consumers, how much is the question,
Other side later its dinner time,

 

[BarbieB]

I've found you a beautiful ~2.3ct for under $1K with H&A designation on the report. It won't be super ideal cut level, but it's very well cut. Let me know if you're interested and ready to put it on hold, as I don't want a lurker to snipe it.

Thank you so much Kim N!!! I’m not quite ready to pull the trigger yet but when I am I’ll definitely let you know!

I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I definitely understand that time and expertise weigh a lot into the factors. I’ll probably need to decide what is mind clean for me too. Since I have a BGD signature right now, I’m nervous about anything else not performing as well.

 

[Karl_K]

Without the pressure to cut steep deep more lab diamonds are cut to better angle combinations.
Combined with improved process and equipment a larger percentage end up being well cut.
Maybe not to the highest levels very often but many end up as acceptably well cut RBs
Fancies are a different story well cut fancies are a small percentage of the available stones both mined and lab.

The other variable is material quality which is overall trending up but there are a lot of stones out there with material issues at a level that can cause reductions in light return or make them look odd.
Manufacturing method is not a great indicator of material quality but it does hint at what to look for in the stone.

 

[jaqjaqjaq]

I've found you a beautiful ~2.3ct for under $1K with H&A designation on the report. It won't be super ideal cut level, but it's very well cut. Let me know if you're interested and ready to put it on hold, as I don't want a lurker to snipe it.

Hey Kim, I was just curious…why do people snipe these stones? Other than they’re great stones but do we know why they lurk and snipe without asking for help? Or do you think they have other intentions? I’ve always wondered!

 

[Karl_K]

Hey Kim, I was just curious…why do people snipe these stones? Other than they’re great stones but do we know why they lurk and snipe without asking for help? Or do you think they have other intentions? I’ve always wondered!

I dont have current numbers but at one time 2-3% of people reading the forum would be logged in with much less posting.

 

[jeaniefish]

Without the pressure to cut steep deep more lab diamonds are cut to better angle combinations.
Combined with improved process and equipment a larger percentage end up being well cut.
Maybe not to the highest levels very often but many end up as acceptably well cut RBs
Fancies are a different story well cut fancies are a small percentage of the available stones both mined and lab.

The other variable is material quality which is overall trending up but there are a lot of stones out there with material issues at a level that can cause reductions in light return or make them look odd.
Manufacturing method is not a great indicator of material quality but it does hint at what to look for in the stone.

Hi Karl,
Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to post your insights and hope that you are feeling better. Fingers crossed that the injections are giving you some relief. I’ve been there ( knee issues) and the results weren’t immediate but did help.

 

[BarbieB]

I dont have current numbers but at one time 2-3% of people reading the forum would be logged in with much less posting.

Thank you all for looking out for everyone!!