Super Ideal Lab vendors?

[Alybird]

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to the world of lab diamonds. I am feeling rather foolish because I used to be a staunch advocate for natural diamonds, that is, until one of my WF ACA diamond studs fell out recently on a casual walk. I had been planning on upgrading the pair next year but if I'm honest, I can't see myself being able to stomach it for something that gets so easily lost and misplaced.

My question is somewhat twofold:

For those who have super ideal natural *and* lab diamonds, who did you end up choosing for your lab diamond vendor? I can't seem to make sense of any of the pricing.

I've been looking at Brian Gavin & Distinctive Gem and found there to be somewhat of a pricing discrepancy for a 1 ct diamond – Distinctive Gem Private Reserve H&A is 2.8k and BG Premium Lab is on average 1.8k+. Whiteflash has a few lookers for around 1.5k. I've seen Ritani pop up here and their colorless ideals go for around $6-700.

My main question is, what should I be looking for?

Thank you!!

 

[lovedogs]

You can find extremely well priced stones on ritani, but you need to be willing to look around, compare, etc, and return if you dont like it IRL. Vendors like WF and DG have the stones in person so they are "pre vetted" for you. But the question is whether that's worth the price increase (to you).

 

[mayaINaU]

I have both mined ACAs and a lab private reserve from DG. Especially seeing these prices on Ritani lately, I do feel a bit like I overpaid for DG… but that said, it’s an absolutely stunning stone that gets a lot of compliments, and I love looking at it. I would think if you have the time and inclination to assess the stones, I would go with Ritani, especially because you know what a super ideal should look like, and you can compare it to your ACA to make sure it performs as well.

 

[Alybird]

I have both mined ACAs and a lab private reserve from DG. Especially seeing these prices on Ritani lately, I do feel a bit like I overpaid for DG… but that said, it’s an absolutely stunning stone that gets a lot of compliments, and I love looking at it. I would think if you have the time and inclination to assess the stones, I would go with Ritani, especially because you know what a super ideal should look like, and you can compare it to your ACA to make sure it performs as well.

Thank you so much for your suggestion! Even with the drastic markup, I am not totally ruling out DG for the peace of mind. Their OECs are gorgeous!

 

[Rhino]

Just a heads up on this that consumers here need to be aware of. I know this lab grown market can be confusing and pricing to be seemingly all over the place. There's a few reasons for this but to share some insights behind the scenes.

There are certain companies entering this market on the wholesale level and desperate for any business who are selling for pennies on the dollar to steal whatever business they can from anywhere and anyone. Primarily from countries where labor is cheap cheap cheap. Some of them I have on our search engine as I add particular companies and I think all of them are overseas as I know no American company I can think of could afford to do it. Combine that with the fact that there is also questionable material they are using that you can't see in the images provided by a lot of vendors. *Any of us* can easily compete with them, Ritani or otherwise who are listing these goods.

One thing I do know as one who vets every single diamond that leaves our business is that there is generally always reasons for such that people just do not know beyond what they see at face value and the reasons vary.

I can't speak for every vendor but I know what goes into the choosing of the material as well as the skill of the cutters as I examine it all and work with the best in the industry who will all testify that when it comes to cutting the AV and DG products ... I am a ROYAL pain the @$$ and check their QA on the cutting of every diamond before it even arrives here in the US. So for those want the super cheap ... any of your top tier vendors can compete but at the same time we also offer options you won't find anywhere else. Questions are always good.

 

[mayaINaU]

I went with DG because I never wanted to second-guess or wonder if I could have found a better stone. So I do recommend for peace of mind!

 

[DejaWiz]

I went with DG because I never wanted to second-guess or wonder if I could have found a better stone. So I do recommend for peace of mind!

Last sentence says it all...peace of mind. Period.

If you buy from a non-vetting seller, then you have to do it all yourself...and you absolutely have to be aware of everything that you need to look for. It is critical.

 

[AprilBaby]

You can found gorgeous stones on Ritani but you have to put a lot of work into finding them.

 

[Alybird]

Just a heads up on this that consumers here need to be aware of. I know this lab grown market can be confusing and pricing to be seemingly all over the place. There's a few reasons for this but to share some insights behind the scenes.

There are certain companies entering this market on the wholesale level and desperate for any business who are selling for pennies on the dollar to steal whatever business they can from anywhere and anyone. Primarily from countries where labor is cheap cheap cheap. Some of them I have on our search engine as I add particular companies and I think all of them are overseas as I know no American company I can think of could afford to do it. Combine that with the fact that there is also questionable material they are using that you can't see in the images provided by a lot of vendors. *Any of us* can easily compete with them, Ritani or otherwise who are listing these goods.

One thing I do know as one who vets every single diamond that leaves our business is that there is generally always reasons for such that people just do not know beyond what they see at face value and the reasons vary.

I can't speak for every vendor but I know what goes into the choosing of the material as well as the skill of the cutters as I examine it all and work with the best in the industry who will all testify that when it comes to cutting the AV and DG products ... I am a ROYAL pain the @$$ and check their QA on the cutting of every diamond before it even arrives here in the US. So for those want the super cheap ... any of your top tier vendors can compete but at the same time we also offer options you won't find anywhere else. Questions are always good.

Thank you for responding to my inquiry! I very much appreciate the clarification.

 

[LLJsmom]

I am new to the lab diamond market, and I too am surprised at the wide range of prices for very similar stones. I've searched 6-7 vendors for a particular stone. I've purchased two from two different vendors and returned one. As a general observation, the percentage of decently cut stones as a percentage of total stones available seems relatively high, compared to mined stones. So I'm not afraid of digging through stones and just doing my best.

 

[Alybird]

I am new to the lab diamond market, and I too am surprised at the wide range of prices for very similar stones. I've searched 6-7 vendors for a particular stone. I've purchased two from two different vendors and returned one. As a general observation, the percentage of decently cut stones as a percentage of total stones available seems relatively high, compared to mined stones. So I'm not afraid of digging through stones and just doing my best.

Is it weird that I find it strangely comforting to be in the same boat? Haha.

Your tennis bracelet thread helped me out tons during my search and you have wonderful and discerning taste.

 

[whitewave]

Just to add: whiteflash and Brian Gavin both sell lab stones now.

 

[Alybird]

Just to add: whiteflash and Brian Gavin both sell lab stones now.

Thank you!

After much research, I am leaning heavily toward Brian Gavin for the studs. I like their upgrade/trade-in policy and handmade setting options. It's cool that if I choose, I can trade-in my lab diamond for a BG Signature mined diamond albeit at current market value. I know trade-in policies are not iron clad but I thought this was a nice service. The current market value stipulation doesn't bother me because I don't view diamonds as any sort of investment or stored value. Just something nice that elevates the every day.

The WF website for lab diamonds is kind of weird on the front end. It sounds like they're not totally jazzed about actually selling lab diamonds.

I did poke around on Ritani last night and found some nice AGS 000's but would rather not deal with virtual inventory at this time. I'd be willing to revisit them as an option for a larger project.

I do have to say that I'm totally captivated by Distinctive Gem's European Cut options and put this on my wishlist for a pendant when I figure out what it is I'd like for the design. European cuts are so romantic but what has prevented me from purchasing antique stones is my preference toward colorless & clean diamonds. This opens up a lot of options especially since CVB does beautiful pendants. She has a nautical compass pendant on her IG and I do love sailing so I'm dreaming up possibilities.

 

[whitewave]

Oh, I didn’t notice BG has an upgrade policy. I didn’t get that far. I’m just very lightly perusing right now

 

[Alybird]

I did want to mention too that customizing the search parameters on Ritani to tight super ideal proportions with AGS grading brought 1ct-ish diamond prices closer to the 1.5k range for colorless high clarity stones.

 

[itsfake]

I got my Super Ideal Cut diamond from JANNPAUL. It's a 2.44 carat AGS 000 VS1 E.


Prior to that I was looking online like everyone else, however, the floating diamond market is there for a reason, most of them look good on paper but far from good in person. If it's priced too good to be true, chances are, it is.....

 

[Alybird]

Okay I've narrowed it down to two options:

First option - Ritani 1.64 ctw studs, both AGSL 000 Certified
Specs for Diamond 1:
.83 ct
D VVS2
Depth 61.2%
34.6/40.8
56.1 table

Specs for Diamond 2:
.81
D VVS2
61.6%
34.3/40.7
55.7 table

On paper, they should both be beautiful.

Butttt Brian Gavin is currently holding a promotion for their preset lab diamond studs and the 2 ctw are a great value. The quality is EF/VS. The diamonds are uncerted but I am told that they are cut to the same strict standards as Brian Gavin Signature H&A.

I normally would not entertain purchasing uncerted diamonds but I have confidence in the company. I may just be splitting hairs at the moment.

Thoughts??

 

[whitewave]

Okay I've narrowed it down to two options:

First option - Ritani 1.64 ctw studs, both AGSL 000 Certified
Specs for Diamond 1:
.83 ct
D VVS2
Depth 61.2%
34.6/40.8
56.1 table

Specs for Diamond 2:
.81
D VVS2
61.6%
34.3/40.7
55.7 table

On paper, they should both be beautiful.

Butttt Brian Gavin is currently holding a promotion for their preset lab diamond studs and the 2 ctw are a great value. The quality is EF/VS. The diamonds are uncerted but I am told that they are cut to the same strict standards as Brian Gavin Signature H&A.

I normally would not entertain purchasing uncerted diamonds but I have confidence in the company. I may just be splitting hairs at the moment.

Thoughts??

If the prices are close, I would likely choose BGD for the peace of mind.


The ritani ones I chose were really cheap lol. I’m a little worried to see them but ”on paper” they look acceptable for studs.

Once I figure out the sidestones for the sapphire, I will definitely look again at BGD. I went larger with this sapphire so I don’t know yet what size sidestones I need.

 

[Alybird]

If the prices are close, I would likely choose BGD for the peace of mind.


The ritani ones I chose were really cheap lol. I’m a little worried to see them but ”on paper” they look acceptable for studs.

Once I figure out the sidestones for the sapphire, I will definitely look again at BGD. I went larger with this sapphire so I don’t know yet what size sidestones I need.

Thank you @whitewave!!

I appreciate your thoughts. I was thinking the same thing. Normally purchasing uncerted diamonds would bother me but this is BGD and if their exceptionally responsive rep says that there is no compromise on quality/cut/light performance, then I am inclined to believe it.

Ritani has been less than responsive on the customer service end. (I was on hold for 20 mins with a question before finally hanging up.)

In terms of price, the two pairs are very comparable.

 

[whitewave]

Thank you @whitewave!!

I appreciate your thoughts. I was thinking the same thing. Normally purchasing uncerted diamonds would bother me but this is BGD and if their exceptionally responsive rep says that there is no compromise on quality/cut/light performance, then I am inclined to believe it.

Ritani has been less than responsive on the customer service end. (I was on hold for 20 mins with a question before finally hanging up.)

In terms of price, the two pairs are very comparable.

If price is comparable, definitely BGD. My opinion. If these ritani cheap studs are less than ideal to my eyes, they are going straight back.

 

[DejaWiz]

Okay I've narrowed it down to two options:

First option - Ritani 1.64 ctw studs, both AGSL 000 Certified
Specs for Diamond 1:
.83 ct
D VVS2
Depth 61.2%
34.6/40.8
56.1 table

Specs for Diamond 2:
.81
D VVS2
61.6%
34.3/40.7
55.7 table

On paper, they should both be beautiful.

Butttt Brian Gavin is currently holding a promotion for their preset lab diamond studs and the 2 ctw are a great value. The quality is EF/VS. The diamonds are uncerted but I am told that they are cut to the same strict standards as Brian Gavin Signature H&A.

I normally would not entertain purchasing uncerted diamonds but I have confidence in the company. I may just be splitting hairs at the moment.

Thoughts??

Both being AGS 000 would leave me with no worries.
That said, if the larger tcw BG studs are in the same ballpark for price, then BG it is!

 

[alene]

If you're in a rush, I'd personally get the uncerted stones from BGD. But I just wanted to mention that I bought a BGD lab stone in that size (.83 ct) for way less that what Ritani is charging just two months ago. I suspect the prices will go down again after the holidays ( I'm no expert and may of course be completely wrong about it). My personal plan is to wait until then to buy a match from BGD for a pair of studs. But I'm in absolutely no rush.

 

[mayaINaU]

If the prices are close, I would likely choose BGD for the peace of mind.


The ritani ones I chose were really cheap lol. I’m a little worried to see them but ”on paper” they look acceptable for studs.

Once I figure out the sidestones for the sapphire, I will definitely look again at BGD. I went larger with this sapphire so I don’t know yet what size sidestones I need.

Agree! And now I’m off to peruse BG!

 

[Alybird]

Thank you all for your feedback! I'm blown away by the helpful and supportive community here on PS.

After an exhaustive search, I have just placed my order for the 2 ctw preset studs from BGD. I'm excited to see them in person. They're on the bigger end of what I was looking for but these are the size that I ultimately saw myself upgrading to soooo hoping it will work out! They might take some getting used to wearing and if they feel too big, I may exchange for the smaller 1.5 ctw pair but I didn't want to wonder what if. (I work somewhere relatively fancy but also with the public so I try not to display a lot of luxury.)

Btw for those searching for a pair of studs, the 1.5 ctw is very attractively priced. Funny story, my partner and I went searching for the missing stud a few days ago and he found one, but it wasn't mine. It was CZ, 925, and it was 6mm, which was the size that I was looking to purchase.