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Original poster

Lab grown diamond engagement ring

38 replies

Polkadotbee · 07/07/2023 14:52

Can anyone recommend somewhere they have personally used to purchase lab grown diamond jewellery please?

There appear to me a number of online retailers and it’s hard to choose. I’d prefer to buy one in person but there don’t seem to be as many options

OP posts:
captainsandyscrew · 08/07/2023 05:23

ethica.diamonds/ - can't recommend them enough. Love my engagement ring

FlyingPi · 08/07/2023 06:07

Apologies for hijacking this thread but I've always wondered why either lab-grown or new mining of diamonds is even necessary - over the centuries there must have been so many diamonds mined, given their value where on earth do they all go? I've never heard of anyone buying second hand diamonds but this must be a thing, surely? Am I being thick?

Meadowfly · 08/07/2023 06:18

I agree flying , there are loads of second hand rings, many very lovely, or you could have one re-shaped. I can’t see the point of a synthetic diamond.

ginsparkles · 08/07/2023 06:33

When buying diamonds, lab grown or otherwise, you are always best to not go online, to actually go into a shop. You can not tell the true quality of a diamond online, you need to see it. I'm a jeweller, we won't buy any of our diamonds online, we have to be able to see them first before choosing.

Also if you buy online you won't have the after sales care that you need for resizing, checking settings are secure etc.

Find yourself a local independent jeweller and go and choose something.

Peony654 · 08/07/2023 06:34

mine is from the Diamond Store, bought online during Covid. Their customer service was good, I sent it back for resizing and very quick and easy

Peony654 · 08/07/2023 06:35

And the lab grown diamond was cheaper than second hand diamond

HollyBollyBooBoo · 08/07/2023 06:39

@FlyingPi second hand diamond trade is definitely a thing. Tastes/fashion changes though so the cut can fall out of favour.

Diamonds generally not a good investment.

caringcarer · 08/07/2023 06:41

FlyingPi · 08/07/2023 06:07

Apologies for hijacking this thread but I've always wondered why either lab-grown or new mining of diamonds is even necessary - over the centuries there must have been so many diamonds mined, given their value where on earth do they all go? I've never heard of anyone buying second hand diamonds but this must be a thing, surely? Am I being thick?

I've bought a second hand ruby ring for my baby finger. I love it.

Lab grown diamond engagement ring
TheDarrellRivers · 08/07/2023 07:36

FlyingPi · 08/07/2023 06:07

Apologies for hijacking this thread but I've always wondered why either lab-grown or new mining of diamonds is even necessary - over the centuries there must have been so many diamonds mined, given their value where on earth do they all go? I've never heard of anyone buying second hand diamonds but this must be a thing, surely? Am I being thick?

My engagement ring is second hand- it’s French from the 1800s…I always wonder about its previous wearers…

Andrasa · 08/07/2023 08:39

Mine is from James Allen, i love it!

there are tools online you can put your diamond specs into that help tell you whether the diamond will sparkle, the specs on the certificate aren’t enough and diamonds with same quality will look v different in real life. It’s more about the % angles and cut lengths.

Lab grown diamond engagement ring
Original poster
Polkadotbee · 08/07/2023 08:46

Thanks everyone!

I would certainly consider second hand, I don’t know where to start looking though. I will have a look at the retailers suggested.

Budget is a major factor here and don’t want DP to be paying an arm and a leg

OP posts:
JohnnysSoLongAtTheFair · 08/07/2023 08:56

FlyingPi · 08/07/2023 06:07

Apologies for hijacking this thread but I've always wondered why either lab-grown or new mining of diamonds is even necessary - over the centuries there must have been so many diamonds mined, given their value where on earth do they all go? I've never heard of anyone buying second hand diamonds but this must be a thing, surely? Am I being thick?

This is a fascinating angle on the diamond trade.

There’s a very good doc on Netflix about lab grown v natural diamonds, the ‘meaningfulness’ of diamonds, scarcity etc.

Behind it all is the long-running and amazingly successful De Beers message and marketing that ‘diamonds are forever’. People think that they should never sell a diamond, which suppresses secondary markets.

As for lab grown v natural, there’s no real difference in the material of itself. The chemistry might vary a tiny bit, but diamonds are all just compressed carbon, ultimately. Anyone who thinks a ‘natural’ diamond means more than a ‘synthetic’ diamond is kidding themselves.

Wfhandbored · 08/07/2023 08:58

Mine was from Flawless Moissanite and I absolutely love it. Getting my wedding ring from there too. It's a 2ct moissanite, and it's 24ct white gold (I think, if my memory serves) and it was about 800? There's some for less for sure, I just wanted big and blingy!

Wfhandbored · 08/07/2023 08:59

Omg so annoying though it won't let me attach a picture of it!! Here it is on the website instead www.flawlessmoissanite.co.uk/collections/moissanite-engagement-rings/products/copy-of-oval-cut-moissanite-engagement-ring-hidden-halo

OneHundredOtters · 08/07/2023 09:04

www.graysantiques.com/dealers

Greg's antiques off Bond Street in an indoor market filled with second hand art and jewellery dealers. DH got my 1920s ring from there. They have some really lovely stuff at a range of prices.

Antique rings tend to hold their value as well so it a bonus.

GammonAndEggs · 08/07/2023 09:13

CARAT London are worth a look.

Faz469 · 08/07/2023 10:07

We used diamonds factor manchester.

www.diamondsfactory.co.uk/

They were brilliant. You can book an appointment with them to go in and discuss what you want, but we didn't need to.

Lab grown diamond engagement ring
Blottingpaperscript · 08/07/2023 10:15

I second the argument for second hand. Even if you buy a second hand piece and have the diamond re-set, it's better than a new lab grown diamond in terms of sustainability. The manufacturing of Lab grown diamonds requires a lot of energy, so even if an old diamond has an unethical history, you aren't contributing to further emissions (other than transport etc). Surely that's the more ethical choice? I have a second hand diamond for these reasons.

Original poster
Polkadotbee · 08/07/2023 10:20

@Blottingpaperscript it certainly is the more ethical and sustainable option. DPs budget would be £800-£1000 max and if we could get one that I like for that price then second hand would be great.

@Wfhandbored thats stunning!

OP posts:
mushroommummy · 08/07/2023 10:51

@caringcarer ohhh that’s beautiful 🤩

caringcarer · 08/07/2023 11:01

mushroommummy · 08/07/2023 10:51

@caringcarer ohhh that’s beautiful 🤩

DH bought it for me for losing 3 stone. I'm having a Sapphire one for 4 stones. When I lost 2 stones I had a topaz bracelet. Basically I get a piece of jewelry for every stone I lose and it's a great motivator. I'm very overweight and had poor health because of it. Now I've lost quite a bit of weight my health is improving, so win win.

caringcarer · 08/07/2023 11:04

I got mine from an online second hand jeweler on eBay. I got a certificate with it too for insurance. It was from Bonds of Chester. They have lots of beautiful things including 18 carat diamond engagement rings.

caringcarer · 08/07/2023 11:12

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364235343581?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=sehvlaeztmi&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=grn2ux5ht_y&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This is the link to an 18 carat diamond solitaire ring. They come in a beautiful presentation box with certificates. I've bought two things from them now and i made and offer for less than the listed price and still got it. You could probably offer £25 less and still get it. They come tracked and signed for. Have a look and see what you think. I don't work for them. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you can click on seller's other items.

DustyLee123 · 08/07/2023 11:16

Buy an old ring and use the stones and gold for a new ring. Lots of jewellers offering to design/make rings now.

Stratocumulus · 08/07/2023 11:18

Mine is a second hand 1914 platinum & diamond 3 stone. Bought from a West Country jeweller who specialises in 2nd hand.
I believe 2nd hand is VAT free.
My diamonds are fabulous.
There’s bound to be a specialist jeweller for 2nd hand jewels near you? Ask around at work or friends. Most towns have them or at least, a pre-loved section in their window.
The research for your perfect ring will be fun. Congratlations!