Diamond Alternatives: Exploring Lab-Grown Diamonds for Engagement Rings

Question
Hello Peter,

My question may seem obvious to you, however, I need things clarified for myself.  I am engaged and want to commission my engagement ring.  I was thinking about using another stone instead of a diamond.  However, through shopping I have found that nothing sparkles quite like the diamond, and I know now why there cost is high.  We can afford a 1 carat, however, like most women I would like a two carat.  So my question is, if I used the best synthetic (or imitation diamond) instead of the real thing would other people be able to notice the difference? Also, if I do by a loose diamond where is the cheapest place to purchase one?  I will have a pave band of real diamonds and aquamarines.  Thank you so much.

Jessica

Answer
HI JESSICA,

I'VE READ BOTH YOUR QUESTIONS AND I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ALL THAT I CAN.  YOU'VE ALREADY RESEARCHED THE BEST IMITATION , MOISSANITE. IT DOES LOOK A BIT GREEN UNDER THE 'DEAMOND' LIGHTS IN A JEWELRY STORE. YOU MIGHT TRY LOOKING AGAIN IN DAYLIGHT OUTSIDE THE STORE. SOME OF THE VERY BEST CUBIC ZIRCONIUM LOOKS AS GOOD AS MOISSANITE BUT IT MUST BE VERY WELL CUT. YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE IF THEY ARE COMPARED SIDE BY SIDE TO THE POORER CUT CZ. IF THEY DO NOT DO IT FOR YOU THEN CONSIDER SYNTHETIC DIAMOND. IT IS THE SAME AS NATURAL DIAMOND IN CHEMICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES. I AM NOT FARMILIAR WITH THE COMPANIES MAKING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS IN THE MARKET TODAY. LOOK UP 'SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS' ON YOUR SEARCH ENGINE AND YOU WILL GET PLENTY OF RESULTS. THERE ARE EVEN SYNTHETIC COLORED DIAMONDS. THE ARTIFICIALLY COLORED DIAMONDS LOOK VERY GOOD AND ARE A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE NATURALS. I DON'T KNOW YOUR TASTE IN STONES BUT I BELIEVE YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU WANT BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO A LOT OF DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES. THEN YOU MUST BE READY TO BUY A STONE IF YOU REALY LIKE IT. DON'T HESITATE AND SAY I'LL JUST LOOK AT A FEW MORE. THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE WILL SURELY CAUSE YOU TO MISS THE BEST ONE. LOOKING FOR THE ONE MIGHT BE A MATTER OF GETTING WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD AND TRADING UP TO WHAT YOU REALLY WANT. MANY DIAMOND DEALERS WILL GIVE YOU FULL VALUE FOR TRADE IN IF YOU PURCHASE THE LAGER ONE LATTER. DON'T GIVE UP AND DON'T GET FRUSTRATED JUST LOOK AT THIS AS A GREAT LEARNNG EXPERIENCE AND ADVENTURE THAT WILL BE WITH YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. GOOD LUCK AND FEEL FRE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT ANY SPECIFIC INFO.

THANKS

PETER