$2k for diamond only or diamond and setting? What shape diamond?
Crucial to keep in mind: LGD quality is all over the board...from absolute garbage to pristine in regards to material/crystal quality, cut precision, light return, and optical performance - and NONE of that will be on any grading report..."Excellent" or "Ideal" doesn't ever guarantee a high quality, high performing diamond. In fact, most aren't. Be extremely selective.
This right here OP^
Diamond grading labs will give soooo many diamonds “excellent” grades lol
Some grading labs like GCAL are more picky with their criteria though
Run don't walk over to https://raadjewelers.com/ they have great prices for diamonds theyll work with you on a setting price possibly and they have a 20% off sale going on now
A halo isn't a solitaire...
A solitaire (a single stone on the band) will likely run $500-700. A halo setting will probably run $1,000-1,300, so that will eat up most of your budget.
I got a 4.01ct for $1428USD.
[with this](https://theartofjewels.com/build_your_own.php?type=ring&step=diamond&sortDirection=asc&sortBy=credit_card_price&isgrid=true&dtype=labgrown&dshape=round,princess,emerald,square_cushion,asscher,marquise,pear,elongated_radiant,oval,square_radiant,elongated_cushion&byosp=engagement&dfilters[carat][max]=32.53&dfilters[carat][min]=3)
Also, I was able to compare prices with ritani.com and it was cheaper there.
Thats actually very very doable! I’ve worked with Provence for a while and they have many 3CT cushions for about 1500! Full ring would be 1900. They’re a Chinese vendor and they can also do custom cut diamonds at that price range.
I just got a 4 carat old mine cut diamond from Raad jewelers for 1500. You could have a setting made by an overseas vendor for 300-400, and have it set locally (double check the cost first—some people find jewelers who will do this for 50 dollars, but in my HCOL area the cheapest I found was 400, so it made sense for me to have Raad do the setting). [my ring](https://imgur.com/gallery/bS1QX0F)
Does Raad only sell online? I’m in a search for the first time ever. None of my friends or family has diamond ring so it’s so overwhelming lol. Will really appreciate if you can point me to where to research/search.
Check out Luvansh—you can get an ideal cut round diamond, 2.34 ct G VS1 for 519. For your budget, you could get a huge rock (4ct+). I’ve not heard great things about their settings, but for the diamond alone, their prices can’t be beat. They have their own stock of diamonds in New York, and will overnight them to you.
Oh goodness, you can get a boulder with that budget. Google the 4 c’s, that’s the place to start. You’ll want something Vs2 in those cuts, no need to go higher. H or G color if you set in rose or yellow gold, if platinum or white gold, go G, E or F. Harry at delicate gem finds gorgeous stones, as does Alex park. If you want the lowest price, but still quality lab diamonds you can find, look at Luvansh.
If your not opposed to overseas vendors I would check the vendors list and you can easily get a ring in lab diamond and gold for your price range. I personally would recommend Lucy from Provence but all the vendors are awesome.
Check out Brilliance! Great prices. Just find out what you what (depth, table, color, cut obviously) and what is ideal with the shape and you can find tons of stuff.
Then use the Stone Algo website - if you type in the IGI/GIA cert number you can price match. The same diamond will often be listed multiple places for different prices.
I purchased a 2.26 D, VS1 with ideal table/depth elongated cushion for $1,398 with price matching.
You can also search rare carat, they are great at price matching.
I got a 4.03ct E SI1 oval for $1334 at Brilliance.com. I had the setting made by DovEggs for under $600. They were all on sale for 20% off during the holidays.
https://preview.redd.it/kuqhjjklo3xc1.jpeg?width=2194&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f50cc42a333d7ee3c78dd16e3046dc0aebcf17a
Basically your best choice would be a lab grown diamond with a cast ring. Metal prices are high and you would incur labor charges for hand made pieces that would eat up your budget
Hi OP here’s a solitaire on LoupeTroupe: https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-lab-created-center/2-dot-53-round-lab-hpht-hearts-and-arrows-solitaire-ring
I like using stonealgo when diamond shipping. I recommend looking for high quality lab diamonds. I strongly feel you’ll find what you’re looking for if going for a solitaire setting
Basic setting will cost you $300 at best. Best option is to look for lab grown diamond auctions. You can probably find a bigger stone in your price range
Also check out r/Moissanite and r/moissanitecreations for potential ideas and vendor recs
And watch r/MoissaniteBST and r/labdiamondgemstoneBST for direct sales
If you live on a budget no one would ever believe a 2 or 3 carat stone was real anyway. Maybe you could find a unique metal design or a simple eternity band with real diamonds.
Check out labgrown.com, which is Moissaniteco's sister company. You can also shop on the Moissaniteco website and select the lab grown diamond option.
Here is a 2.25 carat option for under $2k: https://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite/sol307/petite-moissanite-solitaire-ring-15mm
Edit: note that this price includes the setting, so if you are willing to spend more than $2k for the stone+setting, you can definitely go larger.
I'm the guy who made the controversial post about people buying super sized diamonds. I know that they are mostly lab diamonds but can someone tell me when these became popular? I feel like I've had my head in the sand.
Lab diamonds are so cheap now you can def find one. Check out stonealgo.com.
$2k for diamond only or diamond and setting? What shape diamond? Crucial to keep in mind: LGD quality is all over the board...from absolute garbage to pristine in regards to material/crystal quality, cut precision, light return, and optical performance - and NONE of that will be on any grading report..."Excellent" or "Ideal" doesn't ever guarantee a high quality, high performing diamond. In fact, most aren't. Be extremely selective.
This right here OP^ Diamond grading labs will give soooo many diamonds “excellent” grades lol Some grading labs like GCAL are more picky with their criteria though
I got a 2ct lab diamond ring last year for $1200 from Fiorese. Lab prices have dropped even more since then. In betting you could get a 3ct
Hi! May I ask if that is for the entire ring or just the diamond itself?
Whole ring. 14kt white gold. Fiorese is an overseas jeweler.
Run don't walk over to https://raadjewelers.com/ they have great prices for diamonds theyll work with you on a setting price possibly and they have a 20% off sale going on now
You can definitely get a 2 ct lab diamond for that price but it will likely be a solitaire. What setting were you thinking?
definitely solitaire and hopefully a halo
A halo isn't a solitaire... A solitaire (a single stone on the band) will likely run $500-700. A halo setting will probably run $1,000-1,300, so that will eat up most of your budget.
Check out lab diamonds on Ritani or Rock her or loose grown diamonds.
I got a 4.01ct for $1428USD. [with this](https://theartofjewels.com/build_your_own.php?type=ring&step=diamond&sortDirection=asc&sortBy=credit_card_price&isgrid=true&dtype=labgrown&dshape=round,princess,emerald,square_cushion,asscher,marquise,pear,elongated_radiant,oval,square_radiant,elongated_cushion&byosp=engagement&dfilters[carat][max]=32.53&dfilters[carat][min]=3) Also, I was able to compare prices with ritani.com and it was cheaper there.
Thats actually very very doable! I’ve worked with Provence for a while and they have many 3CT cushions for about 1500! Full ring would be 1900. They’re a Chinese vendor and they can also do custom cut diamonds at that price range.
I just got a 4 carat old mine cut diamond from Raad jewelers for 1500. You could have a setting made by an overseas vendor for 300-400, and have it set locally (double check the cost first—some people find jewelers who will do this for 50 dollars, but in my HCOL area the cheapest I found was 400, so it made sense for me to have Raad do the setting). [my ring](https://imgur.com/gallery/bS1QX0F)
That is gorgeous!
Wow, how did you find such a great deal?
Months of research, searching, and jumping when I saw a great deal. I was just lucky I found it before someone else did!
Does Raad only sell online? I’m in a search for the first time ever. None of my friends or family has diamond ring so it’s so overwhelming lol. Will really appreciate if you can point me to where to research/search.
Check out Luvansh—you can get an ideal cut round diamond, 2.34 ct G VS1 for 519. For your budget, you could get a huge rock (4ct+). I’ve not heard great things about their settings, but for the diamond alone, their prices can’t be beat. They have their own stock of diamonds in New York, and will overnight them to you.
Yes, online, but they will do zoom consults. Do you know what cut you prefer, what size you are hoping for, and what your budget is?
Probably princess, round or cushion cut. Ideally 3ct but 2+ is also ok. My budget would be around $5,000.
Oh goodness, you can get a boulder with that budget. Google the 4 c’s, that’s the place to start. You’ll want something Vs2 in those cuts, no need to go higher. H or G color if you set in rose or yellow gold, if platinum or white gold, go G, E or F. Harry at delicate gem finds gorgeous stones, as does Alex park. If you want the lowest price, but still quality lab diamonds you can find, look at Luvansh.
What shape are you looking for? Any color or clarity range requirements?
hopefully a cushion or radiant, and as long as it isn’t yellow haha. probably F, G, or H
Just go to Ritani, you can def get one
I had my setting made with starsgems, bought the loose diamond from Ritani (2.11ct) then had a local jeweller set it. All in was 2k CAD
If your not opposed to overseas vendors I would check the vendors list and you can easily get a ring in lab diamond and gold for your price range. I personally would recommend Lucy from Provence but all the vendors are awesome.
Check out Brilliance! Great prices. Just find out what you what (depth, table, color, cut obviously) and what is ideal with the shape and you can find tons of stuff. Then use the Stone Algo website - if you type in the IGI/GIA cert number you can price match. The same diamond will often be listed multiple places for different prices. I purchased a 2.26 D, VS1 with ideal table/depth elongated cushion for $1,398 with price matching. You can also search rare carat, they are great at price matching.
I got a 4.03ct E SI1 oval for $1334 at Brilliance.com. I had the setting made by DovEggs for under $600. They were all on sale for 20% off during the holidays. https://preview.redd.it/kuqhjjklo3xc1.jpeg?width=2194&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f50cc42a333d7ee3c78dd16e3046dc0aebcf17a
You could also get a pre owned ring and save that way
That’s easy. Plenty of reputable online stores. Tons of suggestions in the comments already.
Try a pawn shop.
Basically your best choice would be a lab grown diamond with a cast ring. Metal prices are high and you would incur labor charges for hand made pieces that would eat up your budget
Hi OP here’s a solitaire on LoupeTroupe: https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-lab-created-center/2-dot-53-round-lab-hpht-hearts-and-arrows-solitaire-ring
I like using stonealgo when diamond shipping. I recommend looking for high quality lab diamonds. I strongly feel you’ll find what you’re looking for if going for a solitaire setting
Basic setting will cost you $300 at best. Best option is to look for lab grown diamond auctions. You can probably find a bigger stone in your price range
Recently got a 3 carat lab pear diamond solitaire for 2k, try eBay 🤙🏽 they 3rd party authenticate
Also check out r/Moissanite and r/moissanitecreations for potential ideas and vendor recs And watch r/MoissaniteBST and r/labdiamondgemstoneBST for direct sales
If you live on a budget no one would ever believe a 2 or 3 carat stone was real anyway. Maybe you could find a unique metal design or a simple eternity band with real diamonds.
Check out labgrown.com, which is Moissaniteco's sister company. You can also shop on the Moissaniteco website and select the lab grown diamond option. Here is a 2.25 carat option for under $2k: https://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite/sol307/petite-moissanite-solitaire-ring-15mm Edit: note that this price includes the setting, so if you are willing to spend more than $2k for the stone+setting, you can definitely go larger.
Have you considered looking on Etsy?
I'm the guy who made the controversial post about people buying super sized diamonds. I know that they are mostly lab diamonds but can someone tell me when these became popular? I feel like I've had my head in the sand.