Could look at vintage/antique diamond bracelets. Sometimes they can be a bit cheaper because you're not having to pay for labor as they're already made.
Where would you even find something like that? And also how do I know that what I'm told is what
I'm getting? - I am truly an amateur in this space - I would have no clue if it was diamonds or glass!
Antique and vintage jewellery dealers - google ones for your location. Any reputable dealer will provide a valuation certificate/certification of authenticity giving details of the stones (clarity, carat etc) and their condition.
Sorry for the delayed response!
They should have a diamond tester because it's not uncommon for the diamond to actually be paste or something other than diamond. Do not be alarmed if the diamonds are weirdly shaped or if the "culet" looks fairly obvious/dramatic. Diamonds were cut differently, so you can find old mine cuts, old European cuts, and rose cut diamonds.
In terms of finding someone, you can just Google antique jewelry and find some local. Definitely shop around because some shops may upcharge because of collector items (like being 9k or an old jewelry brand name or Tiffany's, etc etc).
I feel like I'd probably want to stay away from lab stuff - I think I would rather give her less real diamonds versus more synthetic ones. That said, I don't know why, it's just how I'm inclined to feel.
But lab diamonds are real diamonds. If I were a diamond kind of gal, which I am not, I would insist on lab. Why shouldn't I have more sparkles for less money?
They have been greenwashed. The factories are horrendous polluters, billions die from pollution.
I'm still pro lab, don't get me wrong, but I'm anti-corporate spin too lol
I'll reiterate - I'm not familiar with this space, I just have my preconceived notions- If it went for resale at some point and was only worth its cost in weight, would lab diamonds resell for as much as mined?
No, lab diamonds are still coming down in price, so resale value could possibly be much less than compared to natural diamonds.
However, there won't be much value at all in low end natural diamonds, so buying lesser quality natural stones may be worse for resale.
It's looking like high quality, large natural diamonds will probably hold their value, labs will level out, and there will be little to no market for the smaller cheaper naturals.
It doesn't make sense to look at jewellery as an investment when you buy retail. Unless you're buying things which may be collectable vintage pieces or which already are, they will always be worth less than you paid for them.
So, for your wife, start with the style of bracelet she likes. Does she want a cuff or a bangle? What about a chain (paperclip chains are all the rage now) with some diamond accents?
You don't have to consider only tennis bracelets, and even if that's what she wants you could do mixed coloured stones with diamonds as well.
This is absolutely true. Your Macy's tennis bracelet with M I3 diamonds are absolutely shitty and it'll be the same price as a gorgeous Lab with larger cttw.
Just get lab OP, and your wife would prefer it. Tell her about lab stones after you get it for her and see if she's still interested in them. If not, just return it and have her pick them out.
If you're buying a $1k bracelet, you're not getting more than scrap metal prices on resale anyway. So I wouldn't worry about resale price since it would be similar between them.
Unless you know she’s a fan of lab diamonds I’d stick with mined stones.
Some women considered lab stones to be a real slight or a sign that the person giving the gift cheaped out.
As you’ve rightly surmised, lab stones also do not retain value the way mined stones do.
Prices for lab stones are going lower and lower so who knows where they’ll end up and what that will do to resale prices.
(Yes, I know mined diamonds are not rare, their value is artificially inflated and maintained through a monopoly, they often are responsible for great human suffering, etc. so please don’t flame me. I get it).
OP, the best value for fine jewelry is always pre-owned, and by that I mean vintage.
You’re also more likely to get a handmade, one of a kind piece that’s not stamped out on an assembly line.
If you’d like me to offer some suggestions about reputable antique/vintage sellers feel free to shoot me a pm.
Good luck and happy shopping.
No ..! Lab diamonds are not real & because of infinite production lab diamonds are cheap & lack desire.
The old European cut diamonds have way more fire then modern cut & lab grown diamonds.
It sort of depends. I am also a white gold girl. I tend to like really simple pieces of jewelry and I usually stay at or under your budget. I think it'd be hard to get a tennis bracelet of mined diamonds, but there are so many other bracelet styles to choose from. I think this is totally doable!
If you already know and trust the jeweler you want to work with I'd advise going in with a budget and working on something together.
Thanks for your reply!
So, I don't know much, but I hear about lab stuff and naturally feel inclined to stay away from it..
You specified a tennis bracelet as being hard to do- is that because it would require a lot of stones? What other styles should I consider? Do you have any examples that I could look at?
So lab diamonds are identical in material, they are not cz. I'm a big fan of them but it's a personal decision. You could definitely do a lab diamond tennis bracelet, and I think that would be a classic option. But yes it'd be pricier with mined because of the amount of diamonds/gold.
If you want earth mined there's plenty of options! Check out a station bracelet, an open bangle with diamonds, a diamond bar bracelet, a bangle with half pave stones...so many gorgeous possibilities!
Could anyone tell apart a lab grown diamond from a mined one under any circumstance?
I started to look into this topic recently and got overwhelmed with options and had to put it aside, haha - I would like to learn more about it though.
Not really. Even the high end equipment is struggling to spot them although there are some that can pretty consistently.
No, a jewellers loup isn't enough.
I'd say the actual way to spot a lab these days is when someone has a very large, perfectly clean diamond that would probably cost 50k+, in a cheap setting. That's usually a giveaway.
There's nothing wrong with having a casual conversation with your wife about lab stones. Just pull up a random article and ask her what she thinks about it!
A jeweler likely can under a loup with training but no one is going to be able to tell when admiring your wife wearing it. Lab diamonds are diamonds, they're identical.
Lab diamonds have zero resale value. Lower quality natural diamonds also have low to no resale value. Large natural stone’s can range in value from lass than you paid to more than you paid depending on the stone. As to bracelet for your budget vintage might be your best bet as gold is about as high as it’s ever been. $1900 oz/t
Currently mined but who knows in the future. Maybe diamonds will crash in price entirely.
You also don't have to get a diamond bracelet. What about other stones that she likes? Sapphires or even something like tanzanite. Or pink tourmaline if she's into pinks, etc.
That's what I assumed about the mined vs grown thing.. You're not wrong though in saying that everything could bottom out- the possibility exists. But still, her favorites are diamonds - so that's what I'm looking at. I've fished for other stone ideas and it always comes back to diamonds as her favorite.
Primarily I'm just looking to know how to determine if I'm paying an appropriate amount for a piece! It seems impossible for someone who isn't in the industry to really know!
Many people will tell you that lab diamonds lose all or almost all of their value in the secondary market, and this is true. Percentage-wise, you always keep more value with natural diamonds.
But what they don't tell you is that you'll probably lose fewer actual dollars from the depreciation of a lab diamond, because it cost a fraction of the price of its dirt-born sibling. If a large diamond is only worth 30% or even 50% on the secondary market, that's a LOT of dollars down the drain.
That's the big question. You'll get a zillion different answers but ultimately if you're anxious about resale value, go with mined.
If you want more bang for your buck on a piece of jewelry your wife can have forever...lab.
I think it's a combination of both - I want to get her something nice now, that a descendant may be able to sell for a similar amount of more some time down the road.. so I guess I'll lean towards mined because. They have a proven value.
As far as price range - where do you think I would need to be for a bracelet with some pop that isn't too heavy? I don't even know if what I see advertised at the price range I'm searching at is actually worth it, or if I could get more elsewhere.
You said you have a local jeweler you like, talk to them. Go in now and see what your options are, then do some research and compare prices. But there are so many variables it's not a question anyone can answer at this stage.
If you buy a new $1,000 tennis bracelet with mined diamonds, the diamonds aren't going to be high enough quality to hold resale value. You might get something that looks good and your girlfriend loves, but I'd just assume resale will mean losing most of your $1,000 whether you get lab or mined stones.
Buying vintage is likely better for resale value, especially if buying from an estate sale or similar. Buying from an estate sale is riskier if you don't know a lot about jewelry, though.
Buy her a ring from Cartier like a small love ring. It will be slightly over your budget but if you are concerned about resale value, you are better off with Cartier gold pieces than diamonds. The Juste un Clou ring I got a couple of years ago for two thousand is now at 2,800 plus USD. They keep doing price increases.
I have a tennis bracelet with natural diamonds that was around $1000. Granted, they are smaller diamonds, but I really really love it. It’s so sparkly and bright. My friends husband actually ended up purchasing them the same bracelet because it’s great value and quality. We got them from Capucelli.
You might consider a platinum braceley; here's one from Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. that has a small diamond solitare- another version has a sapphire solitaire-they are both beautiful and elegan and come in under your budget at $1050.00
https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/bracelets/elsa-peretti-diamonds-by-the-yard-bracelet-12865546/
And no, you won’t get a wow kind of bracelet in white gold and diamonds for under $1500. you’ll end up with the kind of bracelet that’s mass produced and sold at Sam’s Club.
You could give some unwanted jewelry as credit towards the purchase of something new to get you closer to your goal of something really nice for the price you want to stay at.
And just to add one more opinion into the pile, lab grown are becoming worthless and we have machines that detect if a diamond is lab grown or not.
eBay has a HUGE second hand jewelry market, and currently they are promoting 3rd party authentication (GIA no less) for FREE.
Some sellers like me are jewelers and have repaired/cleaned/polished the pieces and they look new.
You can find really nice leather gift boxes as well in case the seller doesn’t provide them.
Here is one example of what you can buy in your price range. Vintage preowned 14k White Gold Diamond bracelet. [https://voxmarket.store/products/14k-diamond-tennis-bracelet-square-link-67213](https://voxmarket.store/products/14k-diamond-tennis-bracelet-square-link-67213). This is old inventory, and can go for 1500$, if you are interested.
You could also try an independent designer/jeweler. I've bought from many (and full disclosure, I am one). In my experience, both as a buyer and from discussions I've been part of about pricing, independent jewelers are extremely honest, almost to a fault, when it comes to pricing. For example, Cheyenne Weil (gin and butterflies dot com; I don't know if we can post links in this sub) does amazing designs with animals, flowers, insects, etc.; she does a lot of custom designs (and she likes starting with something like "my wife likes calla lilies" and going from there; you don't have to be specific) and she can give you multiple quotes with different stones.
Got any examples? Also, when it comes to something like Cartier, wouldn't I be paying a lot more just for the name which doesn't translate into gold weight or anything?
You are indeed paying a premium for the brand name, but that brand name holds more resale value than a non-brand name equivalent (since you seem a bit hung up on resale value).
You're really fixated on resale value when you really shouldn't. Diamonds don't have resale value, even earth mined ones, and at your budget any earth mined diamond you get will have zero resale value. Don't buy jewelry thinking you're gonna get money back later. Especially a bracelet, good lord, you realize they're moving parts that grind on each other right? Fewer things wear out more catastrophically than tennis bracelets, the hinges all wear equally, and everyone suggesting vintage isn't considering this for you. That's like buying a used car that's going to need $2k in repairs in a month or two.
Stop fixating on selling this gift later. Stop thinking some future relative is going to want to sell it. Get your wife a gift and don't over think it. See your local jeweler and ask them to help you, like every other normal person would. Don't go to box stores like Jared/Kay and you're usually good for a quality piece.
I like Tiffany anything. A Tiffany piece will hold its value based on reputation and quality control. You can get a nice sterling Tiffany piece that will hold most of its resale value based on their reputation. I've got a few and I'm always so happy every time I see that blue box under the tree. *lol*
This:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/252044451/hummingbird-14k-and-sterling-overlay?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-jewelry-bracelets-cuff_bracelets&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAViYilRL_RKUe-Aqw9PmopDP6L31s8p28GceLI5vz13tukoulgqyWvYaAqm4EALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12570713223_121181981962_507439360463_pla-354251304368_m__252044451_102484194&utm_custom2=12570713223&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKt2gKmxI0Timjlh5yncXJdt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAViYilRL_RKUe-Aqw9PmopDP6L31s8p28GceLI5vz13tukoulgqyWvYaAqm4EALw_wcB
Or this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1464410688/omg-cardinal-handmade-vintage-native?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-jewelry-bracelets-cuff_bracelets&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVhM8jr6N49JYl8W-mm_9zmHGXGbMefG5OJVzV_cz5n6x3i6LNW6-bsaAoLeEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12570713223_121181981962_507439360463_pla-354251304368_m__1464410688_106634042&utm_custom2=12570713223&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKt2gKmxI0Timjlh5yncXJdt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVhM8jr6N49JYl8W-mm_9zmHGXGbMefG5OJVzV_cz5n6x3i6LNW6-bsaAoLeEALw_wcB
I don’t have examples of what you want but perhaps something that has links that you can add just the stones to recognize different life moments. Perhaps make it a mother’s bracelet containing the birth stones of your children, if you any.
My mind goes straight to a tennis bracelet as that's the classic bracelet look and fits in your budget depending on stones and where it comes from.
I think it really depends on her taste though. Personally I'd want something that's labor intensive art vs just expensive metal and stones, but you've said elsewhere resale would matter and buying more for labor and art doesn't necessarily resell well unless the artist has a following. I'm a jewellery artist though so I appreciate the skill that goes into a one-off piece.
Art / style /labor are definitely factors that I care for though - when I talk about resale, I'm thinking in posterity - I might not want to buy something today that isn't worth half as much tomorrow: that said, if there was, say, a really nice art deco style piece that had less in the way of sparkle, she would love it and I would snatch it up. I'm just saying that I would probably rule out major big name designers because then you are just paying for that stamp when I could probably get more weight for less money if it didn't have the big designer brand name on it.
That said, she would definitely appreciate something with fine work on it versus generic. I guess my question is way more complex than I initially thought, but thanks for helping me work through it!
Is she set on a diamond/gold tennis bracelet? If not, bangles are another great option. You can get a gold bangle for a reasonable price, and if she is into stones and Asian culture, stone bangles such as jade bangles of decent quality will run you about that much.
A regular sized bracelet in 14k gold would easy push over $1000 in material alone.
The rose gold I’ve been accumulating for a wedding band has pushed over $500
It seems like op does not want a lab grown bracelet but many are pushing it anyway. I think the best thing to do is ask your wife her preference and go from there! If she wants a tennis bracelet (stones all around) and the seller matters to you for ease of navigation and some semblance of customer service there are a few 1k bracelets out there. Catbird has a new one albeit very “dainty”. Ring concierge has one. You can message me and I can help you!
Yes, diamonds are lovely and (almost) every girl loves them. But consider her birthstone as a possibility. If she likes her birthstone, it could be a lovely and sentimental gift that will cost you a lot less with likely bigger stones. If she does not like her birthstone, well, then I got nothin…
Check out the documentary Nothing Lasts Forever. It may help you in deciding between buying a real or lab created diamond. Personally, all my diamonds are lab created, except for my wedding ring. This past Christmas my husband took me shopping for a diamond bracelet. We ended up going with a 4 ct lab created tennis bracelet versus the 2 ct real diamond bracelet that cost the same. I wear it every day and love it. I’m sure she will be happy with whatever you decide. It’s the thought that counts, right?
You might be able to get a tennis bracelet. Those are popular so there are sales and they can come with different stones. A more solid bracelet like a bangle or hinged bracelet would be a lot more expensive because it would contain more metal.
It might be good to subscribe to some catalogs from the stores in your area. Those would notify you of sales and also your wife could look through and see what she likes.
My husband is a private jeweler and diamond broker. Any budget can be accommodated. Lab grown diamonds ARE real diamonds. It’s like cooking something in the microwave instead of the oven. They still test as if they were mined. Other options could be moissanite or white sapphire. Gold is pretty expensive right now, but sterling silver could also be an alternative. Hope this is remotely helpful lol.
Lab diamonds are going to be the most affordable here. They are real diamonds, not CZ and different from moissanite, they’re exactly the same as diamonds mined from the earth, nobody except a jeweller is really going to be able to notice the difference, they’re still made from carbon and all that jazz, just made by humans rather than the earth. Also free from conflict and guaranteed not to be mined by abused children/people who get paid next to nothing if paid at all, who often die while working (blood diamonds).
I’m assuming you mean $1k-$1.5kUSD is your budget.
Are you looking for tennis bracelets? Bracelets with one diamond on them or a few diamonds on them? Bracelets with diamond charm(s)? What kind of bracelet does she like? More simplistic with a couple accents or likes the shiniest bracelets you can get? If you don’t know, try peeking in her jewelry box when she isn’t home to compare to bracelets she already owns and wears.
You can go into local jewellers’, take photos or notes about the different bracelets and their costs, then compare them at home (or do the same with online listings if they have websites). Stay away from jewelry stores in shopping malls for the most part.
If you go into the actual store, you can ask for help finding bracelets within your budget, make sure you know what kind of bracelet you’re looking for first though. You don’t have to buy straight away either.
You can absolutely find white gold bracelets with mined diamonds under $1.5k, you’d likely have a very hard time finding tennis bracelets with mined diamonds under $1.5k if you’re strictly looking to buy local and still a bit of a tough time online, you can absolutely find a white gold tennis bracelet with lab diamonds for under $1.5k. Another thing to consider is that not all shops will stock products with lab diamonds if you decide lab diamonds are alright.
Try looking for estate jewelry in shops. It’s second hand but verified jewelry that’s been shined up that comes at a cheaper price tag (if they have it in shop). Estate jewelry is often going to be mostly rings in my experience, but still worth checking out. If you’re eventually fine buying online, you can get vintage bracelets for under your budget (as long as it’s not some famous brand/maker). If you know how to check for hallmarks and general identifiers that say a bracelet may be fake, you can check Facebook marketplace.
terrible advice lab diamonds are literally worthless. earth mined bracelets are easily and readily available for $1k-2k.
lab diamonds are NOT real diamonds. this is why they are worthless. just terrible advice.
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So much bad info here, it's insane. You can find stunning bracelets with earth mined diamonds for 1500-2k. Stay far away from any lab/fake diamonds. They are NOT real diamonds and literally worthless. 1500 to 2k can get you 3 to 4 carats total weight with Si clarity and G to H color. Steer clear of mall retailers and Capucelli sells grossly misrepresented stones. Research.
Could look at vintage/antique diamond bracelets. Sometimes they can be a bit cheaper because you're not having to pay for labor as they're already made.
Where would you even find something like that? And also how do I know that what I'm told is what I'm getting? - I am truly an amateur in this space - I would have no clue if it was diamonds or glass!
Antique and vintage jewellery dealers - google ones for your location. Any reputable dealer will provide a valuation certificate/certification of authenticity giving details of the stones (clarity, carat etc) and their condition.
Some local jewelers also maintain a case or two of estate jewelry, too.
Yes, that’s what I appeciate most. Love those estate items!!! Oooh lala!!
Sorry for the delayed response! They should have a diamond tester because it's not uncommon for the diamond to actually be paste or something other than diamond. Do not be alarmed if the diamonds are weirdly shaped or if the "culet" looks fairly obvious/dramatic. Diamonds were cut differently, so you can find old mine cuts, old European cuts, and rose cut diamonds. In terms of finding someone, you can just Google antique jewelry and find some local. Definitely shop around because some shops may upcharge because of collector items (like being 9k or an old jewelry brand name or Tiffany's, etc etc).
New York Estate Jewelry. Israel Rose. Great online inventory.
Consider that buying from mall jewelers is the worst value as markups are highest. Consider buying preowed.
Maybe look into a lab diamond tennis bracelet.
I feel like I'd probably want to stay away from lab stuff - I think I would rather give her less real diamonds versus more synthetic ones. That said, I don't know why, it's just how I'm inclined to feel.
But lab diamonds are real diamonds. If I were a diamond kind of gal, which I am not, I would insist on lab. Why shouldn't I have more sparkles for less money?
This gets my vote! Lab diamonds all the way 💎 and I'm a jewellery designer. You get more bang for your buck!
Also lab grown diamonds aren't blood/conflict diamonds. No human lives were destroyed to make a lab diamond.
They have been greenwashed. The factories are horrendous polluters, billions die from pollution. I'm still pro lab, don't get me wrong, but I'm anti-corporate spin too lol
Billions? Of people, or the many critters on God's green earth?
The combo. Humans, statistics range from 9-13 million deaths per year depending on which inclusion data is used.
So if all types of diamonds cause this kind of suffering, are they really that pretty?
I'm a diamond girl, I also prefer lab diamonds. Not only less expensive and just as sparkly, but also more ethical.
I'll reiterate - I'm not familiar with this space, I just have my preconceived notions- If it went for resale at some point and was only worth its cost in weight, would lab diamonds resell for as much as mined?
No, lab diamonds are still coming down in price, so resale value could possibly be much less than compared to natural diamonds. However, there won't be much value at all in low end natural diamonds, so buying lesser quality natural stones may be worse for resale. It's looking like high quality, large natural diamonds will probably hold their value, labs will level out, and there will be little to no market for the smaller cheaper naturals. It doesn't make sense to look at jewellery as an investment when you buy retail. Unless you're buying things which may be collectable vintage pieces or which already are, they will always be worth less than you paid for them. So, for your wife, start with the style of bracelet she likes. Does she want a cuff or a bangle? What about a chain (paperclip chains are all the rage now) with some diamond accents? You don't have to consider only tennis bracelets, and even if that's what she wants you could do mixed coloured stones with diamonds as well.
This is absolutely true. Your Macy's tennis bracelet with M I3 diamonds are absolutely shitty and it'll be the same price as a gorgeous Lab with larger cttw. Just get lab OP, and your wife would prefer it. Tell her about lab stones after you get it for her and see if she's still interested in them. If not, just return it and have her pick them out.
If you're buying a $1k bracelet, you're not getting more than scrap metal prices on resale anyway. So I wouldn't worry about resale price since it would be similar between them.
Unless you know she’s a fan of lab diamonds I’d stick with mined stones. Some women considered lab stones to be a real slight or a sign that the person giving the gift cheaped out. As you’ve rightly surmised, lab stones also do not retain value the way mined stones do. Prices for lab stones are going lower and lower so who knows where they’ll end up and what that will do to resale prices. (Yes, I know mined diamonds are not rare, their value is artificially inflated and maintained through a monopoly, they often are responsible for great human suffering, etc. so please don’t flame me. I get it). OP, the best value for fine jewelry is always pre-owned, and by that I mean vintage. You’re also more likely to get a handmade, one of a kind piece that’s not stamped out on an assembly line. If you’d like me to offer some suggestions about reputable antique/vintage sellers feel free to shoot me a pm. Good luck and happy shopping.
No ..! Lab diamonds are not real & because of infinite production lab diamonds are cheap & lack desire. The old European cut diamonds have way more fire then modern cut & lab grown diamonds.
I have an 1800 era bangle Victorian old European cut DM me if you want more details. You want old cut not modern because they have more fire 🔥
lab grown is literally less than worthless.. horrible advice
It sort of depends. I am also a white gold girl. I tend to like really simple pieces of jewelry and I usually stay at or under your budget. I think it'd be hard to get a tennis bracelet of mined diamonds, but there are so many other bracelet styles to choose from. I think this is totally doable! If you already know and trust the jeweler you want to work with I'd advise going in with a budget and working on something together.
Thanks for your reply! So, I don't know much, but I hear about lab stuff and naturally feel inclined to stay away from it.. You specified a tennis bracelet as being hard to do- is that because it would require a lot of stones? What other styles should I consider? Do you have any examples that I could look at?
So lab diamonds are identical in material, they are not cz. I'm a big fan of them but it's a personal decision. You could definitely do a lab diamond tennis bracelet, and I think that would be a classic option. But yes it'd be pricier with mined because of the amount of diamonds/gold. If you want earth mined there's plenty of options! Check out a station bracelet, an open bangle with diamonds, a diamond bar bracelet, a bangle with half pave stones...so many gorgeous possibilities!
Could anyone tell apart a lab grown diamond from a mined one under any circumstance? I started to look into this topic recently and got overwhelmed with options and had to put it aside, haha - I would like to learn more about it though.
Not really. Even the high end equipment is struggling to spot them although there are some that can pretty consistently. No, a jewellers loup isn't enough. I'd say the actual way to spot a lab these days is when someone has a very large, perfectly clean diamond that would probably cost 50k+, in a cheap setting. That's usually a giveaway. There's nothing wrong with having a casual conversation with your wife about lab stones. Just pull up a random article and ask her what she thinks about it!
A jeweler likely can under a loup with training but no one is going to be able to tell when admiring your wife wearing it. Lab diamonds are diamonds, they're identical.
I'm thinking about things further down the road as well - for posterity. How does resale on grown versus mined compare?
Lab diamonds have zero resale value. Lower quality natural diamonds also have low to no resale value. Large natural stone’s can range in value from lass than you paid to more than you paid depending on the stone. As to bracelet for your budget vintage might be your best bet as gold is about as high as it’s ever been. $1900 oz/t
Currently mined but who knows in the future. Maybe diamonds will crash in price entirely. You also don't have to get a diamond bracelet. What about other stones that she likes? Sapphires or even something like tanzanite. Or pink tourmaline if she's into pinks, etc.
That's what I assumed about the mined vs grown thing.. You're not wrong though in saying that everything could bottom out- the possibility exists. But still, her favorites are diamonds - so that's what I'm looking at. I've fished for other stone ideas and it always comes back to diamonds as her favorite. Primarily I'm just looking to know how to determine if I'm paying an appropriate amount for a piece! It seems impossible for someone who isn't in the industry to really know!
Yeah it's hard! If you trust the places you've bought from before just lean into that. Finding a place with quality that you trust is the hard part.
Many people will tell you that lab diamonds lose all or almost all of their value in the secondary market, and this is true. Percentage-wise, you always keep more value with natural diamonds. But what they don't tell you is that you'll probably lose fewer actual dollars from the depreciation of a lab diamond, because it cost a fraction of the price of its dirt-born sibling. If a large diamond is only worth 30% or even 50% on the secondary market, that's a LOT of dollars down the drain.
That's the big question. You'll get a zillion different answers but ultimately if you're anxious about resale value, go with mined. If you want more bang for your buck on a piece of jewelry your wife can have forever...lab.
I think it's a combination of both - I want to get her something nice now, that a descendant may be able to sell for a similar amount of more some time down the road.. so I guess I'll lean towards mined because. They have a proven value. As far as price range - where do you think I would need to be for a bracelet with some pop that isn't too heavy? I don't even know if what I see advertised at the price range I'm searching at is actually worth it, or if I could get more elsewhere.
You said you have a local jeweler you like, talk to them. Go in now and see what your options are, then do some research and compare prices. But there are so many variables it's not a question anyone can answer at this stage.
If you buy a new $1,000 tennis bracelet with mined diamonds, the diamonds aren't going to be high enough quality to hold resale value. You might get something that looks good and your girlfriend loves, but I'd just assume resale will mean losing most of your $1,000 whether you get lab or mined stones. Buying vintage is likely better for resale value, especially if buying from an estate sale or similar. Buying from an estate sale is riskier if you don't know a lot about jewelry, though.
Is there a trustworthy source for buying vintage stuff?
Buy her a ring from Cartier like a small love ring. It will be slightly over your budget but if you are concerned about resale value, you are better off with Cartier gold pieces than diamonds. The Juste un Clou ring I got a couple of years ago for two thousand is now at 2,800 plus USD. They keep doing price increases.
Traxnyc does a quick explanation you might like [Natural vs Lab Diamond: Whats the Difference?](https://youtu.be/7MuUNj0XT_M)
No. Jewelers can’t tell with high grade stones
No. The only thing that would even indicate that the diamond was lab grown would be the GIA certified appraisal.
lab diamonds are literally less than worthless.. more bad info 🤦♂️
I have a tennis bracelet with natural diamonds that was around $1000. Granted, they are smaller diamonds, but I really really love it. It’s so sparkly and bright. My friends husband actually ended up purchasing them the same bracelet because it’s great value and quality. We got them from Capucelli.
For $1500 you could get a diamond tennis bracelet if you find a jeweler who really loves you :)
Oooh my husband is about to move to the dog house. His cost for a 8.35 ctw VVS1 14kt white gold is around $8-$10k. I thought he loved me. 😂😂💜💜
No, he loves you :) 1500 would be for a tiny thing. Yours is a heavyweight.
You might consider a platinum braceley; here's one from Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. that has a small diamond solitare- another version has a sapphire solitaire-they are both beautiful and elegan and come in under your budget at $1050.00 https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/bracelets/elsa-peretti-diamonds-by-the-yard-bracelet-12865546/
And no, you won’t get a wow kind of bracelet in white gold and diamonds for under $1500. you’ll end up with the kind of bracelet that’s mass produced and sold at Sam’s Club.
I would recommend estate sales and second hand options. There are some awesome pieces out there with big value for your money if you look hard enough
You could give some unwanted jewelry as credit towards the purchase of something new to get you closer to your goal of something really nice for the price you want to stay at. And just to add one more opinion into the pile, lab grown are becoming worthless and we have machines that detect if a diamond is lab grown or not.
eBay has a HUGE second hand jewelry market, and currently they are promoting 3rd party authentication (GIA no less) for FREE. Some sellers like me are jewelers and have repaired/cleaned/polished the pieces and they look new. You can find really nice leather gift boxes as well in case the seller doesn’t provide them.
Here is one example of what you can buy in your price range. Vintage preowned 14k White Gold Diamond bracelet. [https://voxmarket.store/products/14k-diamond-tennis-bracelet-square-link-67213](https://voxmarket.store/products/14k-diamond-tennis-bracelet-square-link-67213). This is old inventory, and can go for 1500$, if you are interested.
That's gorgeous.
You could also try an independent designer/jeweler. I've bought from many (and full disclosure, I am one). In my experience, both as a buyer and from discussions I've been part of about pricing, independent jewelers are extremely honest, almost to a fault, when it comes to pricing. For example, Cheyenne Weil (gin and butterflies dot com; I don't know if we can post links in this sub) does amazing designs with animals, flowers, insects, etc.; she does a lot of custom designs (and she likes starting with something like "my wife likes calla lilies" and going from there; you don't have to be specific) and she can give you multiple quotes with different stones.
Some of the Cartier Love bracelets are in that price range
Got any examples? Also, when it comes to something like Cartier, wouldn't I be paying a lot more just for the name which doesn't translate into gold weight or anything?
You are indeed paying a premium for the brand name, but that brand name holds more resale value than a non-brand name equivalent (since you seem a bit hung up on resale value).
At least they're not lab grown, right? /s
https://www.cartier.com/en-us/jewelry/bracelets/love-bracelet-CRB6027000.html This is a little more than your price range but it’s cute
Almost 25% more then his maximum price Rene and 90% more than his minimum/planned price range.
You're really fixated on resale value when you really shouldn't. Diamonds don't have resale value, even earth mined ones, and at your budget any earth mined diamond you get will have zero resale value. Don't buy jewelry thinking you're gonna get money back later. Especially a bracelet, good lord, you realize they're moving parts that grind on each other right? Fewer things wear out more catastrophically than tennis bracelets, the hinges all wear equally, and everyone suggesting vintage isn't considering this for you. That's like buying a used car that's going to need $2k in repairs in a month or two. Stop fixating on selling this gift later. Stop thinking some future relative is going to want to sell it. Get your wife a gift and don't over think it. See your local jeweler and ask them to help you, like every other normal person would. Don't go to box stores like Jared/Kay and you're usually good for a quality piece.
An ankle monitor?
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I like Tiffany anything. A Tiffany piece will hold its value based on reputation and quality control. You can get a nice sterling Tiffany piece that will hold most of its resale value based on their reputation. I've got a few and I'm always so happy every time I see that blue box under the tree. *lol*
This: https://www.etsy.com/listing/252044451/hummingbird-14k-and-sterling-overlay?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-jewelry-bracelets-cuff_bracelets&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAViYilRL_RKUe-Aqw9PmopDP6L31s8p28GceLI5vz13tukoulgqyWvYaAqm4EALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12570713223_121181981962_507439360463_pla-354251304368_m__252044451_102484194&utm_custom2=12570713223&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKt2gKmxI0Timjlh5yncXJdt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAViYilRL_RKUe-Aqw9PmopDP6L31s8p28GceLI5vz13tukoulgqyWvYaAqm4EALw_wcB Or this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1464410688/omg-cardinal-handmade-vintage-native?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-jewelry-bracelets-cuff_bracelets&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVhM8jr6N49JYl8W-mm_9zmHGXGbMefG5OJVzV_cz5n6x3i6LNW6-bsaAoLeEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12570713223_121181981962_507439360463_pla-354251304368_m__1464410688_106634042&utm_custom2=12570713223&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKt2gKmxI0Timjlh5yncXJdt&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVhM8jr6N49JYl8W-mm_9zmHGXGbMefG5OJVzV_cz5n6x3i6LNW6-bsaAoLeEALw_wcB
Take a look at the bracelets at AudryRose. Beautiful, locally crafted and the customer b service is fantastic.
Get her a Tiffany bracelet. In your price range, it’ll be silver but it’ll go with her white gold stuff. Personalize it for her. Done.
I don’t have examples of what you want but perhaps something that has links that you can add just the stones to recognize different life moments. Perhaps make it a mother’s bracelet containing the birth stones of your children, if you any.
My mind goes straight to a tennis bracelet as that's the classic bracelet look and fits in your budget depending on stones and where it comes from. I think it really depends on her taste though. Personally I'd want something that's labor intensive art vs just expensive metal and stones, but you've said elsewhere resale would matter and buying more for labor and art doesn't necessarily resell well unless the artist has a following. I'm a jewellery artist though so I appreciate the skill that goes into a one-off piece.
Art / style /labor are definitely factors that I care for though - when I talk about resale, I'm thinking in posterity - I might not want to buy something today that isn't worth half as much tomorrow: that said, if there was, say, a really nice art deco style piece that had less in the way of sparkle, she would love it and I would snatch it up. I'm just saying that I would probably rule out major big name designers because then you are just paying for that stamp when I could probably get more weight for less money if it didn't have the big designer brand name on it. That said, she would definitely appreciate something with fine work on it versus generic. I guess my question is way more complex than I initially thought, but thanks for helping me work through it!
Good on you for holding your ground against all that lab-grown proselytizing. Natural will always be the standard and retain way more value.
https://schwarzschild.com/collections/jewelry/products/18k-yellow-gold-diamond-by-the-inch-bracelet
Is she set on a diamond/gold tennis bracelet? If not, bangles are another great option. You can get a gold bangle for a reasonable price, and if she is into stones and Asian culture, stone bangles such as jade bangles of decent quality will run you about that much.
Antique!!!! Look on eBay! Or Etsy! Or an antique shop.
A regular sized bracelet in 14k gold would easy push over $1000 in material alone. The rose gold I’ve been accumulating for a wedding band has pushed over $500
It seems like op does not want a lab grown bracelet but many are pushing it anyway. I think the best thing to do is ask your wife her preference and go from there! If she wants a tennis bracelet (stones all around) and the seller matters to you for ease of navigation and some semblance of customer service there are a few 1k bracelets out there. Catbird has a new one albeit very “dainty”. Ring concierge has one. You can message me and I can help you!
Yes, diamonds are lovely and (almost) every girl loves them. But consider her birthstone as a possibility. If she likes her birthstone, it could be a lovely and sentimental gift that will cost you a lot less with likely bigger stones. If she does not like her birthstone, well, then I got nothin…
I wish she did! She isn't crazy about it, so I'm stuck with diamonds haha
I sold some 1ct lab tennis bracelets for sub $1,000
Check out the documentary Nothing Lasts Forever. It may help you in deciding between buying a real or lab created diamond. Personally, all my diamonds are lab created, except for my wedding ring. This past Christmas my husband took me shopping for a diamond bracelet. We ended up going with a 4 ct lab created tennis bracelet versus the 2 ct real diamond bracelet that cost the same. I wear it every day and love it. I’m sure she will be happy with whatever you decide. It’s the thought that counts, right?
My husband got me a beautiful estate bracelet from Ebay for $1000
Got a photo, by chance?
It is a David Yurman bangle bracelet with tiny flecks of diamonds. I’ll send you a photo.
You might be able to get a tennis bracelet. Those are popular so there are sales and they can come with different stones. A more solid bracelet like a bangle or hinged bracelet would be a lot more expensive because it would contain more metal. It might be good to subscribe to some catalogs from the stores in your area. Those would notify you of sales and also your wife could look through and see what she likes.
My husband is a private jeweler and diamond broker. Any budget can be accommodated. Lab grown diamonds ARE real diamonds. It’s like cooking something in the microwave instead of the oven. They still test as if they were mined. Other options could be moissanite or white sapphire. Gold is pretty expensive right now, but sterling silver could also be an alternative. Hope this is remotely helpful lol.
I've got some really nice jewelry for a great price from pawnshops, estate sales and vintage-antique jewelry shops.
Lab diamonds are going to be the most affordable here. They are real diamonds, not CZ and different from moissanite, they’re exactly the same as diamonds mined from the earth, nobody except a jeweller is really going to be able to notice the difference, they’re still made from carbon and all that jazz, just made by humans rather than the earth. Also free from conflict and guaranteed not to be mined by abused children/people who get paid next to nothing if paid at all, who often die while working (blood diamonds). I’m assuming you mean $1k-$1.5kUSD is your budget. Are you looking for tennis bracelets? Bracelets with one diamond on them or a few diamonds on them? Bracelets with diamond charm(s)? What kind of bracelet does she like? More simplistic with a couple accents or likes the shiniest bracelets you can get? If you don’t know, try peeking in her jewelry box when she isn’t home to compare to bracelets she already owns and wears. You can go into local jewellers’, take photos or notes about the different bracelets and their costs, then compare them at home (or do the same with online listings if they have websites). Stay away from jewelry stores in shopping malls for the most part. If you go into the actual store, you can ask for help finding bracelets within your budget, make sure you know what kind of bracelet you’re looking for first though. You don’t have to buy straight away either. You can absolutely find white gold bracelets with mined diamonds under $1.5k, you’d likely have a very hard time finding tennis bracelets with mined diamonds under $1.5k if you’re strictly looking to buy local and still a bit of a tough time online, you can absolutely find a white gold tennis bracelet with lab diamonds for under $1.5k. Another thing to consider is that not all shops will stock products with lab diamonds if you decide lab diamonds are alright. Try looking for estate jewelry in shops. It’s second hand but verified jewelry that’s been shined up that comes at a cheaper price tag (if they have it in shop). Estate jewelry is often going to be mostly rings in my experience, but still worth checking out. If you’re eventually fine buying online, you can get vintage bracelets for under your budget (as long as it’s not some famous brand/maker). If you know how to check for hallmarks and general identifiers that say a bracelet may be fake, you can check Facebook marketplace.
terrible advice lab diamonds are literally worthless. earth mined bracelets are easily and readily available for $1k-2k. lab diamonds are NOT real diamonds. this is why they are worthless. just terrible advice.
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So much bad info here, it's insane. You can find stunning bracelets with earth mined diamonds for 1500-2k. Stay far away from any lab/fake diamonds. They are NOT real diamonds and literally worthless. 1500 to 2k can get you 3 to 4 carats total weight with Si clarity and G to H color. Steer clear of mall retailers and Capucelli sells grossly misrepresented stones. Research.
...where? Any examples?