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HomeSafeHome:  Man Made Diamonds  |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 10:20:00 AM
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I didn't really know where to post this so I'll try here :D.
My now fiance and I purchased my engagement ring with a CZ stone (or whatever it is). We talked to the lady at the jewlery store and she said that a half carat dimond would cost us anywhere from $1880 to $3800 depending on the quality (gee whiz!). I was talking this over with my boss the other day and she told me about man-made diamonds. She also reminded me about the way people are treated to find those expensive diamonds just so that some rich guy can be richer. It makes me sick to think about what people will do for MONEY!! I really can't believe I hadn't even thought about it!! I did a quick web search and found a nice looking website where half carat loose (and flawless I might add) stones are $55!!! I couldn't believe it! Before I buy though I wanted to see if any of you gals have heard anything about these lab grown dimonds? So far all I've heard is good things. Check out this site for real (not natural, but lab grown) diamonds!
http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
Edited by - Nigella on Jul 18 2008 10:25:26 AM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 11:21:32 AM
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I think the lab created gemstones are a great way to bypass the issues that go with gemstones. Most people don't know that the buyers for the jewelry stores put their lives at risk every day transporting these rocks. People literally set up traps, will cause car accidents, murder and more just to get their hands on a briefcase full of diamonds (which can be worth several million dollars) Also, the movie "Blood Diamond" is a very accurate portrait of what happens in Africa around the diamond mines.
Besides- if it is pretty, and you are happy with it? Who cares if it is "real" or not! The lab grown precious stones are atomically the same as naturally made ones.
We got my wedding set at an estate sale. The ring had already had a home at least once so I felt I wasn't adding to the pressure to mine more diamonds. :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 4:18:56 PM
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I'm not an expert, but I think that the moissanite stones are harder than the cubic zirconia and more difficult to tell from the real thing. They can still be expensive, but not as expensive as a natural diamond -and I have to say "AMEN" to the way they avoid the problems of blood diamonds.
I know if you do decide on a real diamond, insist on it being certified that it is not a "blood diamond" which causes untold suffering.
The way I feel about it is - you are buying a "sentimental" ring, not an investment. You are probably never going to sell that ring to make a profit, so why does it have to tie up a lot of capital that could be better used to buy a house (or a farm!) or otherwise get your family off to a solid economic start?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 4:33:03 PM
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My engagement ring is a CZ. To me it's beautiful! Just as beautiful as a diamond of any kind.
I had never really thought about all that was involved in diamond mining until I saw Blood Diamond. My heart just broke to know that the events of that movie are actually a description of what real people are put through for these stones everyday.
I've always been one to believe that it isn't the size, shape or color of the ring it's the love you share that matters the most. The ring is just a nice little trinket to show off. The girls are going to oohh and ahhh over it if it's real or not.
Just pick something you and your fiance are happy with, can afford. I love the idea of estate jewelry especially if you can learn the story behind it. All the better if the story behind the ring is a gloriously happy one!!
Melanie
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. Helen Keller "http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/ ~shop~ http://www.brokenin.ecrater.com/ |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 4:57:24 PM
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Meanie, I totally agree with you I'm perfectly happy with my ring with the CZ in it, the only reason we're looking at getting a man made diamond is the lady at the jewlery store told me that the CZs aren't as hard and get dirty way easier. Since I have my hands in the dirt or milking goats all day I'm thinkin' I may have to look into getting something that will last me a bit longer. I LOVE the idea of estate jewlery too! I would have picked that if I'd been able to find one first.... we had to finace the ring anyway though....
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If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 8:18:03 PM
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I have some man made diamond earrings. they are the like the kind that debeers has been growing for years. I got them from the internet, and the store said that if a jeweler could tell the difference, they would buy them back. I opted for man made because it's more bling for your buck, and the color and clarity are great. A friend of our family always told my husband to never invest in diamonds because you can't tell the difference between natural and lab made ones, but to instead invest in other gems.
Trish
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war!
FREE TIBET! |
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 9:36:27 PM
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Nigella you are right. CZ's do get dirty quickly. I run a clenaing service. Before when I was doing light duty cleaning (dusting, windows...) I didn't wear gloves and you wouldn't believe how fast the junk would build up. It seemed like I was giving my ring a good scrubbing everyday, but since then I found these gloves at Wal-Mart. I think they are called Nitrate. They are like Latex but stronger and come in this awesome purple color. Anyways I wear them the whole time I clean now. I have another pair of gloves I wear over them for scrubbing bathrooms. The downfall my hands get really sweaty. The upside, my hands don't dry out and crack as bad and my ring stays shiny. I don't know if gloves will get in the way diggin and milkin but if you decide to stay with your CZ you might give the gloves a try.
Melanie
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. Helen Keller "http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/ ~shop~ http://www.brokenin.ecrater.com/ |
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2008 : 5:50:43 PM
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| For our thirtieth anniversary next month we are having a cz which belonged to my dear aunt put in a gold setting for me. I too have a cleaning business and wear Walmart purple gloves! I think it's smart and a very conscious decision to not get or wear real diamonds. There's a movie called "Blood Diamonds" with Leonardo DiCaprio that shows it like it really is. Susan |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2008 : 7:14:00 PM
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Honestly, I like natural diamonds in an engagement ring way better than man-made diamonds. I of course do not want blood diamonds but I definitely prefer the real think made for many years in the earth. I like the whole story of the diamond being made and the time it took to produce it. I am not a fan of man-made diamonds. I do, however, support the idea of non blood diamonds. I LOVE antique and vintage diamonds from antique stores. I love that these engagement rings have history and when I get engaged I would like one of those!
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283 |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2008 : 08:43:36 AM
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I don't understand the fasciation with diamonds.I prefer stones with color, not mined on the grief of underpaid laborers. A ring is supposed to be a love token, not a contest.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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clux64
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Celeste
Blair
NE
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2008 : 06:28:37 AM
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Did you also know that the De Beers family (who controls the flow of diamonds on the market to keep the prices artificially inflated) were Nazi sympethizers during WW2? Just another reason to stay away from the diamond industry...unless you buy Canadian. If you want the real thing, consider buying a Canadian mined diamond. You can google for diamond dealers who sell Canadian diamonds in your area--they're still pricey, but they are the old fashioned variety. I personally stopped wearing my diamond years ago when I scratched the be-jeezus out of my daughter (accidently of course) with it. Now I just wear a simple white-gold wedding ring my hubby gave me for Christmas a couple years back. You may find yourself parking your engagement ring a few years down the road, so why spend a fortune on it?
Celeste
"No matter where you go, there you are"
--Confucious
www.urbanprairiehome.blogspot.com
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2008 : 3:21:40 PM
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I have a ring that has three lab diamonds that my daughter gave me for mother's day one year. It is a beautiful ring, if you didn't know what it was you would never know it was not a natural diamond. It has clarity and sparkle and is, well, hard as diamonds. I also have a pair of earrings that she gave me for my bd one year. I think they are called diamonique. The lab diamonds are different than czs, but I really agree with Brightmeadow, spend the money on land/farm/fencing/livestock, etc. It's hard to eat a diamond when you're hungry but you can raise your groceries on a farm.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2008 : 6:26:54 PM
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Diamonique is supposed to be the best man-made diamond and is carrie dby QVC online at QVC.COM or on cable/dish satellite t.v. They are the largest jewelry retailers in the U.S. and have excellent customer service and 30 day return on anything for any reason. I'v enot bought any but I have shopped QVC and they have excellent customer service and expalin everything on T.V. so you know exactly what you are getting. They have LOTS to choose from too. Good Luck and congrats!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2008 : 8:32:43 PM
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Celeste beat me to it :) I was going to recommend Canadian diamonds to anyone who was still looking to buy the real 'old school' type of diamond. They're all mined in the arctic, and the industry is regulated by the government. Every diamond is laser etched with a small number so you know where it came from, and some are even etched with a tiny polar bear drawing. All etchings are invisible to the naked eye, of course.
That said, I wear estate jewelry and bought my 1910 engagement ring on ebay :)
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 10:26:52 AM
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My husband bought me an opal engagement ring. It's unique, beautiful, and not nearly as expensive as a diamond ring. However, opals are very delicate. So I bought a band with style for my wedding ring, and only wear the band. I love the look of a great band, and love that i don't have to take off my engagement ring, or clean it all the time. I only wear it on special occasions.
My son's blog (designed to keep in touch with Grandma and all her friends:
http://babycork.blogspot.com/ |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1401 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1401 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2008 : 10:41:04 AM
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My son had a diamond engagement ring that he paid $5K for and the engagement fell through. He tried to sell it back to the same jeweler and the jeweler would only give him $1500 for it. I gave him the same amount and now have a gorgeous ring. The only thing is, one of the diamonds fell out. It isn't the central one, but ridiculous that that should happen.
I think you are wise getting a CZ or Moissonite stone. Does it really matter anyway? Who cares if it is a big, hurking diamond or a manmade stone? You don't need to feel obligated to tell if someone asks about the ring. It's none of their business.
Go for it. It is the guy you are marrying, not the ring.
Betty in Pasco |
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CarolynB
Farmgirl at Heart
5 Posts
Carolyn
Dayton
OH
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 11:17:08 AM
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My Wedding set is from QVC Diamonique. I love it. It looks real and has stayed beautiful for almost 5 years now. I get tons of compliments.
Carolyn
thebarberbunch.blogspot.com |
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marcy jo
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Marcy
Wawaka
Indiana
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 08:34:06 AM
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My original wedding ring is from QVC and just gorgeous. My hubby found something better for this years anniversary-its called Diamondaura. It has 58 facets and no one can tell the difference! Its so clear and sparkling all the time! He paid more than the one from QVC and I can tell! I really dont want real diamonds-had a few before and lost one of the stones. This way I dont have to worry about it. I do like QVC I have chipped my large stone twice and they have repaired it at no charge both times. Cant get that from a jeweler!!!
Marcy #257
When I stand before God at the end of my life I hope that I would not have a bit of talent left and could say “I used everything You gave me”.(erma bombeck) |
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Laura Marie
True Blue Farmgirl
419 Posts
Laura
Rancho Cordova
California
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 5:05:29 PM
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Hey Ladies!
So I have worked in the fine jewelry department at one time in my life and I am telling you the the man made stones are the way to go. Unless you get insurance on them to be able to insure you can replace them if something happens it's almost not worth it. Anything can happen to your ring and diamonds and if you have no proof of insurance your are out. I worked at a resturant and a younger lady who was pregant took her rings off because her hand were swollen. She got tied up in the excitment of Hollywood that she walked out without them. She left them laying under some napkins. She came back withing 5 minutes thinking we had thrown them away we dug in our garbage bins... We played back our security and watch another gentlemen walk by the table and pick it off the table. She was out her wedding set. She was in tears. I felt so bad for her. If you have a man made set at least you can recreate something if something horrible happens. Unless you go and buy an estate/refurbished ring then you will have to worry about the Blood Diamond, but that goes for a lot of gem stones these days. Unless they are man made. It's just another part of society that is pushed under the carpet made to look pretty.
Good Luck and let us know what you deciede to go with!
Laura Marie #369 |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2008 : 2:43:11 PM
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So Nigella, what did you decide girl? Don't keep us in suspense here, lol
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Badgebadger
MJ's Heirloom Mavens Bookclub Coordinator
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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paintnpencils
Farmgirl in Training
31 Posts
jessica
glen rock
pa
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2009 : 6:34:41 PM
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If any one wants to tell the difference between a man made diamond and a natural one just put it under a black light! The manmade stone will glow, and the natural stone will not! I personally don't care what the ring has in it, and I do love opals and amber. :)
each day is a new oportunity to create,improve, expand, and share. |
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cajungrammie
True Blue Farmgirl
124 Posts
tina
dry prong
la.
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2009 : 1:48:45 PM
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I opted for a estate ring too.i love my wedding band set and like the fact that is not a blood diamond.a ring is a sybmol of love,save the money for something better.get the ring you love,noone else has to know if it is real or not,besides these days flashing a big rock could get you killed for it.
Sometimes I think I know Everything!!Then I wake Up!! |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2009 : 09:37:10 AM
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Human made diamonds and "natural" diamonds are chemically the same...pure carbon (as someone mentioned earlier) and you cannot tell the difference. A lot of folks think that CZ is the same as a human-made diamond, but it is not...zirconium is an element and is "natural". It's just different and does soil faster and it will scratch. Another interesting movie (documentary) is The Diamond Deception.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2009 : 12:39:10 PM
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I have a pair of Diamonique earrings and a diamonique necklace I wore at my wedding. Both are absolutely beautiful.
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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HomeSafeHome: Man Made Diamonds |
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Man Made Diamonds
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