E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant

AshnRobo

Hi all! My name is Ashley, and my boyfriend is Rob. Currently we are looking at rings and have pretty much decided to get a lab created diamond. There are so many reasons including price. 

I understand "a diamond is forever" but we do not want to go into debt for a piece of jewelry that we feel is just a formality anyway. (Although we feel it is a formality, we still would like to have one!)

In our search, we have found Diamond Nexus. We found a ring that I l-o-v-e. It is well within our price range and the site offers free shipping and a lifetime warranty. 

We wanted to know if any of you ladies have a diamond nexus or know anyone that does. We don't want the ring to look overly fake or loose its look in a couple of years. I mean we are saving money but not if we have to replace the ring every two years! 

Wrkn925

Stimulants are fine.

If you chose to, you can replace the diamond in the future.

I'm not sure of the longevity, it doesn't seem like it should be a problem.

Google for reviews that aren't sponsored by the brand.

calindi

I don't know anything about Nexus, but a lot of girls on this site have moisonitte rings that they love.  Instead of being lab-created (and thus trying to imitate a diamond), it's simply a clear stone with its own properties.

Elle1036

Don't get thrown off by the term "lab diamond".  Lab created stones that are truly diamonds are hard to find (only a few companies make them), never get bigger than 1 carat-ish, and are very expensive.

Diamond Nexus uses very tricky marketing lingo to make what is just a normal CZ sound like it's a diamond.

That said, though, there's nothing wrong with getting a cz ring.  Cubic zirconias are beautiful, and, if you take care of them, they can last you a long time.  I don't recommend Nexus because they are overpriced.  If you want a high-quality CZ, look into Asha and Interlap.

I know a lot about this stuff -- don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.

AshnRobo

I have googled for reviews and most are just complaining that they are fake. Not informative at all! 

heyimbren

I believe Panda has an Asha (correct me if I'm wrong) and I know she also really looked into diamond alternatives. Elle's moissanite is beautifulllll. I think this is a chance for you to AW a bit, Elle

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:f228456a-a33f-45b7-868d-132dc65b06d5">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]I believe Panda has an Asha (correct me if I'm wrong) and I know she also really looked into diamond alternatives. Elle's moissanite is beautifulllll. I think this is a chance for you to AW a bit, Elle ;)
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

You're right about Panda's being an asha.

And, ok, you talked me into it...


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Moissanites are more expensive that CZs, though, in case OP wasn't aware.

jeanacorina

Panda has a moissanite.

I would look into moissanite for its durability. That is what we would have gotten if DH had not purchased a diamond. They are almost as hard as diamonds, a little more "sparkly," and I've heard great things about them from women who have moissanite. It is a beautiful, clear stone that is not found naturally on this planet- it was first discovered in a meteor crater.

So, they ARE lab created.

Whatever you get, just don't try to pass it off as a diamond. Be proud of your choice to be a little different.

jeanacorina

Unless we're talking about another Panda? Pandaburr has a moissanite, I am like 99.99% sure, since she is the one I chatted with about getting one myself.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:38f49c02-15c8-4bd3-90be-79b4d3dad466">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]Unless we're talking about another Panda? Pandaburr has a moissanite, I am like 99.99% sure, since she is the one I chatted with about getting one myself.
Posted by jeanacorina[/QUOTE]

She replaced it with an asha.  She wasn't crazy about the color.

jeanacorina

Ooooohhhh, I must have missed that when I was on hiatus.

Olliee1607

Diamond Nexus rings are CRAP. I have an enhance 3/4 ct moissanite and I LOVE IT. If you have any questions about moissanite feel free to ask here.

Beads921

I am fairly certain from other things I've heard around here that Diamond Nexus is really just a glorified cubic zirconia aka fake (like the reviews you have found said). I'd be more likely to go the moissanite route as an alternative to diamond personally, but that's just because I don't really think much of these 'lab created' diamonds and the sneaky marketing they use. 

loves2shop4shoes

I would trust Elle's advice.  She is wise.  If someone is marketing something as a lab created diamond, it should have all of the properties of a diamond.  If they use other terms like "stimulant", I'd be very leery.

You can get genuine, natural diamonds at all price ranges.  You can get cut costs by getting a smaller stone, lower clarity, lower color on the color scale.  I wouldn't recommend sacrificing on the quality of the cut because cut has a LOT to do with how the diamond sparkles.

Also, moissanite is lovely.  Several of the girls on here have it...and it's really, truly stunning.

Olliee1607

Also if you go to [sorry wrong link here is the correct one] http://betterthandiamond.com/discussion/ubbthreads.php

It is a forum that talks about all different types of simulants including asha, moissanite, and i've seen a few compairisons [sp?] of Diamond nexus and mossanite in the same pictures. Thats how I made the final decsion on my moissanite ring

paintgirl

A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together.

In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!

bourgehm

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]

Hahahahahha. You're funny.

AudgiePodge

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I giggled so hard, I snorted.  Why aren't you around more often?

</div>

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]

Bahahaha!  I didn't even notice the typo in the subject line, but that's funny.

Wrkn925

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]

Apparently I'm dense today.  I did not catch that.  In fact, I responded using 'stimulant.'


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PaigeMcC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]
Get out of my head.

Beads921

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:5791af8c-dcd8-43e2-8ff5-1da7241c3f31">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]A laxative is a "stimulant". If someone is trying to sell you a "stimulant" diamond, I would run. If you mean "simulated", that is a different story all together. In general, laxative diamonds = bad. Simulated diamond (or simulant) = possibly fine!
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]

<div>Thank you! I didn't want to point it out, but it's been bugging me allll day! Your explanation of a stimulant is particularly awesome heh.</div>

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:2eadb629-a8a0-4c2a-ae9c-71d9e3208ace">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]I have googled for reviews and most are just complaining that they are fake. :( Not informative at all! 
Posted by AshnRobo[/QUOTE]

I would take that as informative. It informs you not to use or trust the website.

loves2shop4shoes

I was bored in Constitutional Law, so I did some research.  The FAQ on their website admits that this is NOT a lab created diamond!  Lab created diamonds should still have the same elemental makeup as natural diamonds (all Carbon).  These stones have different elemental makeup and are NOT diamonds!

http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/faq.php

paintgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:d7d80842-5a40-4040-9009-91d352f1be99">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant : I giggled so hard, I snorted.  Why aren't you around more often?
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

Because these days I'm a giant bitch in comparison to most of NEY. I almost didn't post this but just couldn't resist. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-innocent.gif" border="0" alt="Innocent" title="Innocent" />

AudgiePodge

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:c3d55348-01aa-4a37-9064-2233020be31a">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant : Because these days I'm a giant bitch in comparison to most of NEY. I almost didn't post this but just couldn't resist.
Posted by paintgirl[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Who cares? Come back.

</div>

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:fd70fabc-65eb-4dce-ae7f-4f88fb87f4be">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant : Who cares? Come back.
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

Mod approval = automatic win.

paintgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_e-ring-shopping-real-vs-stimulant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:f16abd58-41b7-49f5-9938-f08e81a8a081Post:fd70fabc-65eb-4dce-ae7f-4f88fb87f4be">Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: E-Ring Shopping Real vs Stimulant : Who cares? Come back.
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

I lurk. I'll post now and then.

PaigeMcC

Paint is like the Zorro of NEY.  She watches from the shadows but will duck in and save the day (or own a n00b), and leave you with nothing but a distant memory.

and the letter "P" on the wall.

PandaBurr

First off, dang you for beating me to the stimulant thing. I was going to make a sex joke.

Secondly, yes I have had both moissanite and Asha. (Also, Elle, Interlap is the cutter, and the brand of the CZ is WinkCZ or Winfield's. I just learned that about 10 minutes ago.)

I love my Asha. The moissanite was pretty fantastic too, but like Elle previously pointed out, I wasn't too crazy about the color. So I sold that one, at a HUGE loss because the stupid local jeweler I went to chipped it, and then I bought an Asha instead. I have an Asha cushion, and now I have an Asha Old European Cut, and I think I'm done, haha. (If you can't tell yet, I'm really into jewelry). Anyway, if you want an actual lab diamond your options are limited, by color and size. There aren't many white lab diamonds out there, and they're most likely to be under 0.25ct because they use nitrogen as a stabilizer during the growing process, which makes it fancy yellow, and some other sciencey stuff. So you're more likely to find yellow and blue lab diamonds, than you are to find pink and white lab diamonds.

That said, I highly recommend Asha. It IS CZ, I'm not going to obfuscate it. The center is CZ, then it's got an amorphous diamond coating, which prevents it from getting cloudy via dirt and oxidation. Moissanite is also a great option, but in the larger sizes it can show some yellow in certain lighting. Between the two though, it really is a preference thing. I really really liked my moissanite, but I love my Asha. For some people, it's the other way around. If you want an even cheaper option than Asha, there's WinkCZ (like Elle had mentioned), which is a high quality CZ that is very very finely polished so it doesn't get dirty easily, therefore won't cloud up as quickly or nearly as much as regular cheap CZ. There are stories of WinkCZs lasting 5 years or more without clouding, with proper care.

As for DNL, I really don't have any company that I hate more. They're so sleezy and thrive off of fooling uneducated consumers. Someone actually commented on their Facebook about their stone testing as ordinary CZ and they completely sidestepped around it. Then someone posted 4 independent lab reports with results that the stones were merely CZ and no coating was found at all, and they deleted that post off their wall. Their rings are great the first few days, but then like any other cheap CZ, they end up clouding. Definitely NOT worth the money.

And to AW me remake of my ring with the OEC Asha because I lurve it so much:






And here's a pic of my moissanite before I sold it for good measure.

paintgirl

PANDA !!! Awesome job on the weight loss, woman!