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If you’ve ever considered the pros and cons of buying a diamond online versus in person, you may be interested to know that Blue Nile, one of the largest online retailers of diamonds, just announced  plans to grow its showroom presence from five to 55 locations within the next three years. Others are also dipping their toes back in the showroom waters, according to The International Council of Shopping Centers.

This brings us to the question of why. As a company, we’ve always believed in the value of in-person shopping, especially as it relates to something as important and meaningful as an engagement ring. Ten years ago, when La Bijouterie was formed, we made the purposeful decision to open a brick and mortar location, not an online store, because we value the importance of helping customers in person, especially when making one the biggest and most emotionally charged decisions of their lives. It seems as though today’s consumers value the same.

According to CBRE Retail Services Group Senior Vice President Danny Jacobson, “all retail is reimagining their store experience, and showrooms are a way to draw more people into their space or to supplement their online offering.” Consumers are wising up to the uncomfortable at best, rules around buying a diamond online, and companies like Blue Nile, implementing the rules, are taking a hit because of it. 

For instance, did you know that online diamond stores do not offer any quality guarantee? If something is in fact wrong with the diamond you purchased, (say an imperfection you weren’t expecting, or the color is off), it would result in you overpaying for a diamond you thought was a great deal. The truth is there is a lot to consider outside of the 4Cs that someone who isn’t in the diamond profession would have no way of knowing. 

This brings us to quality. A diamond should be inspected top to bottom with a magnifying glass by both the jeweler and the buyer, so you have a clear understanding of what you’re actually purchasing. An online website has no pressure to offer you a top quality diamond at a reasonable price since there is no official face to the brand. No one person's name or livelihood is on the line.

Although the customer experience may be at the forefront of why mega online retailers are opening brick and mortar stores, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the need to offset the monetary ramifications of the Tax Law that was recently implemented for online diamond retailers. 

More than anything else, placing trust in the establishment you’re buying your diamond from is of utmost importance as it goes hand in hand with the customer experience you hope to receive. 

Buying a diamond online means making one of the biggest financial purchases of your life completely blind. As you might imagine, it takes years to understand and learn how to evaluate a diamond, which is why buying online can be so tricky and unforgiving. 

Do you really want an AI bot determining the future ring or earrings your partner will wear for the rest of their life? Do yourself a favor and go with a jeweler that prides themselves on the customer service they offer, and has many repeat customers. Having a tangible location allows us to meet you in person (safely), and help you every step of the way. 

Have questions? Leave them below or book a no stress appointment to get your questions answered in real time. In the meantime, check out our reviews on Google and Yelp. 

We can’t wait to see you!

~ LB 

We’re two weeks away from the start of Spring and National Proposal Day, both taking place on March 20th. If the word “proposal” caught your eye, then you’ve landed in the right place. This blog is all about how to create an incredible day and moment for you and the love of your life. It proudly features some of our very own clients who were gracious enough to share their special moment with us.

Find a meaningful spot…

Perhaps the first place you met, a location you frequent, or some place they’ve mentioned checking off their bucket list… these are all good indicators of the perfect backdrop for popping the question. Bonus points if you hire a photographer to secretly capture the moment.

Go Take a Hike… 

There’s no better way to connect with the one you love than getting out in nature. The crisp air and serene atmosphere offers the perfect segway for meaningful conversation. Best of all, it gets those endorphins going before you ask the biggest question of your life.

Create Some Holiday Magic…

It may feel like the holiday season just ended, but to your special someone, the holidays might be the most romantic time of the year. If they are crazy over Christmas and enjoy sharing special moments with family, perhaps waiting until this next holiday season is the way to go. Who doesn't love something that sparkles under their tree? 

If you like Piña Coladas…

Are you and your partner at your best under the tropical sun? Perhaps planning a special trip where there’s plenty of Vitamin “Sea” would create a proposal to remember. From the Maldives to Santa Barbara, what far off sea breeze swept places have you talked about going together?

Chase a Sunset...

“It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.” -Bernard Williams

If dusk is your partner’s favorite time of day, or if you can’t help but chase sunsets together, then sunset sounds like the ideal time to make the magic happen. Just imagine, the next time you both see the sun you’ll be engaged! 

Go Wherever You Feel Most Comfortable...

At the end of the day, all that matters is that you and the one you love feel comfortable starting this next chapter of your life together. So when it comes to the “perfect” location, the truth is that is entirely up for interpretation. Instead of focusing on making everything perfect, close your eyes and picture where you will feel most comfortable asking one of the greatest questions you will ever ask. Perhaps it’s a place that will only be meaningful to the both of you, which will make it all the more special.

Tell us, how did we do? Leave us a comment below letting us know your thoughts, or you can make an appointment to learn more about how the engagement ring process works. On behalf of the entire La Bijouterie family, please allow us to wish you an early congratulations on reaching this exciting next step in your relationship. 

~ Set and the La Bijouterie Team

“I do not believe you can do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow.”- Horatio Nelson Jackson, American Physician and Automobile Pioneer  

At La Bijouterie, we believe in innovation, as it’s the key to success in almost any industry. When Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) joined the greater diamond discussion a few years ago, we knew it was time to start educating our customers in new ways, and share the depth of knowledge we have about the diamond industry as a whole. It was time to focus on the future. Because of this, we have an obligation to be upfront and factual in the information we share, and present it in a way that is unbiased and educational as it relates to Lab Grown vs Real Diamonds. 

Educating our clients brought up many questions, but one in particular we feel is worth a longer explanation...

What place does a lab made diamond have in the future, especially compared to real, naturally occurring diamonds? 

Our hope is this blog post will be part of that greater conversation for you. Know that the best way to find out the answer to this question is to book a virtual or in-person 1:1 appointment to further the discussion in order to make your own educated decision. Then you will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like.

What is a Lab Grown Diamond (LGD)?

A lab-grown diamond is a man-made product that shares the chemical and optical properties of natural diamonds, but whose origin and value differ greatly. Lab-grown diamonds are produced in factories in approximately 2-3 weeks using one of two methods originally developed in the 1960s for industrial purposes – HPHT and CVD. These methods artificially replicate natural conditions found in the Earth, forcing carbon atoms into a crystal structure. In more recent years, technology improvements have allowed factories to produce lab-grown diamonds in qualities that allow for uses beyond industrial. (Source)

So Are LGDs Actual Diamonds?

Although their chemical structure is the same as a natural diamond, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) a lab-created diamond cannot be called “real” because it does not come from the Earth and it is not a gemstone. (Source)

By this point, you may be feeling confused. How are you supposed to make a decision on whether to move forward with a naturally occurring diamond, (and which one?) vs one that is Lab Grown? Why is the word diamond in the title if they are not in fact diamonds? Do real diamonds hold their value? What about pricing? The environment? 

Other Expert Opinions

In trying to differentiate natural diamonds from the lab grown alternative, the Natural Diamond Council quite truthfully underscores natural diamonds rarity.

“Natural diamonds are finite and rare. Diamonds are becoming rarer every day because no new significant deposits have been discovered in about 30 years,” it states. “However, lab-grown diamonds can be manufactured in potentially unlimited quantities similar to any manufactured product, thus they are not finite and cannot be considered rare.”

To which, the NDC adds, “Natural diamonds obtain their value from their scarcity as a natural, billion-year-old precious gem and have shown over decades to grow in value as they become more rare.”

There are a lot of things to consider here, and we’ve found one of the most important things to consider is Price vs Value. 

Price vs Value

In its 2019 report, Bain gave more specifics, noting the lab-grown market grew 15% to 20% in 2019, following a similar trajectory in 2018.

That increase is credited to “the widening price differential of lab-grown diamonds versus natural ones and campaigns that leveraged the ‘green’ benefits of manufactured stones,” the report states. (Source)

When it comes to value, you can’t put a price on rarity. As basic economics states, once demand goes up, and inventory goes down, price goes up. So where does this leave us, as each claim they are better than the other for different reasons? More importantly, where does the future of Lab Grown Diamonds lie? Well that answer is entirely up to you as the consumer. 

At La Bijouterie, our sole purpose is to help couples achieve a milestone moment in their lives any way we can. We believe in quality over quantity, and educating always. Before pulling the trigger on such an important decision, book a no stress 30 minute 1:1 appointment.

At Your Service,

Set F.

Founder, La Bijouterie