Though the resale market for lab-grown diamonds is currently modest, it is anticipated to expand over time. Notably, production costs for lab-grown diamonds have decreased by approximately 80-90% over the last five years, leading to a significant price drop.
1 Carat E VS1 Lab Diamond - $1,270 (Watch HD)
1 Carat E VS1 Natural Diamond - $5,5600 (Watch HD)
Given the relatively short existence of lab diamonds, the resale market is less established than that of mined counterparts. Nevertheless, a resale market exists for high-quality lab diamonds. Jewelers who frequently purchase lab diamonds from the public often encounter shortages in availability.
Diamonds are not inherently investment assets for first-time buyers, whether mined or lab-created. When a jeweler purchases a pre-owned diamond, they must resell it for profit, resulting in a significantly lower buying price than the retail price.
Are there exceptions? For instance, an auction sale featuring an exceptionally rare 5-carat natural blue diamond. Such cases may exist. However, for the average consumer acquiring a 2 Carat G VS1 round diamond, the resale market for both natural and lab-grown diamonds typically involves a discount on the retail price. Circumstances may differ for traders or individuals closely connected to the industry. However, natural gem-quality diamonds will hold far better value than lab-made ones.
Truthfully, when jewelers extend offers for your lab-grown diamond, they are not primarily concerned with the amount you initially spent. Their offers predominantly hinge on the market availability of comparable gems and the prevailing Rapaport discount rates. Thus, whether you secured a favorable price or overpaid during purchase rarely impacts their offer. Furthermore, offers are not based on a fixed percentage of your payment; it just happens to align that way. Selling a low-quality, deeply discounted lab diamond can be challenging for a seller, similar to the challenges faced with a subpar natural diamond.