Long-time reader, first time poster. The wiki guides and forum posts on this site are amazing and have given me a lot of foundation information for talking to some of my local jewellers.
I’m from Australia and I’m hoping to get some advice on purchasing a loose diamond for an engagement ring (and what online stores are best for Australians).
From reading up on everything I’m considering buying a loose diamond online and having the diamond mounted on a custom made band at a local jewellers (prefer the idea of having someone to take the ring to if something goes wrong or if it needs repairs, etc.).
Due to the exchange rate my Diamond Budget is fairly low in terms of US dollars (US$2600/AU$3300) with the Customer Band (US$1500/AU$1900).
I'm looking at a simple and thin (1.8mm-2mm) solitaire setting (4 or 6 prong) Band in gold (white or rose), leading towards rose gold due to it matching her pale skin tone. Also keen to keep it all the same colour so no white gold prongs on a rose gold band (This is the closest I've been able to find to what I'm looking for, online http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-ring/monique-lhuillier-classic-solitaire-18k-rose-gold_50692?action=18k%252BRose%252BGoldSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer). I've been told that I'll lose some of the whiteness in colour of the diamond by not having white gold prongs on a rose gold ring but I'm cool with that.
Hoping to get some advice from you all on Diamond choice and Vendor choice. I've mostly been looking at shops I've found that are Australian friendly: Blue Nile (no photos but cheaper) and James Allen (more expensive but good photos).
Looking at concentrating on Carat (0.65-0.85) and Cut (Ideal and 2 or less HCA score), substituting for a less colour quality (H to I) that's as eye clean as possible (SI1 or above). Also trying to keep polish and symmetry excellent.
Here are a few examples from James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-420647
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-435245
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-420198 (was AU$3400 but now sold)
I'm noticing that when I look at Blue Nile I can get the same/better price on the above conditions with VS2 clarity.
Jewellers keep trying to get me to aim lower in Carat and increase my Colour to at least G but I'm keen for all your thoughts on my situation/stats!
Sorry for the lengthy post!
The main questions I'm hoping you can all help me with:
Are there any other Australian friendly loose diamond sellers that I should check out? (also Blue Nile or James Allen, which is better for my situation?)
Any call outs regarding my Diamond conditions that I should be careful of or change?
I'm open to all suggestions so please tell me if you think there's a way I could be doing this smarter/better!
Thanks in advance!
I’m from Australia and I’m hoping to get some advice on purchasing a loose diamond for an engagement ring (and what online stores are best for Australians).
From reading up on everything I’m considering buying a loose diamond online and having the diamond mounted on a custom made band at a local jewellers (prefer the idea of having someone to take the ring to if something goes wrong or if it needs repairs, etc.).
Due to the exchange rate my Diamond Budget is fairly low in terms of US dollars (US$2600/AU$3300) with the Customer Band (US$1500/AU$1900).
I'm looking at a simple and thin (1.8mm-2mm) solitaire setting (4 or 6 prong) Band in gold (white or rose), leading towards rose gold due to it matching her pale skin tone. Also keen to keep it all the same colour so no white gold prongs on a rose gold band (This is the closest I've been able to find to what I'm looking for, online http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-ring/monique-lhuillier-classic-solitaire-18k-rose-gold_50692?action=18k%252BRose%252BGoldSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer). I've been told that I'll lose some of the whiteness in colour of the diamond by not having white gold prongs on a rose gold ring but I'm cool with that.
Hoping to get some advice from you all on Diamond choice and Vendor choice. I've mostly been looking at shops I've found that are Australian friendly: Blue Nile (no photos but cheaper) and James Allen (more expensive but good photos).
Looking at concentrating on Carat (0.65-0.85) and Cut (Ideal and 2 or less HCA score), substituting for a less colour quality (H to I) that's as eye clean as possible (SI1 or above). Also trying to keep polish and symmetry excellent.
Here are a few examples from James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-420647
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-435245
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-420198 (was AU$3400 but now sold)
I'm noticing that when I look at Blue Nile I can get the same/better price on the above conditions with VS2 clarity.
Jewellers keep trying to get me to aim lower in Carat and increase my Colour to at least G but I'm keen for all your thoughts on my situation/stats!
Sorry for the lengthy post!
The main questions I'm hoping you can all help me with:
Are there any other Australian friendly loose diamond sellers that I should check out? (also Blue Nile or James Allen, which is better for my situation?)
Any call outs regarding my Diamond conditions that I should be careful of or change?
I'm open to all suggestions so please tell me if you think there's a way I could be doing this smarter/better!
Thanks in advance!