5000 AUD budget for diamond ring, please suggest

[vpothineni]

I am totally new to buying a diamond and certainly to buying an engagement ring.

I have about $5,000 AUD to spend and have a few questions but let me tell you what I do know.

Important

0.7 carat
Round Stone
18k Gold setting with some stones on the side
After lots of reading, gained bit of knowledge on the cut, clarity, carat and colour.
So far i like the James allen website as it is easier for me and like some diamonds and setting.



My questions are as follows
1. Could you please suggest what do you think about the diamonds below?
2. When i do a search with above price and so on, i got lots of diamonds. How do i make the search better apart from the price, to make sure the diamond is really good?


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-454081
seems good to me..

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-297961
Apparently this one is true hearts and good but it looks like i can see imperfections in there easily?
Is that right?

Also do i need to make sure that depth, girdle, table, polish and symmetry measurements in account apart from 4C?

Or please any suggestions of any diamonds and why would really really great, as im still learning.


Any guidance you could all provide would be greatly appreciated, I plan on doing this once (getting engaged) I really would like a special decent quality ring for a good price. I know that there is a wealth of knowledge on this site, My mind is a sponge!

Thanks to all in advance

 

[chrono]

Plug all the numbers in here to make sure the final score is anything 2.0 and under as the first step to weed out the potentially great cuts from the sea of diamonds.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here is a stone at a similar price to the other stones you had linked, with a top-notch cut and great specs:

.718ct, H, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm


If you decide you want to put more $$$ into the stone and less into the setting, here is an option that will be under budget:
.73ct, G, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm
or
.764ct, H, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3337348.htm

paired with:
14k White Gold Classic 6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-582.htm


That will result in a great ring, with a superior stone, all from a vendor with a great upgrade/return policy.

 

[vpothineni]

Thank you so much for the site..ill look into that.

 

[vpothineni]

Hi Rocky, thank you so much for the suggestions. they look amazing.
ill look into them and do some research.

I think white flash website has all USD prices, so ill need to convert and have a look how much it costs.

And the settling looking into 18k yellow Gold as it suits her best for the hand with some small white stones on the side.

I dont know if thats a good idea as it might take away the value or look of the actual stone.
but it looks good on her and she prefers that as well..

but thank you all so much for the suggestions.

will report back soon

 

[arkieb1]

You need to factor in that if it is in US dollars it will cost you 25% more when you do our conversion, with our current low dollar. Then when it gets shipped to you, provided the place you purchase the stone from fills in the correct AUSTFA forms then you have to pay another 10% in tax and a little bit more in process fees when you import it into Australia. If they forget the forms you can still claim it back but you pay another 15% in taxes and duties and a processing fee.

 

[vpothineni]

Hi all, ive sorted off finalized the setting and the diamond.

We like the setting in the link below
18k Yellow Gold with White Gold Head "Legato Sleek Line Pave" Diamond Engagement Ring
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-424.htm

And for the diamond, what Rocky mentioned seems really nice for the value.

0.718 ct H VS2 Premium Select Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm

I also like this one, but it is a smaller diamond, but more cleaner, less inclusions, as per the report
0.646 ct H VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372518.htm

So interms of the value of the money the 0.718 is better, right?

or could you guys please suggest any other diamond around that price range?

For the above setup, it approximately comes to
1256+2474 = 3730USD = 4849AUD approx.

Maybe silly but she's happier with the size of the diamonds between 0.65 and 0.7. She doesn't want much bigger

What do you guys think?
i sort of need to finalise this soon, as a family member is coming from USA, back to australia. So i was going to order the ring soon and get it delivered to the house in USA.

So i will save the on the import taxes

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Hi all, ive sorted off finalized the setting and the diamond.

We like the setting in the link below
18k Yellow Gold with White Gold Head "Legato Sleek Line Pave" Diamond Engagement Ring
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-424.htm

And for the diamond, what Rocky mentioned seems really nice for the value.

0.718 ct H VS2 Premium Select Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm

I also like this one, but it is a smaller diamond, but more cleaner, less inclusions, as per the report
0.646 ct H VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372518.htm

So interms of the value of the money the 0.718 is better, right?

or could you guys please suggest any other diamond around that price range?

For the above setup, it approximately comes to
1256+2474 = 3730USD = 4849AUD approx.

Maybe silly but she's happier with the size of the diamonds between 0.65 and 0.7. She doesn't want much bigger

What do you guys think?
i sort of need to finalise this soon, as a family member is coming from USA, back to australia. So i was going to order the ring soon and get it delivered to the house in USA.

So i will save the on the import taxes

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

Well, either one is a winner!

At a .2mm size difference, that would probably be noticeable by most people, in a side-by-side comparison (about 2 sheets of copy paper is the difference).

However, the .718ct has Medium Blue fluorescence, so you may want to read up on that property a bit, prior to making a decision:
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence

What I would do is having Whiteflash pull both and give you a side-by-side compare/contrast. That way you can weigh your benefits with each stone. They'll give you an honest assessment and it should allow you to make a decision you can feel confident about.

Should be great!

 

[vpothineni]

Hi Rocky, I am leaning towards the 0.718 diamond as it is bigger.
Regarding the Medium Blue fluorescence, I did from read the link you provided and it looks like the market is sort of down on the blue fluorescence diamonds.
But honestly, we never going to sell this ring, so not really worried about the resale value, but it would be good to have resale value, just for peace of mind

also after chatting to the white flash online chat customers service person, she was very helpful in terms of looking at the diamond and letting me know, even though I didn't ask for it. Below is the email I have received.

Thank you for chatting with us here at Whiteflash. My name is Becca and I'll be happy to help you!

I see that you were interested in our beautiful diamond and ring:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-424.htm

I was able to pull the diamond and look at it in person for you. It's a great performing diamond, with plenty of fire, sparkle and brilliance. It was put into our premium select category due an excellent grade in polish and the medium blue fluorescence. After examining it thoroughly I didn't see any indication of impacted light performance. It's a beautiful diamond. Did you have any other questions about this diamond I can answer for you?

So after all the above, I should not be worried too much about the medium blue fluorescence right?

Do you guys think I should go ahead?
or is there anything else I need to look into?

thanks you again for all the help...you guys have been amazing...

 

[RockyRacoon]

Hi Rocky, I am leaning towards the 0.718 diamond as it is bigger.
Regarding the Medium Blue fluorescence, I did from read the link you provided and it looks like the market is sort of down on the blue fluorescence diamonds.
But honestly, we never going to sell this ring, so not really worried about the resale value, but it would be good to have resale value, just for peace of mind

also after chatting to the white flash online chat customers service person, she was very helpful in terms of looking at the diamond and letting me know, even though I didn't ask for it. Below is the email I have received.

Thank you for chatting with us here at Whiteflash. My name is Becca and I'll be happy to help you!

I see that you were interested in our beautiful diamond and ring:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372544.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-424.htm

I was able to pull the diamond and look at it in person for you. It's a great performing diamond, with plenty of fire, sparkle and brilliance. It was put into our premium select category due an excellent grade in polish and the medium blue fluorescence. After examining it thoroughly I didn't see any indication of impacted light performance. It's a beautiful diamond. Did you have any other questions about this diamond I can answer for you?

So after all the above, I should not be worried too much about the medium blue fluorescence right?

Do you guys think I should go ahead?
or is there anything else I need to look into?

thanks you again for all the help...you guys have been amazing...

Sounds like it all checks out. They have a solid customer service and return policy, so it's in their best interest to be forthcoming about any issues.

You've got a winner!

 

[vpothineni]

[/quote]

Sounds like it all checks out. They have a solid customer service and return policy, so it's in their best interest to be forthcoming about any issues.

You've got a winner![/quote]

Awesome, thanks Rocky, for the quick reply, will go ahead with it.

Thank you so much everyone, you guys have been amazing help for a newbie like me.

Will report back with some pics once I get the rock and made up and stuff.

 

[vpothineni]

Hi all,

Sorry to open up the old topic again.

But a quick suggestion please, so here it is.

I went through whiteflash for the above diamond and ring and they were going to ship to my cousin in USA as my mum is coming by flight in 2days.

The delay happened as the miscommunication of the ring type being yellow, they made it with WHITE gold instead of YELLOW.

But whiteflash is fixing it, but now the ring wont reach my mum in time for flight back to australia.

So i was thinking, if i still ship it to my cousin and tell her to ship it again via fedex with value <$1000AUD. As the import chargers here are 10% for any item over 1000AUD.

White flash can ship it to australia, but that would cost me $500 approx.
If my cousin ships it to me which is going to cost me approx $125.

What do you think?

Do you think it will be safe via fedex that way?
or is there any other way?


Thanks.

 

[KobiD]

I don't think you'll find anyone to support you in trying to smuggle undeclared goods through customs. I factored the 10% + processing into the purchase, but it was before the big drop in the dollar. I would just cough up the coins and do it right from a legal and moral aspect - the last thing you want is bad karma around an engagement band. You'll still be getting a better quality and value deal than you would for the same money here.

 

[arkieb1]

Whiteflash has insurance if it goes missing your family will not for a lesser amount that is the risk you take, and not one most people recommend.

 

[Supers]

Hmm - I wouldn't have thought shipping from Whiteflash would be that expensive.
I've bought from IDJ and BGD before and had them shipped to me in Melbourne and don't think it cost that much?

Regardless, I would use Whiteflash... better being safe than sorry in terms of insurance. It's also not worth misrepresenting the price of the ring - as KobiD says - you don't want bad karma associated with the ring!

 

[jenniann]

I'll reiterate the very big "NO" to trying to sneak it through customs with a lower declared value.

Firstly - it will only be insured for the declared amount if you do that. Getting lost is probably unlikely with Fedex but theft of high value items such as these sadly does happen. If your family member declares it as something other than a ring (to try and avoid it getting attention from said undesirables) there is an even greater chance of it being opening by customs - they do xray packages on a regular basis - especially in a country such as Australia which has very strict bio-security (like NZ - where I live).

Second, what your suggesting is tax evasion and risking getting on the wrong side of customs is something I *strongly* advise against. It just isn't worth it. Not to mention the $$ penalties if they catch you out.

I know the 10% is a pain but wherever you live, you're supposed to pay GST/ sale tax on these things - including the US (be thankful you don;t live in NZ where GST is 15% plus 5% duty and no fair trade agreement).

I'd pay the tax and enjoy your engagement knowing you have bought your fiance and absolutely stellar ring - above board.

 

[vpothineni]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Your are correct, don't want bad karma or take chances after spending so much already, whats little more to ensure safety and peace of mind.

Was bit silly of me to think that way in first place...

I have emailed whiteflash and advised them to fedex it to me straight and will pay the GST. As it still works out heapssss cheaper than buying here.

Thanks guys, for helping me make the right decision

Cheers..Ill post some pics once I get the ring.