Hey everyone,
I just created my account to post a thread. I've spent days on and off reading new and old threads to help me along with my engagement ring purchase. I really want to buy a ring, and am ready to do it, but just cannot convince myself of where to buy it from. I am not concerned with "getting a good deal" because like anything else, I believe something is simply worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. I understand retailers like Jared Galleria or Tiffany & Co. are going to be more expensive than independent dealers, online, and possibly overseas.
We have a friend (of a friend...) in the Carribean who everyone in our friend-circle go to buy engagement rings and expensive jewelry. His diamonds have certificates from various gem labs. Some are the disliked EGL, and some GIA. I have not seen an AGS from him, but I have only looked at 4 paper-diamonds so far. His pricing has always been far less than the retailers/jewelers in the States, because he gives us better pricing, or so it's said.
Before I go on about the Carribean jeweler, let me tell you that I've bought random jewelry in the past from Jared Galleria for my girlfriend. I realize some people think it's like buying jewelry at Walmart, but honestly they have nice stuff for little gifts. I gave them a shot at a diamond, and I am really surprised how nice they are. Their pricing seems to be in line with a bluenile.com, and shockingly are close to what my Carribean connection is pricing a similar paper-diamond.
Jared priced a 2.1ct., H, VS2, AGS0 (Ideal cut), Peerless (Jared's signature that means an Ideal cut diamond which passes an additional light-performance test. Meaning it is more brilliant than other ideal diamonds) for $32,900. I had Tiffany & Co. quote the same diamond, and they came in at $44,000. My Carribean connection gave me two prices: 1) 2.01ct, H, VS1, EGL Ideal cut 2006 for $31,300 and 2) 2.02ct., E, SI1, EGL Ideal cut 2007.
I told my Carribean guy that his pricing did not separate itself from retailers, on top of which his reports are from EGL who I learned was inferior to GIA/AGS. He dropped the price of the VS1/H to $28,900 from $31,300 including the mounting (knife-edge platinum band).
We have a couple friends who are very wealthy and purchased diamonds in the last 5 years for their wives, and I have quizzed them privately about what they did, how, and why. One of them went to the Carribean and purchased a 3ct. Canary (yellow) diamond and he thinks he got a great deal, and had the diamond verified in the States so he is confident it is as good as he thought. He believes he saved 20% or more buying from the Carribean. Another friend ended up buying from a name retailer in Diamond district in NY. He said ultimately his wife (fiancee at the time) wanted a specific type ring/diamond, and so he ended up getting that for her.
I'll be real honest with you, I don't have a strict budget, but I am expecting to pay between $30,000-$45,000 ish for this diamond, and I still don't have a solid idea of where to buy and why. I want to make up my mind sooner, so I can do this. I am excited, but completely unsure of what to buy, and where.
The retail stores have some perks which are interesting. The one in particular I like is how you can "upgrade" your purchase at a later date. This means you turn in your diamond, and as long as you spend twice as much as your original purchase or more, the original purchase price counts towards that purchase. I realize Diamonds are more expensive now than historically, so I thought if I "upgraded" at a later date when Diamond pricing lowers, then it would be quite a big upgrade. That is an appealing idea as well. The repair/replace policy is nice, but I'll have an insurance policy on it anyway, so I'm not sure if that makes it worthwhile. The cleaning/polishing/inspecting is a nice feature, and certainly pretty convenient, but I'm not sure it's worth the huge retail mark-up.
I don't know if this thread sounds "rambling" or if it is somewhat organized. If I left important things out, please let me know. I am just not sure what to do at this point. I have Jared holding the 2.1ct. H/VS2 for $32,900 while they're bringing in a $44,000 2.1ct. E/VS2 so I can see the difference. Before I jump into bed with Jared, I really need some of your help. I have seen GREAT advice in other threads, and am hopeful that someone says something that clicks, and helps me solidify my mind.
Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my thread, and hopefully give me your opinion.
I just created my account to post a thread. I've spent days on and off reading new and old threads to help me along with my engagement ring purchase. I really want to buy a ring, and am ready to do it, but just cannot convince myself of where to buy it from. I am not concerned with "getting a good deal" because like anything else, I believe something is simply worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. I understand retailers like Jared Galleria or Tiffany & Co. are going to be more expensive than independent dealers, online, and possibly overseas.
We have a friend (of a friend...) in the Carribean who everyone in our friend-circle go to buy engagement rings and expensive jewelry. His diamonds have certificates from various gem labs. Some are the disliked EGL, and some GIA. I have not seen an AGS from him, but I have only looked at 4 paper-diamonds so far. His pricing has always been far less than the retailers/jewelers in the States, because he gives us better pricing, or so it's said.
Before I go on about the Carribean jeweler, let me tell you that I've bought random jewelry in the past from Jared Galleria for my girlfriend. I realize some people think it's like buying jewelry at Walmart, but honestly they have nice stuff for little gifts. I gave them a shot at a diamond, and I am really surprised how nice they are. Their pricing seems to be in line with a bluenile.com, and shockingly are close to what my Carribean connection is pricing a similar paper-diamond.
Jared priced a 2.1ct., H, VS2, AGS0 (Ideal cut), Peerless (Jared's signature that means an Ideal cut diamond which passes an additional light-performance test. Meaning it is more brilliant than other ideal diamonds) for $32,900. I had Tiffany & Co. quote the same diamond, and they came in at $44,000. My Carribean connection gave me two prices: 1) 2.01ct, H, VS1, EGL Ideal cut 2006 for $31,300 and 2) 2.02ct., E, SI1, EGL Ideal cut 2007.
I told my Carribean guy that his pricing did not separate itself from retailers, on top of which his reports are from EGL who I learned was inferior to GIA/AGS. He dropped the price of the VS1/H to $28,900 from $31,300 including the mounting (knife-edge platinum band).
We have a couple friends who are very wealthy and purchased diamonds in the last 5 years for their wives, and I have quizzed them privately about what they did, how, and why. One of them went to the Carribean and purchased a 3ct. Canary (yellow) diamond and he thinks he got a great deal, and had the diamond verified in the States so he is confident it is as good as he thought. He believes he saved 20% or more buying from the Carribean. Another friend ended up buying from a name retailer in Diamond district in NY. He said ultimately his wife (fiancee at the time) wanted a specific type ring/diamond, and so he ended up getting that for her.
I'll be real honest with you, I don't have a strict budget, but I am expecting to pay between $30,000-$45,000 ish for this diamond, and I still don't have a solid idea of where to buy and why. I want to make up my mind sooner, so I can do this. I am excited, but completely unsure of what to buy, and where.
The retail stores have some perks which are interesting. The one in particular I like is how you can "upgrade" your purchase at a later date. This means you turn in your diamond, and as long as you spend twice as much as your original purchase or more, the original purchase price counts towards that purchase. I realize Diamonds are more expensive now than historically, so I thought if I "upgraded" at a later date when Diamond pricing lowers, then it would be quite a big upgrade. That is an appealing idea as well. The repair/replace policy is nice, but I'll have an insurance policy on it anyway, so I'm not sure if that makes it worthwhile. The cleaning/polishing/inspecting is a nice feature, and certainly pretty convenient, but I'm not sure it's worth the huge retail mark-up.
I don't know if this thread sounds "rambling" or if it is somewhat organized. If I left important things out, please let me know. I am just not sure what to do at this point. I have Jared holding the 2.1ct. H/VS2 for $32,900 while they're bringing in a $44,000 2.1ct. E/VS2 so I can see the difference. Before I jump into bed with Jared, I really need some of your help. I have seen GREAT advice in other threads, and am hopeful that someone says something that clicks, and helps me solidify my mind.
Thank you all in advance for taking the time to read my thread, and hopefully give me your opinion.