A 2 carat wannabe

[cat from oz]

I have visited many a forum from travel to makeup but this just has to be THE MOST USEFUL forum there is out there -well done!! This is also my first time posting here.

Of course, my partner and I are looking for the perfect round brilliant and have done a bit of reading on the internet. But I will admit that we don''t get to buy diamonds everyday and thus know nothing about them.

All I do know is that over here in Australia, we don''t get much of a choice as most of the big bling seems to be overseas. Also, we are interested in purchasing the rock from Diamond Exchange (anyone heard of them? Are they reputable?) as retail in Oz charges ridiculous amounts.

The only downside to buying from Diamond Exchange is that we can''t see the rock before buying it. It is however refundable (we have to pay for the $500 freight cost though) if we don''t end up liking it.

Which means that I really have to be happy with the GIA cert before putting down all that moolah!

This is what we are looking at roughly. What do guys think?:

1.9 to 2.2 carats GIA certified (as this is the only one we know how to read and I read somewhere that it is pretty reputable)
F
SI1
Excellent in Cut, Polish, Symmetry.

We are willing to spend up to A$28K (the Aussie dollar is 96 cents to the US dollar currently) on the loose diamond.

My questions are:

1) Do you think this sort of purchasing is alright i.e. buy before seeing it? (Diamond Exchange has an office in Melbourne but they only stock the smaller, loose diamonds as of course, these are easier to sell)

2) I know nothing about what the ideal proportions of depth/table/crown angle/pavillion angle/girdle etcetc is. But I am hoping that what with the GIA excelllent cut rating, that this should suffice. What are your thoughts about that?

There are a couple of diamonds which I have my eye on the Diamond Exhchange website including this one:

2.04 carat
F
SI1
Total Depth 62.2
Table 57.0
Dimension 8.15x8.10x5.05
Girdle M-STH Fac
Culet Nil
Fluorescence Nil
Excellent in Polish, Symmetry and Ideal H&A Cut
GIA Certified
Cost: A$26, 708.21

On paper, this diamond sounds gorgeous but I don''t know what it means by having a med-slightly thick faceted girdle mean? (is a facented girdle good?). Also, I need to request for the GIA cert to see where the inclusions are located.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your generous help!

 

[arjunajane]

Hi cat,
welcome to PS!
I am also a fellow Aussie, and you will find there are a number of other informed posters here from Oz.
Now, I need to ask - if you're happy buying from Diamond Exchange's virtual stock, are you open to the idea of just going straight to the source and buying from a PS recommended vendor in the US?
You will find MDX get all their stock from the US, thats why you will need to pay that (ahem) $500 freight cost - I'm sorry, but to me that would be unacceptable. Keep in mind their listed prices are also pre-GST.

I'm hoping Honey22 and a couple other Aussies who have had more experience with MDX will chime in - from what I know, Honey wanted to purchase from them but eventually went with whiteflash.

I have just finalized my ring purchase - the diamond from Good Old Gold and the setting from Whiteflash. If you like, here is my thread. I couldn't be happier, and feel like I got a product and price I couldn't get in oz.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-finally-finished-thankyou-gog-and-wf.89109/

I don't mean to sound negative, I just know from experience (personal and reading others' here on PS), that you can get a better stone and a cheaper price, not to mention amazing service, from WF, GOG, etc.

Pls feel free to ask any more questions, and if you are still keen on buying at MDX we will all be happy to help you choose!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Cat!

Added to AJ's advice, we will need the crown and pavilion angles for the above diamond, to be able to help you with it. These should be on the grading report if it is a recent one. Also the range of proportions which GIA Excellent encompasses is quite broad, it can allow for less desirable proportions, so you need to evaluate each GIA Excellent on it's own merits and not rely on the cut grade so much.

 

[honey22]

Hey cat from oz - I have had a few drinkies tonight with friends and have to pack to go away this weekend, so this post might not be much help, but I second the notion of going to Whiteflash or GOG. I really tried to spend my money at MDX, but had so much trouble getting certs, IS images etc, that when I finally got the info, the darn stones were sold. Other members have had similar problems too! If you search through my posts, you will see a few threads about this same topic.

I found that I could get a much better quality stone at a better price when I went with Whiteflash, and their customer service is second to none, and their settings were much much nicer too. And, even after taking into account the exchange rate, taxes etc you will be better off!

I will be off PS for the next few days

, but hopefully other Aussies will chime in too and explain their experiences with MDX. Don't get me wrong, they are ok if you are looking for an average cut stone, and are happy to settle with what they have at the time, but if you are looking for a killer cut stone with no doubt in your head in a beautiful setting, then head to whiteflash.com, drop Lesley a line and she will look after you - the most incredible sales person I have ever worked with hands down! She is awesome!!!

ETA - OMG I just read about the unrefundable freight cost - insane!! Whiteflash have a return policy if you are unhappy, but I am telling you, go with an ACA and you will never doubt your choice for one single moment! Sparkly little balls of happiness ......... sorry, that's the wine talking

 

[cat from oz]

Thank you AJ, Lorelai and Honey 22 for commenting on my post!

The only reason why I''m purchasing from MDX is because they have a physical office in town. Purchasing diamonds online seem rather scary but I understand this is what I am doing anyways with MDX. But at least I get to deal with a physical being.

It is a real pity that Australia doesn''t have the stock. What are you thoughts about purchasing overseas? We will be going to Singapore in October for 2 weeks.

 

[claireabelle]

Hi, Cat! Welcome!

I think considering U.S vendors is great advice if you''re looking at buying online - however, if you want to see some loose stones in person and figure out what speaks to you - make some appointments with some diamond specialists/wholesalers.

Where in Australia are you? I bought my diamond from a wholesaler in Sydney and I couldn''t be happier with the stone AND the custom setting (all by Delphi Diamonds.com.au).

If you''re close to Sydney, call and speak to Joakim - tell him what you''re after and he will gather a selection of stones for you to look at. Then make an appointment to go and view the stones and compare.

I shopped around a few diamond wholesalers and found his prices to be the best. His selection of stones is impressive!

Just an option if you''re looking for a more personal one-on-one viewing experience without the sales pressure and ridiculous prices of a retail store.

happy diamond hunting!!

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Hiya Cat,

I''m also an Aussie who has just been through the process - I initially started looking for Aussie online vendors but after much research decided to use Whiteflash.

I was the same as you and knoew NOTHING about diamonds 12 months ago - I have done lots of research and, although I was a littel concerned about buying a diamond sight unseen I decidd to contact whiteflash.....I ended up getting not only the diamond from them but had them do the setting as well (was just easier to have one place do it all!)

I have to say that I was amazed at the service provided by whiteflash - here is the post taht I put up after receiving my ring last week!:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/open-letter-to-whiteflash-attention-katie-h.88721/

The service was great as well as the price! But even the timing was quicker than many wlk in jewellers near where I live.....

I stuck to AGS or GIA certified stones and even picked one that wasn''t in stock at Whiteflash....they got me all the certificates and then (once they pulled in the stone to theie lab) they gave me the sarin reports, idealscope etc via email and they had a look at the stone and compared it to 3-4 others I was considering. They gave honest and up front advice - if a stone was no good, they would say so, if a staone was good the would say so, if a stone was perfect, they would say so!

From the time I agreed to buy the stone (and paid) it took one week to make the ring, have the stone set and a further 4 days to be delivered directly to my door!

Here is the ring I purchased and I could not be happier with their service and I am SO SO glad that I decided to go with Whiteflash - it was the singel best decision I could have made!

 

[Icy Melona]

I''ve purchased from MDX and have been very happy with all my purchases. I risked an E SI2, 1.26ct and have been lucky that you can barely see the inclusions.

I haven''t returned any of the loose diamonds I''ve bought from them and have been generally happy with the service. It''s certainly alot cheaper than B&M jewellers when it comes to purchasing loose diamonds.

Please note that if you''re planning on going overseas within 30days of the purchase of the diamond, you can get the 10% GST that we have to pay through Tourist Refund Scheme. You just get a tax invoice and make sure that it has your full passport name and address (addy needed if item is over $1000) and show the ATO officer the loose stone and tax invoice at the airport. This was part of the attraction of MDX as opposed to buying it from USA vendor. Also it''s easier for me to deal with a C/S that I can see easily if I have problems or upgrade in mind.

 

[Deelight]

Date: 7/3/2008 9:37:46 PM
Author: cat from oz
Thank you AJ, Lorelai and Honey 22 for commenting on my post!


The only reason why I''m purchasing from MDX is because they have a physical office in town. Purchasing diamonds online seem rather scary but I understand this is what I am doing anyways with MDX. But at least I get to deal with a physical being.


It is a real pity that Australia doesn''t have the stock. What are you thoughts about purchasing overseas? We will be going to Singapore in October for 2 weeks.

I looked at them way back when but decided not to go that route I can''t remember why. I did look at quite a few places in Australia but decided OS was the way.

We went through GOG (Sarah at GOG is just awesome) and found the experience wonderful , while we have not physically seen the diamond yet (we only JUST decided on a setting :I) the video of her left us both GOBSMACKED she be a beauty she definitely has an awesome personality and we love her. Actually the video really helped because we got to see her before committing and knew she was what we were after.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 7/3/2008 9:37:46 PM
Author: cat from oz
Thank you AJ, Lorelai and Honey 22 for commenting on my post!


The only reason why I''m purchasing from MDX is because they have a physical office in town. Purchasing diamonds online seem rather scary but I understand this is what I am doing anyways with MDX. But at least I get to deal with a physical being.


It is a real pity that Australia doesn''t have the stock. What are you thoughts about purchasing overseas? We will be going to Singapore in October for 2 weeks.

Cat, of course it is ultimately up to you depending on your comfort level, but just fyi, the PS recommended vendors tend to be Real Life stores with good community reputations and real (nice) people. GOG, where myself and Deelight bought, is a family run store outside of NY with a well deserved rep both in "real life" and their internet trade.
As Dee mentioned, a great advantage of dealing with them is the educational videos that Jon (the diamond guy) films. They are an invaluable resource, and honestly I think I''ve had him do 4 or 5 for me over the last couple months - a great extra service.
If you''re worried about what you''re getting, this can really help as you will essentially get to choose between and see a number of stones in a live video. If you have a quick browse on their site , there are films he has shot to help laymen like us learn about diamonds and "pick a winner"..plus its fun to check out all the bling!

Sorry, I don''t like to sound like a broken record, I have just had such a wonderful experience with GOG and WF, and to be honest didn''t have the best interaction with MDX. I too approached them early on, but kinda found their knowledge and service ..lacking, for my likes anyway.

Anyway, I''ll stop rambling - please continue to ask Q''s about MDX stones though if thats the way you''d like to go, PS''ers are a helpful bunch

I don''t have any personal experience buying in Singapore. I bought my first e-ring in Bangkok, but not until after alot of research. I still love it and we got a good price, but I would''ve liked to have known about PS then! I may be a lil concerned about things like return or upgrade policies with Singapore?

 

[purrfectpear]

I love Whiteflash, and Good Old Gold has many happy customers also. Icy Melona mentioned she can "hardly see" her SI2 MDX stone inclusions. I would say that you could purchase a SI2 stone from Whiteflash or GOG that have NO visibile inclusions to the eye. If they say it''s eye clean, you won''t see a thing without a loupe.

 

[wse]

cat, the price youre being charged is a bit high from what ive seen.. for the price youre paying you can get similar specs but move up to vs1