- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 188
I wanted to let everyone (particularly arjunajane, since you have been so helpful) know how we were going on our ring.
I heart was set on a GOG chunky cushion from the moment I saw one, then after watching some videos I knew that I *had* to have one. We tried to find something locally that would compare but had no luck.
I have small hands and have tried a number of carat sizes on in stores. I decided that between 0.5-0.8 I would be comfortable with. I generally wear inexpensive jewelry - glass, shell/non precious rock fragments, beads, etc or tiny diamond studs. I never wear rings so wanted to make sure I was comfortable with wearing it everyday. I have very pale skin and wanted a high colour as I don''t like the look of warmer stones against my skin.
It came down to choice between this stone and this stone. Based off the video they are both beautiful. The smaller stone slightly squarer and the shape a bit more appealing to us both but the larger stone was just as beautiful and a bit better value being an SI1.
After tossing and turning at the thought of not buying locally, right after we finally made the jump to email GOG for help deciding the 0.71G had disappeared. We were advised to put the 0.63 on hold as it was not known when or if another stone in our specifications would come in. If everything goes as excpected we will own it early this week
.
Now... the setting is where everything gets difficult.
We found a local jeweler who we were very happy with and even sourced us some lovely cushions to look at but just couldn''t provide anything like a OMC. I think he is trying to break into/create an internet market in Australia as he gave a lot of similar advice as I see on these forums, he works out of an office not a retail space and is very cynical about the pricing and quality of retail stones in Australia. He completely ''gets'' what we want in the setting and has spent a lot of time working with us to create a vision of exactly what we want. He creates each piece custom so there is a premium, we''d be looking at around AU$1500 for what we want in white gold (~US$1,250). This is within our budget and we are confident in his work, my only concern is the unlikely possibility of damage to our stone during setting.
The other option would be to purchase a setting from an online vendor such as WF, etc and having it set by GOG. I have seen some that I like particularly on WF and know that they have a great reputation for customer service and quality. I have the following concerns with doing it this way:
1) WF charges extra for ring sizes under 4 - I''m around a 3-3.5
2) I''m not sure exactly what my US ring size is as my knuckle is much larger than my finger so would likely need it resized when it gets to Australia.
3) If we buy the diamond alone from GOG it draws a GST tax of 10% on import. If we buy the setting also and have it sent set to Australia we''d incur an extra 5% duty on the cost of the diamond and ring (and the 10% on the setting also). Depending on the base cost of the setting it may still work out cheaper than working locally.
4) On the off chance that something were faulty we''d have to send it a long way to be fixed.
I know it sounds like our minds are made up on the local guy but something at the back of my mind is wondering is doing it all online might still be the best way.
In any case, hopefully I''ll be able to post some pictures soon
I heart was set on a GOG chunky cushion from the moment I saw one, then after watching some videos I knew that I *had* to have one. We tried to find something locally that would compare but had no luck.
I have small hands and have tried a number of carat sizes on in stores. I decided that between 0.5-0.8 I would be comfortable with. I generally wear inexpensive jewelry - glass, shell/non precious rock fragments, beads, etc or tiny diamond studs. I never wear rings so wanted to make sure I was comfortable with wearing it everyday. I have very pale skin and wanted a high colour as I don''t like the look of warmer stones against my skin.
It came down to choice between this stone and this stone. Based off the video they are both beautiful. The smaller stone slightly squarer and the shape a bit more appealing to us both but the larger stone was just as beautiful and a bit better value being an SI1.
After tossing and turning at the thought of not buying locally, right after we finally made the jump to email GOG for help deciding the 0.71G had disappeared. We were advised to put the 0.63 on hold as it was not known when or if another stone in our specifications would come in. If everything goes as excpected we will own it early this week
Now... the setting is where everything gets difficult.
We found a local jeweler who we were very happy with and even sourced us some lovely cushions to look at but just couldn''t provide anything like a OMC. I think he is trying to break into/create an internet market in Australia as he gave a lot of similar advice as I see on these forums, he works out of an office not a retail space and is very cynical about the pricing and quality of retail stones in Australia. He completely ''gets'' what we want in the setting and has spent a lot of time working with us to create a vision of exactly what we want. He creates each piece custom so there is a premium, we''d be looking at around AU$1500 for what we want in white gold (~US$1,250). This is within our budget and we are confident in his work, my only concern is the unlikely possibility of damage to our stone during setting.
The other option would be to purchase a setting from an online vendor such as WF, etc and having it set by GOG. I have seen some that I like particularly on WF and know that they have a great reputation for customer service and quality. I have the following concerns with doing it this way:
1) WF charges extra for ring sizes under 4 - I''m around a 3-3.5
2) I''m not sure exactly what my US ring size is as my knuckle is much larger than my finger so would likely need it resized when it gets to Australia.
3) If we buy the diamond alone from GOG it draws a GST tax of 10% on import. If we buy the setting also and have it sent set to Australia we''d incur an extra 5% duty on the cost of the diamond and ring (and the 10% on the setting also). Depending on the base cost of the setting it may still work out cheaper than working locally.
4) On the off chance that something were faulty we''d have to send it a long way to be fixed.
I know it sounds like our minds are made up on the local guy but something at the back of my mind is wondering is doing it all online might still be the best way.
In any case, hopefully I''ll be able to post some pictures soon
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