Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Advice on buying oval stone and shipping to Europe

F

Fripit

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
9
Hi All,

I am looking for some advice in purchasing an oval diamond for the engagement ring to my girlfriend. I have spent the last months reading and reading and this forum is hugely helpful in gathering knowledge about everything and anything when it comes to diamonds.

After a lot of consideration I have decided to go for a Harry Winston oval micropave replica and as I am based in Europe, will have the ring custom made here. However the price difference of diamonds vs the US is huge and as such I am looking to buy the stone in the US.

Does anyone have experience of having a stone shipped to the UK? Any vendor to be preferred?

Budget is around $20k for the stone and I am thinking E-F (maybe G) colour and Vs1-Si1 (important for met that it is eyeclean and have less prominent bowtie, I also don’t want a too thin/long one)

I have so far found the following alternatives but based on pictures am a bit unsure how to best judge them (and some doesn’t even provide pictures). It seems the more I look at diamonds on different websites the more difficult it gets. I had read somewhere here that one of the best alternatives is to have someone like GOG help you in the search for a small fee?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11132/
I like the shape of this one but am bit concerned about G color

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut-loose-diamond-3098013.htm
I have found other interesting ones at WF but they do not say eyeclean, for example this one but how can I know the clarity as there is no pictures? Will they provide further pictures/details if you ask them?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut-loose-diamond-3002270.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.05-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-241664
how do I judge this one? Is it eyeclean or not? Eg I can see the inclusions on the large magnifier but how do I know how it looks in actual size?

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaOV#diamonds_pid=LD04232633

Would very much appreciate any thoughts on the above stones as I recognize I still have a lot to learn…
Thank you very much!
 
Any advice welcome, i feel very lost!
 
You have nothing to worry about with G color. You will not see any tint.

This is the nicest oval I have seen in the 2 carat range in a VERY long time. But it is above your budget: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11706/

It's significantly nicer than the stone from GOG you were considering. Much more even light distribution and more edge to edge brightness.
 
Fripit|1398023067|3656696 said:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11132/
I like the shape of this one but am bit concerned about G color
Click to expand...

Nothing to worry about color wise, and while it is a nice stone, it's not my favorite at GOG. Still it is the nicest of the stones you picked.


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut-loose-diamond-3098013.htm
I have found other interesting ones at WF but they do not say eyeclean, for example this one but how can I know the clarity as there is no pictures? Will they provide further pictures/details if you ask them?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut-loose-diamond-3002270.htm?source=pricescope
Click to expand...

These are sample images. You can't buy ovals by the numbers. You must shop by images and ASETs.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.05-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-241664
how do I judge this one? Is it eyeclean or not? Eg I can see the inclusions on the large magnifier but how do I know how it looks in actual size?
Click to expand...

Not eyeclean. And a dud anyway.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaOV#diamonds_pid=LD04232633

Would very much appreciate any thoughts on the above stones as I recognize I still have a lot to learn…
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...

You need pictures and an ASET Blue Nile doesn't provide those.
 
many thanks for your help and comments.
Can i ask why is it you prefer the diamond in the link you sent from GOG versus the one that i sent? Is it the fact that in the ASET image it has more white patches (understand that means it reflects less light and hence is less bright/sparkly)?

I will continue my search and ask for further pictures from other vendors.
 
All the best with your project. Depending on where you are based in the EU you might have to pay a custom fee/tax of around 21%. Did you found that out for your country?
 
I have not purchased a diamond from vendors in the US and have it shipped to UK where I am based, however, I have made a number of jewellery purchased from non-UK/European based companies and had pieces commissions in the past to feel comfortable to purchase from the likes of White Flash, Brian Gavin, Good Old Gold and Engagement Rings Direct, to name a few diamond vendors.

When importing from abroad, regardless of value, I would advise researching thoroughly first before placing an order to avoid the need to return the goods, as it is sometimes incurs more hassle and efforts than it is worth. I had made some mistakes in the past, however, luckily, they were small mistakes and not big ones!

Having said that, I would gladly import from abroad when I cannot find suitable equivalents in UK, as the prices are still cheaper even after import duties/custome charges and handling fees by the likes of Royal Mail/Fed Ex/etc. being added on top.

I have not bought any jewellery in the UK since I discovered the joy of internet shopping via eBay in the mid 90s.

Reason for going to the Diamond House in Antwerp for my EC back in 2004? I wanted to be able to see and feel the stones before selecting my own in the flesh, and it would be rather expensive to fly to the US to do so.

Good luck with the project!

DK :))
 
Hi all,

Complete newbie here and also in the UK, so this thread is of particular interest!

From what I can tell there are no particular import taxes to apply to stones, other than VAT at (currently) 20%, so the calculation on price seems to be relatively simple - Price in USD divided by roughly 1.55 exchange rate to GBP, times by 1.2.

I have a little spreadsheet up and running for the various stones that have caught my eye so I can do a comparison! :naughty: lol


I may be wrong, though, in which case please do correct me :)


I am seriously considering a flight to Antwerp FWIW, it's only something like £140 return from a London airport (I have used skyscanner as they seem to have the best search engine) and being able to see what you might be buying is worth a lot more than that in assurance IMHO :)
 
Don't forget the handling fee which will vary depending on the shipper.

However, I had always found the charges from Royal Mail/ParcelForce/FedEx being very reasonable.

Don't like Royal Mail/ParcelForce as much as FedEx, as the former requires the charges to be paid upfront before they will release the goods, whereas FedEx would just send an invoice to my billing address for payment at a later date.

I cannot praise FedEx highly enough, as they helped me greatly by allowing me to collect a necklace custom-made by Pearl Paradise for a special (sad) occasion from their depot in London the evening it arrived in the UK, so that I could wear it with pride for the occasion.

As for buying in person in Antwerp, it is definitely worth it, and I cannot recommend Rob van Beurden and his team at Diamond House highly enough.

DK :))
 
I love the stone that Gypsy posted. To my eye, the faceting is nicer than the GOG stone you posted. I wonder how much over budget it might be? As for a G color stone, have you seen a GIA "G" color in person? If you can put your eyes on a few of them, you'll know if it's white enough for you.

Good luck with your search and please come back with photos of what you ultimately purchase!
 
Yennyfire: many thanks for the feedback, I see what you mean with the difference in faceting, they are actually very different if you look at them one after another (more than i first realised), I guess its more of a personal taste because i like the looks of the other on better - it seem to have fewer and larger areas vs the other one that has many small areas. Is my thoughts correct or does these different facetings mean that one will have much more sparkle/brightness than the other?
I also somehow like the shape a bit better of the one i posted.

On shipping - all very valuable tips and indeed helpful. With the FX rate being very favourable at the moment, even at 22% of VAT + duty its a big difference vs buying in EU. I also travel occasionally to the US so might even be able to pick it up in person and save some money...
 
None. Though the JA doesn't have an ASET. But the three from GOG are all dogs.
 
i wasnt sure about uploading pictures but here is the JA aset. I also have movies which look good but wasnt sure if i am allowed to post them.

311861aset.jpg

and again appreciate much the input!
 
I don't like the F VVS from GOG as much as the other GOG stones. They can make a video for you, for a deposit. I find them helpful in making decisions.

I have some concern about the leakage under the table of the JA one. The body color of the G is also a kind of a faint greyish brown color, which shows up in the videos more than yellow, so when I look at the video it probably looks worse than it is.
 
Shipping advice below

If you are in GB, exchange rates are great right now. around 1.69 ( less the margin your bank takes on the exchange rate)

Dont forget to ask for the PS discount (if relevant) and the wire discount for maximum savings.

You will need to factor in 20% VAT plus potentially import duty if your diamond is coming set (mine arrived loose - no import duty).

Typically Fedex is used as the courier of choice and they charge 2.5% of the tax/import duty as a surcharge. They are pretty slack about letting you know your package is waiting in customs to clear, so check the tracking code regularly. Once it says "awaiting clearance - in transit", give Fedex a call and make payment over the phone. They send you an invoice few days later. Keep this in case you want to return the item (as you can reclaim VAT from HMRC if you want to return the item). Also keep all the original packaging.

If saturday delivery is important to you, make sure to ask for it. May be a bit extra, but can be worth it if your office postroom is not somewhere you would want your ering floating about. Insurance ends as soon as ANYONE signs for it, so be aware of that.

Also if you want to send it back (vendors usually require fedex), you need to get the item insured. Fedex will only insure up to a maximum value of $1,000 so keep that in mind, as you will need to pay an extra fee for separate insurance.

Notwithstanding all the hassle of international shipments, there are a TON of savings to be had compared to UK highstreet.
 
Hello,

If you are looking for an oval stone to be shipped to the UK, why don't you contact Baunat and ask for a quotation ? Make sure to check their website out ! It's a diamond jewellery brand from Antwerp, they mainly sell online and I know they ship pretty much anywhere in the world. I recently bought a 1ct (round) anniversary ring from them through their showroom in Paris and I am extremely pleased with the result. So pleased that I am now about to order a tailor-made necklace :love: (I have just suscribed to this website to get some ideas on the design :twirl: ). On top of that, their prices are extremely attractive (could not find better prices anywhere else!!). And if you can export the jewel to the USA (or a country outside EU), they will refund you total amount of Belgian VAT (21%) back.. or at least that's what we did (my husband is from the US so we could export the jewel) and finally paid the price VAT exclusive for the ring... How could life get any better ?! :lol: :mrgreen:

In any case, good luck !
 
Re: shipping via FedEx to UK, one can request for the package to be delivered to one of their depots of one's choice, for it to be collected in person during their opening hours. One would need to bring some forms of identification for security and verification purposes.

FedEx is great, very helpful, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

DK :))
 
I wasnt sure if i could post the video or not...
I agree with you depending on which shoot i prefer D (4) or G (2)

What do you think about the aset from the JA stone i posted? i also like very much the JA stone you posted and might ask them for aset.

So difficult to choose...
 
Yes you are allowed to post any information you like.

Watch the video a few more times and see if a preference starts to emerge?

Or maybe go with the G (2) because it is the intermediate performer in all lightings, and also in budget?

I would get an ASET of the JA D, I like it. Did JA ASET any others for you?
 
The oval Gypsy posted is a definite stunner. I too agree that it is one of the nicest ovals I have seen. I wonder what the pricetag is on it though.

Otherwise, it is always a difficult question where to buy, certain things are much less expensive in Europe, at least where I am, workmanship for example, other things may be comparable to the US but again UK may be more expensive than my region Hungary-Austria and here highstreet jewelers are also horribly expensive and carry very low quality diamonds in most cases. What some recommended here though is that you visit Antwerp and I think this is also a great option to consider. Of course you have to be very careful there too and choose the help of only the best but you can find good prices, great quality if you find the right vendor and Antwerp is a really fun place to visit too.

What I too find is that added insurance like Malca Amit to Fedex is expensive when sending goods from Europe to the US or vice versa, may be worth for quality and in certain cases you can still end up saving. Inport fees in your country is another factor that is very important to consider but again this does depend on how much you save at the end and even if you come out even but the quality is better, it may be worth it.
 
I have my fingers crossed for the JA D SI1... I actually don't like ovals very much, but watching the facets turn on and off in the video is mesmerising.
 
My favorite is the one JulieN posted. It looks gorgeous with loads of potential. I would be all over that one if I was in the market for an oval and the $$ ! :lickout: :D :love:
 
JulieN|1400665498|3677305 said:
I think this has potential. Love the 50 table http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1627867
Click to expand...


I think this oval is amazing! No bow-tie, gorgeous faceting pattern...just a really lovely stone!

Edit - of the GOG stones I like the D the best because it does look like it has a smaller bow-tie than the others.

Normally I would say go with a lower color but in this case I like the Ds.
 
It is definitely a very nice oval. It is leaning towards a rounder shape, chunkier as opposed to more elongated. I personally prefer chunkier fancies and think they perform better, what I do not think are nice at all are the narrow stones. Those seem to be more prone to light performace problems too; bowtie effects, leakage, etc. Perhaps this could be just a tadbit more elongated but that is very subjective and it for sure is a top contender.
 
many thanks for all the replies. i think the last four are all great diamonds ( the 2nd G and 4th D from GoG and the G from JA and D from JA), now just trying to pick the winner :)
 
for completeness, attached is the last JA Aset (for the stone found by Julie). Whilst i do really like the JA stones, especially that they are chunkier, i think i will go with one from GOG as it feels more comfortable having been able to see a video of them rather than only a picture.




269363aset.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top