#TBT Australian buyer, 3.14 AGS0 G SI2 eyeclean RB beauty!!

[LaraOnline]

Hi there fellow diamond fanatics!
There’s a long story and a short story to this one…

First up: stats.
AGS0 G SI2 (grade-maker: twinning wisps). 3.14cts. Shortish pavilion lengths (love that!)
Short story: push present turned anniversary RHR.

From: Jogia Diamonds, a Perth-based company. http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/

 

[LaraOnline]

Short story: I wanted a very low-key and casual looking ring, as I plan to wear this every day.

I wanted a modern look and in my view this rather simple, organic design with the rounded shank was a good foil for the ‘look at me’ formality of a larger stone. YG. Plat head.

I’d really like to give a heartfelt thanks to Yogesh and Nikhil Jogia, they were just great with this purchase, and sooooo kind to me during my whole ‘push present situation’.

 

[LaraOnline]

Long story: As some of you may know, I was pregnant last year and due this May.
I had barely conceived before I was window-shopping madly…on Pricescope lol.
In a moment of romantic weakness my husband had decreed that as I was pregnant with my fourth child, this time round I would deserve a ‘push present’ .
Frankly I think any woman who survives even one pregnancy and childbirth AND parenthood deserves a push present heheh, so I was very excited that I would receive this extravagant present.
Also, I have my 10 year anniversary coming up, and I thought I could combine the two occasions into one beautiful and special piece for a RHR.
I plotted and planned feverishly. Where would I go? Who could I call?

I know that lots of Aussie gals and guys look to the US for diamonds, and that PS really facilitates that. The gargantuan market over there, combined with good old US business know how makes for a pretty good offer for Aussie buyers. But…for such a big buy, I was hoping to buy local. I wanted to know it wouldn’t get lost in the mail, was terrified of any complications and frankly I wanted to be able to look at the stone first, without paying tens of thousands on my credit card to have it sent out.
What’s more, upgradeability is so important to me, because in my mind it takes the risk out of everything. If I get sick of the cut, or the size, or just want a change in general, I want to know I can. (I hope my husband isn’t reading this… but we do wear these rocks each and every day, you know? Sometimes I can get a teensy bit bored and so it’s nice to know I can possibly change it up at any time).

There is Gary Holloway of course, he’s based in Melbourne. One day I would love to check out his store. But his upgrade policy is more along the standard lines, where you have to front up an equal amount to the diamond you are trading in. Apparently he’ll take any diamond as a trade-in ‘good bad or ugly’ lol. But I didn’t have a diamond I wanted to give up, and I wanted to know that the value I paid for my stone would hold, trade-in wise.

So I called Jogia, who are based in Perth and so literally just up the road from where I live. Jogia have the most straightforward and consumer-oriented upgrade policy I’ve come across. If you buy one of their in-house diamonds, you are eligible to trade that diamond back to them at any time, and (assuming there’s no damage to the diamond) get all the money you originally paid credited back to you, to put to your upgrade. I find this really simple to understand and as far as I’m concerned, that’s great service and peace of mind for me. Yay!

I have used Jogia before. When I first found PS some years ago, I was on the lookout for a ‘proper’ engagement ring. Jogia’s upgrade policy meant I could go from a .80 to a 1.1 and then finally up to a 1.6 lol… which is where I have stayed. Five years on and I have loved this diamond every second it’s been on my hand. The Jogia people (actually a father and son outfit) were great with me through that process.

They are pretty busy, and their natural 'way' is to be fairly straightforward and almost stripped back...there are very few staff and the Jogia duo have only a little time to spare on each client so it really does help if you know exactly what you want.

If you log onto their website, you will see there are two ways of buying a diamond from them. Firstly, you can search the international databases, and order in any diamond you like for small fee (I think it’s $100). I’ve never actually done that, as I prefer to know that the diamonds have Jogia’s stamp of approval, and like I said, I love the upgrade policy. These ‘international selection’ ones don’t get the upgrade policy. But they are cheaper than the Jogia branded ones, and Jogia can give you their opinion if you ask. Probably perfect for Pricescopers, as we tend to know what we’re looking for!

I guess I find it strange that more Aussie PSers don’t use Jogia. Praps I should try and keep them my special secret hahah but then they are already crazy-busy....

In my view though they do offer a genuine alternative to the overseas merchants, they are my go-to as they’ve sourced two stones for me now. They’ve also done a ton of remodelling work. They have a really great bench, and their clever jewellers can and will do any kind of jewellery work you want, but it clear their main business is selling and setting diamonds. The Jogias have been in the diamond business for nine family generations! (Not all of them based in Australia, Mr Jogia Snr worked for Graff in central London back in the day.)

Anyway, back to the diamond…Three months in, my pregnancy took a funny turn.
I had called Nikhil (the son) the moment I got pregnant, and announced to him to expect me when I next came to Perth!
As it turned out, the ‘next time I came to Perth’ was on the very day I had to go to medical specialists for further investigation! Hmm. But we didn’t know anything about how serious it all was with the baby at that time, so I made the best of it and decided to enjoy my visit. I had my first appointment with Jogia just before the medical, and tbh the excitement of that really helped me through the medical part of the day.

On that day, I was shown a beautiful 2ct diamond, which I ended up reserving. But I also saw a 3.14ct diamond which blew my mind. Yogesh (Mr Jogia Snr) was helping me with all this. It was obvious he was a bit excited about sourcing this beautiful diamond - an AGS0 G SI2 eyeclean - and it WAS a good buy. The grading inclusion is twinning wisps.  The cut was clearly superior to the beautiful 2ct I was reserving. No matter. I felt I should ‘be sensible’. And the 2ct already seemed huge, to the point where anything larger might almost be unwearable where I lived.

Gradually, over the weeks ahead, we became aware that due to a variety of medical ‘issues’, my baby could not survive the pregnancy, and that I would be losing this baby. Which, in due course, took place. I spent some nights in hospital in December and of course spent several months recovering emotionally.
And to take my mind off the whole process as it was unfolding, where did I turn?
Pricescope! Towards the end, I just lurked.

When I came out of hospital – rather distraught – I stopped by Jogia’s website and saw that the 3.14 was still on offer…which surprised me because it was quite a bargain (if such a thing can be said about a diamond that is!) Nonetheless, definitely a good buy.
After Christmas, it was still there….

In January I wrote an email to them, telling them I wanted to have another look…
I visited them in mid-January, the day after I saw off the last of my visiting Christmas relatives… and thanks no doubt to PS, the diamond didn’t seem so ott anymore. So I DID IT. I reserved the 3.14.
I have picked it up now and am a very happy ‘friend’ of this gorgeous diamond.

 

[LaraOnline]

 

[LaraOnline]

Suddenly my 1.6 engagement ring looks teensy tiny against the new relative! Oh well, this one's going on a different finger - my biggest finger on the right hand... I was tossing up between fingers and Mr Jogia senior made a little joke with me about wearing this larger diamond on my right hand ring finger...he said being a solitaire, people might think I had married twice!
and then I thought to myself....oops it looks like I re-married 'down' at that! lol

But to be honest, I always wanted to wear a rhr on my middle finger, so middle finger it is.

Thank you for looking at my thread!

 

[lknvrb4]

Wow, what a fantastic push present!

 

[Ally T]

What an absolutely stunning ring!
Very, very sorry to hear about the loss of your baby though

 

[missy]

Your new ring is a beauty Lara!!! I love the setting! Wear it in health and happiness!!!

And I am very sorry about the loss of your baby.

 

[hippi_pixi]

what a touching story and a beautiful ring. it sounds like you really deserve some bling. wear it in good health

 

[yennyfire]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your new ring is absolutely stunning! Wear it in much health and happiness for many years to come!!

 

[lunemo]

I am so sorry about your loss. Your new ring is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[fiona00004]

THANK YOU! Yes! pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood... THAT all deserves a push present! Wish the hubby would agree!

Sorry to that you went through a difficult fourth pregnancy... I went through something similar, but with my very first pregnancy... I don't think it is something we will ever forget. Your new present is absolutely beautiful!

 

[gregchang35]

Hi LAraonline,

Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear about your loss.

The ring looks great!

 

[Ashleigh]

Sorry about your loss but your new ring is lovely . I especially the setting.

 

[ariel144]

Your ring is gorgeous. Does the stone have blue fl.? It sure takes on a blue hue in that pic. so lovely! So sorry for your loss of your little one...but you will raise him in the Kingdom of God. "His Gifts are irrevocable." and children are His miraculous gift.

thanks for posting your touching story, I'm sure it is healing to express your grief.

 

[Laila619]

Wow, beautiful ring!! I love that setting. I hope the ring will put a smile on your face and bring you happy memories. I'm really sorry to hear about the baby. Hugs!

 

[AprilBaby]

A beautiful ring and a beautiful story! Hope your healing comes quickly!

 

[stci]

Congratulations for this beauty!

 

[Rosebloom]

I'm so glad you went for the 3 carater! It's a stunning ring.

Dust and prayers for your continued healing. Xoxo.

 

[junebug17]

Oh Lara it's gorgeous! What a rock, love it!

So sorry for all you've been through. Hugs

 

[two_little_birds]

It's simply devine, so elegant and classic... and huge!

I'm very sorry for the loss of your 4th child.

 

[bright ice]

What an absolutely gorgeous ring, the stone is beautiful and I love the setting.

 

[LaraOnline]

Thank you lovely ladies (and gent!), I really *do* appreciate your kindness and good wishes.

ariel, yes, it has SBF, why did I not mention it?! I actually love that about the stone! It's exciting to see it came out in the photos, IRL it's not really that obvious! So you are clever for picking that up.

And Fi.Z? I hear ya! After my second birth (quite a 'challenging' birth at that *cough*) I finally asked my husband straight out whether I was getting a present for having a baby this time.
He told me that the 'baby was my present'. Ok, something for the stitches and stretch marks and total change of lifestyle then? No?

So, like water on stone, I wore him down... he was pretty tough as you can see...I had to front up for a fourth baby!!!

So, for the next ten years, whenever you are asked what you would like as a present for Christmas, birthday and any event in between...be clear down to the colour and clarity heheh.

Or, be wise, and do all your shopping and planning on your own, like me!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wow, Lara, that is quite a RHR!!! I really like the setting, too! It is nice that you have a trusted local jeweler.

I think I told you on another thread, but I am very sorry for the loss of your baby.

 

[Natylad]

Woooow, Laura, what an amazing ring The stone is huge and gorgeous and the setting really compliments it!!!I ove the SBF
It's a wonderful gift and i wish that you always wear it in good health

 

[Enerchi]

Lara your new RHR / push present is stunning! A honker diamond! And I love the SBF and that setting w the "petal" detail..... Beautiful!! Cool to wear it on you tallest finger...you rebel, you


I hope as time passes you feel stronger and stronger. Heartbreaking to lose a child and my heart goes out to you. I'm glad you had some joy to look forward to, during that terrible time. (((HUGS))).

 

[LaraOnline]

Thank you so much enerchi, Natylad, Diamondseeker, bright eyes, two little birds, Junebug, Rosebloom, stci, April Baby, Laila, Ariel, Ashleigh, Greg, Fi.Z. lunemo, yenny, hippi, Missie, Alex, and lknvrb.

I know and recognise your names, some of you from years ago, when I first started my 'journey' on Pricescope. You are very sweet to comment on my RHR! It is rather plain by US standards, I know, and especially so for a RHR. I figured I could always change it up if I wanted, further down the track.

And little did you know it, but you really helped me cope when the world came tumbling down, brick by brick, from October through to late January - February this year.

(Mum's taxi school runs started back in February...so by then I had to get over it lol)

 

[rosetta]

You really really deserve this diamond Lara! I'm truly sorry about your baby but happy to know you still have 3 gorgeous children to love. Enjoy them and your beautiful ring!

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Gorgeous!

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

I also wanted to say my heart goes out to you over the loss of your child. ((hugs))