Brisbane Diamonds

[manda]

Hi All

I have browsed all of the prior threads re this topic but I cant seem to be able to post to them as they are too old, so I have started a new one (sorry if this is the wrong way to do it but I am a newbie and need help!)

Here are my issues:

- I am in Brisbane Australia and I want the best deal for my budget. Size DOES matter and cut and ''performance'' is essential and I want a RB diamond that looks white and eye clean at normal arms length - between 1.75 and 2 c.

- Problem is, I want to see the diamond in the flesh... although I have been educating myself on the internet and PS I am very attached to the idea of ''meeting'' my diamond and knowing it is the one for me before my man lays down all that cash

- I have seen a diamond that I loved at diamond exchange (1.75c with beautifully sparkly brilliance) but when I saw it it was uncertified and now the cert has come back at an I/J colour instead of the G that I was told it was when I saw it.. In yellow gold could I get away with an I/J looking white? I am now afraid that when I see it again I will notice the brown undertones and it wont seem as beautiful.. and unfortunately I have been waiting since late Jan to get another appointmet to see it and now it will be at least another week ! I know these things cant be rushed but I am getting kinda impatient.

- Option 3 - a close and trusted friend has contact with a business contact who is a diamond trader and he has found me a 2 carat stone within our budget but it will be uncertified also.. I can get it valued by my own choice of valuer before I go ahead and buy but is that the same as getting it appraised? I know its not the same as getting it certified... Along those lines, if the value ends up more than the purchase price and I love the look of the stone and dont ever plan to sell it then does it really matter about the certification?

- without the idealscope (I dont have one and am looking at these stones this week) how should I ''check'' the stone? Ie. is it best to look at it under shade, sun, office lights etc? If it appears eye clean to me and I am the one looking at it then is that good enough or should I hunt for inclusions?

- (Last point): is there anywhere else to go in Brisbane to get a good deal? I am even considering travelling to Syd or Melb for the day just to look at some diamonds but at the moment all I have are questions flying around in my head

I had no idea finding my diamond would be this hard!!

And I have now discovered via a friend my man has had to push back the (secret) proposal date because I have not yet found a diamond!!! So I am REALLY looking forward to your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Manda!

What I would suggest is this, as you are willing to fly to Melbourne, make an appointment with Garry Holloway who posts here at
http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/default.asp He is the ideal person to help you!!

 

[honey22]

Hey, I understand where you are coming from. I am in Melbourne so I had similar problems. However, I went with an ACA from Whiteflash, and it's being set there too, then shipped down under! Although, at 0.8ct my stone was less $$ to part with sight unseen.

So, if you go with something like an ACA from Whiteflash, they are the top of the line cuts, gorgeous stones, that you can't go wrong. They will can also set them too. If you are not totally happy, they have a refund period (have to check their site for exact details).

I think if you shop around locally and find out what colour range you are looking at - you might be really colour sensitive, or happier to go with a warmer stone. Then it would be worth giving someone like Whiteflash a call (I am sure others can recommend great online vendors). I have been working with Lesley and she is brilliant (with a capital B). I have been a basket case ordering online but they have been totally fantastic. They will tell you honestly what they think of a stone in regards to eye-cleanliness etc and help you maximise your budget. Another bonus, even with the 10% import taxes, I saved lots of money on a 0.80ct stone, so I imagine the savings going overseas with be much better in your case.

Another suggestion, if you can make it to Melb, try Gary Holloway @ Holloway Diamonds, another respected and trusted vendor. He sells gorgeous ideal cut stones! Fab!

I would be very wary of buying through a friend / friend's contacts etc. Many sad tales around here of people ending up with not exactly what they thought they were getting, and not to mention the uncomfortable-ness with the friends in question.

Also, I am a bit cautious of the stone you mentioned. Who graded it a I / J colour, I am not aware of any lab that gives a range like this, it's either an I or J, sounds a bit fishy.

Good luck, keep posting, there are heaps of help here. Maybe if you wanted to give an ballpark budget and what you are after, I am sure you will have lots of stones suggested.



ETA : great suggestion Lorelei, we posted at the same time!

 

[Lorelei]

* simpers and blushes* thanks!

 

[Cleo]

I think you''ve had great advice from the other posters, regarding visiting Garry Holloway, and also buying online.

I understand your reticence to buy online, and to pay for an unseen diamond - but with the knowledge of the PS experts you would be guaranteed a knockout diamond. Online vendors all have return policies so you could get refunded if you weren''t happy with the stone. I haven''t actually heard of anyone who has bought a stone online following PS-ers advice and then returned it...

With regard to buying a non-certificated diamond... I wouldn''t even consider it.

The value and price of a diamond is based purely on its cut, colour and clarity. The price you pay, particularly for a larger stone such as you are looking at is based entirely on these factors. The difference in price with a change of say, one cut grade, one clarity grade, or one colour grade can be literally THOUSANDS of dollars.

In short, whilst you might love an uncertificated diamond... you may well be paying well over the odds for it.

Some people even go so far as to insist on only trusting certs issued by GIA or AGS for this very reason. I''m not suggesting you go to those lengths, but if you are looking at making a significant puchase like a 2ct diamond, you need to know exactly what you are getting.

You might like to read this for a bit more depth.

x x x

 

[manda]

THANK you everyone!! I dont feel so alone - PS is awesome!!!

I will definitely check out the online vendors - I am much more comfortable with those who come personally recommended by you guys rather than google!

Also sounds like a trip to melbourne could be in order...

 

[Deelight]

Manda I live in Brissie and really if your looking for a deal you won''t find it here, there are really very few places in my experience that even stock nice diamonds

I would take the advice of others and go visit Garry I have his catalouge and the pieces are seriously YUMMMY .

While your there head grab yourself some deals on clothing Melbourne is the place to shop

GL

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Manda, I am a fellow Aussie (perth) who has just been going through all your same dilemmas...if you think Brissie is bad, try Perth for decent stones!

I agree with the pps, I think an online vendor is a great idea for us ausiies to get a betta deal.

I am currently in discussions with Jon at GOG, and he has been an absolute champion, going to the nth degree to find me that *just right diamond* in my (very narrow) budget.

If you''re happy to buy online, I would definately have a browse thru GOG''s site first...

If you''re interest in some designers/jewellery makers locally, let me know, as I have sourced lots of decent places in my own searches (most of them in Eastern states)

Good luck!

 

[Kath1609]

Hi. I''m a Brisbane girl too. Jogia Diamonds is based in Perth, but I believe they will ship their stones to Brisbane, for a fee. I think there is a diamond merchant type place near the CBD in Spring Hill. I don''t have their details though (you can search the forums for ''diamonds'' and ''brisbane'', which is how I found these).

I can''t vouch for either of these, as I''ve not had any dealings with them. I''m going through Whiteflash.

Good luck!

 

[katebar]

Hi Manda I''m on the Goldy

.
I got my stone from GOG and had it set by Garry,
Calleja''s at Marina Mirage have awesome stones but you better bring a bank to pay for them

.
There is a bench jeweller at paradise Point here on the GC that used to be a bench jeweller for Calleja''s who makes awesome jewellery. The pieces I have seen are spectacular an the stones look amazing where he gets them from I don''t by might be worth a trip down the motorway