Buying a diamond in Antwerp and setting from the states

[waltzer]

Hello all.
I am newly engaged and going to Antwerp this weekend to buy my engagement ring.
I am pretty sure what I want, an oval cut G-H, VS2 1.5 carat, the problem is that I would like a vintage style 52 diamond pave setting. This is very common in America but not here in Europe. In Antwerp, they will have to hand make such a setting and it''s working out very expensive.
Thoughts anyone on ordering the setting from the states? Is it a good idea to have it set independently from where the diamond was bought and also from who provided the setting?
Also, what would the tax be on receiving the setting into the European Union from the states?
Many thanks in advance
Waltzer in Vienna

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/15/2008 6:55:59 AM
Author:waltzer
Hello all.
I am newly engaged and going to Antwerp this weekend to buy my engagement ring.
I am pretty sure what I want, an oval cut G-H, VS2 1.5 carat, the problem is that I would like a vintage style 52 diamond pave setting. This is very common in America but not here in Europe. In Antwerp, they will have to hand make such a setting and it's working out very expensive.
Thoughts anyone on ordering the setting from the states? Is it a good idea to have it set independently from where the diamond was bought and also from who provided the setting?
Also, what would the tax be on receiving the setting into the European Union from the states?
Many thanks in advance
Waltzer in Vienna

Welcome to Pricescope!

This thread may be better in Rocky Talk, so I will ask admin to move it for you!

In the meantime, your parameters sound fine for the diamond, try to compare as many ovals as you can, as they can look very different for shape and the all important cut quality, so look at as many as you can, so you know what appeals to you!

Regarding the setting, you could contact Dr. Indira Marchant who posts here, she might be able to help you with that and even the diamond, she is based in London, here is her website - http://www.bestdiamonds.co.uk/ . Other than that, be aware you will have to pay various fees if importing a setting from the States to your country, althought that is certainly an option.

I don't know what the fees would be, but I would contact your local customs office who should be able to advise you. As regards to having the diamond set, you want to try to make sure that whoever sets your diamond will take responsibility for it should any damage or loss occur during setting, or try to get some insurance for this, especially if you want to use a setting that the diamond seller didn't supply, I just wanted to make you aware of that.

 

[Pandora II]

Tax is 20% in the UK - VAT + Duty.

If you have someone else set the stone you will need to pay for insurance during setting. If you are based in the UK you will have a problem as I haven''t found anyone who will insure a loose stone for setting. If it breaks you have a problem. Approx 1% of stones will break.

With current Euro exchange rate, I would buy the whole thing in the US and then import. It still works out cheaper. I used to buy diamonds in Antwerp as a full-time job.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/15/2008 8:04:14 AM
Author: Pandora II
Tax is 20% in the UK - VAT + Duty.

If you have someone else set the stone you will need to pay for insurance during setting. If you are based in the UK you will have a problem as I haven''t found anyone who will insure a loose stone for setting. If it breaks you have a problem. Approx 1% of stones will break.

With current Euro exchange rate, I would buy the whole thing in the US and then import. It still works out cheaper. I used to buy diamonds in Antwerp as a full-time job.

Lucky duck!

 

[waltzer]

Oh my, so much to think about. My lovely fiance has already booked us the flights to Antwerp and also, I have to say, I would really like to see the ring before buying it as I really want to know how it sparkles. I will ask around in Vienna with the jewellers about setting etc. This shouldn''t be a very complicated setting to do. The end ring should look like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgI7cACaHWY&feature=related
I was going to order the setting from this company''s website.
Thoughts anyone?
Also, do you know how long it typically takes to ship from the US to Europe? I have a wedding to go to on 9th August and as it will be my first as a fiancee, it seems almost cruel to have to attend diamondless!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/15/2008 10:00:17 AM
Author: waltzer
Oh my, so much to think about. My lovely fiance has already booked us the flights to Antwerp and also, I have to say, I would really like to see the ring before buying it as I really want to know how it sparkles. I will ask around in Vienna with the jewellers about setting etc. This shouldn''t be a very complicated setting to do. The end ring should look like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgI7cACaHWY&feature=related
I was going to order the setting from this company''s website.
Thoughts anyone?
Also, do you know how long it typically takes to ship from the US to Europe? I have a wedding to go to on 9th August and as it will be my first as a fiancee, it seems almost cruel to have to attend diamondless!!

Sorry, I am having trouble viewing youtube at the moment, which company are you intending to purchase from? As to the travelling time, some vendors use FedEx, so that can speed things up, but you would need to clarify with the vendor as to your particular case.

 

[Indira-London]

Thank you for your consideration Lorelei, and best wishes to you Waltzer

 

[Pandora II]

Takes about 2-3 days to ship!

Have a great time in Antwerp, I love that city and the diamond quarter is a strange but wonderful place. Food is good too!

Try and go to see Infinity - they are a PS vendor and based there.


Lorelei, you didn''t see the diamonds I was buying

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/16/2008 7:13:59 AM
Author: Pandora II
Takes about 2-3 days to ship!

Have a great time in Antwerp, I love that city and the diamond quarter is a strange but wonderful place. Food is good too!

Try and go to see Infinity - they are a PS vendor and based there.


Lorelei, you didn''t see the diamonds I was buying

LOL! That bad??

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 7/16/2008 7:13:59 AM
Author: Pandora II
Takes about 2-3 days to ship!

Have a great time in Antwerp, I love that city and the diamond quarter is a strange but wonderful place. Food is good too!

Try and go to see Infinity - they are a PS vendor and based there.

Lorelei, you didn''t see the diamonds I was buying

Thank you for the referal, Pandora, but I need to correct a perception.

We are indeed based in Antwerp but are diamond cutters. Our sales all go through a growing network of independent retailers, some in Europe, the majority in the US. We regularly have consumers contacting us directly, which is no problem, but for the sake of good service, we always re-direct them to the most suitable retailer. Which does not mean that we are not available for technical advice, background-information and so on.

Just trying to correct a possibly incorrect perception here.

Live long,

 

[arthureld]

I would think Waltzer might want to visit Diamond House while in Antwerp since they are a Crafted by Infinity retailer. And I suspect that setting could be shipped from the US to Antwerp if it is not availible in Antwerp.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 7/16/2008 7:18:53 AM
Author: Lorelei

LOL! That bad??

Worse! (Hence why no dealer recommendations!) They weren''t pulling a fast one, both sides knew the product needed - cheap, cheerful and normally under 10pt. I was over there doing gold sales mainly, the diamonds were a sideline. Always had a great time there though!

Thanks for that Paul - good to know!