Buying a diamond in Melbourne, Australia

[jambo]

Hi all,

I am in the process of buying a round diamond for an engagement ring. I am happy to shop online and looking for approx 0.6-0.7ct F SI1/2 ideal cut. Have really benefited from all the info on PS - now I understand how important cut is!

Just wondering if anyone in Australia has recently bought a diamond online and would care to share their experience. Specifically:
- where did you buy it?
- what was the process you went through in finding it?
- did you get a lab report or independent appraisal, and if so, where can I get this done in Melbourne? I have seen a couple of older posts (2005) and it didn''t look like there was an independent appraiser locally.

Thanks for your help!
Jamie

 

[echelon6]

Good to see a fellow Aussie! Welcome to pricescope

Since you''re in melbourne, Garry Holloway may be the goto man for you. He is a regular contributor to this forum and has 2 shops in Melbourne - www.preciousmetals.com.au


I''m in Sydney and I''ve decided to go with Whiteflash because I am very specific about what I''m after, and couldnt find any locally. As for appraisers, I don''t know any reputable ones in Australia at all, someone else may be of help to both of us here. But if all you''re after is verification that the stone matches the cert, then DCLA in Sydney can do it for you for $50 iirc. Or you can loupe it youself and check out whether the inclusion pattern matches the plot on the cert. Generally as long as youve identified your stone matches your cert, then thats adequate proof you got what you paid for. The only real reason why you need an appraisal is for insurance purposes, in which case, im sure insurers can give you some contacts of appraisers.

 

[jambo]

Thanks for this info.

I''ve actually gone with a diamond from MDX. Will contact Garry to see if they do appraisals or might try the JAA listing.