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Buying a ring and diamond seperately

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Jay_81

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Aug 29, 2009
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Hi Everyone

I''m planning to propose to my girlfriend within the next 6 months but am planning to buy her a ring as soon as I can.. I really need some help to choose a Diamond.

I have been doing some research on the internet for the past couple of months as I knew absolutely nothing about diamonds, only a few clues as to what she likes.

I''m looking to spend a maximum of $4,500 Australian (about $3,500 US) on a Princess cut diamond & ring.

So far I know that she really likes a ring down in a classy local Jeweller. The ring is rosegold ( i think its a cathedral setting) and the top part that holds onto the diamond is white gold, The centre diamond is .35c (ideal cut, F, VS2), next to the middle diamond there is 10 x .01c (G, HS1) diamonds. It really does look great, they were selling it for $3,595 but said I could have it for $2,995.

But I really want to get a Diamond around the .55c - .65c so it isn''t going to be big enough. They said that the same ring with .50c would cost $5,000 (australian) and $8,000 for a .75c.

If I wanted to get my own diamond they would sell me the ring and fit the diamond for $2000 ($1,600 US).

Do you think that this is a bit too much to pay for just the ring without the diamond? What should I expect to pay for a ring like that? and would it be likely that most jewellers would be able to make a ring like that for me?

After searching on the internet I thought my best bet would be to buy a loose diamond through blue nile and get it fitted.

Any help would be greatly appreciated?

Cheers,

Jay
 
Hi Stonecold,

Thanks for the reply!

I''ll drive down to the Jewellery store and take some photos of the ring as soon as my GF leaves to work.

The reason I was going to use Blue Nile was because I''m in Australia, I thought that it may be easier ordering through a large company, also they quote their diamonds in Australian dollars so I know how much to pay. That said if it is a stupid idea ordering a diamond without an ASET image I would definately consider using another vendor.

I had a look at Jogia diamonds, unfortunately a lot of people on this forum said that the diamonds looked good on the internet but everyone who visited them in person said the store was really dark and dingy and it didn''t look like a good operation.

Thanks for your help! I''ll try and get those images up shortly
 
Don''t forget that with bluenile you will need to factor in duty (5% if the stone is set) and GST (10% on total price including shipping). It will still work out much cheaper than buying from a store in Australia but just something else to keep in mind.
 
It looks legitimate to me. They even send their diamonds to independent appraisers on the east coast for viewing if you are not near Perth. The owner post here too. Some online company choose not to spend that much on the store front so as to have much more attractive pricing. Some do not even have a store front.

Otherwise, it is safer to buy an princess cut with an AGS0 cut grade, as AGS is the only lab that grades princess. Else you will be buying blind. It is your choice.
 
Hi Lorelei,

I''m up on the Gold Coast, so a bit too far to drive to Melbourne :-(

I''m starting to swing towards ordering online from James Allen, It seems that a lot of people here speak highly of them. What do you think? The only thing is I can''t see any ASET images on their site.

Thanks Stone, after I searched a little more I found a lot of positive feedback for Jogia too, but it seems there is a bigger selection and it is a little cheaper to order from the US (but not Blue Nile :-p).

I''m still trying to get photos of the ring setting. The Jeweller said they would send some to me today but it seems they didn''t get around to it. Hopefully tomorrow!
 
Date: 8/30/2009 8:53:29 AM
Author: Jay_81
Hi Lorelei,

I'm up on the Gold Coast, so a bit too far to drive to Melbourne :-(

I'm starting to swing towards ordering online from James Allen, It seems that a lot of people here speak highly of them. What do you think? The only thing is I can't see any ASET images on their site.

Thanks Stone, after I searched a little more I found a lot of positive feedback for Jogia too, but it seems there is a bigger selection and it is a little cheaper to order from the US (but not Blue Nile :-p).

I'm still trying to get photos of the ring setting. The Jeweller said they would send some to me today but it seems they didn't get around to it. Hopefully tomorrow!
Click to expand...
Oh thats a shame, never mind though!

JA are a good vendor, they don't supply ASET for rounds, only for fancy shapes which they have recently started doing, so you can ask for Idealscope images for round diamonds if not already supplied.
 
Date: 8/30/2009 8:55:20 AM
Author: Lorelei
Oh thats a shame, never mind though!

JA are a good vendor, they don''t supply ASET for rounds, only for fancy shapes which they have recently started doing, so you can ask for Idealscope images for round diamonds if not already supplied.
Click to expand...

OP is looking for a Princess cut.
 
Date: 8/30/2009 8:53:29 AM
Author: Jay_81

I'm starting to swing towards ordering online from James Allen, It seems that a lot of people here speak highly of them. What do you think? The only thing is I can't see any ASET images on their site.

Thanks Stone, after I searched a little more I found a lot of positive feedback for Jogia too, but it seems there is a bigger selection and it is a little cheaper to order from the US (but not Blue Nile :-p).

I'm still trying to get photos of the ring setting. The Jeweller said they would send some to me today but it seems they didn't get around to it. Hopefully tomorrow!
Click to expand...
You will have to request for the ASET. Picking the stones to request for the ASET is the hard part. AGS cut graded princess are usually safe bet but JA do not carry any of them.

Regarding the price, have you factor in the import tax, etc? I think after that, the price will be on par, although Jogia will still have a smaller selection.
 
Date: 8/30/2009 9:22:06 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 8/30/2009 8:55:20 AM
Author: Lorelei
Oh thats a shame, never mind though!

JA are a good vendor, they don''t supply ASET for rounds, only for fancy shapes which they have recently started doing, so you can ask for Idealscope images for round diamonds if not already supplied.
Click to expand...

OP is looking for a Princess cut.
Click to expand...
In that case then Jay you would need to request an ASET image, JA have recently started offering these.
 
Hi Everyone,

This is the ring setting - 18c Rose Gold, the top part that holds the diamond is White Gold. There is 10 x .01c diamonds on the band.

Not including the centre Stone it will cost $2100 Australian (about $1700 US) This includes fitting a loose stone that I provide.

Is this a fair deal?

Top view24145.JPG
 
And this is the side view

Side View214412.JPG
 
make sure before you finalize your deal that the setting can fit the stone you provided.
 
Hi Jay -

a couple things :

1. Jogia is a reputable dealer, and one of the only respectable and consistent sellers of premium (ideal) cut diamonds in Au. (imho). I agree with you about their storefront - but you're not buying the store, you're buying the product. How do you know what BN's workplace looks like? You are essentially buying based on their website, which is the same you would be doing with Jogia.
If you search here, you will find a number of Aussie PS'ers very happy with their experiences with Jogia, and definately with their diamonds.

2. I don't think I would pay that price for that setting. To answer your question directly, I don't think it's the *worst* deal I've seen - but not the best. Jewelery in Au is notoriously overpriced (trust me, lol), and often it seems inferior quality too (unless you pay a bucket for designer/custom). Yes, this is a generalisation - but is the opinion of someone who has tried endlessly to find worthwhile jewellers locally, and always ends up heading back to the US for all pieces.


3. If you are considering buying the diamond from the US, that is not an uncommon design, you will find various versions of it with all of the PS vendors - here link is a very close one from WF, for less than half the cost. I haven't been to your store, but I would bet you $10 that WF makes a more consistently quality product
2.gif
They have a number of designs on their site very similar to your pictures - if you have to have rose gold, there is a chance they will also customize for you, just ask.
Another thing to consider - if you purchase a diamond from the US and than have an Au jeweller set it, you'll be exposed to any potential risk of damage whilst setting (the jeweller won't cover it). Not a big risk, but is slightly bigger with the pointy corners of a princess than with, say a RB.

hope this info can help a little
5.gif
 
Argh, Buying diamonds is a very difficult process!!!

Is it likely that a .6 - .7c Diamond won''t fit in that setting? I will speak to the jeweller about it. I''ll also ask them whether or not they cover for breakages and if they will reduce the price of the setting as $2,100 is too steep.. Thanks Stone. And Thanks Arjuna for all that info, you have no idea how much you all have helped me. I was going into this process absolutely blind, now I have at least half an eye open :-P

Jogia is definatly still on the cards, I have read quite a few positive posts from people who have purchased diamonds from him, it is also appealing that it is a lot closer to swap over if needed. But I will need some help picking a diamond with lots of sparkle!!

Also how likely are breakages when getting a diamond set? I have read on a lot of posts that it is very hard to find jewellers who will cover damage but no one who has complained that their diamond was damaged during setting.
 
The setting has an integrated mount so it is custom to a specific size, so best to check with the vendor what size it is designed to fit.

No breakage but chipping, usually the tip of the girdle if it happens. But it can happen, probably will not happen as it is very rare. Insurance is just for the peace of mind.

The stone I picked out previously from Jogia?
 
Date: 9/1/2009 5:17:48 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
The setting has an integrated mount so it is custom to a specific size, so best to check with the vendor what size it is designed to fit.

No breakage but chipping, usually the tip of the girdle if it happens. But it can happen, probably will not happen as it is very rare. Insurance is just for the peace of mind.

The stone I picked out previously from Jogia?
Click to expand...

I had a look at it but I''m not sure to be honest. It is at the upper end of what I was hoping to pay (depending on what price the setting ends up costing)

Now, be aware I only have about a week or so of knowledge.... The size is impressive, I didn''t expect to get a .70 that cheap, E Colour is much higher grade than what I was aiming for, and a VS2 clarity is what I was hoping for... The concerns are the table size is 64.9, that is fairly small for a princess isn''t it? all the ideal cut diamonds on James Allen have a larger Girdle than that. The cut report has an intensity of 72.6% which is less than all the other crossfire diamonds (not sure what crossfire is, it looks like their standard diamond with Signature series being the highest quality diamonds). The reports don''t have a cut quality to choose from i.e Ideal or Very Good etc. I''m not sure if the ASET image shows a sparkly diamond or not but it isn''t as red as the other diamonds they have in stock.

Thats what I see when I look at it but I''m sure I''m way off the mark and I would love you to grade my analysis :-P


But I guess after what you said earlier the most important thing is for me to find out what size diamond the setting will fit and if they will be a little more flexible on price as it is currently overpiced.
 
Table size is fine, most AGS0 cut graded diamonds are also on the small side, typically less than 70%.

The intensity is nothing to worry about, from what I understand of the OGI report, the 72.6% is the intensity when you are viewing it from the pavilion, so unless you are mounting the stone pavilion side up, it should be good at 100%.

Crossfire are their in-house stones, with all the videos, images and cut report. Some virtual stones might be just as good but you will have to shift through a lot more stones to find them.
 
My advice is to put as much of your budget as possible into the stone. Mountings can easily be upgraded at a later date (anniversary, birthday etc.) without much financial loss, but as the saying goes "a diamond is forever".
 
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