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Buying Diamond in Mumbai vs. US

Diamonds007

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
2
Hey Guys! I have been lounging around and reading up on diamonds for 5 months now. I understand that Mumbai is a major diamond trading city, i.e and import area of rough diamonds cut and exported out to China, Us, Europe etc...

So, I will be in Mumbai next week for work. I am tempted to look for a diamond while I am there in my free time in the hopes of finding a great diamond at a discount to buying it here after it has been sourced by an online US jeweler.

What are your thoughts?
 

Pecel

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 8, 2011
Messages
44
I am by no means an expert, but I think you can expect a lower price when you are a wholesaler and buy more diamonds than only one... But these are just my thoughts, I have no real knowledge how this market works.
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
33,218
If you are looking for a round don't buy without plugging numbers into the HCA.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

Reject stones that score over 2.0 and use an Idealscope on those that score under 2.0.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope

Compare what you see in the Idealscope to this reference chart:
http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart.asp

If it is not a round don't use the HCA, get an ASET scope:
http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y

Here's how to use it:
http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

Only consider a diamond that was graded by GIA or AGS.
The grades of most other labs are not to be trusted and you are really taking a risk if it has NO independent lab report and you believe the grades the seller or their "independent appraisal" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: assigns.

All this said, I suspect you will get the best price from an online vendor in the US.
I'd guess the different markets in the two countries does more to influence prices than proximity to where it may have been polished. The price of shipping is negligible.

When you see a stone in Mumbai negotiate hard (more of a tradition in that culture than American culture) then take a break, find a WiFi connection and compare that price to what you'd pay for a similar stone from good online vendors like James Allen, Whiteflash Briangavindiamonds and Good Old Gold.

Oh, and please post about your experience with this so we can learn.
 

Garry H (Cut Nut)

Super_Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Aug 15, 2000
Messages
18,418
Diamonds007|1304567929|2912719 said:
Hey Guys! I have been lounging around and reading up on diamonds for 5 months now. I understand that Mumbai is a major diamond trading city, i.e and import area of rough diamonds cut and exported out to China, Us, Europe etc...

So, I will be in Mumbai next week for work. I am tempted to look for a diamond while I am there in my free time in the hopes of finding a great diamond at a discount to buying it here after it has been sourced by an online US jeweler.

What are your thoughts?
The diamond district is 'Opera House' downtown. Good luck, you will need it. It is a major market but not geared to people who want to buy less than a million dollars worth. And even then they will skin you alive if you don't know your stuff.
 

Garry H (Cut Nut)

Super_Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Aug 15, 2000
Messages
18,418
You can also do a search here on Pricescope, then hit the change location button and select India.
There are some local listings - there will be more soon.
At least that way you can make contact with some reputable companies and compare prices - let your mouse do the walking and waiting in very long lift lines.
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
33,218
Garry H (Cut Nut)|1304596836|2912874 said:
You can also do a search here on Pricescope, then hit the change location button and select India.
There are some local listings - there will be more soon.
At least that way you can make contact with some reputable companies and compare prices - let your mouse do the walking and waiting in very long lift lines.

Garry, what is a lift line?
 

stone-cold11

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
14,083
Queuing up for the elevator?
 

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
33,218
Ah yes, thanks.
That must be it.
Some countries call it an elevator, others call it a lift.
 

diagem

Ideal_Rock
Trade
Joined
Oct 21, 2004
Messages
5,096
I actually think India is probably the most expensive market these days :devil:
 

Diamonds007

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
2
Hey thank you for the reply! I will explore the streets to see what I can come up with and take the suggestion of comparing it online back at the hotel. I will post my experience!

Thanks!
 
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