Buying downunder, overseas & how far to haggle

[Scribblette]

Thanks Bling.

Oh, and as per the avatar - a long time ago, when I was feeling particularly down, I figured I needed to do something radical to change my move. I''d always been terrified of having my head shaved, so I did precisely that to shake me up. Surprisingly, it worked, and ever since then I somewhat safely blame extended bad moods on having not had my hair cut recently.

^_^

I took the picture shortly after I shaved it, then messed with the contrast. So it''s a face with a finger pointing to my temple, as I was thinking... and... turned into some weird hybrid of that and the joker, I guess!

Incidentally, she now tells me she doesn''t like the Zamel rings. Thank god I haven''t bought anything yet!! @_@

 

[Scribblette]

I really don''t mean to double post and bump this thread, but the site doesn''t allow post edits, seems.

Each time I ask her what she likes, she keeps coming back to rings with three stones. I keep pointing out I can''t afford three good diamonds and ask her for her choices - out of all of GoG and WhiteFlash, she disliked everything bar this engraved X-prong at and the unaffordable Cathedral at WF.

I guess she just isn''t a fan of solitaires! Anyone got a quarter for that Claw machine in the corner?

Is a three stone diamond ring affordable? WhiteFlash advertises their three stone settings - as in ring without diamonds - at a grand or over.

 

[arjunajane]

Hi agaon, thanks for the explanation about the av btw!

Hrmm..
Can I ask, does your girl understand your motivations for sticking to your budget.? Is she cool with what you can afford?
Does she like coloured stones? That could always be an option for now, then go for her ideal diamond ring down the track? Many PS'ers have coloured stones e-rings such as sapphire and love them dearly.

I can't really answer about your 3 stone question, at this stage I would suggest vendor advice. It would be possible, but I imagine it will be about 0.7ishct total weight - but the setting for it will most likely be pricier than a solitaire....? My original ering was a 3 stone, which was exactly what I wanted at the time. Nothing wring with not loving solitaires!

It seems from your links she likes more elaborate settings. I agree with you that anything with pave like the WF one you linked is simply not in budget. I would save that idea for the wedding band perhaps?
You are correct it was me that explained about the insurance/setting situation here. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of sending it back to the US for a re set in the future, but of course this has its downsides too.

I think at this stage the best thing is for you guys to do some serious ring shopping together. Many men have to do this without any input at all, so I think its good for you that you at least have her opinions..
She needs to see if she would be happier with a solitaire ~0.5-0.6 or a 3 stone of similiar carat weight - what looks best on her hand, etc? Often times what we think we like in photos doesn't suit us IRL

I don't know what you have in SA, but pls try to go to the higher end stores - they will be able to help you more as they *should* be better informed about their product.

You were right that was a different ring that I linked, but I have a feeling as BA mentioned it was a customised version? I imagine if WF have made the ring before, they could make it for you without charging custom price, but best to ask.

By a higher finish it was a nicer way of saying better quality

If you look in the Zamels pic, it seems like the surfaces under the diamond are rough and not polished - this is an example of a poor finish.

I own the WF sleek lines in 18k YG, which is not a hugely expensive setting in most peoples' books. Yet the ring is heavy, very well crafted and high polish etc.
Does she like that setting? It sits very low to the finger..

Anyway, I digress - ring shopping this weekend for you it is!

 

[Scribblette]

Everything considered, I''m with you. I like that one too. Y''can''t REALLY go wrong with a solitaire. Will take her out through the stores and see not just what she likes by itself but what looks best on her finger, as you suggest. That really is wisest.

This''ll happen when I hop to Melbourne, actually, inside of a few weeks now, and you can bet on where I''m going! Holloways! That and the Diamond Exchange offices.

Until then she''ll be wearing cheezels and any other ring shaped things I can find that are romantic enough to pop on her finger. But mostly cheezels so I have a legitimate excuse to nibble on her all day.

Colored stones are a possibility too. Rubies and lighter colored hard stones, I think the one she didn''t like was a dark navy blue, that''s all.

What does the avatar look like if not a face and a hand, by the way? *curious*

I''ll update the thread once I know more - and I really, REALLY appreciate all the help and advice provided by you, the site and Holloway''s tutorials among many others. I''d have been ripped off and clueless had I not found Pricescope.

 

[D2B]

Hi

I purchased my diamonds overseas as well (am in the UK at the moment) and was very nervous, but had no problems at all with WF.

What I did want to say is that I also had customs issues and knew that I might have trouble with their 10 day return period, so after talking to Katie at WF and explaining how long it would take and the hold up at customs (likely outcome), the simply started the 10 day period from when Fed Ex dropped off the ring in my hands.

If you like something at WF I would ask them this, they are very helpful and this will give you time to check out the quality etc and organise an inspection. I am famiiar with the stuff in Asutralia and the UK and the WF diamonds are stunning at very reaonable prices.

Good luck

WF also have insurance cover for you if you need to return a diamond and want something else. An important thing to remember as not all vendors will insure the diamonds for you on return purchases outside the US and it is near impossible to get cover as an individual as I found out (in the UK anyway)

d2b

 

[Pandora II]

The chance of breaking a stone during setting is around 1% with princess cuts or other square cuts being the most risky due to the corners.

The reason that a jeweller won't take responsibility for damage caused to a stone is purely economical. It you are paying $50 for them to set the stone and they have to pay $60 for insurance while it's being set then they make a loss.

It can be worth asking if they can insure it for you and you pay the insurance premium as well as the setting cost.


I have a coloured e-ring - not because I wanted a diamond but couldn't afford one - but because I much prefer coloured stones. If you come over to the Coloured Stone Forum you can see lots of beautiful e-rings and their happy owners.

Buying a coloured stone is more complicated than a diamond as there are more variables and it's far more subjective. I would recommend involving her in any choice of stone unless you really know her tastes.

I would also steer clear of rubies unless you have a HUGE budget. A guy called Timmy on PS spent 15 months searching for the perfect ruby. His was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, but it was 1.10ct and cost $10k.

ETA: I'm in the UK and have bought a lot from the US and been VERY happy with everything!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/12/2008 10:53:25 AM
Author: Scribblette
Everything considered, I'm with you. I like that one too. Y'can't REALLY go wrong with a solitaire. Will take her out through the stores and see not just what she likes by itself but what looks best on her finger, as you suggest. That really is wisest.

This'll happen when I hop to Melbourne, actually, inside of a few weeks now, and you can bet on where I'm going! Holloways! That and the Diamond Exchange offices.

Until then she'll be wearing cheezels and any other ring shaped things I can find that are romantic enough to pop on her finger. But mostly cheezels so I have a legitimate excuse to nibble on her all day.

Colored stones are a possibility too. Rubies and lighter colored hard stones, I think the one she didn't like was a dark navy blue, that's all.

What does the avatar look like if not a face and a hand, by the way? *curious*

I'll update the thread once I know more - and I really, REALLY appreciate all the help and advice provided by you, the site and Holloway's tutorials among many others. I'd have been ripped off and clueless had I not found Pricescope.

LOL!
Sounds like you have a plan, once you get to Melb you will have alot more high end stores to browse through.

Pandora knows heaps about coloured stones - I'm afraid she is correct that rubies will mots likely require a bigger budget than diamonds. But there are endless options with coloureds.

Oh, about your av, I couldn't really tell but I thought at first it was a guy with a spray can and wearing a cap? Between that and your screen name, I thought maybe you are into aerosol art - I'm probably waaay off, lol!

Glad we could help, PS is indeed a *gem*

pls let us know how you go - I don't think I've seen any pretties from Holloways yet