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Buying online from Australia

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Sj1234

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
7
Hi all!

My partner and I are looking to buy an engagement ring, and like many others it appears are amazed by the price difference buying online vs. from a bricks and mortar in Australia.

We’ve found some great rings/diamonds on James Allen and Blue Nile and now just need to decide which (happy with prices from both) would be best to buy from (simplicity in ordering/shipping/reliable/quality). I’ve seen a couple of bad reviews for JA. Secondly, whether anyone knows if the ring sizes are exactly the same as in Australia? I was thinking of getting my finger measured in a store here to make sure I wouldn’t have to send it back to have resized.

If anyone has any recommendations for other online suppliers or alternatively, stores in Brisbane with half decent pricing/quality let me know :)!
 
Hi from Fellow Aussie.
The US system is numeric, whereas Aus (and U.K.) is alphabetical. Easy to find the “conversion” just google ring sizing. And a thinner band ring usually is a half size smaller than a thicker style band. So try on the ring band that best matches the width of what you’re going to be buying from the US.
Just remember with buying Internationally you will be paying GST (10%) plus another 5% (unless the vendor does the correct customs form to take advantage of the US / Aust free trade agreement) plus customs fess plus international insured shipping to bring it into Australia. Also keep in mind it’s difficult to return because of customs and tax you will have already had to pay plus high shipping, insurance and another hit of customs and taxes when the replacement / next ring comes to Australia. Yes, you’ll be able to get back any customs or taxes paid on anything returned (but not shipping, insurance or custom fees) but it’s a hassle and takes time. So buy with the intention of keeping.
Buying from the US is easy and safe, done it too many times!
It is easier to get the diamond set into a ring OS because here in Australia no jeweller accepts responsibility for damaging a stone during setting unless you bought the stone from them. Plus they get snooty about you not buying from them and tend to disparage your gem / diamond purchase (been there many times as well).
The experts here can find you the best diamond for your money if you give them your budget and preferences.
 
Thank you so much for your response @Bron357 ! You’re advice about the thinner bands is super helpful as the ones I’m looking at are quite thin. Also good to know about not buying a diamond and getting it set here. I’m hoping that we get it right with the first purchase so there’s no messing around with returns.

I think that even with the extras costs it’ll still work out to be cheaper than buying a ring here - the ones we’ve looked at are at least a couple grand extra for the same or lesser quality!
 
I've purchased both loose diamonds and completed pieces from Whiteflash, Brian Gavin and ID Jewelry, and cannot recommend any of them more highly. One of my friends purchased her engagement ring from James Allen (we are on the surf coast southeast of Melbourne) and our stuff truly outshines almost anything we have seen here, and anything comparable is many times more $$. Just make sure that whoever you purchase from includes the AUSFTA paperwork as Bron mentioned earlier, to avoid paying the 5% duty at customs.

Good luck, I can't wait to hear what you decide on!
 
The US vendors use US based rings. Your sizing may vary depending on weather and thickness of the band as well as your knuckle.

The best thing to do is to either request from your preferred vendor sizing rings. Or to go to several jewellers who use the "number" system. Tiffany for instance use the same sizing system as Whiteflash so you can always get sized up there.

Just make sure your purchase comes with the AUSFTA paperwork as mentioned above. FedEx Philippines processing unit sometimes screws up and doesn't realise it's there and you just have to firmly state "the paperwork is on the shipping label, included in the package and clearly states that it eligible for concession on the AUSFTA". Check with your individual vendor. FEDEX if that's who they use with brokerage the duty and GST (they charge you a fee for this).

The other thing I suggest is looking at OFX and other money transfer methods. You will get a much better transfer/exchange rate if you use OFX or your banker gives you the floor exchange rate rather than the 'wire from home/branch' rate. I saved thousands!

I know it's nerve racking posting such an expensive item but it does come insured and tracked the whole way. I always open the FEDEX box right away (whiteflash usually use a standard sized box and double box it)
 
HI SJ,
i'm a Brisbane resident. Before venturing online, I went to local Brisbane specialist diamond dealers like:
Nick Ireland
Xennox Diamonds
DiamondPort

Also JannPaul in Singapore (Return flights are pretty cheap)

This is because they have diamonds that go beyond basic cut parameters that exhibit the hearts and arrows.

I went online because I wanted specific ideal proportions that I could only find online and price.

I suggest you read up on this forum about the 4C's. You will soon realize the 4C's only touches the surface of diamond purchasing and you'll go deeper into the 'Super Ideal Cut' criteria and its proportion (if you have time :P).
 
If you opt for a plain shank and the sizing is not perfect, you can always go to a local jeweller for resizing if needed. This is more difficult if you have a shank with diamonds in the shank. If the diamonds are not all around, it can be resized within limits. In all cases it’s better to be sure about the size. I would use an online ring size converter as well as visit a local jeweller to size your finger.

Over in the coloured stones section we often work with Australian designer Alistair Kelsey. He also makes very classic wedding rings and engagement rings. I believe he still insures the stones he works with. You can have a look at his FB page to see if you like his work. Perhaps he can help with importing a stone from the US. I have worked with him many times and I love his work (I live in Europe and it has been a hassle free experience).
Here is a thread with his work (mainly coloured stones): https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-alistair-kelsey-collection.218921/
 
Another Brissie resident here. In Brisbane I have shopped at Robert White Jewellers (in Brisbane Arcade). Have heard Stone’s is also good but haven’t bought there personally. The same also with Xennox as well (that kevsta has mentioned above).

Of the local B&M shops that are like a chain, my pick would be LeGassick but they are down at Runaway Bay, Robina and Pacific Fair. If going there, I would go in with specs in hand as they can source a stone for you with your desired specs. Or if you look at stones they have already pre-mounted, they are usually happy to take an existing pre mounted stone and set it in a custom setting. But if you do, you may want to check the GIA report for those stones (they usually call them LeGassick Certified stones) and see what their specs are.

Having said all that, buying from the US will still give you much better bang for your buck. The others above have given you pretty good advice.
 
Thank you all so much! Your feedback is very helpful :).
 
Another Aussie - at the moment you will pay 10% import costs (most of the vendors you have named know how to fill in the correct AUSTFA forms to get out of paying the full 15% so you save 5% with the correct forms, but always ask them for them and ask them to email you a copy of them as well, they attach them to the front of the box but sometimes they forget and put them inside instead which will create drama with customs, so if you have a copy you can eliminate that) you will also pay an extra 25% or a bit more in the exchange rate loss. There used to be an Aussie arm of Blue Nile in Sydney but I don't know if there still is, you could ask them or google Blue Nile Australia. Other than that there is a diamond merchant in the city, here in Brisbane, which is probably the guy mentioned above, which is where most of the jewellers in the arcades in the city call stones in from. Most good jewellers here can resize a ring setting for you, if you do get it from overseas and it's the wrong size.

Even with the extra 35% somewhere like IDJ have been known to work miracles for people on a budget;

https://idjewelry.com/

Tell them you are a PSer when you email them and you want a GIA certified H & A stone with whatever you budget is in US dollars.

Other than that Garry the founder of the HCA is down in Melbourne and a few people on here have had good experiences with Jogia over in Perth;

https://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/
 
Thanks @arkieb1 , I did a bit of a research and it looks like there is no Blue Nile Australian arm :(. Thank you for the advice with the import costs though! I'm thinking JA or Blue Nile might be the way to go, even with the extra import costs they still work out to be substantially cheaper than what we've been able to find here.
 
Fellow Aussie here...

I would strongly encourage you to reach out to IDJ... they really do try their best to work with your budget to maximise size.

I’ve used them to search for stones and simply gave strict parameters that I wanted the stone to have in terms of percentages and angles, and they helped me do all the legwork. The stone wasn’t a super ideal- I would’ve gone with the H&A vendors for that... but to work within a limited budget, they were amazing and managed to find me a beautiful GIA XXX that met all my criteria at below budget.

They have loads of experience with doing the whole AUSFTA thing too.

I’ve bought (smaller) things from blue nile and JA, and while they’re good for what they are... if I was searching for a stone, IDJ is the one I would go back to.

Alternatively, if you want a super ideal... I’ve used BGD multiple times. They’re also excellent but come at an increased cost as expected for a h&a stone. I think they may have a Mother’s Day discount on right now with a percentage off the cost of a stone. I’m sure WF etc are also excellent, but I’ve never purchased from them myself. BGD does run discount codes several times a year. Typically that’s 8-10% off.
 
Sj1234 said:
Thanks @arkieb1 , I did a bit of a research and it looks like there is no Blue Nile Australian arm :(. Thank you for the advice with the import costs though! I'm thinking JA or Blue Nile might be the way to go, even with the extra import costs they still work out to be substantially cheaper than what we've been able to find here.
Click to expand...

IDJ has been known to be cheaper again to JA and US Blue Nile, if you find something ask them to find something comparable for a cheaper price. Email them and tell them the specs you want tell them you are from PS and they should be able to find/offer you stones in your price range or a comparable stone to what you find at other places.
 
Thanks @arkieb1 and @Crystal_Dreams , I did have a look on IDJ but when I filtered to my specifications it came up with 0 diamonds. Sounds like from both your recommendations that emailing them is best though!! Have either of you bought a diamond and the setting from them or just the diamond?
 
To be honest I’ve never used IDJ’s site lol... I find it really frustrating! I only ever email them, tell them what I want and ask them to find it.

Denise who was the one who helped me last time was great. She went through several hundred stones to find 2 or 3 within my requested specs!

I bought a loose stone as my brother had his heart set on a particular setting. They were very happy to set the stone for me too though at a special price as I had purchased from them! They even couriered the certificates to us separately (stone went to another vendor to set, certs came to Australia first) to make sure they wouldn’t get lost.

Re: ring sizing, I would go wander down to your local t&co and get them to size you. Enjoy looking at and trying on all the pretties there- just don’t get sucked in because I find their sales people very convincing when they talk about how much better their stones are than everyone else lol! Nod, smile, write down some details of prices and carat sizes then come back and go online...

Re: setting a stone bought overseas here in Australia... as Bron has said, it’s difficult as most places only set their own stones. Alistair Kelsey is the one exception. I’ve been meaning to get a piece done by him for ages- I’ve communicated with him multiple times and he is LOVELY. He even fixed a JBG bangle I had accidentally bent absolutely out of shape free of charge for me... I will work with him one day!
 
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@Crystal_Dreams Their website is pretty shocking isn't it! The formatting is very...interesting haha. That's good that they arrange the setting too. My partner isn't the best with organising things like this, so I think if I want to be able to hand over the info and leave it up to him it'll have to be a fairly simple process.
 
Sj1234 said:
Thanks @arkieb1 and @Crystal_Dreams , I did have a look on IDJ but when I filtered to my specifications it came up with 0 diamonds. Sounds like from both your recommendations that emailing them is best though!! Have either of you bought a diamond and the setting from them or just the diamond?
Click to expand...

Nope just email them and tell them you are a PSer and no I personally have never purchased a diamond from them because I'm not into modern cut diamonds these days, I own mostly all old cuts. I have helped people purchase things from them, ignore the website email them directly. Jewels by Grace or Love Affair Diamonds and Old World Diamonds are my recommendations if you want to look at or purchased old cuts or something preloved and yes I have dealt with all of them before.
 
Sj1234 said:
Hi all!

My partner and I are looking to buy an engagement ring, and like many others it appears are amazed by the price difference buying online vs. from a bricks and mortar in Australia.

We’ve found some great rings/diamonds on James Allen and Blue Nile and now just need to decide which (happy with prices from both) would be best to buy from (simplicity in ordering/shipping/reliable/quality). I’ve seen a couple of bad reviews for JA. Secondly, whether anyone knows if the ring sizes are exactly the same as in Australia? I was thinking of getting my finger measured in a store here to make sure I wouldn’t have to send it back to have resized.

If anyone has any recommendations for other online suppliers or alternatively, stores in Brisbane with half decent pricing/quality let me know :)!
Click to expand...

If you are looking for the alternative suppliers, please notice GS Diamonds. Their store is in Sydney, but they have online store (https://www.gsdiamonds.com.au/engagement-rings/Solitaire ) with the free delivery for Australia and New Zealand. They are specialized in engagement and wedding rings, mostly in classical simple design. Usually they have very reasonable prices and different promotions, I personally got a discount for the wedding ring, after I bought a solitair engagement ring for my future wife. You can find there GIA certified diamond and order custom made design ring. They deliver with TNT Postal Service and have 30 day money back guaranty.
 
Dandi said:
I've purchased both loose diamonds and completed pieces from Whiteflash, Brian Gavin and ID Jewelry, and cannot recommend any of them more highly. One of my friends purchased her engagement ring from James Allen (we are on the surf coast southeast of Melbourne) and our stuff truly outshines almost anything we have seen here, and anything comparable is many times more $$. Just make sure that whoever you purchase from includes the AUSFTA paperwork as Bron mentioned earlier, to avoid paying the 5% duty at customs.

Good luck, I can't wait to hear what you decide on!
Click to expand...

Hi Dandi,

Sorry for bringing this thread up but my friend is currently having issues getting the AUSTFA form from James Allen. They are saying they cannot provide one so we have to send it for them to fill out?

Just curious if that is how it’s done?

Thank you
 
Ring sizing- I bought a cheap set of ring sizers and a mandrel with several international ring sizes on it from eBay. I used them to work out my size when recently buying a ring online, it fit perfectly.
 
Hi!

The others have given you great advice on diamonds and the taxes you pay.

Another vendor I would suggest is Whiteflash. I bought a diamond bangle from them and they did all the paperwork correctly so I was able to save the 5% without dramas (ask for a copy though since the customs/Fedex can be REALLY obtuse so if they try and make you pay the 5% you send them the paperwork and say no).

Whiteflash diamonds are also very nice! Just be sure to check the colour of the diamond. Like if you want a H make sure you request high H. They are very lovely and helpful though.
 
@Grilledcheese I usually have to do it myself. If they used Fedex they can call them for help, it's a lengthy process but worth it!
 
Dandi said:
@Grilledcheese I usually have to do it myself. If they used Fedex they can call them for help, it's a lengthy process but worth it!
Click to expand...

Thank you! May I ask where you got the form? We’ve tried calling Fedex but they told us that they can’t help...
 
Sj1234 said:
Hi all!

My partner and I are looking to buy an engagement ring, and like many others it appears are amazed by the price difference buying online vs. from a bricks and mortar in Australia.

We’ve found some great rings/diamonds on James Allen and Blue Nile and now just need to decide which (happy with prices from both) would be best to buy from (simplicity in ordering/shipping/reliable/quality). I’ve seen a couple of bad reviews for JA. Secondly, whether anyone knows if the ring sizes are exactly the same as in Australia? I was thinking of getting my finger measured in a store here to make sure I wouldn’t have to send it back to have resized.

If anyone has any recommendations for other online suppliers or alternatively, stores in Brisbane with half decent pricing/quality let me know :)!
Click to expand...

Hey SJ!

Whilst your putting the feelers out, may I recommend shooting Australian Diamond Network an email, and ask for Wade (who I believe is actually based in Brisbane, although the store is based in Melbourne). I had an excellent experience with him having a pendant (and then some custom earrings) made - see the link to my SMTB thread below - he had a great understanding of cut quality, and I really trusted him to select an amazing stone for a fraction of what I could purchase it for from a store here..

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/0-4ct-solitaire-pendant-by-adn.222383/

Anyways - best of luck!
 
(COMPANY LETTERHEAD)


Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA)



Statement of United States origin



I ____________________ of (company name) hereby state that the nominated goods below, meet the requirements of the legislation of the AUSFTA. I wish to claim the preferential duty rate using the rule type as marked.


___ 1) Section 153YB rule type W.O. -goods wholly obtained- relates to goods mined, grown, bred, fished etc


___ 2) Section 153YC rule type P.O.M. -goods produced entirely in the US from originating materials- relates to goods made in the US from US materials


___ 3) Section 153YE rule type P.S. -goods (except clothing and textiles) produced entirely in the US from non-originating materials- relates to goods made in the US from US materials and materials from other countries


___ 4) Section 153YF rule type P.S. –goods that are chemicals, plastics or rubber produced entirely in the US from non-originating materials


___ 5) Section 153YH rule type P.S. –goods that are clothing or textiles produced entirely in the US or the US and Australia from non-originating materials or a combination of originating materials and non-originating materials.


I agree to maintain and present on request, documentation necessary to support this statement.


Shippers name:



Product name/description:



Name:


Date:


Signature:




@Grilledcheese this is the form I received from customs. I think you are supposed to forward it to the vendor and get them to fill it out, but I just did it on their behalf. You also need a cover letter indicating that you are applying for a duty refund, and with your customs number, Fedex delivery number, and amount paid to customs.
 
The form above is exactly what you need, they need to put their letterhead or logo at the top and fill it in. And I disagree that Blue Nile doesn't have an Aussie website, I just bought a pair of triple ex GIA certified diamonds from them for a friend in Aussie dollars and they automatically take out the taxes and duties and do all the paperwork for you, they were the easiest by far to deal with.
 
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