Buying Online

[kkaramacoska]

Hi there!
This forum is fantastic!!!! what a find!
I am an Australian looking at buying my engagement ring online from "since1910.com" in NY. I have fallen in love with a Scott Kay design they have and they have AMZING diamonds that seem to be much better value than anything I can get here In Oz. Im scared out of my mind though!!!!
Has anyone brought from them that could ease my mind? To get the same thing made here It will cost about $5000 AUD which is a little more than what we inteded to spend and the best quality diamond we can get is .50 round brilliant g colour vsi clarity which is not bad, but i havent see the stone yet and the jeweller wants to also show me a H si2 to compare it with which is a little bigger .59 which feaks me out a little, I didnt really want to go any worse than G colour and a VS1 clarity although he assures me I wont be able to tell the difference. BUT............. at this store in NY i can get .73 GIA certified D colour VVS2 clarity which seems to work out roughly the same price. I have to find out what kind of taxes i have to pay to get the ering here but im pretty sure its stilll slightly cheaper or the same and its a much bigger and better stone.
Still extreamly frightend though. Advise please!!!! I have attached a pic of the ring if anyone is interested.

 

[stone-cold11]

Some other Aussie did buy a ring using the FTA with US. Should be useful to you in expanding your budget.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/custom-ring-ausfta.130164/

For the GIA stone, we will need the report if possible, or at least the report number, and an Idealscope image. Not sure if since1910 can supply the idealscope image that but no harm asking.

Also mentioned you are from PriceScope (PS) and see if they have a PS discount?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Pearlman''s also carries Scott Kay and has an excellent repution on PS. You can call and speak to Julian, he is so helpful. They have discounts for PS members. They can also source a diamond for you, or you can buy from another PS vendor and have it sent to Pearlman''s to be set. They will insure the diamond during the setting proces, which is unusual for a jeweler to do when they did not provide the diamond.

I encourage you to focus on cut quality when thinking about your diamond. That is what will make the diamond sparkle and shine. Color and clarity do not affect the optical appearance of the diamond but cost a lot and IMO you do not need to go above VS2 and G color to have an amazing diamond. Higher color will of course look whiter and it is a personal preference, but you will not see the difference in clarity between a VS2 and a VVS1, but will pay an arm and a leg. Just pointing it out in case you did not know this.

 

[Dreamer_D]

And I love that setting

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Ditto to Dreamer, but I have slightly different clarity/comfort levels

G VS2 is the highest I would go for a e-ring (past that is overkill IMO and I''d rather save the money) but if size matter to you, you should know that many members of this forum have GORGEOUS rings with centerstones that are H, I, J, and even K. If cut really well, they can face up very white and look spectacular. You should decide re your comfort level.

With clarity, many have SI1 (my personal fave in an ideal cut round diamond), and the hard to find, but more afforable SI2. You have a lot of options, and will prrbably find a better and more affordable diamond online than in your local store (even after taxes are factored into the equation)

Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Good Old Gold, James Allen, and ID Jewelry all have great diamonds.

Whiteflash and Brian Gavin are easy b/c all the Whiteflash ACAs and BGD H&A are great (very very subtle differences that only the most rabid diamond fan would notice)

 

[kkaramacoska]

OH THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!
I will go and look at some VS stones and get the certificates for some opinions.
I am dealing with a lovley lady from since1910.com who is really going out of her way to help me. Im extreamly happy with her efforts!
Shes even going to call me today so I can talk to her properly. She says that the US and AUS have some sort of agreement which means I dont have to pay fedex when the ring enters the country, Does anyone know what this aggreement is? I will have to sign something

I still dont know anything about the fees and charges yet.
And I will have a look at those other sites.
THANKYOU AGAIN!!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/14/2010 7:45:38 PM
Author: kkaramacoska
OH THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!

I will go and look at some VS stones and get the certificates for some opinions.

I am dealing with a lovley lady from since1910.com who is really going out of her way to help me. Im extreamly happy with her efforts!

Shes even going to call me today so I can talk to her properly. She says that the US and AUS have some sort of agreement which means I dont have to pay fedex when the ring enters the country, Does anyone know what this aggreement is? I will have to sign something

I still dont know anything about the fees and charges yet.

And I will have a look at those other sites.

THANKYOU AGAIN!!

Its the Australia - US Free Trade Agreement.
the lady is wrong, you will still need to pay GST (10%) but you won''t have to pay duty tax (usually another 5%).

stone cold linked you to the thread where I and other aussies discussed all this free trade stuff, but it does get a lil complex - if your vendor is aware of it, just make sure they help you with the process along the way.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/14/2010 3:27:22 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
Ditto to Dreamer, but I have slightly different clarity/comfort levels

[snip]

LOL! I only suggested VS2 because the OP was looking at VVS stones so seemed to want a higher clarity diamond. My personal fave combo is G/SI1.

 

[kkaramacoska]

Ok guys!
i just want to say thank you one last time. I know what Im looking for now and I know what to expect to pay.
You have all been an incredible help. And the lady did tell me about the 10% so its all good. They have a very good return policy which we a happy with and now the hunt is on!
Christina from since1910.com has found me a diamond which i think sounds amazing! yes the clarity is higher and better than what we have discussed but we are happy with the price and if its as peferct as is sounds i think we will go ahead with it!
its a 0.71 Asscher cut (much bigger than I thought I would EVER be able to afford!) , F colour, VVS1 clarity, Excellent polish, good symmetry and no flurescence.
The GIA report number is 13638729
if anyone wants to have a look and give me there feedback you are more than welcome!
including the Designer Scott Kay setting in 18K white gold she is doing for me for $3800 US!!!!, which I think is great! even with 10% tax on top its still 10 x better than what I can get here in Oz, as I said, the best I could get was a 0.50 rb SI1-SI2.
So Im pretty excited!!!
Im just wondering............. will it sparkle plenty???, because I am also looking at cushion cut as I believe it will have more fire due to the cut yes???
Its really the size and colour thats impressing me with this one.
what do you think people?

 

[stone-cold11]

For asscher''s cut performance, we will need an ASET image, normal images and the crown height of the stone.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/15/2010 3:09:37 AM
Author: kkaramacoska
Ok guys!
i just want to say thank you one last time. I know what Im looking for now and I know what to expect to pay.
You have all been an incredible help. And the lady did tell me about the 10% so its all good. They have a very good return policy which we a happy with and now the hunt is on!
Christina from since1910.com has found me a diamond which i think sounds amazing! yes the clarity is higher and better than what we have discussed but we are happy with the price and if its as peferct as is sounds i think we will go ahead with it!
its a 0.71 Asscher cut (much bigger than I thought I would EVER be able to afford!) , F colour, VVS1 clarity, Excellent polish, good symmetry and no flurescence.
The GIA report number is 13638729
if anyone wants to have a look and give me there feedback you are more than welcome!
including the Designer Scott Kay setting in 18K white gold she is doing for me for $3800 US!!!!, which I think is great! even with 10% tax on top its still 10 x better than what I can get here in Oz, as I said, the best I could get was a 0.50 rb SI1-SI2.
So Im pretty excited!!!
Im just wondering............. will it sparkle plenty???, because I am also looking at cushion cut as I believe it will have more fire due to the cut yes???
Its really the size and colour thats impressing me with this one.
what do you think people?

Hi Kkaramacoska

Glad you like the website!

Unfortunately asschers need images to be properly evaluated, so the following info is needed please.

An ASET image - this link explains ASET and its use.

Clear close up photographs of the diamond.

A Sarin scan to obtain the crown height.

When choosing an asscher, you can use these proportions as a basic guide.

depth - 70% or less
table - 65% or less
crown height - 10% or higher

These proportions apply as a general rule of thumb unless in the case of antique asschers or those with crown heights over 20%.

But if you decide to purchase an asscher, it is a gamble without at least images.

 

[kkaramacoska]

Ok, we decided against the Asscher in the end, my partner doesnt really like the look of them.
Im now looking at a 0.66 Cushion cut, F colour, VVS2 clarity, depth 64.5%, Table 60%, Girdle thin to slightly thick, culet none, polish excellent, Symmetry very good, Fluorecence none. clarity characteristics pinpoint, needle, cloud.
That is everything I have. Does is sound ok? I will ask for pictures, Im a bit worried about the word "cloud" in the characteristics, does that mean it looks cloudy???
I dunno! the GIA report number is 2111446087.

 

[stone-cold11]

At VVS2, you won''t see anything even with a loupe.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/15/2010 8:51:17 AM
Author: kkaramacoska
Ok, we decided against the Asscher in the end, my partner doesnt really like the look of them.
Im now looking at a 0.66 Cushion cut, F colour, VVS2 clarity, depth 64.5%, Table 60%, Girdle thin to slightly thick, culet none, polish excellent, Symmetry very good, Fluorecence none. clarity characteristics pinpoint, needle, cloud.
That is everything I have. Does is sound ok? I will ask for pictures, Im a bit worried about the word ''cloud'' in the characteristics, does that mean it looks cloudy???
I dunno! the GIA report number is 2111446087.

Again images are essential, preferably an ASET, photographs and a Sarin scan if available. A cloud shouldn''t pose a problem in VVS2 clarity.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 1/15/2010 8:51:17 AM
Author: kkaramacoska
Im a bit worried about the word ''cloud'' in the characteristics, does that mean it looks cloudy???

The clarity term "cloud" is used to describe a formation of ''pinpoint'' size diamond crystals which are located in close proximity. A ''pinpoint'' size diamond crystal is named as such because under very high magnification, it often looks like a pinpoint of dust, or a pinpoint of light breaking through a piece of paper. A small cloud comprised of a few tiny pinpoint size diamond crystals is nothing to be concerned about, this is likely the case in a diamond of VVS clarity. A substantial cloud, indicated as covering a large amount of the internal region of the diamond ''might'' be cause for concern, but that would be more likely in something SI-1 and lower in clarity.

 

[kkaramacoska]

thankyou so much everyone.Ill try to obtain ASET and some pictures.

 

[oneofurbest]

Hi There

If it eases the mind little more, im from Melbourne and i recently purchased a engagement ring through Brad at 1910 in the NY.
I found the expierence to be smooth and easy and was able to purchase a stone and band at a much cheaper price than i was able to buy one in Australia for.
I saved well over $10,000 aus, so paying gst on the import was fine by me, and yes we have a free trade agreement with us so that help with duties etc.
Unfortanatly i misplaced that ring

through my own mis-adventure overseas on attempting to propose.
I''m now organising a even bigger diamond ring as a replacement through 1910, in which again they have been very helpful and understanding.
I received insurance payment on the previous ring as they were unable to replace the ring in Australia at the cost it was insured for.

Yes it is a little weird buying a ring and setting online without seeing it, but if you know what you are after then i recommend 1910 and there certified diamonds.

All the best.

 

[kkaramacoska]

Do you know!! that does ease my mind! thankyou so much for your feedback!
My partner will be soo happy to here from another Australian who has brought from since1910.com. one question? was it normal for them to sometimes take 2 or 3 days to reply to you?? Im still happy, just a little impatiant!
And so sorry to here about the first ring.
Oh! and did it take more than 4 weeks to get the ring?? and how long did customs hold it for? Im kind of hoping to finalise the payment this week so I can hopefully have the ring onmy finger by 5th March! I realise I might be pushing it and by no means do I want a rush job on my ring.
Thanks again!!! and good luck with the new rock!