Buying rough diamonds for jewelry?

[less_confused]

The wife is expecting my 2nd child and I want to do something mushy.
I am intrigued by the idea of presenting an uncut diamond pendant and saying:
"our baby is like this raw gem: perfect, unique and waiting for our love to polish it"
Or something.

This would be in addition to the standard sparkly earrings.

I''ve done some preliminary poking around but would truly appreciate some expert guidance. For example:
Where can a fellow like me buy a rough diamond?
If I buy rough and want it polished (not cut, just polished), what would be a reasonable fee?
Any websites (beyond EBay)?

Help please!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2009 11:33:54 AM
Author:less_confused
The wife is expecting my 2nd child and I want to do something mushy.
I am intrigued by the idea of presenting an uncut diamond pendant and saying:
''our baby is like this raw gem: perfect, unique and waiting for our love to polish it''
Or something.

This would be in addition to the standard sparkly earrings.

I''ve done some preliminary poking around but would truly appreciate some expert guidance. For example:
Where can a fellow like me buy a rough diamond?
If I buy rough and want it polished (not cut, just polished), what would be a reasonable fee?
Any websites (beyond EBay)?

Help please!

I have seen some uncut diamonds set in jewellery but I can''t remember the name of the designer....Maybe someone else will.

 

[Judah Gutwein]

http://www.diamondintherough.com/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2009 12:00:03 PM
Author: Judah Gutwein
http://www.diamondintherough.com/

Thats the company, thanks Judah!

 

[Judah Gutwein]

Most welcome!!

 

[less_confused]

They definitely make some great stuff.

I am hoping to buy the diamond and have my jeweler do a custom piece.

 

[FireMonkey]

That''s a sweet sentiment!

Since you''re going w/ a custom design, can your jeweler obtain the rough for you? Seems the easiest route; he/she will know exactly what size/shape you need for your piece.

 

[John P]

What a nice idea.

Please be socially responsible by insisting on paperwork which demonstrates the rough followed the UN Kimberley Process/US Clean Diamond Acts. This should not be difficult, since all importers of rough diamonds must fax a copy of the KPC for arriving rough to the US Census Bureau at entry with Customs and Border Protection. Reputable dealers should be fully prepared for that question - if they don't demonstrate provenance up-front.

Fee-wise, best value (if the primary reason is sentiment) will be makeable rough that's not high gem-quality. A sawable octa or dodec is a crystal that could potentially be cut into two diamonds...so twice the price. But even these shapes may be practical if you're good with low GC/near-boart.

 

[less_confused]

John,

Your advice is very welcome.
KPC - check
Not gem quality - check

Are there reputable dealers who would sell retail?