Hello all,
It would be great if I could get assistance with my purchasing strategy. I've already spend a considerable amount of time on researching what to look for in a diamond on this website, which by the way is simply amazing! I've used the search database extensively to short list the diamonds I'm looking for.
So here are my plans.
- I'm from Brisbane, Australia.
- My preferred diamond specification would be 0.65 to 0.75 carat, I/J color, VS2/SI1, "fairly tight" TIC portion range and not necessary a branded H&A. I have a preference toward a logical selection criteria, best value with highest "practical" performance.
- Budget is limited to around $4000ish inclusive of that darn 10% GST in Australia.
- Would be a surprise to my gf and looking to propose in approx 8 weeks time. (not much time left! )
Selection strategy
- I've spent a bit of time to randomly view certificates on signature diamonds (from <0.5 ct to 1.0ct>) from various reputable seller from PS (i.e. GOG, Whiteflash, etc) and tabulate the range of portions that these professional sellers had deemed as "ideal". Most of these signature diamonds fall within a fairly obvious tight range (within TIC, CA 34.2 to 35, PA 40.6 to 40.95), so I used it as part of my search criteria. (P.S: total of 163 diamonds data collected)
- Then I did a search via PS database and found quite a large number of candidates that satisfy this strict range. Result was that a large number of them do not belong to their "signature" range and most are from Bluenile and BC2jewels. (likely because I was looking for I/J color, VS2/SI1 clarity)
- I've observed that the price of these short listed diamonds are on average, more expensive than other diamonds with the same characteristics minus cut portion. This kind of made me believe there is indeed a premium behind the cut range of these diamonds.
Purchasing strategy
- I will be looking to buy the diamond and have it delivered to a jewellery of my choice to set it on a ring.
- I have not yet decided on what type of setting I want, but I would be looking to get it on a platinum channel set and perhaps a custom made.
- I am undecided on whether to have the diamond appraised in the US or in Australia, or be done at all. Is it even necessary based on my selection strategy? (I'm sure the purist will say yes due to optical symmetry, more below) There would be logistic difficulties if I have the diamond appraised in Australia and I found it's not suitable.
I have a number of questions I would like to get advices from the experts here. This will be divided between the technicality of the diamonds and the purchasing strategy itself.
1) Optical symmetry.
I am aware that there could be GIA Ex diamonds with identical portions but one has better optical symmetry performance over the other. I understand a helium report that covers all facets will determine whether it has good optical symmetry or not. (and that the variations must be kept to a minimum) Therefore, I simply cannot determine the level of performance of the diamonds I've short listed based on certificates data alone.
However, I don't want to fall into the trap by getting a perfectly tight diamond at a much much higher premium but don't provide the equal in light performance for value.
So how far should I take this to? Note that I don't think my gf would note the differences, and I'm talking about the diamond being only worth $2.5kish. And being located outside the US, it can be difficult to appraise multiple diamonds.
I probably know the easiest and painless strategy is to buy from the likes of GOG, etc. And perhaps I will, but just asking if there are other alternatives since I'm looking for specific color/clarity range.
2) Platinum price.
The spot rate for platnium has dropped recently, and is now below gold, which is a rare occasion. I know the price changes happened only quite recently, so most manufacturers would not have time to source the metal at this lower price. In fact, I've already hedged it by buying Platinum ETF on the stock market in the last day or so.
- What is the best way then to take advantage of this lower price? For example, ask for a jewellery to custom made a ring for me but source the metal at the current spot rate?
- My preference is to get Garry Holloway (preciousmetals.com.au) in Victoria Australia to make me the ring as they are highly recommended here. I have not asked them the question above yet, but if they cannot do it, I may decide to get it from www.ausbullion.com.au as they are a bullion dealer and they claimed they can pass on the savings when the price movement in raw materials work in my favour.
3) Independent appraiser.
Now if I have to get the diamond appraised, do anyone have recommendations on who to use? Would most sellers (i.e. Bluenile, BC2jewels) allow the diamond to be sent over to an appraiser (paid by me) before finalising the sale to me if I approve?
How much would it cost to do a helium scan and a idealscope image? (if that's all I need)
I will be doing more search on the type of settings I want and will be asking around for quotes.
Thanks again for the help everyone!!!
Cheers,
Temjin
It would be great if I could get assistance with my purchasing strategy. I've already spend a considerable amount of time on researching what to look for in a diamond on this website, which by the way is simply amazing! I've used the search database extensively to short list the diamonds I'm looking for.
So here are my plans.
- I'm from Brisbane, Australia.
- My preferred diamond specification would be 0.65 to 0.75 carat, I/J color, VS2/SI1, "fairly tight" TIC portion range and not necessary a branded H&A. I have a preference toward a logical selection criteria, best value with highest "practical" performance.
- Budget is limited to around $4000ish inclusive of that darn 10% GST in Australia.
- Would be a surprise to my gf and looking to propose in approx 8 weeks time. (not much time left! )
Selection strategy
- I've spent a bit of time to randomly view certificates on signature diamonds (from <0.5 ct to 1.0ct>) from various reputable seller from PS (i.e. GOG, Whiteflash, etc) and tabulate the range of portions that these professional sellers had deemed as "ideal". Most of these signature diamonds fall within a fairly obvious tight range (within TIC, CA 34.2 to 35, PA 40.6 to 40.95), so I used it as part of my search criteria. (P.S: total of 163 diamonds data collected)
- Then I did a search via PS database and found quite a large number of candidates that satisfy this strict range. Result was that a large number of them do not belong to their "signature" range and most are from Bluenile and BC2jewels. (likely because I was looking for I/J color, VS2/SI1 clarity)
- I've observed that the price of these short listed diamonds are on average, more expensive than other diamonds with the same characteristics minus cut portion. This kind of made me believe there is indeed a premium behind the cut range of these diamonds.
Purchasing strategy
- I will be looking to buy the diamond and have it delivered to a jewellery of my choice to set it on a ring.
- I have not yet decided on what type of setting I want, but I would be looking to get it on a platinum channel set and perhaps a custom made.
- I am undecided on whether to have the diamond appraised in the US or in Australia, or be done at all. Is it even necessary based on my selection strategy? (I'm sure the purist will say yes due to optical symmetry, more below) There would be logistic difficulties if I have the diamond appraised in Australia and I found it's not suitable.
I have a number of questions I would like to get advices from the experts here. This will be divided between the technicality of the diamonds and the purchasing strategy itself.
1) Optical symmetry.
I am aware that there could be GIA Ex diamonds with identical portions but one has better optical symmetry performance over the other. I understand a helium report that covers all facets will determine whether it has good optical symmetry or not. (and that the variations must be kept to a minimum) Therefore, I simply cannot determine the level of performance of the diamonds I've short listed based on certificates data alone.
However, I don't want to fall into the trap by getting a perfectly tight diamond at a much much higher premium but don't provide the equal in light performance for value.
So how far should I take this to? Note that I don't think my gf would note the differences, and I'm talking about the diamond being only worth $2.5kish. And being located outside the US, it can be difficult to appraise multiple diamonds.
I probably know the easiest and painless strategy is to buy from the likes of GOG, etc. And perhaps I will, but just asking if there are other alternatives since I'm looking for specific color/clarity range.
2) Platinum price.
The spot rate for platnium has dropped recently, and is now below gold, which is a rare occasion. I know the price changes happened only quite recently, so most manufacturers would not have time to source the metal at this lower price. In fact, I've already hedged it by buying Platinum ETF on the stock market in the last day or so.
- What is the best way then to take advantage of this lower price? For example, ask for a jewellery to custom made a ring for me but source the metal at the current spot rate?
- My preference is to get Garry Holloway (preciousmetals.com.au) in Victoria Australia to make me the ring as they are highly recommended here. I have not asked them the question above yet, but if they cannot do it, I may decide to get it from www.ausbullion.com.au as they are a bullion dealer and they claimed they can pass on the savings when the price movement in raw materials work in my favour.
3) Independent appraiser.
Now if I have to get the diamond appraised, do anyone have recommendations on who to use? Would most sellers (i.e. Bluenile, BC2jewels) allow the diamond to be sent over to an appraiser (paid by me) before finalising the sale to me if I approve?
How much would it cost to do a helium scan and a idealscope image? (if that's all I need)
I will be doing more search on the type of settings I want and will be asking around for quotes.
Thanks again for the help everyone!!!
Cheers,
Temjin