Calling Aussie PSers for shopping help.

[kgizo]

I have a friend spending her anniversary in Barossa Valley. She would like to get an argyle pink 1/2 or full eternity for under $7,750 Aussie. She has been looking at this jeweler. Any vendor recommendations for her? Thanks.

 

[Bron357]

Hmm. Unfortunately for all of us, a single .08 carat “Argyle” pink is over $10,000 Australian. Making an eternity ring, easily over $100,000.
Non “Argyle” pink diamonds exist however these are likely treated (to turn them pink).
Lightbox offers lab grown pink diamonds. This would be a much more economical way of creating a pink diamond eternity band.

 

[kgizo]

Hmm. Unfortunately for all of us, a single .08 carat “Argyle” pink is over $10,000 Australian. Making an eternity ring, easily over $100,000.
Non “Argyle” pink diamonds exist however these are likely treated (to turn them pink).
Lightbox offers lab grown pink diamonds. This would be a much more economical way of creating a pink diamond eternity band.

I wondered about that, but the vendor she is looking at has quoted $7,750 for 0.37 ct eternity with argyle pinks. Is the price difference maybe because it is non-tender?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The stones will be very pale pink. Stones that 20 years ago were sold as off white and less costly than D-F coloured melee

 

[GliderPoss]

Yeah I'm not loving them and I think will not be even noticeable as pink in real life for that price...

 

[Bron357]

If they aren’t Argyle tender then they shouldn’t be called Argyle.
And the potential issue is that fancy colour diamonds without reports might have been treated to produce the colour. Natural fancy colour diamonds are rare and extremely expensive even in small sizes. Most these processes are high tech and require sophisticated testing to detect and no one is going to bother testing many wee melee size diamonds.
My issue with these treated diamonds is not the process, it’s permanent and it makes pretty fancy colour diamonds available at a price affordable for us mere mortals BUT the treatment to create the colour mightn’t be disclosed and an inappropriate premium might be charged.
If the total ring carat is .37 we are talking wee melee and at that size, even if genuine Argyle pinks, the pink will be almost imperceptible.
If your friend wants a noticeably”pink” eternity band she might consider pink sapphire. That way she can go a little larger per gemstone too.

 

[arkieb1]

You can buy light pink Argyles that are not tender diamonds in melee sizes from both Australian and non Australian jewellers, they save the best for tender they sell the rest to the jewellery industry in parcels. You can also get non treated pinks from places like Africa as well. The main thing is to find out what colour they are going to be so you have an "apples to apples" comparison on what you are getting for what you are paying.

Use a chart like this and always ask vendors which colour the pinks are that way you know what you are paying for;

Colour grading

A spectrum of colour from a blush of pink to the vivid intensity of the rarest red, and the sparkle of cornflower blue, learn more about the expert colour grading system, exclusive to these Argyle diamonds.

argylepinkdiamonds.com.au

Places like Leibish & DBL in the US are often cheaper than Aussie jewellers;

Fancy Pink Brilliant Cut Band Ring, SKU 306213 (0.09Ct TW)

A delightful Fancy Pink Brilliant cut Band Ring set with 7 Pink diamonds, styled in a Bezel design. The band is mounted in 18K White and Rose gold and has an ornate design. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

Colored Diamond Rings - Find Your Dream Ring | Leibish

Find your dream Colored Diamond Ring! LEIBISH specializes in GIA certified, Natural Fancy Color Diamond Jewelry. Discover our collection of Colored Diamond Rings.

www.leibish.com

0.46ctw Natural Pink Diamond Ring

This is a stunning .46ctw Natural Pink Five Stone Diamond Ring. The setting is intricately done and the stones are beautifully set.

www.diamondsbylauren.com

0.29ctw Pink VS Round Diamond Ring

This is a great 0.29ctw Pink VS Round Brilliant Diamond Ring. The pink gold is so rosy - and the pink diamonds sparkle mightily.

www.diamondsbylauren.com

 

[gregchang35]

you have been given great advice from other posters, above.

yes, sadly, it is more expensive to buy argyles diamonds in australia than it is to buy them OS.

One thing i will add to the discussion is when you are buying OS, there are duties that will need to be factored in. It will equate to about 17% more. Non of which will be claimable back. the funny thing is, even with that factored in...it will be cheaper than what we can get here in AUS.

The question you have to ask about pinks :
1) is the argyle certificate/ provenance important? if so, it will be quite expensive to achieve the eternity ring.
2) how some vendors are promoting.. their pinks are from a parcel from argyle. Given the melee size, they are most likely not going to be individually reported as argyle pinks. However, you can ask for proof that it is from the argyle parcel... the vendor should be able to identify the lot parcel number to you that will tie it to the argyle provenance. It would not be the same as individual report for the stone, but that would take copious amounts of work for what are small and most likely not investment quality stones. Something to consider... there is nothing to say that vendors could be underhanded and pass off generic pinks as part of that parcel. It would be too much of a risk to do that... but there could be an element of doubt there.
3) time frame- how soon is that ring needed... given that the vendor has quoted you for the project, i would also want to see the stones- they should be able to provide imaging of the stones that they are going to use. that way, you can get an appreciation of the colour pink that is being quoted for your friends project.
4) the setting metal can play alot with the colour of the stones. I prefer white gold, but i have seen many rose gold settings which showcases the pinks more.

hopefully, we haven't bombarded you with information.

 

[AV_]

It might be better to buy anywhere else.

Art of Platinum asks $4200 for .32 'string' bands - www (how pink? Tbd.)

 

[lovedogs]

Leibish has a section of argyle stones. However, since the .08ct are 2k or more USD, your friend won't be able to get true argyle stones in a band within her budget.

Argyle Diamonds: Shop Natural Loose Argyle Diamond | LEIBISH

LEIBISH specializes in Natural Fancy Argyle Diamonds & Argyle Diamond Jewelry. Discover our collection of fancy color diamonds.

www.leibish.com

I would have her seriously consider whether the stones must be argyle or not.

Ps. Have her make sure if she wants argyle stones, she knows that there's pretty much 0% chance that the jeweler who gave the quote is actually using argyle stones. It's just not mathematically possible. The leibish ones come with argyle paperwork

 

[lovedogs]

I wondered about that, but the vendor she is looking at has quoted $7,750 for 0.37 ct eternity with argyle pinks. Is the price difference maybe because it is non-tender?

I wonder if .37 means that there are like 1 or 2 .08 or .10 argyle stones and the rest are white diamonds? That's the only way the quote is possible.

 

[monipod]

Just a separate consideration but if it has to be Argyle pinks, then I'd go half eternity to get as many pinks in the budget as you can. As @lovedogs wondered, those stacks are mostly whites with pinks here and there. In a half eternity I think you could get the majority of visible stones pink, if that's what she's hoping for?

 

[AV_]

Count me intrigued!

If the price is for a band with a few pinks and many whites, than the pinks better be FIP-FDP - and yes, they would stand out more against colourless neighbours; I am recalling a band with four FDP among whites, prices are quite something for the minute bold pink stones, so I am no longer surprised by the quote... These goods are also quite unusual, although there must be more stones & specialist jewelers outside AUS ,(

2c

 

[kgizo]

It has to be argyle and purchased in AUS. The jeweler I listed above uses argyle stones. My understanding is argyle allows limited jewelers stones and the jewelry is stamped with the argyle lot # and argyle hallmark. She purchased the band below of a few pinks with whites for $1,500. It isn’t enough for her which is why she is considering the all pink one for $7,750. She is not a FCD collector and doesn’t care about getting the best pink for the money. This is an emotional purchase celebrating a significant anniversary and it’s what she wants.
I’ll pass along the suggestion to ask the jeweler about a 1/2 eternity, thank you.

 

[gregchang35]

It has to be argyle and purchased in AUS. The jeweler I listed above uses argyle stones. My understanding is argyle allows limited jewelers stones and the jewelry is stamped with the argyle lot # and argyle hallmark. She purchased the band below of a few pinks with whites for $1,500. It isn’t enough for her which is why she is considering the all pink one for $7,750. She is not a FCD collector and doesn’t care about getting the best pink for the money. This is an emotional purchase celebrating a significant anniversary and it’s what she wants.
I’ll pass along the suggestion to ask the jeweler about a 1/2 eternity, thank you.

if it is a significant anni and purch in aus, does she mind buying online? or does it have to be in her city? i suspect she doesnt mind buying online?

I know of a jeweler in sydney Joey at jenny bay that may be of help. i would not be sure on the cost of the band.. but best call her to find out what is possible. And she iwll need to give the measurements of the band- 2mm?? that she is considering.. or use the quote that she has to help with the process

exciting!!! i love pinks!

 

[AV_]

The Argyle reports have a following, the hallmark www (see list of jewelers) I have hardly heard of.

I have not had to wonder if there exist Argyle reports for melee, as there now exist GIA reports for same for natural origin & the usual (but not geographical origin, I think).

 

[kgizo]

@gregchang35 Yes, online buying is fine. She is in a remote location in Barossa which is making it difficult as she can’t try things on, but it is what it is.

 

[Crystal_Dreams]

I know melee aren’t certified argyle, but I’m not sure about the stamping etc.

Again, I really can’t remember the prices. All I know is that they were insanely high... but Mondial in the QVB in Sydney city does use argyle pinks and they do make eternity and half eternity bands. Perhaps she could try giving them a call? My suspicion is that a band with larger number of more vivid stones will cost far more but they had quite a range the last time I looked!!