Can we find a PS-quality 1ct for $3000USD? (including plain WG setting)

[pearaffair]

Hello magical fairy godmothers (and godfathers)! A week ago I posted that my cousin's bff is looking for a ring. WELL, he has narrowed down his desires! We are looking for a round brilliant diamond solitaire, set in white gold. Hooray! Talk about easy peasy! Maybe a little mainstream and boring - haha wait, I mean classic! Super classic and sure to please! Smart guy.

Anyways. Budget is $3000USD, not really any wiggle room because he's going to have to pay duty (he lives in Canada).
We were looking at James Allen but really could buy from anywhere. Dude lives in Canada, so we'll have to keep in mind.

This guy is NOT picky about the setting style, but essentially he'd be looking at a plain solitaire for the best (lowest) price possible: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...nife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115

I mean, this is PS, so if we could find cheaper and get claw prongs put on there, that'd be fab but let's keep it realistic haha.

He is NOT interested in going the preloved route (sad!) so let's honour that decision and find something beautiful and new.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[pearaffair]

Oh here's a thought! What if I find a diamond, then can I see if a local jeweller can get ahold of that same diamond, in order to save the dude duty costs? Would the jeweller be able to order the diamond and absorb the duty, or something? Or would the duty fees the Canadian jeweller pays just get added to the diamond price? Hmm.

 

[Garnetgirl]

In my understanding, under NAFTA, there is no duty on cut stones (or rings manufactured in the US) coming from the US. This has also been my experience.
I once bought a loose garnet, and was charged GST and PST when bringing it in to Canada.
I bought a diamond ring from Good Old Gold - same thing, federal and provincial sales tax only. In other words, the same taxes you'd have to pay if buying in Canada. No duty.

 

[SimoneDi]

Do they care about upgrades? Is the 3k usd budget with taxes? Where is he located?

 

[tyty333]

No...no 1 carat PS quality diamond plus mount for $3k.
I think you already knew the answer to that. But we can get as close as we can to 1 carat with PS quality.

Is "K" color ok?

 

[SimoneDi]

In my understanding, under NAFTA, there is no duty on cut stones (or rings manufactured in the US) coming from the US. This has also been my experience.
I once bought a loose garnet, and was charged GST and PST when bringing it in to Canada.
I bought a diamond ring from Good Old Gold - same thing, federal and provincial sales tax only. In other words, the same taxes you'd have to pay if buying in Canada. No duty.

Tariff on US goods went into effect on 7/1. 25% on metal products and 10% on other goods. I don’t know exactly how duty is collected.

 

[pearaffair]

In my understanding, under NAFTA, there is no duty on cut stones (or rings manufactured in the US) coming from the US. This has also been my experience.
I once bought a loose garnet, and was charged GST and PST when bringing it in to Canada.
I bought a diamond ring from Good Old Gold - same thing, federal and provincial sales tax only. In other words, the same taxes you'd have to pay if buying in Canada. No duty.

Oh! Super!

Do they care about upgrades? Is the 3k usd budget with taxes? Where is he located?

No need or desire for upgrades. They live just outside of Calgary, Alberta.

No...no 1 carat PS quality diamond plus mount for $3k.
I think you already knew the answer to that. But we can get as close as we can to 1 carat with PS quality.

Is "K" color ok?

Haha ok yeah... you're right, I did know that! Let's settle for a 0.75-0.99ct then? I think sticking in the I/J range would be best considering that it's being set in white gold and most people that have never heard of PS would not be in love with a yellow-ish stone.

Tariff on US goods went into effect on 7/1. 25% on metal products and 10% on other goods. I don’t know exactly how duty is collected.

Yeah this seems pretty unavoidable! Thanks for the info!

 

[sledge]

I spot checked a few places in Canada. No duties. Always VAT. Sometimes PST, depending on specific location.

Does not appear to be affected by shipping a loose diamond, or actual e-ring.

https://www.jamesallen.com/tax-calculator/

 

[bcavitt]

25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products only. 10% on certain consumer goods (not jewelry).

https://www.fin.gc.ca/access/tt-it/cacsap-cmpcaa-1-eng.asp

 

[pearaffair]

What do you think of these two? Kind of like high vs low but still acceptable:

high: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4219295

low but still ok? : https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4328491

 

[pearaffair]

I spot checked a few places in Canada. No duties. Always VAT. Sometimes PST, depending on specific location.

Does not appear to be affected by shipping a loose diamond, or actual e-ring.

https://www.jamesallen.com/tax-calculator/

25% tariffs on steel and aluminum products only. 10% on certain consumer goods (not jewelry).

https://www.fin.gc.ca/access/tt-it/cacsap-cmpcaa-1-eng.asp

OH that's so helpful! Thank you! Plus in Alberta he won't pay PST so that's good

 

[Rpb]

I found this...
https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/728175213

 

[SimoneDi]

I posted this one a while back, still available: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5356218

 

[Garnetgirl]

More info here for changes to duties and tariffs as of 1/7/2018: tariffs on steel and aluminum. looks like jewellery may still be OK.....

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

 

[SimoneDi]

What do you think of these two? Kind of like high vs low but still acceptable:

high: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4219295

low but still ok? : https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4328491

The first one is a okay but the arrows are washed out. I don’t really like it.

The second one is a no - GIA/AGS only

 

[Rpb]

Another option...
https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/94829097

 

[BlingDreams]

I posted this one a while back, still available: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5356218

I can’t believe that’s a J!

 

[Garnetgirl]

Looks like other posters have found similar info. I'm just a slow typist...

 

[sledge]

I posted this one a while back, still available: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5356218

Good price. Nice angles and looks to be a high J. And fat arrows.

I'd put on hold, and request IS image while you continue to shop.

The first one is a okay but the arrows are washed out. I don’t really like it.

The second one is a no - GIA/AGS only

Ditto.

Another option...
https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/94829097

Not my favorite. Being GIA and funky rounding/averaging I'd like to see the pavilion a little steeper to offset the shallower crown.

 

[mrs-b]

This one is an SI1, but I suspect is eye clean:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

This is an SI2, if he wanted to risk it - but it's an I rather than a J, which I think is preferable:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

This is a bit smaller at .8ct, but it's an I VS2 and has a smaller table and fatter arrows:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

Smaller again at .78ct, but significant;y cheaper, an I color, and nice and clean for an SI1:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD10936037?refTab=DIAMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

I love the cut of the stone SimoneDi posted, but there's a strong brown tint in profile, so it might be pushing it. I would call it closer to a K than a J.

 

[sledge]

A few supers...

WF ACA 0.74ct H SI1, $2,935
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4019084.htm

WF ACA 0.743 I VS2, $2,989
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3660694.htm

WF ACA 0.758ct I VS2, $3,049
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3660693.htm

WF ACA 0.783ct H SI1, $3,088
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4019083.htm

WF ACA 0.744ct I SI1, $2,632
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3949675.htm


Not a typo....3 nearly identical stones at HPD:

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10170

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10220

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10235

 

[BlingDreams]

This is a bit smaller at .8ct, but it's an I VS2 and has a smaller table and fatter arrows:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

Smaller again at .78ct, but significant;y cheaper, an I color, and nice and clean for an SI1:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

I love these two. The top would probably be my choice due to the location of the .78's inclusions, but you really would be hard pressed to see them without a loupe; it would just be a mind-clean thing.

 

[BlingDreams]

A few supers...

WF ACA 0.74ct H SI1, $2,935
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4019084.htm

WF ACA 0.743 I VS2, $2,989
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3660694.htm

WF ACA 0.758ct I VS2, $3,049
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3660693.htm

WF ACA 0.783ct H SI1, $3,088
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4019083.htm

WF ACA 0.744ct I SI1, $2,632
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3949675.htm


Not a typo....3 nearly identical stones at HPD:

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10170

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10220

HPD/CBI 0.70ct I VS1, $3,016
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10235

There needs to be money left over for a setting. 3K max budget all in.

 

[mrs-b]

I love these two. The top would probably be my choice due to the location of the .78's inclusions, but you really would be hard pressed to see them without a loupe; it would just be a mind-clean thing.

I also think that for a guy looking for a 1ct stone, or for a girl expecting it, something in the .7 - .79 range is a tad underwhelming.

 

[sledge]

I also think that for a guy looking for a 1ct stone, or for a girl expecting it, something in the .7 - .79 range is a tad underwhelming.

Equally said, a $3k budget is a tad underwhelming to purchase a quality 1 carat stone.

There are ways to get there. Drop color. Increase budget (was told no). Drop cut requirements.

 

[BlingDreams]

@pearaffair - In order of wants, what are his? Best cut, higher color, higher clarity, higher carat?

I'm guessing he'd sacrifice cut quality for a bit more carat, I color or higher, and SI as long as it's clean?

 

[sledge]

There needs to be money left over for a setting. 3K max budget all in.

Couple WF stone with this setting? Below budget. Excellent stone, great vendor & super upgrade program when the time comes.

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7295-solitaire-engagement-ring-4031.htm

WF ACA 0.744ct I SI1, $2,632
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3949675.htm

 

[BlingDreams]

Couple WF stone with this setting? Below budget. Excellent stone, great vendor & super upgrade program when the time comes.

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7295-solitaire-engagement-ring-4031.htm

I personally think this is a great combo . @pearaffair - What about you?

One other thought is reaching out to IDJ. What kind of timeframe is he on? Does he have time for Yekutiel to try and work his magic? It wouldn't be ideal cut or the same upgrade policy, but it might be a bit larger.

 

[legend11]

It’s amazing how much the budget increases the more you look. I initially went in at 4-5k for the entire ring and ended up at $7800 when it was all said and done

Hopefully will feel like pennies over a lifetime

 

[legend11]

I also think that for a guy looking for a 1ct stone, or for a girl expecting it, something in the .7 - .79 range is a tad underwhelming.

Would you recommend at least .85 for something to not disappoint? Curious what the minimum someone could get away with who expecting a carat