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Does this sound alright for an e-ring? dont want to get ripped off!

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just_cass

Rough_Rock
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Apr 27, 2008
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Hey guys,

someone told me to post this under here, just asking for advise

my bf and I are ''looking'' at rings seriously/not seriously but just getting an idea? anyway we were in diamonds international today and saw a 18k white gold ring with a princess cut .54 diamond F/VS1 and also had fourteen sholder stones totaling .30.


It was originally AU$7980 but they are doning a sale at the moment for AU$4788.


Is this way over priced, or just ok? i really think its beautiful, and have already offered to pay half (i dont think he should have to pay for it all) but he doesnt want to hear it. so we have settled on 2/3 (him) and (1/3) me paying for it. I just dont want to get ripped off.



Thanks
Cass
 
This is a top quality F VS1 stone at $1677 with wire/pricescope discounts:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-160456.htm

A diamond setting just as an example $1350 in 18k wg:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Channel-Set-with-Princess-Diamonds_992.htm

Total: $3027

So yes, that price is WAY too high! And I would be doubtful the stone would be this quality. In fact, you could get a larger diamond of better quality for the money through WF.
 
One more thing. If you''d like a little larger stone, you can easily go to G color and VS2 clarity and still have a nice white stone especially in an ideal cut princess.
 
only problem is, i would like to buy from place in australia. do you know of any?
 
What does that work out at in US $ just_cass?

Diamonds and other gemstones are usually traded in US dollars so it''s easier to stick with one currency. I always translate GBP prices into $ here so it''s easier to compare apples with apples.
 
Date: 4/27/2008 7:26:07 PM
Author: just_cass
only problem is, i would like to buy from place in australia. do you know of any?
Click to expand...
Why do you want to buy in Australia?

I''m in the UK and buy all the time from the US, as do many other PSers.

As long as you have a trusted vendor (and I trust all the PS vendors) then it''s super easy and almost certainly a LOT cheaper!
 
the australia dollar has gotten stronger against the US dollar in the few months, so as it turns out, it is US$4,474.83

I like some of the other websites, but the problem is they are american and have to ship the diamonds/ring and i really dont want to do that distance! can anyone suggest any australia websites?
 
I don''t know if he can match these prices, but Garry Holloway would sell you a high quality stone and setting. Here is one of his sites. You may be able to email him and ask for more info on the location of his store. It might be called Holloway Diamonds, but I am not sure if the name has changed or not.

http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/index.html

There are people on this forum from Australia who have bought from US vendors, though.
 
So i did this on white flash, (although it does include shipping and insurance)

Eight beautifully detailed princess-cut diamonds (approx. 0.50ctw; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS) adorn this gorgeous channel-set engagement ring. Four-prong head will accommodate a center stone weighing 0.50 to 2.00cts. Width: 3.5mm tapering to 2.5mm. Platinum Content: 95% Pl 5% Ir. **Matching wedding band available (DN-1779wb)**
Ring - Remove
Channel-Set with Princess Diamonds
ItemCode: DN-1779e
Size: 5.00
Price: $1,656.00

0.55 ct F VS1 A Cut Above Princess
$1,765.00 Item Available - Ready to ship



Item Code: AGS-7819702
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above Princess
. Carat: 0.550
. Depth %: 73.8
. Table %: 71.9
. Crown Angle: 40.6
. Crown %: 10.7
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 60.3
. Girdle: Thin to Medium
. Measurements: 4.49-4.47X3.30
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

0.55 carat A Cut Above Princess Diamond
Price: $1,765.00
Price: $3,421.00
Shipping Shipping (FedEx Priority Overnight®)
1 business day (M-F)
NOT for: International shipping Free
Subtotal $3,421.00
Sales Tax $0.00
TOTAL $3,421.00

The total cost Australian is AU$3655

 
Your diamond and setting sound beautiful! I have a princess cut engagement ring from Whiteflash, and it is spectacular (ACA cut, G, VS1, 0.5c)

I live in Australia and I understand your concern about having a ring shipped from the other side of the world. I was very nervous too. After doing some research, the prices offered by US vendors were just too good compared to what I could get locally. The quality of my ring, compared to local B & M stores'' stock is like chalk and cheese.

The only advice I can give is don''t forget to add 10% GST onto the purchase price and allow a little extra for customs charges (to be paid once the ring arrives in Australia). I paid around $600 for shipping, GST and customs for my ring (similarly priced to yours).
 
Hi just_cass,

I guess their are a few things I can add.

My first impression is that the "original price" is over-priced, but that the "special price" is actually the real price and is quite reasonable. You can definitely spend less buying overseas, but it really comes down to a personal preference. For me, buying an engagement ring was about finding the perfect ring and I absolutely needed to handle it in person at a B&M in Australia. Buying a camera, on the otherhand, I wouldn''t hesitate to buy OS and save money.

Anyway, so the ~$5k price seems comparable to other prices I''ve seen... the important thing is the setting, for me anyway. You can find a good diamond at any shop as long as they are prepared to order in alternatives etc... but the setting is dependent on the jeweller. I paid a premium to buy a setting from Jason Ree in Sydney. To describe it just sounds like every other 4 prong platinum setting, however to hold showed that it was not like any other ring I have seen before or since.

Just my two cents :)

James
 
Date: 4/28/2008 1:21:58 AM
Author: jfitzell
Hi just_cass,


I guess their are a few things I can add.


My first impression is that the ''original price'' is over-priced, but that the ''special price'' is actually the real price and is quite reasonable. You can definitely spend less buying overseas, but it really comes down to a personal preference. For me, buying an engagement ring was about finding the perfect ring and I absolutely needed to handle it in person at a B&M in Australia. Buying a camera, on the otherhand, I wouldn''t hesitate to buy OS and save money.


Anyway, so the ~$5k price seems comparable to other prices I''ve seen... the important thing is the setting, for me anyway. You can find a good diamond at any shop as long as they are prepared to order in alternatives etc... but the setting is dependent on the jeweller. I paid a premium to buy a setting from Jason Ree in Sydney. To describe it just sounds like every other 4 prong platinum setting, however to hold showed that it was not like any other ring I have seen before or since.


Just my two cents :)


James
Click to expand...

You have no way of knowing whether this is a good price or not without the specs for the diamonds. There is a massive difference in price between a poorly cut stone and an ideal cut stone. It may seem comparable to others you have seen in Australia, but that does not mean you are getting a top quality stone or setting. You could be getting a poor cut stone with a massive markup for that price. I had so much trouble finding really well cut stones here in Australia, and when I did, the prices were pretty steep.

The ACA you posted is a branded stone, one of the best cuts available. It can''t be compared to another stone without all the specs, details etc.

A lot of Aussies come here and say that they can pay the same price in Aust, so why go overseas, but the quality isn''t the same. To get the same quality as these ideal cuts from PS vendors, you will pay $$$$ more.

I live in Melboure and purchased my ering from WF in the US. I paid $7000 including shipping and taxes etc. I did some research at many stores here in Melbourne (both online and B&M) and for a stone of similar cut (ie. AGS Ideal standards), colour, clarity, size etc, I could expect to pay anywhere from $10k - 21k!!!!! The prices are just crazy and I couldn''t get the quality of a superideal cut RB. I am thrilled with my ACA (round brilliant) from WF, and wouldn''t hesitate to purchase from them again!

So, obviously going with WF or GOG, is the best way to maximise your budget, but if you are set on buying from a B&M store, try Precious Metals (Gary Holloway''s stores) - they specialise in ideal cut stones, they are stunning. You will pay a bit extra for the service, but you can see the stones in real life etc. He developed the HCA (cut adviser tool for RBs) and Idealscope, he knows his stuff.

Many PSers are Aussies that have purchased from OS - do a quick search and you will find heaps of info. Good luck
 
Hey Just Cass,
as usual I agreen with honey22!
I am also an aussie who has recentky purchased online from the US (GOG) - it was The Easiest retail transaction i have ever had, and I''ll never purchase differently for diamonds again. I''ve never been impressed with the prices or quality in Aus, and apart from maybe Holloway''s, the websites are also generally rubbish at this stage.
Sorry, just sad but true!

If the only thing that has you worried about buying from US is the distance, no need to be concerned - fedex is all insured and mine got here in a couple of days - no stress at all.
 
I believe that the savings from buying os are not make believe!!! I am also an Aussie!!!! From my very limited experience, a better cut diamond here attracts a massive premium. Unlike in America where you can get an ideal for just a bit more $, here its like you are suddenly buying the crown jewels!!! And wee dont have the luxury of as much to choose from as the market is much smaller here.

The only problem that I can see is if the diamond needed to be returned. I think it would be a nightmare to get the taxes back. However, I think there would be enough info. on a loose diamond for the buyer to be sure sight unseen. However, I would be nervous buying a made up ring from OS, as more can go wrong.
 
Date: 4/27/2008 7:39:39 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I don't know if he can match these prices, but Garry Holloway would sell you a high quality stone and setting. Here is one of his sites. You may be able to email him and ask for more info on the location of his store. It might be called Holloway Diamonds, but I am not sure if the name has changed or not.

http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/index.html

There are people on this forum from Australia who have bought from US vendors, though.
Click to expand...
Here is the link to Garry's store, http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/
 
hey

thanks guys for taking the time to reply to my thread!

I realised that diamonds international is definitely way over priced and their second price is definitely more a reasonable price. I did the calculation and shipping it from overseas would be just a little under what i am going to pay for at DI. plus i really love the setting, its not too thick, its not to high, the stone''s not to large, at sparkles something beautiful! i just love it.

But i dont want to be naive and just buy it for the first one we see.

i appreicate your comments, im sorry im not as confident to purchase overseas, i just really like the idea of having it phyical there as you pay for it.

any other comments you have i would love to hear back about.

Thanks again!
 
If you have your heart set on the DI diamond they advertise not to be beaten on price and they will most likely negotiate under their sale prices as well :).

I always like to look at diamonds in B&M's with my hand over the top of the diamond blocking out the strong overhead lighting it does give you a little better of an idea of what it might look like in IRL also if possible (depends on which location you are at) ask them to view it in different lighting conditions like near a window etc and see how the diamond preforms.

GL with your purchase
 
^ hey thanks for the tips i will definately do that! im ill suggest to my partner you keep talking them down.
 
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