For the aussies

[sydney80]

Hi all -

Looking to get engaged at the end of the year, and throughout my e-ring research I came across this website (as well as a Vogue Australia forum) and have been reading both since. Anyway, crunch time is coming up and I''ll need to make a purchase over the next few months.

I''m looking to spend around AUD$15k (which is almost US$15k nowadays... different story a few years ago) and have pretty much narrowed my options to:

1) A ~1.0 carat ring from Tiffanys - specs would differ based on whatever I can get for $15k.
2) A ~1.0-1.25 carat ring from Canturi, or Cerrone (Australia designers) - again, specs based on $15k.
3) A ~1.5 carat, round, G, VS2, Ideal cut from Blue Nile set in Platinum.

With Option 1
Pros: Local tax (GST) included, I get to see the ring, comes in the blue box, from a reliable retailer, includes servicing (as limited as this benefit is).
Cons: Paying more and (physically) getting less.

With Option 2
Basically the same as Option 1, but more of a middle ground. (I''m only assuming they are generally cheaper than Tiffanys - I haven''t actually been inside, only searched their websites)

With Option 3 -
Pros: I get a lot more diamond for my buck, but don''t get to see it prior to offloading a huge sum of money.
Cons: Has to be shipped, plus I pay 5% Customs Duty on jewellry (waived on loose diamonds) and 10% GST on the whole purchase.

At first I was leaning heavily towards Option 3, but then I realised the customs and taxes would amount to an extra ~$2k, essentially reducing the diamond specs as $15k is really towards the upper end of my budget. Even so, I''m still leaning towards Blue Nile, which is why I have a few questions...

- For anyone else that has imported jewellry into Australia, are the customs duty and GST I listed correct? This is what I''m basing it on: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549
- Has anyone purchased from Blue Nile since they''ve started shipping to Australia? (only since February 08 I believe). If so, did everything go smoothly?
- Are there any other recommendations for retailers/jewellers in Sydney?

Thanks all in advance for your help!

 

[bling addict]

In this link here https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/importing-tax.82821/ some fellow aussies have fairly recently advised on the import tax on rings.

As for your options (very nice one's to have a might add!) - have you been to tiffany, and seen any particular design you like??? How much do you think your girlfriend values the blue box -- does she really love tiffany, or really love one of their particular designs??? You haven't mentioned whether you are thinking a round brilliant solitaire, or another design??? If it was me, and I was considering a round brilliant solitaire I would probably look to get more bang for my buck, if you are attracted to a particular design such as the Novo or Legacy, then you might want to stick with Tiffany.

I haven't seen Cerrone (I live in Melbourne) but I really love the Canturi designs!! Although they can be expensive, I saw in a magazine two different bands that I like that were both $6000 and made up of small diamonds - but the designs were fabulous! I don't know how the engagement rings are priced. But they have some gorgeous and unique designs!

If I was considering purchasing from overseas, I would look at some of the popular pricescope vendors such as Good Old Gold, and Whiteflash etc. They are able to offer a lot of information and photos. Good Old Gold will even video diamonds for you, so you can see them side by side. If you use the search tool here www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx and tick excellent excellent for cut you can search what vendors have on offer. You haven't specified what colour and clarity range you would be happy with, but I thought this one looks nice if it is eyeclean http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4339/ It is H, SI, H&A Tolkowsky cut diamond, 1.52 ct - $11, 668 bank wire price, which leaves enough money for a nice setting and the dreaded import taxes!

Anyways, best of luck with your search. I am sure that if you are considering buying online you could start a new post -- so that people who are not aussies will look at the ling - i'm sure people will be most happy to help and offer advice, but it may be useful to know if you what colour and clarity range you are happy with, what shape you like, and if you have any setting ideas.

Good Luck with the hunt - it will be fun!

 

[honey22]

Welcome fellow Aussie!!!!!!!

Ditto! I would definately go for Whiteflash or Good Old Gold and have them ship to Australia. You will get a better quality stone for less money, you won't regret it. As far as Tiffs goes, you can get a better cut stone without the premium associated with the little blue box.

I would stay away from Blue nile only because they don't have an upgrade policy and there have been some issues with their opinion of eyeclean.

I purchased from Whiteflash and had it shipped to me in Melbourne. I was a bundle of nerves, but when I saw that diamond I was BLOWN AWAY and knew instantly I did the right thing. I got a 0.8ct D VS2 ACA set in yellow gold Tiff setting and I saved thousands that what I would have spent here. I ended up paying around 15% taxes etc to get it in the country, but even then it was still cheaper. I paid all up $7k, which compared to quotes here for a similar ring (slightly less quality when it comes to cut) ranged from $10k up to an incredible $20k for the same thing. I was amazed!! I dealt with Lesley at Whiteflash and she in simply incredible. She held my hand through the whole process and I can't tell you how fantastic the level of service was.

To maximise your budget though, I would look for a stone that's just under the 1.5ct mark, say 1.4ish. You will save lots of $$$ dropping slightly under that magic mark where the price jumps dramatically and you won't be able to notice the difference.

What kind of setting are you looking at. Assuming you would like a Tiff replica, I think you could allow around the $11k mark for stone, $1k for setting and that would leave you enough for 15% taxes after conversion to US dollars (just note that I flunked maths every year I attempted it, so you might want to check those numbers).

Good luck with your search! Don't be freaked about purchasing from OS, you just can't go wrong if you buy an ideal cut stone, the diamond will be nothing short of amazing!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1050542.htm

 

[Deelight]

Looking at your options I think you may find it hard pressed to get a carat at tiffs for 15k (I could be so wrong) last time I inquired prices a .90ct H vvs2 Lucida was $19800 that was about a year ago. The prices for Tiff''s in Australia is quite high.

Canturi has some lovely pieces as well and the store in Brisbane the SA I spoke to was really nice, very helpful, I really love there gothic setting elegant simplicity. I can''t remember the prices though sorry

.

If you did decide to buy from the US (which I and my FF did) I would highly recomend GOG mainly because of the video''s which I personally found fantastic as I nor he would not get to see the stone for quite a while there are many excellent vendors here though that will provide you with a wealth of information .

My only other advice if your getting it from OS is to get it set by the vendor (even in a temp cheapie setting) you buy it from as insurance for loose stones here is to my knowledge not available and lots of places will not cover you to set your diamond in case of damage.

GL with your purchase

 

[sydney80]

Thanks all for the replies, you''ve definately eased my nervousness about continuing the search online. I only realised later that duty/tax had been discussed before - I think I missed it because I did a search on ''Australian'' and not ''Aussie''!

To clarify, I''m looking for a round brilliant solitaire in a fairly classic setting - the tiffany 6 prong seems like a good place to start. My girlf likes ''elegant'' jewellry - but to be honest, she''s way more practical than me and I don''t think she''d be bothered at all if the ring wasn''t branded. One of the reasons I''ll be marrying her!

As for the C''s I''ve been looking at: 1.25-1.5, G-H, VS2, and the best cut I can get under budget.

And with the Tiffanys ring - I''m pretty sure I saw a 1 carat at the store for around $15k, but it may have been of average specs.

Anyway I''m going to do a lot more research - and if I have some more questions I''ll be sure to post them up!

 

[honey22]

Great news! Did you check out that link I posted? I think it's exactly what you are looking for, in budget and an ACA to boot

Call Lesley and have a chat to her about it, have it set in their classic Tiff setting - stunning!!

Not sure if you want plat, wgold or ygold? ETA - sorry, just saw it's plat you are after.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Classic-tiffany-style-Knife-Edge_1137.htm

These are top of the line where cut is concerned - they are truly stunning diamonds. Great colour and clarity combo too! Don't forget to ask for the PS discount.

Also a word of warning, if you find a stone you are thinking about and post about it here, you should consider putting it on reserve, as there have been some lukers in the past who have snatched up stones while other people are posting about them.