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def51

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
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Hellow, my first post on pricescope.

I want to propose to my girlfriend in the coming month, and have yet to find a ring. I am very comfortable buying online (did a small sample comparison between local jeweler and online and online just seems better value for money) , and by googling I have stumbled upon this forum. My budget is not as large as many other here, but I nonetheless want to find the best diamond my money can buy.

- I have about 1000 dollars to spend (approx 750 euro).
- I know she likes a simple solitaire setting. (actually she mostly likes the one that tapers closer to the diamond, I will try to find a picture)
- I know she would not want the diamond to be too big (yes, it IS possible ;)

My first question centers around where to buy the diamond. Thing is, I am located in Antwerp, Belgium (maybe a bit ironic to buy online, as this is called the diamond capital of the world), so ordering in the USA brings along import taxes (I did the check on the JamesAllen website, and the cost of a 711 euro ring (987 dollar) would be 916 euro (1292 dollar) inc. taxes and shipping. That is quite a premium to buy oversees. The BlueNile website seems to be able to ship for free to Belgium, but seems a lot less higher regarded here on this forum (the lack of pictures etc.) What do you guys think is the best solution?

I would think about something like this:

http://be.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-colour-vs1-clarity_LD01439090?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=1


Anyone care to chime in for some help? Any other resputable Europe-bound online stores. Any US stores that can send diamonds to europe cheaper? Comments on the chosen diamond?

My second question is re. size. I am fearing that the .42 carat might be a bit big for her. Does anyone know of a picture of a similar size diamond ring on a hand?
 
Hi def,

It sounds like BN is the cheapest way to go. While yes, we like pics and such when buying sight unseen, it can be done without. (It's not that BN doesn't have nice diamonds, they do) I had a look and found a diamond I feel has "safer" numbers than the one you linked, since we can't get other info. This diamond should be very nice. And I don't think it would be too big, even for a gal who isn't into size.
2.gif


http://be.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-g-colour-vs2-clarity_LD01354533?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0#grading_report
 
Thanks Ellen!!

That seems to be a very nice diamond indeed! I entered the numbers in the Holloway Advisor and got 1,2 with everything excellent except for spread (very good).

Thanks again.
 
Date: 8/17/2009 11:10:01 AM
Author: def51
Thanks Ellen!!

That seems to be a very nice diamond indeed! I entered the numbers in the Holloway Advisor and got 1,2 with everything excellent except for spread (very good).

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Which is the best rating the very best cuts will get, so that''s just fine, in case you weren''t aware.
28.gif


You''re quite welcome, and if you have any other questions, just ask!
 
Date: 8/17/2009 11:03:40 AM
Author: Ellen
Hi def,

It sounds like BN is the cheapest way to go. While yes, we like pics and such when buying sight unseen, it can be done without. (It''s not that BN doesn''t have nice diamonds, they do) I had a look and found a diamond I feel has ''safer'' numbers than the one you linked, since we can''t get other info. This diamond should be very nice. And I don''t think it would be too big, even for a gal who isn''t into size.
2.gif


http://be.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-g-colour-vs2-clarity_LD01354533?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0#grading_report
Click to expand...
Nice pick El !
 
Fankies L!
 
LOL Ellen, I thought of Paul because I saw the beginning of OP''s link: be.bluenile...
 
Date: 8/17/2009 11:40:51 AM
Author: QueenMum
LOL Ellen, I thought of Paul because I saw the beginning of OP''s link: be.bluenile...
Click to expand...
Well, not only that, he clearly stated he was located in Antwerp, Belgium. Der.
9.gif
 
Date: 8/17/2009 9:51:58 AM
Author:def51
My first question centers around where to buy the diamond. Thing is, I am located in Antwerp, Belgium (maybe a bit ironic to buy online, as this is called the diamond capital of the world), so ordering in the USA brings along import taxes (I did the check on the JamesAllen website, and the cost of a 711 euro ring (987 dollar) would be 916 euro (1292 dollar) inc. taxes and shipping. That is quite a premium to buy oversees. The BlueNile website seems to be able to ship for free to Belgium, but seems a lot less higher regarded here on this forum (the lack of pictures etc.) What do you guys think is the best solution?
Click to expand...
Don''t use the tax calculator on JA''s website, I live in Belgium too and it isn''t accurate.
If you buy from JA: Diamond price + 21% VAT + duty (something about 2.5%)
If you buy from Bluenile Europe: Diamond price + 21% VAT
I''ve bought online and I''ve chosen JA, because of:
~ real diamond image
~ IdealScope pictures
~ upgrade policy
Bluenile doesn''t have all that.
I think all that is well worth 2.5% duty.
Now of course, why make things complicate when you know you are Paul''s neighbor.
 
I don’t know if Blue Nile in other countries are having the same sale but bluenile.ca has a 10% off till Aug 19 for build your own engagement rings. I would call them up and ask if they got the same deal for Bluenile UK!!!! 10% is a huge saving when you’re spending 1k as it could go towards offsetting any import fees!

EDIT: go try google for some blue nile coupon codes
1.gif
 
Aha, so two Antwerp contacts already! Earlier today I was going through the forum and also noticed http://www.bestdiamonds.co.uk/ from Dr. Indira Marchant. I have learned that Indira and a man named Wink both deal in Infinity Diamonds. It appears that Paul Slegers (which you mentioned) is the CEO of Infinity Diamonds. So, do you think Paul would deal directly with end clients? How are his diamonds price/quality wise compared to BN?

On a sidenote, I was dissapointed to learn that bestdiamonds are closed for the entire month of August. Not that they don''t deserve a nice holiday, but because I wanted to ask my girl within two weeks (as we leave for a trip to Canada). Hopefully Paul or Rob aren''t on a holiday. Are they both well regarded?

The BN pick by Ellen still looks tempting, but seeing the diamond beforehand also sounds tempting. I could always postpone the proposal for two weeks when we get back from Canada, but rather not :)
 
Aha and more importantly, do they deal in sub 1000 dollar diamonds?

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=diamond-search&sort=&order=&offset=&scope=global&search=1&shapes[]=1&price_from=0&price_to=1000&carat_from=0&carat_to=10&color_grade_from=1&color_grade_to=24&clarity_grade_from=12&clarity_grade_to=10&show_infinity=1&show_cut_grade[]=1&show_cut_grade[]=2&show_cut_grade[]=3&show_cut_grade[]=All&Submit=++++Search++++&limit=50

This search at Winks site for sub 1000 dollar Infinity diamonds returns nothing... The cheapest one on the website is 3000 dollars and I do not have that kind of money to spend now (we just bought a house...)
 
Date: 8/17/2009 6:05:37 PM
Author: def51
Aha, so two Antwerp contacts already! Earlier today I was going through the forum and also noticed http://www.bestdiamonds.co.uk/ from Dr. Indira Marchant. I have learned that Indira and a man named Wink both deal in Infinity Diamonds. It appears that Paul Slegers (which you mentioned) is the CEO of Infinity Diamonds. So, do you think Paul would deal directly with end clients? How are his diamonds price/quality wise compared to BN?

On a sidenote, I was dissapointed to learn that bestdiamonds are closed for the entire month of August. Not that they don''t deserve a nice holiday, but because I wanted to ask my girl within two weeks (as we leave for a trip to Canada). Hopefully Paul or Rob aren''t on a holiday. Are they both well regarded?

The BN pick by Ellen still looks tempting, but seeing the diamond beforehand also sounds tempting. I could always postpone the proposal for two weeks when we get back from Canada, but rather not :)
Click to expand...
I want to say I''ve read on here where he has met with someone before, but I don''t want to swear to it. It would not hurt to call and ask! His diamonds are very well cut, and therefore carry a bit of a premium. How the BN stone would compare to his, and if the difference would be extremely noticeable, I cannot say. Paul is very highly regarded, I don''t know who Rob is...

Wink is also very well regarded, you could ask him if he could get anything in, I''m sure they sell smaller diamonds, their inventory could just be low.
28.gif
 
Well we''ll see, I have sent a message to Infinity Diamonds. Let''s hope for the best.
 
Date: 8/17/2009 6:37:51 PM
Author: def51
Well we''ll see, I have sent a message to Infinity Diamonds. Let''s hope for the best.
Click to expand...
Will do, let us know how it goes.
 
What size of finger does your soon to be FI have? That can help us show you pictures of a solitaire close to your size with her finger size.

Also, just a thought. If you are traveling to Canada, what about having it shipped there instead from a Canadian online site?
 
If you are coming to Canada in two weeks I highly suggest you ship it to a FedEx holding station here and pick it up here instead and Bluenile.ca is offering the very generous 10% off discount too!!!!
 
I could ship it to a Fedex station in Canada (or Seattle, as we are flying to Seattle, and than take a trip to Banff and Jasper), but it would be quite difficult to keep it a surprise that way - unless I propose in the Fedex station, but that does not seem to be too romantic
2.gif
 
Her ring size is a US size 7. Anyone with hand shots of .3 / .4 / .5 carats?

Update: I just received a message from Dr. Indira Marchant that their rings start at 3000 euro upwards. So Infinity (or bestdiamonds anyway) does not seem to be an option anymore.
 

Update after email from Paul Slegers,


I had sent him a mail mentioning that I did not find any sub-3000 Infinity Diamonds online (and I mentioned PriceScope), but if he could help me out anyway. In his answer he acknowledged that they mainly focus on high-value diamonds, but be exception they have two smaller diamonds available. What do you think:

#4870, 0.39 Ct., H-VVS2 (as measured by Infinity, as this one comes without a report), medium fluorescence. $941.85 plus Tax (21 percent in Belgium) = 1138 dollar post tax. = 805 euro
#5630, 0.39 E-SI1, negligible fluorescence. ID page with report available tomorrow. $778.05 plus tax = 941 dollar post tax. = 666 euro post tax

For comparison:
-BN diamond that Ellen picked: 0.4, BN signature ideal cut, G colour, VS2 clarity, 1,2 holloway score. 732 euro post tax

Advantage of Infinity is of course that there will be no shipping costs...

nr 1: less inclusions, but more expensive, worse color, no report (but I see nothing but prais for infinity)
nr 2: with report, better color, but with more inclusions.

What would you do?
 
Date: 8/18/2009 9:24:30 AM
Author: def51

Update after email from Paul Slegers,



I had sent him a mail mentioning that I did not find any sub-3000 Infinity Diamonds online (and I mentioned PriceScope), but if he could help me out anyway. In his answer he acknowledged that they mainly focus on high-value diamonds, but be exception they have two smaller diamonds available. What do you think:

#4870, 0.39 Ct., H-VVS2 (as measured by Infinity, as this one comes without a report), medium fluorescence. $941.85 plus Tax (21 percent in Belgium) = 1138 dollar post tax. = 805 euro

#5630, 0.39 E-SI1, negligible fluorescence. ID page with report available tomorrow. $778.05 plus tax = 941 dollar post tax. = 666 euro post tax

For comparison:
-BN diamond that Ellen picked: 0.4, BN signature ideal cut, G colour, VS2 clarity, 1,2 holloway score. 732 euro post tax

Advantage of Infinity is of course that there will be no shipping costs...

nr 1: less inclusions, but more expensive, worse color, no report (but I see nothing but prais for infinity)
nr 2: with report, better color, but with more inclusions.

What would you do?
Click to expand...
If these diamonds are cut to Infinity standards or close to then personally I would definitely be interested.
 
Date: 8/18/2009 9:24:30 AM
Author: def51

Update after email from Paul Slegers,



I had sent him a mail mentioning that I did not find any sub-3000 Infinity Diamonds online (and I mentioned PriceScope), but if he could help me out anyway. In his answer he acknowledged that they mainly focus on high-value diamonds, but be exception they have two smaller diamonds available. What do you think:

#4870, 0.39 Ct., H-VVS2 (as measured by Infinity, as this one comes without a report), medium fluorescence. $941.85 plus Tax (21 percent in Belgium) = 1138 dollar post tax. = 805 euro

#5630, 0.39 E-SI1, negligible fluorescence. ID page with report available tomorrow. $778.05 plus tax = 941 dollar post tax. = 666 euro post tax

For comparison:
-BN diamond that Ellen picked: 0.4, BN signature ideal cut, G colour, VS2 clarity, 1,2 holloway score. 732 euro post tax

Advantage of Infinity is of course that there will be no shipping costs...

nr 1: less inclusions, but more expensive, worse color, no report (but I see nothing but prais for infinity)
nr 2: with report, better color, but with more inclusions.

What would you do?
Click to expand...
As long as Paul said the stone was eyeclean to your specifications, I would go with the E. "More inclusions" doesn''t automatically make a diamond bad! Just a fyi, I have a .58 stud that is SI1, and I can''t even find the inclusions with a loupe! So I would ask him to go over it in detail with you, he will be quite honest. See what he says.
28.gif
 
I agree with Ellen, you just need to ask :D
 
I contacted Paul. The SI1 diamonds is definitely eye-clean, and he can give me the measurements for the VVS2 diamond when we do a Sarin test when I visit him at his office. I will go there on thursday or friday.

Exciting!

The diamonds are however at the top-end scale or just above for their characteristics when I compare them to similar diamonds (based on the information I have now) on the PriceScope search engine.
 
Date: 8/18/2009 6:23:55 PM
Author: def51
I contacted Paul. The SI1 diamonds is definitely eye-clean, and he can give me the measurements for the VVS2 diamond when we do a Sarin test when I visit him at his office. I will go there on thursday or friday.

Exciting!

The diamonds are however at the top-end scale or just above for their characteristics when I compare them to similar diamonds (based on the information I have now) on the PriceScope search engine.
Click to expand...
Indeed! I''m so glad the E is eyeclean. Please let us know how it goes!
9.gif
 
I am visiting Paul at Infinity headquarters tommorow at 15h. The AGS graded diamond had been posted online, along with a slightly larger I1 diamond. They are both on hold.

=652:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=652
=655:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=655

Both diamonds have all images posted. What do you gals and guys think?? Any help is appreciated!!! The .39 stone that isn''t AGS graded but that has better stats is not online.

Thanks!!
 
I would say: trust your eyes and trust Paul.
Say hi to him tomorrow! (I live in Belgium too and went to Paul''s office several times.)
 
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