Help please for a newbie diamond buyer

[happilyeverafter]

Hi fellow PS''ers, i''ve been reading this website for many weeks now but this is my first post (I hope it works!) I plan to buy an ACA from Whiteflash, and i''ve educated myself, or actually you''ve educated me

on all the elements of a great diamond. However, i''ve seen many posts that say you just have to see a diamond in person. I do not have the option of going to see the diamond in person before the purchase (i''m in Canada). My question is, would you recommend...

1) buying the diamond first based on online specs and convo with the rep, then having it shipped to my home to view in person, and then ship back to have it set

or

2) buying the diamond based on online specs and convo with the rep, having it set, and then have it sent to me?

I''m somewhat impatient

at the thought of waiting for my ring (it''s to be my ering), so even tho i''m sure viewing the diamond first is the best way to go i''m not sure I can hold out, unless the consensus is that I should. Sorry for the long post - what do you think?

PS The diamond would be an ACA RB, I-J, SI1-SI2, approx 1.25 carats

 

[kcoursolle]

I don''t see any reason to go through two steps if you are buying from a great company like wf who sells extremely beautiful stones. Given the shipping to Canada, I would probably trust their opinion of the stone and have them make the setting and set it and then ship it to you.

 

[JenStone]

I second what kcoursolle said. Respectable vendors will be more than happy to send you pictures, and even movies! And with all their happy customers, you can trust that they have good eyes and will choose the best diamond for you.

 

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks kcoursolle and JenStone, that''s what I was hoping someone would say. I really didn''t want to wait if I didn''t have to!

 

[Ellen]

I wouldn''t recommend this with just any vendor and diamond, but yes, with an ACA you can just set it and forget it.

 

[Gypsy]

To clarify, we are most likely to push someone to see a diamond in person when : a) it is a fancy shaped diamond (anything other than a Round or an AGS 000 Princess) and b) there is no Atest, magnified pictures, Idealscope, and Sarin etc. With a round from Whiteflash. You are fine with the information they provide and their eye.

 

[MWG]

Never met an ACA that I didnt like.....*S*

MWG

 

[mela lu]

Date: 6/11/2007 3:19:16 PM
Author: Ellen
I wouldn''t recommend this with just any vendor and diamond, but yes, with an ACA you can just set it and forget it.

That killed me - I''m laughing so hard. LOL hahah.

I agree with everyone. I''m in Canadia and just purchased from WF too. I think that any ACA stone will be puuurdy - but make sure that if you have any ''special'' requests that you get your rep to pay special attention. For example, I wanted a wee table and lots of fire - so I made her describe the kind of light and sparkle and where she was seeing it.

Otherwise, I say go for it!!

One more important PS. if you have WF send you the stone loose, you only pay the GST and PST, not the EXTRA 10% luxury tax. I did this and I''m having my jeweler set it as we speak. Think about it - from 14% tax to a whopping 24%! eek.

GL!

 

[pricescope]

You should check on this luxury tax, i have heard here on the boards it''s not existent anymore a year ago but can''t tell for sure - i don''t buy luxury

 

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks for all your comments, you make me feel much better about buying online without seeing the stone!

I had called my local Customs Border office and they said the only tax i''d pay is GST and PST, if it was made in the USA. Hopefully that''s correct info! An additional 10% would cut into my budget and shrink my diamond

MWG: I totally agree with that (tho never seen in person, only PS''ers lovely pics). I was all about the Asscher until i saw the ACA and fell in love

 

[mela lu]

yes. you are right that the "luxury" tax was lifted over a year ago...but the guy at Canada Borders told me that a ring was subject to another 10% duty, where as a loose gem was not.

That''s what I was told last week anyways.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 6/11/2007 5:09:27 PM
Author: mela lu
yes. you are right that the ''luxury'' tax was lifted over a year ago...but the guy at Canada Borders told me that a ring was subject to another 10% duty, where as a loose gem was not.


That''s what I was told last week anyways.

To clarify, does that mean that it might be cheaper to buy the stone loose from WF and have a jeweler set it in Canada?

 

[happilyeverafter]

I called the border office again just now to question them about the extra tax (don''t want no suprises here!) and they told me that as long as the ring was made in the US that there would be no taxes besides GST and PST. He said it was the same for every province. Geez, you think they would provide consistent information to people!

How confusing this all is. At least the dollar is good and WF includes shipping in their prices!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/11/2007 4:41:15 PM
Author: mela lu

Date: 6/11/2007 3:19:16 PM
Author: Ellen
I wouldn''t recommend this with just any vendor and diamond, but yes, with an ACA you can just set it and forget it.

That killed me - I''m laughing so hard. LOL hahah.

I''m just glad somebody got it. After posting, I was like, watch no one get it and think, what''s so funny about that?!