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abbs

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
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hi there,
My partner and i are in need of some assitance we were wondering if someone could help us with this particular diamond is it any good? we were told to look out for the dimensions are the dimensions on this stone to standards? also it is priced at $5,900AUD please help us.

Carat 1.06
Colour F
Clarity SI1
Total Depth 0.00
Pavilion Depth 0.00
Table 61.00
Dimensions 6.68*6.65*3.91
Crown Angle 0.00
Pavilion Angle 0.00
Girdle TN-M
Culet PTD
Fluorescence N
Lustre
Polish VG
Symmetry G
Cut EX
Report IGI
 
Date: 4/6/2008 5:38:26 AM
Author:abbs
hi there,
My partner and i are in need of some assitance we were wondering if someone could help us with this particular diamond is it any good? we were told to look out for the dimensions are the dimensions on this stone to standards? also it is priced at $5,900AUD please help us.

Carat 1.06
Colour F
Clarity SI1
Total Depth 0.00
Pavilion Depth 0.00
Table 61.00
Dimensions 6.68*6.65*3.91
Crown Angle 0.00
Pavilion Angle 0.00
Girdle TN-M
Culet PTD
Fluorescence N
Lustre
Polish VG
Symmetry G
Cut EX
Report IGI
Click to expand...
Hello abbs!

We need more info such as the depth, crown and pavillion angles to help you, but if the table measurement is correct, then it is a bit larger than we normally see here, smaller tables are generally preferred. Have you actually seen this diamond and like it? Also here is some info on IGI reports, GIA and AGS are considered to be the premier labs.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp
 
thanks for your response we are a young couple living in australia and are looking for a 1 ct diamond. What should we look out for can you give me a rough idea of some good dimensions we know about clarity and color its the dimensions we need help with. Why is it so important the dimensions are good? do you know any good suppliers? we are looking to spend at maxium $6.000aud we have recently been dealing with diamond exchange (australia) do you know anything about them they seem to be so much cheaper and that as me a little worried. please help :)
 
Date: 4/6/2008 7:20:48 AM
Author: abbs
thanks for your response we are a young couple living in australia and are looking for a 1 ct diamond. What should we look out for can you give me a rough idea of some good dimensions we know about clarity and color its the dimensions we need help with. Why is it so important the dimensions are good? do you know any good suppliers? we are looking to spend at maxium $6.000aud we have recently been dealing with diamond exchange (australia) do you know anything about them they seem to be so much cheaper and that as me a little worried. please help :)
Click to expand...
The dimensions are so important, because it is cut quality which makes a diamond beautiful, not colour and clarity so much. If you like, read the advanced tutorial here http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ , to get the basics on why cut matters if you want a gorgeous diamond.

As you are in Oz, I can suggest you try Garry Holloway who's company is http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/ He is in Melbourne if I remember rightly, but wherever you are, it would be well worth your time in contacting him.

Here are some dimensions you can use if you need them.

depth 60 - 62.6 ( my maximum preference)

table - 54- 57

crown angle - 34- 35

pavilion angle 40.6- 41 ( please make sure further evaluation is given to diamonds on the shallower end 34/ 40.6 and steeper 35/ 41 to make sure they are complementary for that particular diamond.
girdle - thin to slightly thick, medium, slightly thin, avoid thick, extremely thick

polish and symmetry - excellent to ideal is often preferred. These proportions are suggestions only which may help you, a skilled vendor can suggest suitable diamonds which may be a bit outside of these ranges, so keep an open mind.

Often it can make it easier to search for diamonds, to ask for a vendor to bring in AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade, as this makes finding a well cut diamond easier.
 
Hi abbs, welcome to PS!
I am also an australian and there a number of others on here such as Deelight and Honey22 - if your interested you can look up our threads as most of us have recently purchased diamonds - all through online vendors that we found through using PS.
I will tell you the same thing that I tell most Aussies that I meet on here - personally I wouldn''t bother with buying in Oz - I know it souns negative but for some reason we seem to have one of the most expensive markets in the world, plus the majority of sellers are not up to scratch on their diamond education. For the most part we seem to be very behind the times as far as ideal cut diamonds go. I''m sorry, sad but true!As mentioned by Lorelei, Garry Holloway is an exception, but unless you''re in Melbourne may be inconvenient.

Seeing as you seem open to shopping over the internet and have been looking at Diamondexchange, I will seriously urge you to consider making your purchase from one of the vendors that are popular and held in high regard on PS - either WhiteFlash or Good Old Gold. I had an unpleasant experience with D.Exchange when I first started my search and wouldn''t suggest anyone use them.
If you do a quick search on here for WF or GOG you will find a TON of info on how well liked and trusted they are here. Infact some of the staff from both vendors are regular valuable contributors to the board.

I am a young Aussie aswell and know how daunting this experience can seem, however doing your research through PS and using a recommended vendor, it can actually be a fun and educative exercise - not to mention saving you a bunch of money and getting a SUPERIOR diamond!!
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I have just recently finalized my purchase through GOG and am eagerly waiting its arrival - yay! I will be happy to help as much as I can with any queries you may have about buying online, and Honey22 and myself can fill you in about how it works having to pay GST etc..I''m sure the other aussies and PS''ers will be more than happy to assist you aswell!
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If you''re not really sure what you want yet, a great place to start are the tutorials on GOG website http://www.goodoldgold.com/. See what you''re preferences are for the 4 c''s and your pricerange, then if you post them you can ask for people to help you find the best stones that match your preferences.
Its amazing the amount of knowledge that is available here on PS, and everyone is very happy to assist when ever you ask - I know you will get a ton of help here, and I wish you well for your search in your perfect diamond ring!

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AJ
 

hi,


Thanks for the replys im so confused i found this diamond what do you guys think of this one? its rougly about $6.500 is that too much?

Colour G Carat 1.02
Clarity SI1
Total Depth 60.10
Pavilion Depth 43.00
Table 57.00
Dimensions 6.57*6.54*3.94
Crown Angle 34.00
Pavilion Angle 40.80
Girdle tn - med
Culet n
Fluorescence Faint
Lustre
Polish EX
Symmetry EX
Cut ID H&A
Report GIA
 
or what about this one?


Carat 1.09
Colour G
Clarity SI1
Total Depth 61.40
Pavilion Depth 42.60
Table 56.90
Dimensions 6.61
Crown Angle 35.00
Pavilion Angle 40.50
Girdle 2
Culet NN
Fluorescence Strong
Lustre VG
Polish EX
Symmetry EX
Cut ICE Ideal
Report MGR*



















 
Hello fellow Aussie
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As arjunajane said, you will be better off trying WF or GOG in the US and have the ring shipped here. I was working with Diamond exchange, and had problems too (can search my posts for details) but basically I tried to get a few diamonds from them, but by the time I got the info they were sold as the majority of them are kept overseas. Also, their settings were rather cheap looking in my opinion. I was referred to their jeweller to have a simple solitaire made in yellow gold (their stock one was too thick looking), and it was going to cost $1000, a bit steep considering I can go overseas for less than that and get a gorgeous, quality setting.

You want to buy the best cut diamond you can, and from Diamond exchange, these would be the Ice Ideal H&A range, so if you are still set on buying there, I would only look at those stones with GIA or AGS certificates. Trouble is with this, these stones are mostly overseas, so that''s the above problems start. Yes, you can get nice stones but in my opinion it''s a bit of a risk. When I first contacted them I was told I could get IS images for the stones, and then when I was seriously looking at contenders I was told I couldn''t have these images as they didn''t have them for stones kept overseas.

Also, keep in mind that you will need to pay GST and customs duties on the ring, so I spent $7k all up, but $950 of this was import taxes. Don''t panic, this sounds like a lot, but you will STILL get a better diamond at a better price online. You will have to pay GST on a ring in Aust anyway, so it''s not like its an extra cost.

I was quoted in the realm of $8500 - $21000 in Melbourne for a stone with my specs set in a similar setting. Mind bogglling I know! The lower end of this quote was for stones that were not as well cut as mine anyway, so I am thrilled with my ACA from WF.

Don''t bother about getting a loose diamond shipped here, no-one will insure it for the setting process. It''s only insured when set, so if you even just get a cheaper temporary setting, you can change it over later in Australia if you want, but again, it will be cheaper if you do it all OS.

So, (getting to the point sometime tonight), I would probably suggest a killer stone from GOG or WF. I will head off to search for some really nice rocks.
 
Ok, I am assuming $6000 is for the stone alone (remember Diamond exchange prices are NOT including GST, so that stone you posted would be 10% more).

You can't get a loose stone insured in Aust, so it would be worth considering putting it in a simple setting and having it shipped, that way it will be insured for you.

$6000 AUS - $5500US approx, you need to allow about $500 for taxes on a loose stone I believe, but you will need to check this).

How about these stones, they are a bit over the budget. The stone you posted is cheaper than these as it's not as well cut. These stones will be sparklier and outshine the poorly cut stones, so you can even think about dropping down a colour grade or two and still have a stunning stone. At first it looks like these are not as good, but I really think these will blow the ones you posted out of the water.

Don't forget to ask for the PS discount, it's around the 5% mark I believe. You can pay with Paypal too with WF if you need to use your credit card.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-684394.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636621.htm

These are from their expert selection, still gorgeous stones, but just miss out on their signature category (ACA)

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-680233.htm


http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-680221.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-513827.htm (bit over budget)

If you have a stone set in Aust, it will cost you around the $1000 dollar mark for a simple white gold or yellow gold setting, platinum is even higher, so I would suggest you think about putting some extra dollars into getting the stone set OS.

ETA - need to check if eyeclean!
 
GOG offerings (yummy)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3755/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3893/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4103/ (this looks good in terms of budget, and colour clarity combo)


Okay, these is a few more, but I think you can just digest all this info and have a think about it. Then if you are still keen of purchasing from an online vendor, we can start really picking the best of the best, these are all just suggestions

To get a really well cut stone, your budget isn''t really going to stretch for a full carat in the colour range you are looking at.
You can drop down colour (and if you are not colour sensitive, these will be fine) or go for a stone that is just under the 1ct mark. You are not going to notice the slight size difference but you will notice the jump in price from the 0.9ct range to the full carat. In my opinion, that jump isn''s worth sacrificing cut.

Good luck, hope my ramblings havn''t put you off, I just get a little excited when I see another Aussie on the hunt for a sparkly. I was soooooooo nervous about purchasing online from the states, but as soon as I opened that little box I was BLOWN away! Hands down better than any diamond I had seen here, and I knew that I had made the right decision. If you are considering WF, have a chat to Lesley, she is amazing, she will hold your hand the whole way through!
 
Hi abbs! I am so glad you are talking to Lesley, she is totally awesome to work with. Tell her honey22 says hi!! I really think you making the right decision, it's a bit nerve racking but it will be all worth it when you have that ACA on your finger (and your friends will be jealous!!)

That stone is an ACA, so one of their top cuts. Mine sparkles like mad, so you will be very impressed with it, trust me. Especially if you havn't seen any ideal cut stones in real life, they are really quite mesmerising.

One thing with that stone, I would ask Lesley if it's eyeclean or not, I am not sure if it will be. That is, if you can see the inclusions with the naked eye. You will need to decide what level of eyecleanliness YOU want. You may be happy with a few small visible inclusions in order to get the size you want, or you may only want a totally eyeclean stone. Lesley will be totally honest about this, so you can trust WF when they give you their opinion.

It's all very exciting hey! Keep us posted!

ETA - what have you decided about the setting? Have you got something in mind. Some of us PSers have WAY too much time on our hands, and love finding settings too
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Yep, totally addicted
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Hi Honey22,

I am Michael, Abbeys partner. Thank you for all your help with the diamond we both really apreciate it. In regards to the diamond Abbey chose, I have worked out that, after import tax,
insurance and currency exchange it works out to be around the same price as a Diamond Exchange one.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=636621#

http://www.diamondexchange.com.au/catalog/diamond_info.php?&catnum=DC79869

I am no expert but the diamond exchange stone looks to be cut slightly better, is there
anything else I need to be careful with with MDX? I have heard from here they can be abit dodgy.

Michael
 
If i didn''t have to pay the import tax I would deal with GOG and WF as well!
 
Hi Michael,

I''m happy to help!

Like diamondseeker said, that stone looks fine.

I am a tad neurotic, so I would prefer to have a branded cut like Ice Ideal or ACA. But that''s just my personal preference for mindclean issues. That stone will still be gorgeous.

I guess I was just put off with MDX. I was actually going to pull the trigger on a few stones from them, but they just kept getting sold before I could get the requested info. Then the settings I saw were not up to my standards in my opinion, so I would have to get their recommended jeweller to set it. In the end the perfect stone came up from WF and I went with it.

Can you get an IS image for that stone and post it here? If the IS is great, I would say take that one. If the IS image isn''t so hot, then maybe go for the ACA?

Remember that you will need to pay GST on that MDX price too (many have been caught out) and if you don''t have MDX or their recommended jeweller set it, it will not be insured for the setting process.

It''s totally up to you, both are going to well very sparkly gorgeous diamonds!
 
Hi Honey,

What do you mean with the insurance?
My jeweller said he would set the Stone for me and make a ring with grannet diamonds on the band for $1000.

I am aware with the GST thats cool, I will Email MDX and ask for all the information.
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See how we go! so you are saying this stone is cheaper because it was not cut by ice ideal?
 
If you buy a stone loose and then take it to another jeweller to have it set, 99% of the time that jeweller will not take resposibility for that stone. So, in the unlikley (but possible) event that the stone is chipped or damaged during setting, you will have to pay for another one. You can't find insurance to cover a loose stone in Australia either (MDX has some form of insurance, but it's quite pricey and restrictive).

However, if you get the stone set at the same place you bought it (MDX will send you to their jeweller if you want anything but a stock setting and they will cover that jeweller), they will cover the stone for chipping damages etc.

I personally wouldn't want to risk $6-7k by having the stone set by someone else, it's just not worth it.

To get around this problem, you can have MDX set the stone in their cheapest setting, insure the whole ring through your homeowners insurance and then have it reset into another setting, this will be covered. Or, have MDX refer you direct to their jeweller and he will design a setting for you. I personally found their bands too thick and the prongs a bit chunky looking, but I really love the thin dainty looking bands, it suited my 0.8ct stone.

To answer the question about price, Ice Ideal is their signature range, ideal cut RBs that display true H&A (although without hearts and arrows images and IS images, the integrity of this range can't be proven). As for any branded cut there is a premium associated with them. That's why ACAs are slightly more expensive than unbranded H&As. It might be worth it to do a direct comparison to see if you are really getting a better deal. Look at stones that are Ice Ideal H&A and compare these to ACAs, I think this is a better comparison. If you want to compare ubranded ideal cuts, compare Ideal H&A from MDX with Ideal cut stones from WF.
 
Hey Guys

I attached one of the pics if it worked have a look and let me know what you think. I agreewith you honey about mdx ring desings they are to thick i will send you another pic of what im looking for.

Asset%20-%20DC79869[1].jpg
 
these are the other pictures

Idealscope%20-%20DC79869[1].jpg
 
I will be honest, I am not sure about how to read ASET images, and the IS images looks a little different to those I am used to seeing her on PS, so I will let others comment. Hopefully Gary (Cut Nut) will chime in and give an opinion. He invented the IS so there is no-one better to comment than him!

BTW the arrows look great! I think you are certainly on the right track. I am just not great with interpreting IS images.

Have you any idea of what type of metal, setting etc you are thinking of?
 
Hi Abbs and Michael,
I just wanted to check back in and see how our fellow aussies are doing!
I can see that you guys seem set on buying from MDX, and thats totally cool..I would just say that Honey has given you some great advice, and it might pay to think a little longer...
Liike mentioned, their settings aren''t very nice - infact personally I couldn''t find one on their site that I liked. So if you buy the diamond from them and then take it elsewhere to be set, I will bet my Fiance that that jeweller won''t cover your diamond while setting it!
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It seems like you''re having an ok time getting help from MDX, however I will just add my 0.02 and say that i Really had a hard time getting any decent help from their SA''s - infact one even gave me such attitude it warranted an apology from her superior..I''m not saying this is representative of the company, however I will say that from the tons of reports i have read back from WF and GOG there is neary a report of bad service in sight. Infact that is their strengths.

I understand your hesitation about the taxes etc, it does sound like abit upfront. However like Honey said, we all seem to forget that we need to pay GST when we buy at home anyway - so all you''re really paying different is 5% duty and shipping.
I decided to purchase my ering o''seas about 3yrs ago - I had never heard of PS then, but just doing a tiny bit of research I knew I could get a better deal then buying at home. I actually got stung for the GST on the way back through customs, which I wasn''t expecting. However after comparing rings with the same specs all over town back home, i had still gotten a better deal even after paying $400 GST! (and this was Bangkok).
I''m a real stickler for getting my value for money, and after doing the research and crunchig the numbers over and over I decided this time to buy from the US, and haven''t looked back. I am sooo excited to know that I am going to have an ideal square cut diamond that nobody else in my state has! The closest thing I could find was an inferior cut for about 40% more cost.

However, I''m rambling. Like I said if you guys decide MDX is the way to go and they can give you a good choice of quality diamonds with the level of info you feel comfortable with, then fantastic
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Just be a lil careful with getting the setting separate.
I''m sure whatever you decide we''ll be happy to continue helping
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And I just have to add, Honey22 you have made some very good and informative posts here, you''re such a champ!
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Hi Jane,

I have deceided I will purchase the diamond from lesley.

Just a few questions in regards to tax.
Aparntly if you order just a loose stone you have to pay gst when it arrives to customs, compared to if you set it in a ring is this correct? Also i''ve been told that a jeweler is covered for insurance if the diamond is in a ring
to make a new ring and re-set it.
So is it best to put the diamond into a cheap ring for tax purposes? I don''t believe we could get the ring made oversea''s as abbey would never be able to describe what she would like 100%. Thank you all for your help once again
and sorry about the spelling and grammer i''m really tired hehehe.
 
Date: 4/9/2008 6:56:50 AM
Author: Michael24
Hi Jane,

I have deceided I will purchase the diamond from lesley.

Just a few questions in regards to tax.
Aparntly if you order just a loose stone you have to pay gst when it arrives to customs, compared to if you set it in a ring is this correct? Also i''ve been told that a jeweler is covered for insurance if the diamond is in a ring
to make a new ring and re-set it.
So is it best to put the diamond into a cheap ring for tax purposes? I don''t believe we could get the ring made oversea''s as abbey would never be able to describe what she would like 100%. Thank you all for your help once again
and sorry about the spelling and grammer i''m really tired hehehe.
Click to expand...
Hey there! I am really really glad you are deciding to work with Lesley. I will bet my own ACA (
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did I actually say that!) that you will not be sorry!!

The rates are different if you have a loose stone sent, it may be cheaper but then it''s not insured at all from the time in lands in your hot little hands. No one in Australia will insure it unless you have it set (this is as easy as picking the cheapest setting from WF), yes you will pay taxes on that, but IMHO it''s just not worth having a stone worth thousands un-insured. You can then find a jeweller who will make Abbey''s custom setting, but if you insure the original ring through your homeowners insurace, then you can swap the stone into a new setting and it will still be insured, you will just need to update your details with your insurer.

You would be suprised what WF can come up with from across thousands of miles. If you have some pics you can send them to Lesley and they will create what''s called a CAD, which is basically a computer generated image of your design. They will email you those CADs and you can make changes and alterations etc. They will then cast a wax model of your ring so you will know what it looks like, and you can make changes at this stage I believe if it''s not what you wanted. Then they will go ahead and make the actualy ring, so you really can be assured what it will look like. Lesley in incredibly patient (trust me! I was sending novel-length word docs trying to explain a simple solitaire for pete''s sake), and she will really help you with pics and examples to help you make Abbeys dream ring come to life. She will direct you to photos on the WF website of different bands, heads, etc to see what elements you do and don''t like. I have even seen a time when a PSer was posting for opinions about the head of her ring, she was a little unsure if it was exactly what she wanted, and Lesley actually posted here at said to send it back and they will change the setting till she was 100% happy - you just can''t beat customer service like this!!

Have you seen anything in SMTR folder, many PSers have custom rings from WF, you always mix elements from different ring to come up with a unique design. I can''t wait to see your ideas
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Date: 4/8/2008 7:25:49 AM
Author: arjunajane

And I just have to add, Honey22 you have made some very good and informative posts here, you''re such a champ!
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Click to expand...

Thanks so much! I am blushing. I know I get a little overexcited and the verbal (typing?!) diarrohea starts, but I just really want the noobies to get the bestest sparkliest diamond they can. If it wasn''t for PS I would have ended up with a nice diamond, just that - nice, and now I have a killer sparkly diamond that takes my breath away every time I am allowed to peak at it!

I still have to get back to you about the ultrasonic question, I have been so busy! I will try and find the thread.
 
from my understanding a loose stone is 10% gst tax and fixed onto a ring is 5% import tax.

Do you damage the diamond by moving the stone from ring to ring?

I get the insurance from my home and contents as soon as it arrives before i take it the jeweller to be re-set
is that what u mean?
 
sorry honey whats an ACA? lol
 
I''m not honey, but ACA = A cut above -- white flash''s super well cut hearts and arrows diamonds.
 
Date: 4/9/2008 8:07:14 AM
Author: Michael24
from my understanding a loose stone is 10% gst tax and fixed onto a ring is 5% import tax. see warble below

Do you damage the diamond by moving the stone from ring to ring? If you go to a reputable jeweller this is very unlikely, usually only happens with stones with very thin girdles or cuts prone to chipping, such as square cuts (princess etc)

I get the insurance from my home and contents as soon as it arrives before i take it the jeweller to be re-set
is that what u mean? yes! why couldn't I just explain it that way ?!
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Click to expand...


I am so bad at maths but I think those figures are correct.

Here is a link to a quick run down of my fees etc when I purchased (I have posted the actual amounts so can get an idea), nah, easier to cut and paste it seems:

I will break it down for everyone, that way I don't have to calculate % (?!?!).

Total price from WF = 5315 US, includes 130 shipping and insurance.



I paid $6063.23 (I think the x rate was 0.88c or thereabouts)



When the package arrived, I couldn't pick it up without paying the following (never have you seen a credit card whipped out of my purse so fast!!!)



customs duty - $282.40
GST (on importations) - $607.27 (based on 5185US = 5648 AUS, as they estimate the x rate from the day of delivery)
Import declaration air charge - $40.20
AQIS Air entry charge - $14

TOTAL = $943.81 (whew!)


 
Date: 4/10/2008 1:17:08 AM
Author: Michael24
sorry honey whats an ACA? lol
Click to expand...
WF brand of super ideal hearts and arrows - A Cut Above - ACA.

The diamond you were looking to buy from Lesley is an ACA, so you better get up with the lingo so you can brag properly!!!
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