International Diamond Purchase - Advice/Help

[salmon]

Just a quick question for all you experts.


I''m from the States, but I don''t currently live there anymore. I do however travel frequently to the following places. Can anyone recommend credible diamond dealers in the following places:

1. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

2. India

3. Afghanistan

4. Sri Lanka

5. Pakistan

I would like to continue my search for the perfect diamond, but I''m a little reluctant to purchase in the aforementioned countries, however, if someone could point me in the right direction, i would certainly appreciate it. i''m looking for e-ring prices, as a Tiffany''s does exist in Dubai, I saw it last weekend. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[just_looking!]

You are going to find it difficult to compare stones as I think these places tend to use different labs than those you commonly see mentioned on Pricescope. HRD is pretty popular for loose stones in the Middle East. You are also very unlikely to get any crown or pavillion angles data (Sarin).

My experience of shopping for diamonds here in Bahrain and in Dubai was that most jewellery stores know nothing about the difference between cut and shape. So if you are looking for ideal cut or some of the newer shapes such as regent, lucere etc, you may find it a difficult task. You will have a slightly easier time if you are just looking at rounds, but you are going to have to be your own expert!

Where are you based? Many of the vendors on here will ship internationally........

 

[salmon]

I''m based in Afghanistan & Pakistan. I usually meander between the borders. Thanks for the advice. I don''t think I want anybody to ship anything in Afghanistan or Pakistan. That''s one headache I don''t need. I can''t bare the thought of losing a 5,000k plus ring!! No way! Thanks for the info though.

 

[jasontb]

Date: 4/18/2006 10:39:40 AM
Author: salmon
I''m based in Afghanistan & Pakistan. I usually meander between the borders.

Wow, that''s quite a place to live!

 

[Brody]

Have you had any luck finding a diamond dealer? Surprisingly, I''m in a similar situation in Pakistan. My visits to local jewellers in Islamabad and Peshwar have left me feeling fairly hopeless on the stone and setting fronts. I''ve been highly considering an online purchase and dealing with the shipping headache.

 

[Swedeabroad]

Hi,

I'm a Swede living in the middle east and have found that the prices tend to be cheaper than in Europe. But I have been quite hesitant to buy stone here as it seems to be diificult to find an independent appraiser or gemmologist. In Bahrain Al Sarraj or Damas (seef mall) sell stones with certificate from the High diamond council Antwerp. I have been interested in several stones and here are some price examples:

-Al Sarraj:
RB:1.52 VS2 /H=12.000$
-1.52 VS2/ G=13.680$

Damas
-1.21 F/VVS2=11.600$
-1.17 F/VVS2=11.550$
-2.03 VS2/ G=30.400$

Unfortunately Tiffany does not sell their e-ring collection here in Bahrain. I am not sure if they do in Dubai...

 

[salmon]

Hey Brody,


I was in Islamabad lastnight and stopped by a store called Zamir jewwellers. He had a couple of VS2 G color rings, nice brillance and fire. He also provides a 10x loupe. If you''re still in pakistan, the store is in Jinnah Super Market near Siaheed''d Bookstore, in F7 area. If you''re in pakistan, I''m sure you know the area. The dealer said the stones are IGI certified (never heard of them before). They could be fakes I truly don''t know, I''m too much of a novice, but they did have great scintilation and a lot of fire. He can get any stone you need and any setting if you give hima a few days. The phone number is (051) 2650705.

See ya!

 

[Roland]

If you''re serious about buying a diamond in that area, you might want to invest in a diamond tester. You can get them on ebay for $100-$200 bucks, but it might save you from buying a flawless, brilliant, scintillating CZ. IGI is a grading lab, much like GIA and AGS, though not nearly as highly regarded. Many of the mall jewelry stores feature IGI reports. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for!