Looking for Canadian or Australian melee... Help please!!

[thekid98]

Hey PS--

I'm working on an engagement ring-- blue sapphire surrounded by diamond melee pave halo in a white metal setting. Right now, I'm trying to find a reputable source for Canadian or Australian melee diamonds, but with no luck so far. Here's what I think I'm looking for...

20-24 stones, in the range of:
1.0-2.0 pts
D-H
VVS1-SI2
Good-Ideal cut
Round brilliant (single or full cut)

Really need tips on a good vendor; can be retailer or wholesaler. Biggest criteria is that the diamonds be of Canadian or Australian origin, preferably cut there as well (my future fiance is very eco/social-responsibility minded). I know these vendors must be out there (sellers like Brilliant Earth seem to have good sources- and they do lots of designs involving melee pave set, etc.), just can't seem to find any for the life of me. Sources that can certify stone origins would be the most highly preferred. I know melee is often not "certified" per se, but it would be nice if the vendor could provide some sort of credible assurance of origin (brand, Northwest Territories Gov't cert, CanadaMark, or if all else fails, at least something on company letterhead attesting that the stones were mined/cut in Canada or Australia.).

Also, any opinions on choosing single or full cut for my situation? Would one type compliment a colored stone better than the other?

Best Regards,
thekid98

 

[justginger]

Re: Looking for Canadian or Australian melee... Help please

I am under the impression, though I could be wrong (and there are surely those who know and could correct me), that there are very few diamonds cut in Australia. Other than Argyle cutting what their mine produces, I've been told multiple times that a severe lack of Aussie cutters is one of the reasons why diamonds are so expensive down under.

My only suggestion re: stones from Oz is to contact Garry (if he doesn't see this post) - http://www.hollowaydiamonds.com.au/

Good luck.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Looking for Canadian or Australian melee... Help please

Are you making the ring yourself? Because if not, I really don't know any ring makers who let the client provide all the melee. And the odds of knowing the origin of the melee are probably zero by the time the melee reaches the jeweler anyway. You need to let your ring maker source the materials for the ring other than the center stone. If it really is that important to know the source, I suggest using stimulants.

The style of the ring would dictate single cuts vs. full cuts for me.

 

[denverappraiser]

Re: Looking for Canadian or Australian melee... Help please

The inspection process and paperwork to 'prove' Canadian origin is fairly expensive and it's not economically reasonable for smaller stones. I seriously doubt you'll find anything below, say, 1/4 carat with any sort of official Canadian or Aussie pedigree. You would be looking at a bump of something like $50-$100 per stone. Rather few shoppers would stand for that, environmentally responsible or not. That said, you mentioned that you're happy with the Brilliant Earth folks. Have you talked to them about making your ring?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Looking for Canadian or Australian melee... Help please

One more thing, I would stick with excellent cut and vs for clarity on melee for an engagement ring.