Loose Old Cut Diamonds?

[Stevie Brazen]

Hello

In the coming months I'm planning to purchase a loose diamond, to have a ring made for myself. Either a super ideal hearts and arrows, or an antique old cut stone.

I'm wondering, where are the best places to source loose old cut stones? Im in Australia, and a local source would be great, but I'm also happy to purchase online from overseas.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Stephen

 

[Queenie60]

Try Adam at Old World Diamonds -Oldworlddiamonds.com

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks for that Queenie. They dont provide much on their website visually - ie photos/videos etc. But I'll be in touch with Adam when Im ready to purchase, to see what he can offer.

 

[foxinsox]

Adam/OWD probably has the biggest selection of old cuts. Other great vendors are Love Affair Diamonds, Jewels by Grace. Parks Fine Diamonds and Ivy and Rose Vintage have some cheap and good options.
If you want precision optics, August Vintage and Victor Canera do newly cut ideal OEC and ACC.

 

[Bron357]

Hi Stevie, fellow Sydneysider here. No much to be found here in Australia unless you get lucky in an Antique shop for a vintage ring. Buying from the US is pretty trouble free but just remember to add in 10% GST upon import. You might want to consider getting the diamond set overseas as well because you’ll find you’ll pay top dollar (and get a snooty attitude) from any Sydney jewellers. They don’t like us consumers taking advantage of the internet and a world wide selection at better prices AND they don’t take any responsibility for damage during setting btw.
If importing a ring, make sure the US vendor does the right paperwork so you can avoid an extra 5% tax (free trade agreement with US means 5% customs is waived BUT the vendor has to do the right export/ import paperwork).
The ring / diamond should come in via FedEX or UPS and you will get a phone call from the customs area asking for payment of customs/ GST fee, have your credit card handy. After that it gets delivered a few days later.
I’ve purchased numerous pieces of jewellery no trouble from both US andUK but the GST / customs fees are a bit Nasty.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I can recommend Alex Park. He has great customer service and most of his old cut diamonds have been graded by GIA.

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks so much Fox. Its great to have a few alternatives. I cant find Park Fine Diamonds on the internet though?

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks Bron. Great to hear I wont be touched up for duty as well as gst. When I heard about having to pay duty, I got a bit nervous about purchasing from overseas.

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks Lisa. I will be in touch with Alex. How are the prices at Old World Diamonds? The prices seem to fluctuate a bit between the retailers of old cuts.

 

[foxinsox]

Thanks so much Fox. Its great to have a few alternatives. I cant find Park Fine Diamonds on the internet though?

He’s selling on Etsy, Loupetroop (don’t see any listings for him currently tho) and Instagram but he has a store in NY from what I understand - users here have bought from him and can vouch for him being legit.

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks Fox. I've learnt about the Crown Jubilee cut today, thanks to his sites.

 

[arkieb1]

Another Aussie, the problem is there isn't a huge amount of old cuts available here in Australia, there are jewellery shops in the QVB in Sydney and places like Rutherfords, etc in Vic that sell them but they are more expensive at those places than in the US. I got lucky and found one large old cut here, but I bought my transitional from Jewels By Grace/Love Affair Diamonds in the US.

If you decide on a SuperIdeal the US is also probably going to give you more options to select from as well.

All of the places people have listed are good places to start. If you find something put it on hold and ask for our help. If you start a post in RockyTalk with your budget, diamond size you want and general specs people will also find/suggest stones for you. Sometimes preloved on Loupetroop and in here is a great way to find some amazing stones at better prices, when PSers upgrade or decide they want something else.

Remember to add an extra 25% or more with the currency exchange and ask any International vendor to fill in the appropriate AUSTFA forms that way you pay 10% tax/duty not 15%.

 

[Stevie Brazen]

Thanks Arkie for your great advice. Im planning to purchase in July, and Ive been doing my ground work. Not that Im splurging on a huge, expensive stone, but once I started to learn about diamonds, the more I wanted to know, and the more there is to learn.