Need advice for an overseas purchase

[Introspector]

Howdy! My girlfriend and I currently live in Eastern Asia (though in different cities), and we're both Americans (which you can probably tell by my use of "Howdy" and not something like "Konnichiwa!"). Anyways, I'm thinking of proposing to her later this year or early next year, and being as we're overseas and I'm a student (i.e. limited budget), I've felt the need to begin planning for this already. So, I'd like share my situation and see if anyone has some good advice:

- The first thing is that she already has a family heirloom (a ring) that she wants the diamonds to be from, though it would need a new setting. However, this ring resides in the States. When we're each visiting there late this summer and meet each other's families for the first time, I don't think that'd be an appropriate time to ask her mom for that ring, and anyways I wouldn't have time to deal with it. We also won't be back in the States again til July 2005 (we'll be in America for just a short time before we return to Asia), but since I want to propose before then, I've basically got two options:

1) Coordinate with her mom to get that ring re-set, then have someone hand deliver it over here (as I don't think you can mail a diamond ring internationally, nor would I even if possible).
2) Buy a ring from somewhere here in E.Asia.

Option 1 would be ideal, but I doubt its feasibility, and thus we'll just have to wait til after I propose to actually get her that ring. So it looks like it'll be #2, but with a twist: since my gf really wants that old ring to be used, I would only want to get a temporary ring, but still a diamond one. Well, the perfect solution hit me: a diamond wedding band! She can wear this until the engagement ring, and then not again til we're married, but after that she'll have both.

Let me stop right there and ask if anyone thinks that's a bad idea, from a cultural/social standpoint.

Now, if I go forward with the diamond wedding band, I've again got the choice of having it purchased in the U.S. (online) and having it hand-delivered, or buy it locally. So, does anyone know of a good store over here, like in Japan, China or Thailand? And by "good" I don't just mean price and selection, but it would have to be an international chain so that the warranty would be valuable for when we go back to the States in July '05, i.e. if it needs any modifications, we wouldn't have to fly back to Asia to take care of it.

Many thanks if you've read all the way to this point and have some pointers for the newbie that I am, and many apologies if this post was in any way inappropriate/irrelevant to this board or section!

- Introspector

 

[Yupi]

Introspector,
hi, i currently live and work in hk. i have bought in hk, stones certified by GIA and CGL. CGL, if you research on this forum, is a respectable Japan lab. You can form your own views on GIA, IGI, HRD, AGS certed stones. But certed stones by the above labs can all be found in hk's big reputable stores. i am afraid (anyone correct me if i am wrong) that there is no franchise stones in hk/china (don't know about Japan) that can provide service to the ring when you're back in the states.

good luck.

 

[Introspector]

Thanks for the reply, Yupi. I figured there was a good market in HK. I did find out thru some web surfing that there is a Tiffany's there, so I guess that would do the trick? Only problem with that is the $$$$ it would require.

I guess the essential thing would just be insurance, though. With one of the CGL certs you mentioned, I'd still be able to at least get an (American) insurance policy on it, right? Or could that happen only through a GIA cert?

 

[chialea]

I'd check your local customs laws for how much it would stick on to the price if you bought online, but I think a diamond band would be really nice... If she doesn't like it for a wedding band (it doesn't match her preferred setting) she could keep it to wear alone or reset the stones. More than anything, it shows that you really listened and cared about what she wanted. My SO and I almost used an heirloom engagement ring I wear on my right hand as our engagement ring, but we decided to get something new, as this one will be handed down to our first daughter on her 21st birthday (family tradition).

 

[Yupi]

if you're prepared to pay for places like Tiffany, just make sure you explore other branded options.

apology for not able to answer on insurance, cos ppl in hk buy and go without worrying about insurance.

 

[rms]

Do you work for a company where you have co-workers who travel back and forth more than you? If so, and you would be happier buying her something from the US, perhaps you can have a family member or close friend purchase something for you in the US and have a co-worker deliver it to you personally. Or just convince your family or friends that they should visit you for a little vacation.

I like the idea of a diamond wedding band...or a different diamond in a tiffany setting, or maybe a nice 5 stone ring . Anything where you can use whatever stones you buy in another way later if you like.

It's fun to think of all your options!

 

[Introspector]

I'm glad ya'll think a diamond WB would be a good idea! I'm thinking of a channel setting, with either 1/4 or 1/2 ct t.w., as her fingers are really slim. I'd make it platinum, just like the engagement band that she needs the new settings for. And am I right in assuming that the DWB would need to be the same thickness as the E-Ring?

Chialea: good advice about checking customs. As of now, I don't know what it would be, but I'm sure it would be steep. I bought a video camera online (from the States) a few months ago and had it shipped via UPS, and Customs tacked on I think about 15%.

Yupi: no problem; that's crazy that people don't get insurance, though!

rms: that's a great idea! Yeah, there are some people here that would be going back and forth to the States between September and the end of the year, so that could work. And you're right, it is fun to think through all the options! Part of me can't believe I've come to this point in my life!

Thanks ya'll!

 

[tw]

introspector,
i am real sure if i can help you, but let me know if i can. and also, my first posting here, so don't know if i violate any rules for posting (i am waiting on a web site design before we join pricescope diamond inventory list and advertising).

regarding your need for chain store in asia. i don't know of any hk stores which also have a direct counterpart in US. we have a chain of 20 plus retail stores in china. if you stay in a city where we have a store, that may help you. i also travel to japan and hong kong very often. as far as your need for servicing back here in the US. Our strategy (for now, don't know in 2005

) here is just providing online sales and wholesale to retailers, so i don't know if that will help you.

let me know if i can be of service.

 

[Introspector]

Hi tw, and thanks for the offer of help. Here the major cities in my part of the world I'll probably be able to travel to in the coming year:

Thailand:
Bangkok

China:
Hong Kong
Beijing
Shanghai
Hangzhou
Nanjing
Wuhan
Ningbo

Japan:
Tokyo
Osaka

Which cities in China do you have stores in? And which company do you represent?

 

[tw]

hi introspector,
that's some travel list. looks more like a business man... than a student

i pm'ed you with info.
tw

 

[Introspector]

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On 6/20/2004 10:17:05 PM tw wrote:

hi introspector,
that's some travel list. looks more like a business man... than a student

i pm'ed you with info.
tw----------------

Thanks for the PM you sent me. Haha, I should have clarified...I'm not actually traveling to all those cities. They're just the ones that are within traveling distance from where I live. I'll also take one vacation, during the winter break, but probably hit no more than two other cities.