Newbie looking for some help

[c_robio]

Hi all,

I''m new to the site but i''ve been reading through the forums to try and get and narrow my search for an engagement ring. I know the basics but my questions lie more in the online store bluenile and pricing differences between Canada and the US. The current price of a ring that i''m looking at is

3495 CDN incl taxes
Emerald cut 3 stone ring
.73ct total wt
18 KT White Gold
SI2
F/G
Good cut

There''s a ring on Bluenile that seems like a much better deal to me
3100 US (3906 at current Exchange) incl taxes
Emerald cut 3 stone ring
1.00ct total weight
Platinum band
VS2
H

My questions are ...

1. I can''t seem to find a cut grade on the bluenile ring. Do they not list them on their website ?
2. For a difference of $400 it seems to be a very large upgrade to me, going up a quarter carat and going from SI2 to VS2. I''ve been told that a platinum band alone is 1000 dollars more here in Canada. I would be going down one color grade. Does that matter when the cut is good ?
3. Is it just a lot more expensive to buy rings in Canada ?

Here is the link to the bluenile ring

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=359&catid=138&filter_id=0&nav1=band_channel.asp&page=1&col=2&row=1&pos=2&set_shape=

I''m currently waiting for a quote for a ring that matches the bluenile specs here in Canada but am expecting a price over $5000 which is likely too much for me. I''ll post the price when I receive it.

Thanks in advance for any help
Chris

 

[lmurden]

Always call the vendor directly and ask them all the questions that you have. Good luck.

 

[c_robio]

Well I guess i'm wondering why it is much less expensive to buy in the US. I can see that an online store would be able to charge less as they have no overhead but it seems like a large difference to me. Any other Canadians out there notice this ?

 

[lmurden]

An online vendor my be up to half the price for a diamond ring than at a store that is in the mall and you are right the over head has a lot to do with the price. But definitely call to get all your questions answered. On some sites they even have why you should buy online.

 

[c_robio]

Thanks for the info. It must have more to do with being an online vendor than I originally thought.

 

[denverappraiser]

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On 10/14/2004 3:31:50 PM c_robio wrote:

Well I guess i'm wondering why it is much less expensive to buy in the US. I can see that an online store would be able to charge less as they have no overhead but it seems like a large difference to me. Any other Canadians out there notice this ?
----------------

There is also a substantial tax on diamonds in Canada that has been paid by the Canadian dealer. If you buy from a US dealer and have them ship to an address in Canada you will need to pay this tax yourself.

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[lmurden]

That's good to know!

 

[c_robio]

Another good point. So I would be safe to assume that most of the Canadian dealers are receiving their diamonds from the United States. Might be an idea to look for diamonds that come from our mines to see if there is a price difference. Thanks for the tip.

Chris