Precious Metals Melbourne VS Buying stone from the USA

[liz-e]

I''d love to hear experiences that people have had with Precious Metals here in Melbourne, Australia. It seems highly recommended whenever anyone asks "Where do I buy a great diamond in Australia?"

Given their shops are located in Brighton and Canterbury (One of the hoity toity (ie: well do to) suburbs in Melbourne) I do wonder if their choice of expensive locations are reflected in their prices. I have sent an email to them but they are very secretive about their prices and insist I come in to have a look. Given I am in Caulfield (essentially 5 min drive away) I probably could, but I''m not interested in paying a premium for over the top service.

Has anyone looked at precious metals and then decided to purchase from the USA instead due to price or other reasons?

Essentially I''m after a 3 IDEAL cut diamonds, 2 will go towards a bezel set pair of earrings and 1 will be a bezel set pendant.

Thanks for reading and look forward to your responses.

 

[JulieN]

Since you are after pendant and earring stones, you might get to see one of those famous super-shallow combos that Garry promotes.

They are a B&M, which has its advantages. Buying a stone from the US will probably be cheaper, but that also has its disadvantages. Everyone can tell you what they like (maybe,) but only YOU can pick a stone that speaks to you.

I think asking for a price quote over email for diamonds is hard to answer since there are so many variables, and the best answer probably would be to come in to the store.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Dear Liz-e,

I rarley have anything to do with local Aussie business issues. My role here is strictly not as a vendor.

You will easliy find a cheaper price on the internet than a full service retailer. Stay with those who you can easily see plenty of good referrals for rather than trying to get the very cheapest price, because generally the cheapest is not the best value.

 

[Ellen]

liz,

I think you should definitely give PM a looksie. They are SO close, and Gary knows diamonds. There is absolutely no harm in looking! He would be quite honest with you.

I envy you to not only have a reputable jeweler so close, but with an awesome aussie accent to boot. Lucky goil!

 

[honey22]

As a fellow Aussie

I have had the pleasurable experience of going to both stores. They are very nice!

Yes, you will pay the "B&M premium", the prices are not as low as online, but I really do think they are very reasonable, considering the high quality stones they use. We were recently in there looking at wedding bands are were pleasantly suprised with their prices. I did try to ''star spot'' Gary, but he wasn''t there

.

That said however, I did want the biggest bang for my buck, and bottom line I wanted to save a few $$$, and didn''t need the ''in person service'' of a B&M, so I ordered from WF. But, if for some reason, I couldn''t go with WF, I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from PM.

I was thinking the other day when looking at diamond wedding bands, the only place I would trust the quality of the stones in Melb would be PM, I am probably a bit obsessive, but it would be PM or WF for me. I want to know that the stones are of the best cut possible, and I just feel a little unsure with other jewellers, maybe just a bit wary.

 

[liz-e]

Date: 9/23/2008 8:52:31 AM
Author: honey22
I did try to ''star spot'' Gary, but he wasn''t there

.

LOL

I''m in Caulfield so PM is about a 10 min drive away.

I will be going there on the weekend to have a look at the pricing.

I''m wondering if the slump in the AU dollar will make PM a more attractive option. (based on their current stock)

Honey, are you still keen on the WF diamond band (stupid question lol) or is it now comparable with the price of a B&M (such as PM) due to the exchange rate?

I keep going back to the PM website, but the fact there are no prices on most of their items is a major turn off.

 

[:)]

Most jewelry stores in the US don''t list prices online either. Without a doubt, I definitely would go look, even if it was just to oogle the jewelry!

 

[sydney80]

Hey Liz-e, I think we''re in the same position. Aussie buyers, looking to save some $ by purchasing diamond jewelery online from the states, then screwed royally by a 30% drop in our buying power over the last 2 months...

I''m starting to look around at local B&Ms like Tiffanys again as well, as the incentive to purchase overseas just isn''t as strong anymore.

any forex experts out there care to take a punt on whether the AUD will increase in value against the USD anytime soon?

 

[Sharon101]

Date: 10/21/2008 1:10:02 AM
Author: sydney80
Hey Liz-e, I think we''re in the same position. Aussie buyers, looking to save some $ by purchasing diamond jewelery online from the states, then screwed royally by a 30% drop in our buying power over the last 2 months...

I''m starting to look around at local B&Ms like Tiffanys again as well, as the incentive to purchase overseas just isn''t as strong anymore.

any forex experts out there care to take a punt on whether the AUD will increase in value against the USD anytime soon?

Im pretty sure that the prices filter through straight away because our vendors have to buy the diamonds themselves in US dollars!!!!!!

Im kicking myself that I didnt buy some earrings at a jewellery fair a month back. The guy wont sell them to me now for the price quoted!!!!!

Also, didnt Garry say that he did mark up all his stock in line with our dollar decrease? Im assuming most Australian vendors would have done the same.

 

[katebar]

Date: 9/22/2008 10:15:43 PM
Author:liz-e
I''d love to hear experiences that people have had with Precious Metals here in Melbourne, Australia. It seems highly recommended whenever anyone asks ''Where do I buy a great diamond in Australia?''

Given their shops are located in Brighton and Canterbury (One of the hoity toity (ie: well do to) suburbs in Melbourne) I do wonder if their choice of expensive locations are reflected in their prices. I have sent an email to them but they are very secretive about their prices and insist I come in to have a look. Given I am in Caulfield (essentially 5 min drive away) I probably could, but I''m not interested in paying a premium for over the top service.

Has anyone looked at precious metals and then decided to purchase from the USA instead due to price or other reasons?

Essentially I''m after a 3 IDEAL cut diamonds, 2 will go towards a bezel set pair of earrings and 1 will be a bezel set pendant.

Thanks for reading and look forward to your responses.

Hi liz-e I''m in Queensland and bought my stone from GOG and had it set by Garry. Garry also made my eternity ring, set my old stone into a pendant AND made a pinky ring from my old eternity ring so I think Ican speak with confidence about my dealing with PM.
Firstly the standard of craftsmanship at PM is second to none. Garry''s bench jewellers are exceptional. The service I have received at PM is worth every damn cent I paid over the local jeweller here and I don''t regret making the trip to Melbourne. Garry guarantees his work and if there has been any issues they get ''fixed'' immediately far beyond the normal after sale service.
Why did I choose to get my stone in the US? Well cost and again I have no regrets BUT the fall of the dollar would make me have to rethink this again as quite frankly it was a bit of a hassle.
So my advice would be to make an appointent at the Canterbury store and ''see'' what they have to offer.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/23/2008 8:11:44 AM
Author: Ellen
liz,

I think you should definitely give PM a looksie. They are SO close, and Gary knows diamonds. There is absolutely no harm in looking! He would be quite honest with you.

I envy you to not only have a reputable jeweler so close, but with an awesome aussie accent to boot. Lucky goil!

BIG ditto. I would definitely take a drive up to PM and at least have a look and see what you think!

 

[honey22]

Date: 10/20/2008 6:51:21 PM
Author: liz-e

Date: 9/23/2008 8:52:31 AM
Author: honey22
I did try to ''star spot'' Gary, but he wasn''t there

.

LOL

I''m in Caulfield so PM is about a 10 min drive away.

I will be going there on the weekend to have a look at the pricing.

I''m wondering if the slump in the AU dollar will make PM a more attractive option. (based on their current stock)

Honey, are you still keen on the WF diamond band (stupid question lol) or is it now comparable with the price of a B&M (such as PM) due to the exchange rate?

I keep going back to the PM website, but the fact there are no prices on most of their items is a major turn off.

I guess there are two sides to this dilemma for me.

I know that Gary has gorgeous stuff, I wouldn''t have to hesitate about the quality, however I did feel that both when I went to see both stores, the SAs really seemed to advise against a 2mm channel set band. I guess that may have put me off a litte? Not sure. With the dollar at it''s current miserable state, it would be financially wise to go to PM, and yes, I know I would end up with a fabulous band.

BUT, I feel that I can''t beat the service of WF. I know it''s strange to prefer the service of a online vendor over a BM and don''t get me wrong, when I recently had my ering resized at PM, the SA was fabulous, very accomodating, even had my ring done early as I was dreading the thought of being without it for a week and was very friendly. Would not hesitate to go back there, but for my wedding band, I feel like I personally have a better ''relationship'' with Lesley and feel like I am getting more personalised service. Wierd I know but that''s just how I feel.

I am also drawn to the attraction of having little ACAs in my wedding band. Silly I know, but it''s a ''mindclean'' issue for me I guess. My FI is also having a band made with a little suprise ACA on the inside of his band to match my ACAs in my band.

So, I could have just said this easy I guess, but to hell with the budget and the exchange rate, I am getting my ACA bands!