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Found a diamond but is this company ok to buy through? Zoara?

silverwillow

silverwillow

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
35
Found a diamond but is this company ok to buy through? Zoara? I have found a diamond that is over 2 carats and it has a GIA report saying it's excellent but I am nervous buying from this company.

Also is vsi usually eye clean?

I would set it in a basic halo style. Is the workmanship good from this company? I need my diamond to stay safely in the setting. My husband is having a freak out that I would buy a diamond online and unseen valued over $20,000. It's H in colour and it's round. Proportions are table 58 depth 60.9, crown 33.5 and Pavilion 41.

It does have blue florescence but I'm not sure what this means for day to day wear?

Such and emotional purchase I think I may be overlooking something?

Thanks,
Silverwillow.
 
I'm not familiar with Zoara, but the proportion looks promising.
As for fluorescence, it's a matter of personal preference. Basically, the diamond will appear blueish under sunlight due to the activation of compositional minerals by the UV rays. Many owners adore this effect while others feel it makes the diamond appear somewhat cloudy and even dark in day light. The diamond certificate should specify the intensity of this fluorescence.
There are several reputable US online vendors to explore aside Zoara like Crafted by Infinity, Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, etc. These vendors sell respectable super ideal if that's important to you since you were asking about US vendors in the previous post.
 
If you have concern, then walk away.
This purchase is a lot of money!
Checkout some of the PS vendors who are very reputable.
Good luck.
 
I don't have specific concerns just lack of knowledge of the American online diamond market. I'd like to know of anyone who have used these traders? The price is really good and it has a GIA cert which says it's excellent but not sure if that is enough to move forward with?

Can anyone answer whether a VSI diamond is usually eye clean?
 
Zoara is a company that some buy from on other boards, but they have only a 30-day return policy and I've heard that have very poor customer service regarding returns and repairs. The diamonds are slightly higher than other vendors from my limited look and they offer no tradeup/tradein policies. In some ways, they are the big-box store of the internet. Every setting I've seen of their is very lightweight from china. Diamonds fall out of the settings and their "lifetime warranty" is a piece of paper only. To my knowledge, they don't provide IS or ASET -- which are the best way to see if a diamond will perform and sparkle like crazy or be a grey blob.

VS1 should be eyeclean, but that is not the same as saying that the inclusion is well placed. You can find eyecclean down to SI1 and even SI2 with some time. GIAXXX is a broad category that includes many diamonds that may not have great performance. AGS0 is more strict and a better bet for performance. Remember...the key to a diamond's sparkle is the cut -- the actual faceting of the stone that is not captured enough in a 'cut' rating.

I did some searching to give you something to look at from companies with excellent customer service, return policies and trade-up policies. A diamond needs to be well-cut to look sparkly and pretty. This is most important...the actual faceting of the diamonds. The stone you selected has safe numbers, but its hard to tell you anything specific without video/photos and IS images.

For $20k, I'd rather something like this. Have a look and let us know your thoughts. If you post your inspiration for a setting, we can help you there too!

If you ever tradeup, they give you 100% of value if new diamond is 2 x price. Great service and nice settings. We'd want an IS image requested for these. Put your top 3 on hold at JA at not cost (if you want to pursue them, they sell fast) request IS for any of those that lack them. The ones with stars have images and if you narrow your selection, we can compare your choices to help you decide.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3391109

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3530615**

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3527132 {strong blue flour, need to ask the JA gemologist it is is causing any haziness -- good numbers}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...t-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3499382**

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3253213 (LOVE the faceting on this one, very clean and bright; leans to a more vintage or antique look)

If you don't want to do any more leg work...this company Whiteflash add 100% of the value if you tradeup. Excellent customer service. They have all the information/images needed to evaluate it. These are super-ideal diamonds.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3833679.htm****
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872124.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3824308.htm

This company additional offer a buy-back option.
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8104 {Super ideal and they list this as eyeclean. I'd ask for a video, but they are very reputable and I'd trust their eyes personally.}

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8897
 
Wow thanks for your detailed reply RockyS lovely diamonds you have chosen but unfortunately they are all out of my budget because once i change them into Australian currency they go up to around $25,000 and that is $5000 over my budget then i still have to get the setting. The setting my heart is sold on is a floral looking halo. I think I may be pushing my budget as it is. I want a 2 carot, at least an H in colour and hopefully a Vs1 with an excellent cut. I might be chasing unicorns lol
 
floral halo.jpg floral halo.jpg
 
silverwillow said:
Wow thanks for your detailed reply RockyS lovely diamonds you have chosen but unfortunately they are all out of my budget because once i change them into Australian currency they go up to around $25,000 and that is $5000 over my budget then i still have to get the setting. The setting my heart is sold on is a floral looking halo. I think I may be pushing my budget as it is. I want a 2 carot, at least an H in colour and hopefully a Vs1 with an excellent cut. I might be chasing unicorns lol
Click to expand...

Ok. So google, says $15364 for the diamond. That is straight conversion...what about taxes/import fees? @Sean_T and other overseas members can you pop in and give some thoughts on conversion and budgeting since I'm betting you have some good advise for the OP to determine a budget from the US? For now, I'm going to use $15k. I think that will be tough with your wants, but lets try.

On VS1, if we can find you an eye-clean SI1 would that be ok? The good news is that with a halo like you selected, it will be hard to detect color from the side. I'm going to post some Is as it will open up your parameter.

The setting is lovely, but have you seen that kind of setting with a 2 carat diamond on your hand? You did not mention your finger size, so I used a size 6 to find these images (not my rings!).

This is as size 6 finger, 1 carat center with a smaller halo.
upload_2017-10-21_8-50-43.png

Size 6, 1.75 center. Smaller halo stones than your inspiration.
upload_2017-10-21_8-51-50.png
 
RockyS yes I would go for a si if it is eye clean, not sure about an I in colour though as i don't want any yellow.
 
Go to any reasonable jeweler and get measured. Have them measure you on both a regular sizer and a wide sizer. The ring you like is closer to a wide sizer. Your ring size is important as the setting you like might be overwhelming for your hand (or not if you have a larger finger or love bling!). Ask the jeweler to show you GIA graded H and I stones...just look at the color from the top. Even a K diamond can look white from the top. I is where most people start to detect color from the side only. A halo will make that angle hard to see. But, your eyes are the ones that matter. But, if you want H+ on color, its looking like SI1 and you'll have to bend on size. I find color detection even harder in super-ideal diamond.

This is a gorgeous diamond (AGS 0 E VS2 BG Signature, so super-ideal) and amazing designer setting. You could start with something like this and then upgrade the setting in the future. Ring is owed by a PS member.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...signature-rb-in-erika-winters-jin-in-platinum

Some to consider.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3527132 {maybe over budget but great spread, need an IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006248 {dark, but dispersed inclusion under the table. This is the largest, but that may or may not work for you. Good IS image}.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3280376 {compared to above, this is a bit larger surface area of inclusion but white. Need IS, AGS0}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3501653 {love the facet pattern, need IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3496379 {very clean SI1, gets you H color}

Super-Ideal
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872116.htm
 
That diamond from Adiamor is not one I would consider. The angles are a mess and don't compliment each other and it will likely lose light (i.e., leak light that should be bounced back at you). I really recommend you look for a diamond first. Then, deal with the setting. Lots of vendors of floral halos or you can order the setting and diamond from different vendors.

Adiamor Affinity is simply filtering for table and depth, it is not selective enough to be relied upon without doing additional work.

Here's what I do. I think we all have some variation of this based on our preferences.
table: 52-57.5 (but I really prefer under 57)
depth: 60-62.3 {consider 59.5)
crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)

For GIA excellent stones, I then look at the AGS Proportion Chart to see where they stone would fall in AGS grading as they are more strict (gotta include looking at adjacent grades due to GIA rounding) https://agslab.com/docs/pbcg/AGSLProportionCharts.pdf.

I run some stone through the HCA Tool (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca) to see if the angles are complimentary. The HCA tool includes some assumptions, which includes being pretty harsh on 60/60 diamonds. On HCA, reject anything greater than 2.0 (but 1.0 is not better than 1.0 }. But, if you look at super-ideal stones (WF ACA, Brian Gavin Select, GoodOldGold, HighPerformanceDiamonds, etc.), just look at the images and ignore the above process.

To me, these three steps are coarse filters. They narrow the field to those worthy of pursuit and getting an IS (or better yet ASET). It is those images that document performance.
 
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Just some comments on the setting. If that is your love, your perfect ring, awesome. Just be aware that you won't be able to fit a flush wedding band with it, if that matter to you. I think the shank on the Adiamore ring should flow much more gracefully if you want a split shank look.

On a hand - much smaller diamond
upload_2017-10-21_9-34-5.png




Different setting, buy similar in width and angles
upload_2017-10-21_9-31-43.png

Something like this will allow a flush wedding band and has better connection between the heand a shank for strenght.

upload_2017-10-21_9-32-40.png
https://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-Rings/Halo/Flower-Halo-Engagement-Ring-Setting/14KWhiteGold/1830
 

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gorgeous thank you!! Lots to consider. It's doing my head in LOL.
 
OP
Why dont you contact Chris at BE (Brilliantly Engaged), show him the setting pic and your budget and see what he can do for you. He is good in working within your budget and can source the center stone and do beautiful halo work. Best of luck.
 
Just adding, do not buy a diamond without at least seeing a video. It sounds like you might be buying based on only specs, this is not a good idea. An SI2 can be eye clean or a VS1 can have an inclusion in the middle of the table; you just don’t know until you see a video. If you live this diamond, ask Zoara for a video and walk away if they can’t give you one. I have dealt with them and think they are reputable. Run a search for this diamond that you like on rarecarat.com to see if anyone else is selling it with more info available. Then you can also ask for price matching from the other suppliers. Some suppliers will also get you the same diamond even if they haven’t listed it. It is vastly preferable to have an idealscope and aset image before buying. If in doubt, ask zoara to send you the diamond (ie: buy it); then send it back for setting. You can get a refund if it is not the best for you.
 
silverwillow said:
RockyS yes I would go for a si if it is eye clean, not sure about an I in colour though as i don't want any yellow.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to comment that I currently have a 3.33 ct I color, and it is very white -- the larger the diamond, the more obvious the tint will be. It is in a solitaire, so the side view (where the most tint will be seen when set) shows. IMO, an I would be great in a halo, as you really only see the stone from the top down. A GIA/AGS graded I color stone in that size shouldn't show any tint whatsoever from the top down view.

Here's the link... https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-dream-solitaire-from-cvb-lad.223818/
 
OP, why don't you contact Yekutiel at IDJ... he has proven that he can find PS quality unicorns time and time again!!
 
Customs exchange rate and bank exchange rate are two things to consider. 2 cents difference in conversion is going to amount to few hundred difference due to the amount you pay.

Australia pays no duty if your ring is made in US.

For GST, You need to check the customs' conversion rate. In NZ it is updated every 2 weeks and stated in advance on customs website. The rate they use depends on entry date.

There are some sites like JA where they can invoice you in your local currency. This is preferable as customs always use unfavourable exchange rates to their benefit.
 
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@bmfang has bought from overseas so I would wait for an australian perspective to give you a peace of mind.
 
Some great advice given thus far by others on this thread.

@silverwillow, I’m an Aussie who purchased earlier this year from the US (via Brian Gavin Diamonds, but I did look on Whiteflash and James Allen as well).

No duty should apply on a ring made in the USA. GST however is something that you will have to pay along with some other government charges imposed by AQIS. What you are likely to save on with currency rates if you use a non-bank transfer you will likely get pinged on for GST by Customs upon the importation of the ring (which sucks, but in my experience is something that is very difficult to avoid happening).

I found that a live chat with the folks at BGD, I was able to wring a little more off the price of the stones during non-sale times which helped to cover the other government charges.
 
Well I saw a video of the 2.06 diamond at Zoara (my browser was out of date) and I just get the feeling that this is the diamond for me, but I had a closer look at the settings and i think RockySalamander you are right they don't look stella. I am considering buying the diamond on it's own and then finding a setting I like over here or could I send the diamond to a company in the states to set (Not sure this is ever done)? The other option is to set it in a solitaire for around $600 then hunt for my setting when I can afford it?

Any Australians can you tell me do most jewellers in oz set a loose diamond if you ask them?

"Yekutiel at IDJ" sorry what is IDJ?
 
I don't think you posted the link to the 2.06. Maybe its this one (https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/2.06-ct-H-VS1-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D40830760). Your next step would be to request an ASET image or Idealscope image from Adiamor. Those will tell you if the diamond has good light return/performance or it will be dull. Online videos can be hard to evaluate.

You can buy a setting from any vendor you like and have it and the diamond shipped directly to you (and get it set nearby). You can pick a setting from IDJewelery (NewYork, https://idjewelry.com/) and have the diamond set by them. In fact, I'd email them and see if they can get the diamond you love directly.

Setting from IDJ (just a note that they show the diamonds set WAY to high in the pictures. You want the girdle to rest just over the halo)
https://idjewelry.com/0-22-ct-diamo...white-gold-diamond-halo-er8277w44jj-igcd.html
https://idjewelry.com/14k-white-gold-0-36-ct-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-setting-er7494w44jj.html
https://idjewelry.com/0-42-ct-diamo...white-gold-diamond-halo-er7498w44jj-igcd.html

Solitaire - pretty and inexpensive.
https://idjewelry.com/18k-white-gold-solitaire-engagement-ring-er11691r4w8jjj.html
https://idjewelry.com/solitaire-engagement-ring-in-14k-white-gold-er6593w4jjj-igcd.html

If you like a JA setting, I think they will set outside stones. Just chat with them over the website. If so, just have the diamond mailed to them. I'm not sure about Adiamor, but you might ask if they will take the diamond back within the return period if it has been set. Some won't unless they set the diamond into their setting.
 
silverwillow said:
Well I saw a video of the 2.06 diamond at Zoara (my browser was out of date) and I just get the feeling that this is the diamond for me, but I had a closer look at the settings and i think RockySalamander you are right they don't look stella. I am considering buying the diamond on it's own and then finding a setting I like over here or could I send the diamond to a company in the states to set (Not sure this is ever done)? The other option is to set it in a solitaire for around $600 then hunt for my setting when I can afford it?

Any Australians can you tell me do most jewellers in oz set a loose diamond if you ask them?
* * *
Click to expand...
The problem with not doing "one-stop shopping", especially for those who live outside the US-Canada, is that most jewelers (here in the US and in Australia) will not assume liability for loss/damage to an "outside" stone while it's in their shop awaiting the setting & being mounted. And unlike what is possible for US & (non-Quecbec) Canadian residents, it seems there is no Australian insurance company who will offer insurance on loose stones, they won't cover anything other than completed jewelry pieces. (This topic has come up several times in the past year, most recently as several weeks ago.)

Alistair Kelsey is the 1 Australian jeweler who's been named here on PS whose insurance will cover an outside stone (meaning one supplied by the customer, not purchased from him) while it's in his shop as he fabricates the setting & mounts the center stone. I don't have any idea re his prices and whether his aesthetic will appeal to you. But he has developed quite a following & there's no downside to exploring this option:
http://www.alistairkelsey.com

Last we heard (this year), Brian Gavin Diamonds in Texas will cover outside stones; here's the portal page to the settings BGD offers (you can sort the listings on the subsequent pages according to price):
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/

I don't know that anyone has ever nailed down with IDJ -- or James Allen -- as to whether they will assume liability for an outside stone entrusted to them. So that's something to ask those vendors about it, if you're not going to order the center diamond from them.

(Edited to correct typing bloopers)
 
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rockysalamander said:
Zoara is a company that some buy from on other boards, but they have only a 30-day return policy * * *
Click to expand...
rocky, I'm wondering what online vendors have a window for returns of diamonds that's longer than 30 days. 30 days is the timeframe for James Allen, Blue Nile, Whiteflash (10 days for stones that are in virtual inventory) B2C, Enchanted Diamonds; High Performance Diamonds' is 21 days; 15 days with Brian Gavin; GOG's return date is 10, 15, or 30 days, depending on the diamond purchased.

Thanks!
 
You captured the days of return correctly. What I meant by "only" was that is all they offer. No upgrade, tradeup or buyback policy. I should have phrased that better.

JA - Tradeup at 100% of cost toward new diamond, but new must be 2x price
BN - same
WF - I only suggest WF for their ACA and Expert selection and not virtual due to that short return window. With those diamonds, they have a 100% of cost of new diamond with no upgrade limit (i.e., if new diamond is $1 more, you can trade it)
HighPerformanceDiamonds offer the same as WF, but also a lifetime buyback policy at 80% of cost.
 
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