Singapore is Hearts & Arrows CRAZY - its been COMMODITIZED HERE! LAYLONG LAYLONG!

[ethanhawke]

Just a fellow would be Engaged soon guy, criss crossing the island of Singapore, with a few bucks in the wallet and dreams of a 0.6 caret diamond. heh.

Here are some observations Ive made in the process of the last 3 weeks of lunch time sprints to the diamond shops here.

1) Every mid tier shop ( SooKee, TianPo, Lee Hwa, Etc) is HARDSELLING their stupid Hearts & Arrows diamonds, which really annoys me. Ive only got 3 K in the pocket, I ask specifically for 0.5/0.6 GIA/HRD, G, VS2/Si1 rock. When I ask further questions about the Proportion and polish gradings - They either give a big frown or launch into an unstoppable 20 minute presentation on why a hearts and Arrows cut diamond is for me, just need to fork out a little more ( a few K more that is)

2) Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY is selling "Hearts & Arrows" diamonds in Singaopore..Ive been to bargain basement jewel peddler, Taka Jewels and they are selling so called "hearts & arrows" diamonds as if they were selling Giordano Jeans ( Gap jeans equiv), techno music blasting, dustry and dirty counters, ask you to look to into their periscopes at their " "perfect H&A" and their "H&A"''s look like total crap, (lousier then low rent IGI rated pieces)...just have to keep a straight face and excuse myself- for good.

3) Tiffany''s sales people are more prefessional sales people then the average local jeweler, ( tho I must add that there are some VERY Professional sales people from the locals) - but Tiffany''s sales people can be EXTREMELY dodgy and careless when you query them about certification - b/c they have NONE - except their "inhouse" type. They keep stressing how many hundreds and hundreds of years Tiffany''s been cutting rocks so I shouldnt be asking for silly things like " cut grading" and "proportion grading", and "trust them".

4) I think that while H&A''s are RIDICULOUSLY priced at the local shops, if you focus on their regular GIA''s, with all the 30-50% off, you can still manage a good deal that is comparable to an online buy or BETTER? -IMHO

Any thoughts? Anyone one in Singapore care to agree/disagree or share more intel. Most appreciated. Like to chat with like minded types now. Thanks!

 

[arknuss]

fellow singaporean here.

I agree that most retailers push their H&A line more than their other types. The simple reason (my guess) is that the markup is much higher for H&A stones.

With the same budget you have, I got myself a 0.63 HnA AGS 000 cut H SI1 over the internet. My thread is somewhere around here.

 

[ethanhawke]

Hi Arrknuss,

Wow, thats sounds like a DEAL!

The very absolutely best I found so far, and which Im 1 step from aquiring is

Carat: 0.6
Color: F
Clarity: SI 1
Proportion: Very Good Polish: Good
GIA Certified

Price (w/o setting) : SGD$ 2750 ( US$1640 )

Is this any good? It does look good from the naked eye, not exactly H&A, but looks nice

Another thing is that I will need to do a custom Platinum setting somewhere here in Singapore and i just started looking around. Any good recommendation here in SG that is reliable, frenly and reasonably priced? ( someone quoted S$650 )

Im looking to set it in a Cartier MK styled - housing, in Platinum ( or Tiffany''s Knife Edge - second choice)

Ive heard of the shop at Delta Road - dont know if there are any others that can be considered.

Will appreciate any feedback as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[ethanhawke]

Hey Ark

I just checked out your post - WOW, your piece looks NICE - and so does the Tiffany''s setting!

Coincidentally - The only quote ive gotten so far at $650 - is also from Prudential!! - wow, talk about small place!

I have been quite set on the Tiffany''s Knife edge, when my GF walked into Cartier today and totally feel in love with the MK Engagement ring setting!! Change of plans i guess!...

i guess i better set it with the Cartier MK design soon--before she walks into a Bulgari shop....

 

[flee12]

Hi,

There''s a shop at Thomson Plaza that does custom jobs too, the workmanship looks very good. It''s called Diamond Craft if I''m not wrong.

 

[DiaDiva]

Hi, fellow Singaporean here.

I NEVER buy diamonds retail. I have a very good jeweller that I work with. I buy all my stuff from him. If you''re interested, PM me lah. You can check out my stuff by doing a search.

 

[yeewl]

Hi,
Just wanted to know when is the day u need to ''propose'' or ROM?

Are you working on a tight deadline?

If u wish to set it on PT, S$ 650 +/- is just about it. It takes at least 10 working day to handmade the desired setting. May I ask where did u see the stone?

Regards

WL

 

[arknuss]

Hi ethanhawke,

Is the stone a GIA one?

If you feel comfortable with the stone you are considering, then I say go ahead!

But if you want to pick out a really special stone (and have a kick ass story to tell ), I strongly recommend that you go online. With the budget you have (3K), you can get a stone which will really blow your GF's mind away.

My 2 cents.

 

[Consultant]

Hi Guys,

It''s been a while since I last posted. Been busy.

I have a personal Jeweller by the name of Vern. My proposal ring, wedding
band and wedding set jewellery (he even gave a name and design & customize
base on this theme "Double Bliss") was all done by him. Reason? H&A stone at
on-line price but yet I can see and feel before buying and his craftmanship
expertise is superb.

Before him, I use to go direct to those craftman workshop but the problems I
face convince me that it''s not the wisest choice. Most of the time the
craftman will interpret wrongly what you want and come out with something
different. Then you have no choice but to accept.

I''m delighted with Vern''s price and most importantly, he get things right.
You can e-mail him to check him out ([email protected])