The Mission: Get a ring as close as possible to Tiffany’s Lucida
The Diamond Process:
To make a long story short, after extensive research, I ended up purchasing the diamond online from Whiteflash. The process moved quickly with them and overall it was a good experience. I received both a sarin report and an idealscope image from them with no problems at all. I live in Toronto ON and agreed to pick up the diamond from a FedEx holding station in Buffalo NY. This way, I would only be hit with the US – CDN exchange rate. If I had the diamond shipped to Canada, I would have had to pay a 10% excise tax plus 15% federal and provincial tax. So right off the bat I saved over 25% by only driving 1.5 hours!! Of course I was a little nervous at the border, but it was well worth the savings. In my package, Whiteflash had included a loupe too.
Once I received the diamond, I took it to EGL in Toronto to make sure what I was shipped matched the cert. I had EGL do a ‘pre-grading’ on the loose stone for $25.00 CDN and the result was identical to the GIA cert.
What I got (GIA Certified):
1.03 ct Princess Cut, VS1, H
Depth: 72.5%
Table: 73.5%
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Polish and Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Cost: $3600 USD
The Setting Process:
I had asked around to several local jewelers who all said they could make the Lucida with no problem and that they had made several in the past. That being said, trust me when I say there are hundreds of variations of this setting – a lot of which just don’t look right. So it took me quite a while to narrow down my choices. Another thing that almost all the stores did was quote me a price around the $600 – 800 range. Then when I said “OK lets do it”, they re-quoted me a price of $950 and up! (I wanted 950 platinum with 5% ruthenium). Anyway, I ended up getting the setting done at a store in the Toronto Jewelry Mart. I was very hesitant because this place looks like a flea market. I decided to proceed though because the place I chose actually had a few Lucida settings in their showcase and they looked great. Also, I spoke with the owners for a very long time on numerous occasions and they seemed sincere and legit.
I had them custom make the setting, show me the wax mold before proceeding and set the diamond when it was completed. Adding to my stress, they said they needed the diamond overnight to set it. I reluctantly agreed but took the completed ring immediately to EGL again to have the full cert completed once I received it. They verified it was the original diamond and that it was in perfect condition still. This was a full cert this time and had a plot, replacement value, etc. It cost around $100 CDN.
OVERALL:
So overall here’s how it all breaks down for any newbies:
Diamond - $3600 USD (with the exchange rate at the time came to $4945.45 CDN)
Setting - $950 CDN (950 Plat with 5% Ruthenium – ring = 9.25 grams)
Pre grading cert - $26.75
Full Cert - $107.00
Final cost of ring & certs - $6029.20 CDN
Replacement value on Cert = $17,550.00 CDN (a bit excessive don’t you think?)
If you have any questions or want more details just drop me a line – I know how crazy this process can be … and although it was supposed to be a happy time I found myself nervous, stressed and untrusting the whole time! It’s unfortunate, but I’m glad the whole ordeal is over. Now I just have to propose!
Here are some photos too.
The Diamond Process:
To make a long story short, after extensive research, I ended up purchasing the diamond online from Whiteflash. The process moved quickly with them and overall it was a good experience. I received both a sarin report and an idealscope image from them with no problems at all. I live in Toronto ON and agreed to pick up the diamond from a FedEx holding station in Buffalo NY. This way, I would only be hit with the US – CDN exchange rate. If I had the diamond shipped to Canada, I would have had to pay a 10% excise tax plus 15% federal and provincial tax. So right off the bat I saved over 25% by only driving 1.5 hours!! Of course I was a little nervous at the border, but it was well worth the savings. In my package, Whiteflash had included a loupe too.
Once I received the diamond, I took it to EGL in Toronto to make sure what I was shipped matched the cert. I had EGL do a ‘pre-grading’ on the loose stone for $25.00 CDN and the result was identical to the GIA cert.
What I got (GIA Certified):
1.03 ct Princess Cut, VS1, H
Depth: 72.5%
Table: 73.5%
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Polish and Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Cost: $3600 USD
The Setting Process:
I had asked around to several local jewelers who all said they could make the Lucida with no problem and that they had made several in the past. That being said, trust me when I say there are hundreds of variations of this setting – a lot of which just don’t look right. So it took me quite a while to narrow down my choices. Another thing that almost all the stores did was quote me a price around the $600 – 800 range. Then when I said “OK lets do it”, they re-quoted me a price of $950 and up! (I wanted 950 platinum with 5% ruthenium). Anyway, I ended up getting the setting done at a store in the Toronto Jewelry Mart. I was very hesitant because this place looks like a flea market. I decided to proceed though because the place I chose actually had a few Lucida settings in their showcase and they looked great. Also, I spoke with the owners for a very long time on numerous occasions and they seemed sincere and legit.
I had them custom make the setting, show me the wax mold before proceeding and set the diamond when it was completed. Adding to my stress, they said they needed the diamond overnight to set it. I reluctantly agreed but took the completed ring immediately to EGL again to have the full cert completed once I received it. They verified it was the original diamond and that it was in perfect condition still. This was a full cert this time and had a plot, replacement value, etc. It cost around $100 CDN.
OVERALL:
So overall here’s how it all breaks down for any newbies:
Diamond - $3600 USD (with the exchange rate at the time came to $4945.45 CDN)
Setting - $950 CDN (950 Plat with 5% Ruthenium – ring = 9.25 grams)
Pre grading cert - $26.75
Full Cert - $107.00
Final cost of ring & certs - $6029.20 CDN
Replacement value on Cert = $17,550.00 CDN (a bit excessive don’t you think?)
If you have any questions or want more details just drop me a line – I know how crazy this process can be … and although it was supposed to be a happy time I found myself nervous, stressed and untrusting the whole time! It’s unfortunate, but I’m glad the whole ordeal is over. Now I just have to propose!
Here are some photos too.
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