Where to buy? US? SA? Isreal?

[tarator]

My boyfriend and I live in Norway. We will pick out my engagement ring together. It is it too expensive with 25% sales tax to buy a ring here. I will be going to South Africa, Cape Town in September and the US in December. If I buy in the US I will probably buy off a reputable online retailer. I might possibly go to Israel next year, as well.

My first concern is to buy a diamond from a reputable dealer. My second concern is affordability. My guess is I should wait until I''m back in the US (where I''m from).


Any suggestions?

I am looking for an Ideal or Premium 1 carrot diamond for around 3.000/4.000 USD. (SI2/I Color).


Next post will probably be on facets, symmetry, thickness and table. As I''m still figuring out what I need... I want the diamond to reflect light and have as much fire as possible.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 7/13/2009 8:01:12 AM
Author:tarator
My boyfriend and I live in Norway. We will pick out my engagement ring together. It is it too expensive with 25% sales tax to buy a ring here. I will be going to South Africa, Cape Town in September and the US in December. If I buy in the US I will probably buy off a reputable online retailer. I might possibly go to Israel next year, as well.

My first concern is to buy a diamond from a reputable dealer. My second concern is affordability. My guess is I should wait until I'm back in the US (where I'm from).

Any suggestions?

I am looking for an Ideal or Premium 1 carrot diamond for around 3.000/4.000 USD. (SI2/I Color).

Next post will probably be on facets, symmetry, thickness and table. As I'm still figuring out what I need... I want the diamond to reflect light and have as much fire as possible.

US is safest, you will get what you pay for. Israel, S.A. unless you are experience buyer...

Carat not carrot.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 8:01:12 AM
Author:tarator
My boyfriend and I live in Norway. We will pick out my engagement ring together. It is it too expensive with 25% sales tax to buy a ring here. I will be going to South Africa, Cape Town in September and the US in December. If I buy in the US I will probably buy off a reputable online retailer. I might possibly go to Israel next year, as well.

My first concern is to buy a diamond from a reputable dealer. My second concern is affordability. My guess is I should wait until I'm back in the US (where I'm from).


Any suggestions?

I am looking for an Ideal or Premium 1 carrot diamond for around 3.000/4.000 USD. (SI2/I Color).


Next post will probably be on facets, symmetry, thickness and table. As I'm still figuring out what I need... I want the diamond to reflect light and have as much fire as possible.

Hi Tarator and welcome!

Definitely some of these online retailers in the US are well worth considering. Some also have brick and mortar premises as well as online inventory.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.niceice.com

As for Israel, I would not recommend a rookie try to purchase there, too many potential pitfalls.

As to the above mentioned facets and symmetry etc, this all refers to the quality of the cut and finish of the diamond, cut is KEY in order to have a beautiful stone, so aiming for the best cut you can will give you the sparkle you want. I would suggest starting by reading the advanced tutorial at the top and work your way through the topics on the left, this will give you a good basic introduction, also the search tool is a great help - TONS of info in the archives if you have a specific question and if you can't find the answer you can always ask!

Also don't go by cut labels such as Ideal, Premium etc, these are no guarantee of a well cut diamond, take each on its own merits and proportions.

I hope this helps!