Engagement Ring - Where to Buy and Pricing

supersabroso on 11/01/2016 - 01:48

Hi, do you guys know how best to go about buying an engagement ring? Especially if you can provide locations in Sydney. I'm going to propose to my girlfriend.

Currently after shopping around Parramatta shopping centre, I found Gregory Jewellers to be the best shop. I've learnt much about the cut, clarity, symmetry, polish, carat, fluorescence etc. The others seemed to stock poor quality diamonds at prices that are not on par relatively.

However, after comparing to BlueNile, their diamond prices seem to be 20% over the top. Especially for the setting, the setting seems to be a mark up of 100% ie. double price.

I'm eyeing diamond elite, diamond imports and diamond emprioum (around Chinatown in the CBD). Are they any good? Their prices seem to be more inline with BlueNile and I might actually get to see the diamond before I buy. I think that is the way to go, not seeing it is just too much.

Budget is up to $10,000.

General Discussion

Comments

  • barginhunter11 on 11/01/2016 - 08:57
    -4

    Micheal Hill
    1/2 year stocktake sales or end of financial year

    or

    get one custom made.

  • lupiter on 11/01/2016 - 09:30
    +3

    Be aware that this is a piece of jewellery your gf may be wearing every day for the rest of her life. Unless she's given you detailed instructions on what she likes… don't go out and buy a 10k ring. Or even a 1k ring, without a really good returns policy.

    Consider proposing with a silver or 9ct cz ring and a voucher for a local independent jeweller. Then get something made that is what she really likes, fits well, and is unique (or relatively unique).

    My engagement ring is a family antique, which my bf didn't know about, so consider that side too!

    • oscargamer on 11/01/2016 - 14:11

      exactly what i did

      then we used the gold from that 'proposal ring' and got a jeweller to use it in the engagement ring she eventually designed !!!

      win win

  • CLoSeR on 11/01/2016 - 10:57
    +1

    I purchased through WhiteFlash, they were very good.

    http://www.whiteflash.com/

    • b00gie on 11/01/2016 - 13:03

      also bought from whiteflash recently

      very good service, good price too!

      fiancee loved her ring!!

  • lippy on 11/01/2016 - 11:19

    Wow there is so much to consider if you are buying a ring.

    What kind of cut are you after? You really need to go shop around and find what's best for you. Some places rip you off hard.

    You mentioned Chinatown, my fiance got my ring from Luk Fook Jewelers on Sussex Street.

    Cerrone Jewellers is also a big one in the city, with two stores, one in Martin Place, the other inside Westfield Sydney (Castlereagh Street Exit).

  • shroomish on 11/01/2016 - 11:48
    +5

    1938 invention by the de beers company to sell a glut of polished rock. Diamond mark ups range from 100 to 500% on the high street, its actual value is negligible as to make it worthwhile to sell means offering it at below wholesale cost.

    • dogboy on 12/01/2016 - 15:19

      The biggest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince women that diamonds were precious stones and associated with engagement/marriage. Man has been paying the hugely over-inflated price ever since for these worthless rocks. Good luck getting a woman to care though. A much better alternative seems to be Moissanite - just as hard, more brilliant than a diamond and a fraction of the price. Very hard to find a bricks and mortar in Australia that stock them though…

  • yoonibear on 11/01/2016 - 13:42

    If you're willing to hop onto a plane and head to Perth.
    There's http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/ or James Allen in the States.

    • Islund on 11/01/2016 - 13:50

      Most of the World Diamond Trade is transacted through Antwerp and the Indians there are too good - as I recall it Jogia has direct connections.

      • yoonibear on 12/01/2016 - 13:45

        Hi Islund, would you be able to elaborate more on this? I'm trying to do a bit of research for when the time comes :) Thanks!

        • Islund on 12/01/2016 - 13:56

          Antwerp is basically the diamond trading capital of the world.

          My understanding is that Jogia has very good sourcing arrangements out of there.

          Not sure what else I can add. :o(

  • saine on 11/01/2016 - 14:07

    For something that doesn't look like a carbon copy (no pun intended) of everywhere else: http://www.piecesofeight.com.au/collections/engagement-rings

  • ggkfc on 11/01/2016 - 21:32

    I found that the Australian stores rip you off quite badly

    Use Blue Nile to get a rough estimate of costs(the diamonds are inflated here in Aus)

    As previously mentioned
    James Allen is excellent
    - You can speak to the chat to ask if its "eye clean"
    - I got mine there, you can see the cert and actually diamond zoomed
    - Good service, affordable

  • Puska on 12/01/2016 - 12:28

    Atlas Jewellers in Westfield Parramatta

    They will make any ring you like. Bring in a picture and they will make it identical. All you need to tell them is what type of cuts, colours etc you would like. Bought my partners through there and we are very happy. We got her engagement ring, and our wedding rings from there

    Its a family run business and they are all very nice people and will help where they can.

  • michaelTito on 12/01/2016 - 13:42
    +1

    a silent moment for our brother.

  • TNTomer on 13/01/2016 - 17:18

    Has anyone had any experience with Empress Diamonds? Their diamonds seem to be a fraction of the cost of Blue Nile and I can't find much in regards to true customer reviews online.

  • poweredbytofu on 14/02/2016 - 17:20

    I was shopping for a GIA certified diamond last month and suffice to say I found blue Nile's price comparable to local sellers. I was after a 2 - 2.1ct eye clean diamond their price was roughly $18k not including import duty therefore add on GST and import fees of $55.20 and its a bee'd dick under $20k landed. I ended up buying from a local shop 2.02ct with the same qualities for under $20K (still had to pay for the setting), I also got free lifetime ring re-sizing. If price is not that different I suggest you purchase locally and avoid the import hassles.

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