I'm looking for a diamond ring for my girl.
I spent sometime at westfield this afternoon.
The prices of those diamonds are quite different.
0.5 carat diamond rings at some stores are for just $999, while more than $3000 at others.
And Haggling can really cut the prices, say 500-1000, maybe more if you are really good at it.
I don't know much about diamond. For me it's no more than a rock.
But I want to make my girl happy. So anyone know where is the best to get bargain and REAL diamond
Good place to buy diamond?
Aaroninau on 04/02/2012 - 19:40
Comments
IF and F are higher than VVS1 - and they are around…
Are you comparing 1/2ct. Solitaire diamonds, or the total ct. weight?
Solitaire diamonds
Colour varies with price. Chain Stores like Angus & Coote and Prouds use Colour L/M which is brownish. The Clarity is a measure of visible flaws. As diamonds are subjectively graded in brackets quality can vary for the same grade. Fracture filling of diamonds is common on the cheaper end to hide flaws.
Handmade vs. Machine made vs. Cast mounts also affect cost. 9ct. vs. 18ct. and also the weight of the mount.
So all this, and the variable overhead costs of business, it's understandable to have such price variance. Make sure you know what colour and clarity is being quoted for accurate comparison.
Price depends on value & markup. I wouldn't buy from a retail or chain store at a mall. They usually sell poor quality stones, G colour and below, that are of little value. Look for auctions, online and personal, so you avoid retail markups. If you have enough money, I suggest that you buy a good quality diamond, even if it is not large, and have the ring made to your (girl's) design. To do this talk to a manufacturing jeweller or a jeweller that makes rings. There are some in every capital city.
The determinants of a diamond's value are size (carats), then colour, then clarity then cut. Try to get the best colour you can afford. Claims that a diamond is a certain colour, eg. D, aren't worth much unless backed by an independent appraisal, eg. a GIA certificate. Otherwise that diamond that is claimed by the seller to be a certain quality, say D colour is probably in reality E colour or lower, and so of lower value. If you ever see a real D colour internally flawless diamond you will know why colour and clarity determine value.
Lastly, consider buying a jewellers loupe so you can get a good look at any diamond you are interested in. It will be just a few dollars well spent.Definitely agree. I have a D IF diamond - it's only small but it's pretty. There are a couple of websites for diamond dealers online - I looked around and picked a few but we ended up going to a jeweller who custom makes rings and the prices he could get for the stones were cheaper than any of the websites.
Forget shopping at Westfield for starters..
Go to a manufacturing jeweller.
Hi there Aaroninau.I may just be able to help you.I just received a STUNNING ring from the US,only to have it a different size to what i need now (a little big now for me )and from someone who shouldn,t buy me jewellery.I have it on Ebay at the moment,but if you like it (have a look @parispourlafemme1970 for pics )It really is gorgeous.Let me know what you think.
Just get it resized.
Is this site trustful? r they selling real and high quality diamond?
The big concern is I cannot see the diamond by my own eyes before getting it.As far as I am aware, yes and yes.
Wikipedia reports (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Nile_Inc.) that they have been in business since 1999, and have substantial annual sales, making them the largest online seller of diamonds.
The site also provides extensive information about the quality and other characteristics of each of the diamonds that they have for sale. Indeed, even if you do not wish to purchase anything from them, their site has a lot of useful information about what to look for when purchasing diamonds.
Yeah I was trying to this of this place. I have been told they are reputable, at the least as a price indicator.
Well by all means make your girl happy and I hope that you get the best diamond for your money.
But I'd just like to mention that the association between diamonds and romance was fabricated by clever advertising.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2006/12/the-diam…
Arm yourself with some knowledge before trying to haggle
learn the 4 c's before going in there
Carat - the bigger the carat the bigger the diamond
Clarity - how "perfect" is it…or rather how imperfect
Colour - how "yellow" is the diamond…discolouration from clear
Cut - type of cut…basically shape. most popular is the princess or just plain roundhttp://www.4diamond.com/4Cs/...i think this site has it pretty well outlined
also at the site…very good do's and don't of purchasing diamondsAs a wedding ring is a very unique you HAVE to shop around….sorry no short cuts here
Know your budget!
Don't go for this 3 months wages crap either (AKA sex in the city BS!)…buy what you can realistically afford, then stretch a tiny bit more (if required)also as pointed out above…stay away from shops in malls.
Their rent forces them to sell for moreThanks humdingaling, you are helpful.
I went to the stores without any knowledge. I didn't even know the 4c thing.
The shop assistant kept saying and saying. I was like "What the heck r u talkin about"at least you past the first dont
Don't get suckered into buying one first time you visit =)
A little research goes a long way at price talking timeif you are still trying to the do secret squirrel business and surprise your misses…your going to need some intel on what she likes…and more importantly what she doesnt like
now talking about settings/band/metal/etc
Hopefully you get along with her bestie who can provide this kind of info as any sign of you asking about rings basically gives it away….though even when they ask out of the blue its kind of fishy
i personally opted out for the easier option and getting her to come along to buy it but it guarantees she likes it
I did the same thing. Although it spoiled the surprise but it's safest.
She couldn't move a single meter after she tried those rings on her finger.
I knew the price was tricky so I pulled her away (Which was really hard and I promised to buy a much better one). Just want to be a wise buyer and don't want to get ripped.
Thanks for all your advice!
Yeah,thanks steptoe…..BECAUSE I HADN,T THOUGHT OF THAT!!!!!!It was from someone i didn,t want a ring from,so it,s a bit more than just resizing the damn thing.
wow, way to sound rude.
You -said- that it was the wrong size, instead of giving the real reason. Don't get crabby when someone only tried to offer advice based on your lie. =/
Check out Pricescope as it's a well known diamond forum. Blue nile is legit.
I'd advise you to skip Westfields all together. Get a rock with a certification (GIA is the best and what the industry takes as it's benchmark, or EGL if you can't afford it). All other certs aren't really worth the paper it's written on (like AGS)
You must know what you are buying. Hubby had to learn all the 4Cs and went to look at heaps of GIA certified rocks without me so he knew what he was doing before he bought one.
What area are you located in?
Hi, just reporting back.
I ended up buying from Blue Nile and received it a couple of days ago.
The diamond ring is really good and shining. It came with a certificate a care sheet and etc. The most important thing is she loves it!The down side of it is I was charged about $200 for custom duty and GST :(
The price of the ring is $1500.
so if you are thinking buy from blue nile, be awared of custom duty.There should be a "Free Trade Agreement" type thing so you could be exempt from the duty (there should be more details on pricescope) and all you need to do is some paperwork, though you will still be liable for GST (10%)
Whiteflash (a recommended seller on pricescope and is like bluenile) has a good rundown of this
http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/faq/australiaunited…
FYI - Duty is around 5% of the item cost
Thanks for the heads up Aaroninau.
its about the quality of the diamond not the carats.
vvs1 is best but it'll cost u a lot.