Recommendations for Best and Trusted Jewellers in Sydney for Diamond Engagement Rings

LUrban Warrior Ninja on 22/01/2023 - 21:47
Last edited 22/01/2023 - 23:23 by 1 other user

Hi OzBargain gang!

My lady and I are turning 3 this year and I'm thinking of popping the question. I have zero experience with buying engagement rings, so I'm turning to OzBargain for advice.

We're looking at a 2 carat total weight diamond ring. Anyone with thoughts on how much that might cost? I know there are tons of variables, but I'm looking at $15-$20K I think.

Anyone has any recommendations on jewellers they trust in Sydney? Preferably Sydney CBD as that's where I'm located.

Any advice on what's a reasonable spend? I've heard of the 3-month salary rule of thumb.

Appreciate any help on this!

Fashion & Apparel Engagement Ring

Comments

  • Vulgar on 22/01/2023 - 21:58
    +1

    Think the rule is 2 months, but it was made up by a diamond company. I would recommend a moissanite ring if possible. It's more shiny and costs far less.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/01/2023 - 22:23
      +3

      2 months for ‘average’ ozbargainer according to recent polls suggests something more like 30-40k brah, so I would say op being super conservative 🫡

  • Wiadro on 22/01/2023 - 22:10
    +2

    15-20k? wtf
    you need to get off ozbargain if you want something in that price tag

  • thatonethere on 22/01/2023 - 22:26
    +1

    Perhaps check out https://kldiamonds.com.au/ in the CBD

    Done some work with him the past.

  • Pelicannn on 22/01/2023 - 22:36
    +3

    James Allen or similar and do it yourself. Pick the diamond, pick the metal, pick the setting.

    Way cheaper than brick + mortar and have generally excellent reviews.

    Also 15-20k ? Damn. Hope you're getting an equivalent watch in return lol.

  • Black-dagga on 22/01/2023 - 22:39
    +1

    I think there is no "rule" - just do what
    1. Will make you happy.
    2. Will make your lady happy
    3. What you (and she) can tell everyone else about her ring.

    For 20k - I'm not sure you can get a 2carat ring with decent colour and clarity (which are more important than size in terms of how nice a ring looks). Carat is what everyone quotes but definitely not everything. My wife's was 1.65c, E, VS1 and EEE with a platinum band.

    I highly recommend going to a famous conglomerate jeweler (e.g. Tiffany's, Cartier) with your lady to get a sense of what she likes. You don't have to let her pick the exact ring but if this is something she is going to wear for the rest of her life - its best if she has some say. Ask her friends to if she has mentioned anything about a ring or what her preferences would be.

    I spent >20k for my wife's ring and do not regret it.

    I spent almost three months shopping around and getting quotes. After going to almost a dozen jewelers including two Midas branches, Australian Diamond Emporium, Tiffany's (more for style inspiration, but exorbitant prices), Australian Diamond Specialists (Kim), etc… I settled on "Australian Diamond Brokers" on Castlereagh Street.

    The owner Varoujan is incredibly friendly and provides excellent, genuine, non-pushy service. The prices are excellent and you know you are getting a quality product. He has another store in Westfield Mall which is for fancier designs.

    If you mention Rui sent you - he will tell you my story and may even get you a good price.

    I wish you luck,

    • Urban Warrior Ninja on 24/01/2023 - 07:51

      Appreciate it mate! A great wife is something money can't buy.

      I'll definitely check out Australian Diamond Brokers when I'm ready to get quotes.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/01/2023 - 22:53

    If you’re taking recommendations I might just put out there a suggestion for jogia’s in wa - their service when I was looking for a ring was the best out of all the local ones I visited in brisbane from family owned to big chains. At the time they were quite popular with whirlpoolers too. Not sure these days. Jogia are in WA though. I did everything via email, no dramas.

  • Fat Horny Ghost on 22/01/2023 - 23:44
    +3

    I did my research.

    GS diamonds in QVB, you can easily get a 2 carat natural diamond with that budget but if you're after better quality ones in round cut with better quality like vvs2, G or above colour and good or above cut it's gonna be like 30k.

    1.5k is enough I found. 2 carat is huge. Works out cheaper after tax than bluenile. They select and buy overseas takes about a month to ship.

    • Fat Horny Ghost on 22/01/2023 - 23:46
      +1

      Could only negotiate $100 cheaper from them but their prices and info is good. You can see where any flaws are at online first GIA certified.

    • Urban Warrior Ninja on 23/01/2023 - 18:11

      Thanks so much. I checked them out online and can see their website lets you customise the ring to your liking. Price is just as I expected after looking around a bit. I'll definitely check them out among other jewelers I'll be looking into.

      Very helpful post! :)

      • Fat Horny Ghost on 27/01/2023 - 17:54

        All good they can reset the ring size for you for free like most jewellers with stores here, important to find the right fit too, summer vs. winter is different sizes lol

  • jolee3 on 23/01/2023 - 00:29
    +1

    Price will vary considerably on colour and clarity; a high quality 2 carat single stone will be much more than 15-20k. When you say total weight, do you mean a single stone of 2 carat or do you mean a centre stone with smaller shoulder stones, that is 2ct in total?

  • RockyRaccoon on 23/01/2023 - 07:03
    +1

    3 years and she wants a 2 Carat ring $15-20K in value, what do you get?

    A top notch gaming rig is going to max out at $10K - wheres the other $5-10K for you?

    Alternatively you can get a glass 2 carat ring for $200-300 which her friends will never know that, and you can both get a house much faster. (see Vulgar's post above for clue)

    Side benefit is that if she leaves you after getting the ring, you havent lost much.

    Ozbargain rule. - Heart over Head never leads to a bargain

  • Sinnerator on 23/01/2023 - 08:21

    Can any jewellers be trusted or are they all massive ripoffs? The whole diamond industry is a controlled supply scam to keep prices high.
    Best I can recommend is fly to South Africa, ask for a guy named Danny Archer and buy from him.

  • Shadowsfury on 23/01/2023 - 08:26
    +1

    I bought engagement ring from James Allen (online, via US), just over 1ct stone in a platinum band

    I always tell friends to find out answers to these questions in terms of their partner's preferences:
    1) Shape of diamond
    2) Band - shape (plain, pave etc), colour (yellow/silver), material (gold/platinum)
    3) Natural (mined) or lab created - I wouldn't necessarily spend less if they said yes to lab even though its cheaper, I would spend that money on the other attributes

    Carat is nice but in a poor cut won't sparkle. Also the larger the diamond the more important colour becomes (as its then easier to spot a yellow diamond). For clarity, long as its "eye clean" I probably wouldn't bother going much higher - if you get the cut right it'll sparkle so much no one going to see the imperfections.

  • Xistn on 23/01/2023 - 08:46

    Wait a minute…….

    Whats this about a equivalent value watches and gaming rigs after Poppin the question?

  • meowsers on 23/01/2023 - 10:23
    +1

    Buy from the US. James Allen or for example ritani. Lab grown diamond, much better value and no one can tell.
    Unlike moissanite, the lab created diamond is a diamond so wont scratch.

    Platinum doesn't need replating, however will need buffing every once in a while. Gold will need replating every few years which is cheap but just more maintenance.

    The most classic diamond shape is round, but be careful with larger stones as you will probably need a 6 prong setting or a robust 4 prong to avoid it falling out. Stay away from those dainty bands as they can be easily crushed and taken out of round.

    If you buy overseas just send to a friend and collect it there (maybe split proposal/ring collection) as GST is a killer.

    15-20k is absolutely an insane price to pay for metal and a diamond, but to each their own.

  • Seraphin7 on 23/01/2023 - 10:59
    +1

    We're looking at a 2 carat total weight diamond ring.

    Depending on what you mean, you will have a massive difference in cost and potentially recommendations … a single 2 carat stone is a very different beast to 20 x 0.1 carats.

    • Urban Warrior Ninja on 23/01/2023 - 18:12

      Still debating. I'm looking at a halo cut, which could also include tiny pieces of diamonds. I guess a big stone at around 1.7-1.8 could do, and then combined with the smaller pieces, that should add up to 2+ ct.

  • Urban Warrior Ninja on 23/01/2023 - 18:15
    +2

    Thanks a lot for the helpful comments guys and girls!

    Some of you question whether it's worth the investment. I've thought about this for a while, and I'm a firm believer that selecting the right partner is one of, if not the most important decisions in life.

    No amount of money you invest can ever make up for the quality of life you could get when you've found the right partner. That said, obviously only invest what you can afford to and not more.

    • Shadowsfury on 24/01/2023 - 08:43

      If you got the money go for it

      But yeah lots of decent advice in here for you to consider

      Long as you don't go to the chain stores like Michael Hill you should broadly be fine

      • Urban Warrior Ninja on 24/01/2023 - 14:36

        LOL exactly. Retail chain jewelers like Prouds, Michael Hill are a big turn off. Also not gonna fall for absolute rip-off prices at Tiffany's.

        • Xistn on 25/01/2023 - 08:12

          Chain stores are for sizing and getting an idea.

        • Ragnarok1983 on 04/10/2023 - 23:03

          Hi, how did you go? Also after something similar in the 20-25K price range.

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