Buying a diamond

Grimgoth · 19 Jun 2009 at 14:10

I'll post the same advice my dad gave me:
1) Never buy from an airport shop, they know you're never coming back (so I guess by extension, an internet shop)
2) DIF diamonds people buy as investments, and they're not worth forking the premium for stones less than a karat. Drop down 2 scales on all fronts and nobody will be able to tell the difference without taking out a DIF stone and putting it next to it. Even then most would need a loupe.
3) The raw material cost of diamond to ring ratio, try about 1:0.1-0.25, not much more.
4) If bringing a stone in that has not been serial numbered/certified that you can check to be set by a jeweller, never let it out of your sight while they set it (Shouldn't take more than 30 mins to set). Follow it into the workroom, etc. if it is serialed, make sure you know and can determine that it is the same stone that you have given them.
Hope this helps

aardvark · 19 Jun 2009 at 14:14

a friend of mine got his rings from the Birmingham jewellery quarter - lots of discounts to be had apparently.

as for the firm saying there will be no import tax or VAT - i find that very very hard to believe.

Ev0 · 19 Jun 2009 at 15:20

Nix said:
Cut off your left testicle and set that onto the ring instead.

May as well, she'll be in charge of them anyway so you won't need them

I went to my local jeweller who specialised in diamonds. He got an envelope from his safe and tipped out some diamonds and then picked one he liked the best out the bunch.

They then sent it off to the person they use to make the ring and mount.

Cost about half of what it would have done from a 'normal' retail place and feels that little bit more special knowing it's been made for us.

mattheman · 19 Jun 2009 at 16:26

get a fake you'll thank me in 10 years.

Greebo · 19 Jun 2009 at 16:45

My mate did this. He went for a cheap weekend (with me and the boys of course

) to Brussels, a short train journey to Antwerp and the diamond quarter and take your pick.

Much cheaper than here and safer than ordering over the internet.

He bought a 2 carot stone (can't remember the rating). His only worry then was losing it before getting it home!

EDIT: Also means you can see it in real life.

Also VS2 isn't great for the number of inclusions and may be more noticable than the colour. Better to get a VS1 or even a VVS2 and drop the colour a notch or two.

VS2 is the 3rd from bottom for flaws. Another reason to see it in real life as you might not be happy with the flaws.

gjc10212 · 3 Jul 2009 at 15:05

I took a stroll along Hattan Garden today to compare prices to BlueNile - needless to say I will be buying from BlueNile. On average the same rings (in most cases lower clarity, cut and colour were double the price in HG).

goldilocks · 3 Jul 2009 at 15:43

mulpsmebeauty said:
I'm thinking £1400-ish for the diamond and £400 (maybe a little more) for a platinum setting. If my setting estimation is unrealistic, I'll reconsider the cost of the stone or the budget.

If you can find a D colour, well cut, VVS stone at 0.7-0.8ct for that price - let me know where!!!
My stone was more than that, and is closer to 1/2ct!

Also (just something we hadnt considered) if she has small hands there is such a thing as a stone which is too big.
The jeweller who made mine ordered in 8 or 9 stones with the cut we wanted, in our budget and we actually ended up choosing the smallest stone as it looked best in the mount we'd chosen! (but i do have freakishly small hands)

(edit: also 'lulz' at the phrase 'toying with' - ahhhhhh may want to marry her, i also mayn't!)