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Just wanted to say how informative I have found your blog thanks.
I live in Australia and I have started looking around at diamonds and engagement rings.
I have recently found a canadian fire diamond at a local jeweller it is GIA certified.
it’s specs are:
1.29 Carats
Clarity is SI2
The colour is either G or I sorry can’t remember
And is an excellent cut
Asking price is $15999 Australian dollars. What is your opinion on this type diamond and also the cost?
They have said they will do the setting for a heavily discounted price. Am I correct in estimating another $1500 – $2000 dollars for the setting?
The only knowledge I have is what I have read on your blog and also some other sites, I am way out of my depth and don’t want to make a bad choice.
I appreciate any information you could give me.
That diamond is an absolute rip-off. There is no way that diamond is worth anything close to that price:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.28-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-327105?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-f-color-si2-clarity-sku-241102?a_aid=dmnd1357
Including taxes both diamonds cost anywhere between $10,227a and $11,672a. Of course he can give you a discount on the setting because a) he’s already gauged you on the diamond and b) he probably has his setting prices inflated to the point where he is still making even more money on you there.
What do you think?
Thanks for the information, I am going to talk to my GF and try to narrow down some options. I will get back to you and let you know
Thanks again.
Keep me posted.
Sorry to bother you again. I have read some horror stories about buying online. So a little worried about that.
I think I want a round cut with halo type setting.
In terms of clarity and colour what could I get away with? I don’t really want imperfections to be easily noticeable I also don’t want to be paying premium for colour and clarity that isn’t needed.
I understand your concerns, but I think they are misguided. We have found that far more people end up getting taken advantage of by going in to a store than purchasing online. Diamond buying is confusing and, deep down, you realize that you will never know as much as the professionals selling the diamonds.
When you purchase online, you have the advantage of going at your own pace, cross-referencing (with a site like ours) and checking off all the boxes. I am also able to help with somewhat unbiased opinions. While we usually get paid by the online vendors we recommend, we have no reason to recommend one diamond over the other unless its the better choice for you. When you walk into a store, the less desirable the diamond, the more incentive the owner of the diamond has to sell it.
There have been countless readers who I’ve started the process with and partway through send me a message ‘we went to this store and found this diamond that was such a great deal, so we snapped it up.’ I then feel like garbage when I have to point out the things they missed which turn it from a good deal to a terrible deal (improper certification inflating the quality, strong fluorescence, yellow fluorescence, even artificial treatment). Unfortunately, most stores make it very difficult to return a diamond ring.
Its possible you can find a good deal at a store (by good deal, I mean not much more expensive than an online retailer), but you are far more likely to fall into a sales trap. I’m not saying that you should unequivocally stick with online purchasing, but I think your concerns on principle are misplaced.
As for color/clarity, we cover that here:
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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