Wow Ira, there is so much to take in when researching this stuff!! Thanks for such a great site (it has certainly helped a LOT), hoping you could give some more of your time to answer a few more questions?
I’ve got a budget of about $8K for the entire ring. I’m aiming for a round brilliant centre stone of around 1.2ct, set in a white gold band with smaller diamonds either side of the main diamond. Similar to a 4-claw version of:
www.diamondexchange.com.au/tray/index.php?main_page=ring_builder&cat=23&s=rb&sku=3977
I assume that the ring and side stones will cost about $1700 to buy and put together, leaving about $6.5K for the centre stone.
So, regarding the centre stone, what should I be looking for (GIA of course)? Your guidelines recommend the lowest eye-clean clarity possible, ie SI1/VS2, Ideal/Excellent cut, Good or better symmetry & polish which I am happy with.
Initially I was hoping for F or better colour with No fluorescence but that might push the price up a bit too far. You suggest H-J colour with Medium Blue fluorescence as a better ”bang for your buck” buy (particularly in a silver coloured ring), is this still a good idea given that there will be other diamonds beside it in the setting? Can you suggest any particular diamonds that would be suitable?
Also, can you offer any guidance for the smaller stones, or is it better to purchase locally from the jeweller who ”assembles” the ring?
Something else that I need to bear in mind is that anything that I import from overseas will incur about 15% in customs duty and taxes, plus insurance. Am I way off the mark with my budget?
I appreciate your help and thanks again for such an informative website.
Thanks for writing!
One thing you should keep in mind is that even if you buy locally, the original importer had to pay the same duties you’ll have to pay if you buy overseas (assuming he imported the diamond legally). So local prices already have the taxes built in. So just make sure you do a complete comparison when comparing prices.
If I were you, I wouldn’t try to find a supplier of the sidestones and try to have it built custom. It’s a very basic and common design – any place you buy the loose diamond from should without any issue be able to supply you that ring complete.
Here’s a nice alternative from James Allen, for example:
If you like that setting, let me know and I’ll suggest some diamonds for you so you’ll end up at about $8K (USD or AUD?) total including your taxes, then you can compare this total package to what you can get locally.
Thanks for the quick response!
Yes that option that you suggested from James Allen is an interesting alternative, I like the way that the centre stone is set nice and high – I’m guessing that it would allow more light underneath? I also like the way that the band rises to meet the centre setting. My only concern with that design is that you can see too much of the white gold band between the side stones, as she seems to prefer the pavé style. I think that I might be safer with something like:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-4-Prong-Ring.html
Yes I am aiming at about $8K AUD – at the moment I am pretty lucky in that we are nearing parity with the USD.
Lets see what we can do here!
According to JA’s currency converter, about $6850 USD will cost you about $8000 AUD taking into account taxes and what-not. So taking that ring you selected, it costs 1125. After applying the TAD0611 coupon, the ring will cost $1012.50. So that’s going to leave you with about $6750 USD for the diamond.
Here are some diamonds that I think would look amazing with that diamond ring:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326401.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – eye clean. Triple excellent.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1320385.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – ditto
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1308155.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Eye clean. Excellent Cut.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1314483.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – Eye clean. AGS triple zero.
Let me know what you think!
Thanks again and have a good weekend.
I didn’t think that I’d be in the ballpark for something quite as large as 1.35, so that’s a pleasant surprise. When I was doing my initial research, I figured that I would be forced to sacrifice some size to allow for an acceptable colour and clarity. So, taking your first suggestion (1326401) as an example, my question is would there be much visible difference between that I/SI2 with twinning wisps and surface graining (noted on the certificate) as opposed to an F/SI1?
What do you think of these examples? I find it quite difficult to get a good idea from the Virtual Loupe.
I’m also not real sure about going with anything apart from GIA certified (based on your information on your certificates web page).
All that said, I’d definitely go with the larger stone if there is no noticeable difference between the two! *so confused*
In terms of clarity there would be no difference at all between the SI2 and SI1, assuming both are eye clean. As far as the color goes, if both were directly next to each other and you were viewing them face-up mounted in a ring, you would just be able to perceive a difference in shading. But if you viewed them separately, the difference would be much harder to see. When seeing the I, you would most definitely say that it looks white.
The biggest issue between the stones I suggested and the F SI1 is size. There’s about a half millimeter difference between the two which is obviously noticeable.
In theory, the 1.29 F SI2 would be great (aside from the higher price), but that particular stone you linked to would not be clean to the naked eye.
Ira, that’s good news. The 1.35/I/SI2 seems like very good value!
Now, as you suggest all I might see what similar options there are locally over the next week or two – to be honest, I don’t think I’ll get close. Then it’s just a case of deciding between white gold and platinum (there’s only $300 difference between the two), figuring out the ring size (that could be a challenge…), and then I’ll be ready to go!
Thank you once again for your help. I’ll certainly be recommending you to any of my mates might be looking to make a purchase.
My pleasure. I would like to make a suggestion to you, though. I think you should order the ring now, so you have it locked up. Otherwise, you’re very likely going to have it sold out from underneath you. You have a full 30 days to return it for a full refund, so you have nothing to worry about. And anyway, this will allow you a better sense of comparison when you shop around.
If/when you do place the order, make sure to use the TAD0611 coupon code to get 10% off the setting.
I hope you are well.
This is just a short email to let you know that I did follow your recommendation and I went ahead and ordered the ring from JA. It has since arrived and it is simply stunning. I am very impressed and I am sure that she will be too!
So I thank you once again for all your help. Should you receive any enquiries from Australia in the future, it might be worth mentioning that I was charged 5% import duty, plus 10% Goods and Services Tax – so I did end up going quite a bit over my budget, but I believe I still received far better value for money than had I purchased from here.
Best regards!
That’s wonderful news! I’m very happy for you! Did they let you use the coupon, btw?
If you wouldn’t mind, do you think you could do me a small favor and leave me some feedback on ivouch? If you could, I would be VERY grateful!
Thanks again! And Congratulations!!!
G’day Ira,
Yes they did accept the coupon code, thanks for the tip!
I left some comments on iVouch. Please let me know if you want me to add/remove/change anything – I’m grateful for your help!
Cheers
It’s fantastic! Thank you VERY much!
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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