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Q&A: Need Help Buying a Round Diamond in the UK

By Mike Fried,

What a fantastic website you’ve put together. Thanks for all you’re doing for us!

I’m looking for a diamond solitaire pendant and found this website http://www.77diamonds.com/ which seems to have some nice ones on offer. They are based in the UK (like myself). Have you heard of them? Do you know if they are trustworthy?

They have the following round diamond for sale and I thought I’d ask your opinion on whether it is well priced or not. It’s selling for 3250 GBP (20% VAT/sales tax included). That’s about 5280 USD.

0.75 carat G VVS2 Excellent cut GIA certified

Code: RBCPKH6QBHSV

Cert. Number 7131844462

Depth: 60.10%

Table: 58.00%

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Excellent

Fluorescence: None

Measurements:

5.87×5.90×3.54

Many thanks in advance!

1) They are not actually based in UK. They are based in NY. They are no different than any other major site.

2) I suggest reading our review of Blue Nile. The same issue applies to 77 as to BN. As we show very clearly in our clarity post, there is no point in getting a VVS2. You are better off getting a nice Si1 like this:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1469180.asp

This diamond is 100% eye-clean and would look identical to the diamond you selected. The only difference is the price. According to JA’s shipping calculator, the price for this diamond is 2,369 gbp including VAT.

What do you think?

Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately, it looks like the diamond you suggested became unavailable shortly after your e-mail. I’ve had a look at James Allen’s website and I can see the benefit of being able to see a picture of the actual diamond you are buying. My only problem is that they will charge me duty fee (as I’m in the UK) and this will amount to several hundreds of pounds. Do you know of an online retailer similar to James Allen who can ship from the UK (or EU)?

If you come across other diamonds you think may suit my needs, please let me know.

I really appreciate your help!!

I don’t understand your concern. The diamond was cheaper than the UK diamond you selected. Who cares what the breakdown is if you get the best diamond for the right price?

None of those sites are actually UK based. They just open an office. So they save the import fee but you have to pay for that extra overhead.

I suppose you are right. What do you think of this diamond? I can see a few inclusions but that’s with the loop. Will it be eye-clean?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1519745.asp

That’s a nice diamond. It’s eye-clean.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
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
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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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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