We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: “Totally Confused in the Diamond Jungle…”

By Mike Fried,

Hi and thanks for a great site!

I have been reading quite much about James Allen on internet and I have also been in contact with their great chat support and I am impressed!

Searching the internet today I read about some Britain based company named 77 Diamonds.

My issue is: I’m living in Scandinavia and if i decide to buy the ring from James Allen i have to “smuggle” it to my home country to avoid tax and custom fees, and i don’t now if its difficult to have it insured and valued without tax and customs paid.

If I decided to buy it from 77 Diamonds I don’t have to bother about that, cause then its inside EU.

The ring my girlfriend loves is this one
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-white-gold-2.0mm-art-nouveau-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-9023?a_aid=dmnd1357

and we are looking for a stone about this grades;
CT ,85- 1,0
Colour; G-I (or do you think I is to low?)
VS1
Ideal cut
My budget is US6500 but it can be a little stretched

I would be so happy if you have some inputs for me about this, thanks!

I am confused by what you are talking about. No matter where you purchase from in Europe, you need to pay VAT. Which country do you live in? It’s possible you have an additional import tax, but it’s usually not that much.

77 Diamonds is not a very good company and doesn’t offer particularly great value. If it could save you 20% on taxes, it may be worthwhile, but not for a 5-10%.

Hi again and thanks for your reply.

What i meant was that if I buy it from England VAT is included in the price but if I buy it from JA i have to pay VAT and customs fee. I live in Sweden.

I so grateful for you guys offering free help to all of us out here totally confused in the diamond jungle.

You are a bit mistaken. You pay VAT regardless of where the diamond is purchased. Every country in Europe has that VAT. The only difference is that 77 Diamonds factors it in beforehand, and JA adds it afterwards. The end price is the same. The only tax you avoid is an import tax which is very low (in fact, I’m pretty sure that Sweden doesn’t have one).

77 Diamonds offers significantly less value to the consumer than James Allen (or Blue Nile) does. That is why I don’t like recommending them.

I would recommend this diamond for you:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-204961?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s bright, eye-clean, well cut and a great value. Combined with the setting you like, the price is 41,547 SEK including all vats and taxes (according to JA’s shipping calculator on the bottom right).

Thanks a lot for your assistance about the diamond, I will really consider that stone.

Maybe I am mistaken but I am scared now, this link is from the Swedish customs and its about buying goods outside an EU country:

http://www.tullverket.se/en/startpage/keywordsaz/az/internetpurchasefromacountryoutsidetheeu.4.16ca6de0120cf835feb80003825.html

I went to a goldshop yesterday just to check the price. They sell a 1 ct, H colour, Excellent cut with SI1 clarity for….hold on to something really steady now 🙂

Their price is 13240 usd!!!!!

Have a nice day Mike and thanks again for your time.

I have added J from JA to this email. He will be able to confirm that all the taxes/duties are included in the price from the shipping calculator.

I am not surprised at all by that price. Sweden is a relatively rich country and there is not as much competition there. I live in the Czech Republic right now (not a rich country by most accounts) and prices here shock me.

From James Allen: Truth be told gentleman, our calculator on JamesAllen.com provides an estimate. To err on the side of caution Petrus, I would contact your local authorities and speak with someone directly at customs to inquire about any and all taxes and duties that may apply when receiving a James Allen purchase order from the States. I’m always hesitant to jump in and provide what “I think” might be the charges on your end. 

I would rather you have the facts so that you encounter no unexpected surprises once the shipment arrives in your country. What you pay to James Allen would only reflect the USD purchase order total. Your shipment would be declared in that amount. Customs should be able to let you know exactly what you would expect to pay based upon that amount. Hope this helps. 

Thanks a lot to both of you!

I have a possible solution for go around the additional fees for my purchase but I am quite sure that James Allen will be our option.

My pleasure. Let me know what you decide to do.

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
Arrow down
Arrow up
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!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

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
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF