What, where to buy diamond ring? Help!!!

[Ballwatch]

Dear All,

Thanks for all your info sharing... really appreciate it

I bought it this evening at Meyson... decided to go for cut (Hearts & Arrow), colour (D) & clarity (VVSI)... reduce size a bit

You should take a look at this website... quite useful... of course for full info on each one selected... the GIA cert tells the story

http://www.meysonjewellery.com/0-50ct-to-0-59ct/

[kadios]

Another point to add, is an often overlooked specs, fluorescence. It should be none to reflect the true color of the diamond. Take for example, a F color diamond with fluorescence may in fact be an equivalent 1-3 color grades lower, meaning technically, it a G color. Normally the expensive diamonds tend to have no fluorescence. So if u come across a big carat, good color diamond at a reasonably low price, pls look deeper.

[Clement_jr]

i brought mine from a private jeweler.
pros,
-u get to customize your own design. from the setting to mixing other precious stones. u get to fully design your unique one.
-i waited and chose a diamond's birthdate same to my wife. and added pink sapphires which she loved.
-u save quite abit from the markups from the retailers.

con:
u don't get the branded label box.

you will realize the diamond at the retailer is much shiny/reflective or even brighter than those which you see at those private jeweler. this doesn't really matter because the retailers are having spotlights everywhere, while those jewelers i visit are just having normal florescent lights - they let the papers do the talking. so don't get skeptical if u feel how i felt initially.

[Trinidad]

Ok i buay koyok for my distance cousin and her family
Her parents-in-law are the old couple behind Canary Diamonds at Delphi orchard.
Her husband is in recent years slowly taking over the business.

They have a lot of nice loose diamonds.
Setting can be done for about $500. The style is up to you.

Take note that diamond prices get exponentially higher as the size gets bigger.
In other words, all else equals, the price of a 1 carat diamond can buy more than 2x0.5 carat diamonds
And a 2 carat diamond can buy more than 3 x 1 carat diamonds.

Therefore to save you some money, ask the sales person where is the threshold for prices at various sizes.
For example, most people on a budget may choose to buy a 0.95 carat diamond rather than a 1.03 carat diamond becos the price difference when it crosses 1 carat is significantly greater.
Likewise, it is proportionately much more economical to buy a 1.47carat diamond compared to a 1.53carat although the difference in size is negligible, becos 1.5carat is another point where prices get exponentially higher.

Somewhat like car road tax, you get the drift...heh

Fire and sparkle are very important, so i would advise you to make sure you get a triple X cut or ideal cut.
In terms of the inclusion, use a loupe to pick the one you prefer. Even if both have the same grading, the inclusions are different and you should pick the one you prefer. Dont take it that they are the same.

The last diamond i bought was an F color VVS2 triple x ideal cut.
I chose it carefully and bought it even though it was $2000 more than another similarly graded one which was only 4 points smaller! I had to bring a few diamonds out of the shop to view under daylight using a loupe to make my final decision!

Bo pian, kiasu Singaporean, must pick the best one.

Good luck and hv fun.
Hope whoever receives the gift appreciates your effort.

[Ballwatch]

Did some leg work, some info gathered (purely my personal opinion only):

1. Colour - from best colourless group D,E,F down... Very gradual variation... I would say almost indistinguishable to naked eye.

2. Clarity - inclusion or to layman impurities within... Also not observable using normal scope.

3. Certification
- quite commonly from internationally recognised GIA. There are a few other bodies certifying as well.
- some only have in-house certification

4. Cut
- this makes the difference to me.
- perfect or ideal cut is the one where lights entering the diamond are reflected back, giving rise to the "shine"
- 3 "excellents" or perfect cuts (56 facets) as GIA certified, are not all the same though...
- some of these have further perfectly symmetrical "hearts & roses" patterns & can be seen with a normal scope quite easily.

A. Taka - I don't find it cheaper, same specs, apple to apple. Sales person offered to show me perfect cuts kept under lock, but I declined since those on display already don't appear cheaper.

B. SK, LH, Citigem, Goldheart - have perfect cuts, some create their own named series at higher prices, like Destinee, etc

C. Meyson - have a section with each ring clearly marked with "hearts & arrows" tag, showing colour grade, clarity grade & price... Makes shopping & decision making way easier.
- In addition to the GIA cert, each one also has a separate cert (Singapore certifying body) for the "hearts & arrow" perfect symmetry cut.
- "hearts & arrow" pattern also clear & easily seen under the scope.

I haven't "pulled the trigger" since first day I went around shopping... But I guess my choice is clear... Unless I discover more info to the contrary subsequently thanks for all your help

[Ballwatch]

[Ballwatch]

Most importantly, buy what is meaningful to your heart.
It doesnt matter what size becos your gf who loves you will appreciate.

More than 10 yrs ago, i also gave my ex girlfren an engagement ring of just 0.6carat.
I felt that there was no need to spend too much since i was still young and starting out and she also agreed and happily accepted.

Sincerity is key.

Well said!

I like the last 3 words! Fully agree

[Trinidad]

Wow! Thanks for all the sharing of info, experience & advice

Looks like its no easy exercise... Need to do some leg work

Most importantly, buy what is meaningful to your heart.
It doesnt matter what size becos your gf who loves you will appreciate.

More than 10 yrs ago, i also gave my ex girlfren an engagement ring of just 0.6carat.
I felt that there was no need to spend too much since i was still young and starting out and she also agreed and happily accepted.

Sincerity is key.

[Keith8896]

play around this site.

http://www.bluenile.com/sg/diamond-s...iamondSearchRD

[Ballwatch]

Wow! Thanks for all the sharing of info, experience & advice

Looks like its no easy exercise... Need to do some leg work

[Trinidad]

Anyway, once you are seasoned with prices you will know such things are 一分钱 一分货. Just like Rolex. Hehe

There is an international price chart. You can refer to get guidance.

[Trinidad]

buy from taka jewellery best lah
cheapest

i buy a 0.5c

f color( d e f cant see diff)

vvs2(actually anything before s1, u cant see inclusions with naked eye)
good cut(those gimmick star or simi rose cut, knn all cant see with naked eye, who the fark bring a Loupe & look @ ur star or rose pattern??)

$2000 only.


something the same from sookee or goldheart cost 4k zzzzz

Haha, would you buy a rolex with a spoiled ETA movement ?
Naked eye cant see mah....


Heeehee

Oh well to each his own

[cdior]

Dont buy from the usual retail shops. Mark up is too high.
Buy loose stones from trusted jewellers. They also come with certs.
Set the stone in a style you like.
Carat is not everything, color, clarity and cut which produces fire are just as important sometimes more important.

I hv seen many yellowish looking big stones which produce poor fire and look dull on a finger.
A smaller stone which shines and throws sparkle is more enjoyable to wear and own.

$5k should be able to get a decent you a 0.6 carat F color vvs2 ideal cut round brilliant stone + setting.

Good luck.

buy from taka jewellery best lah
cheapest

i buy a 0.5c

f color( d e f cant see diff)

vvs2(actually anything before s1, u cant see inclusions with naked eye)
good cut(those gimmick star or simi rose cut, knn all cant see with naked eye, who the fark bring a Loupe & look @ ur star or rose pattern??)

$2000 only.


something the same from sookee or goldheart cost 4k zzzzz

[Trinidad]

Online is getting more popular these days.
Bluenile especially.

But for spending $20k to $50k most people including myself still prefer to see the real thing and be able to choose from a selection to make comparisons. Viewing the stones under natural light is also unlike in a right room
Sometimes buying diamond is like looking for a pet. It speaks to you
For me, i never buy thinking about resale.
No two diamonds are exactly the same unless they are totally colorless totally flawless cut from the same big stone, then maybe...

However all the diamonds that i ever bought are never for myself.
I dont wear jewellery, not even my 5diamond wedding band. Collecting dust in the drawer.

Haha.

[stektan]

Buying diamond from jewelry shops is like buying gold from gold shop are or watches from AD. It seems to make a lot of senses but if you like to stretch your dollar, consider online or overseas option. One popular source for wholesalers is Bluenile.com or JamesAllen.com.JJewelry shops hate you to know that!