How and where to buy diamond rings?

[SittingBull]

Hi, i am thinking of getting a diamond ring with the intention to propose. However, after reading up on everything on it, i'm kinda lost as to where to buy them from. The likes of LeeHwa, Sookee, Goldheart, Larry, D Meyson, etc are probably good in their own ways. However i am leaning towards either Larry or going to a non-branded organisation, so i'm at least getting my money worth. I'm hoping to spend less than $5000sgd and i know it's kinda limited. However, with the GSS, i heard that there could be discounts aplenty. Also, what should be my priority? Carat, clarity, cut or colour? Many thanks...

[cutiebutie]

You could ask AussieNewToSing.

[taxico]

first set a budget.

then educate yourself on the various types of diamonds online.

then head to an auction. bid on one you appreciate.

with the diamond in tow, bring it to an independent jeweler.

have it set the way you/your fiance likes it.

ta da! my wife has 2 engagement rings - the first one that she thought she lost was from tiffany's. the second one was done the above-mentioned way.

cheaper. looks the same as the tiffany (except on yellow gold). better diamond.

diamond prices are inflated dnd not always really worth what stores ask you to fork over.

just make sure it's a natural stone. you can substitute an auction with perhaps a dealer. you can find dealers at auctions.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You could ask AussieNewToSing.

"Two wrongs doesn't make a right."

[SittingBull]

first set a budget.

then educate yourself on the various types of diamonds online.

then head to an auction. bid on one you appreciate.

with the diamond in tow, bring it to an independent jeweler.

have it set the way you/your fiance likes it.

ta da! my wife has 2 engagement rings - the first one that she thought she lost was from tiffany's. the second one was done the above-mentioned way.

cheaper. looks the same as the tiffany (except on yellow gold). better diamond.

diamond prices are inflated dnd not always really worth what stores ask you to fork over.

just make sure it's a natural stone. you can substitute an auction with perhaps a dealer. you can find dealers at auctions.

It seems like too much trouble. Quite honestly, i would rather get a ready-made ring, rather than purchase the diamond and have it set up with a jeweller. On that note and with my given budget, what would be the best option for me?

[ksl]

first set a budget.

then educate yourself on the various types of diamonds online.

then head to an auction. bid on one you appreciate.

with the diamond in tow, bring it to an independent jeweler.

have it set the way you/your fiance likes it.

ta da! my wife has 2 engagement rings - the first one that she thought she lost was from tiffany's. the second one was done the above-mentioned way.

cheaper. looks the same as the tiffany (except on yellow gold). better diamond.

diamond prices are inflated dnd not always really worth what stores ask you to fork over.

just make sure it's a natural stone. you can substitute an auction with perhaps a dealer. you can find dealers at auctions.

It seems like too much trouble. Quite honestly, i would rather get a ready-made ring, rather than purchase the diamond and have it set up with a jeweller. On that note and with my given budget, what would be the best option for me?

I would say the diamond centre on paya lebar road if it's still there, if you buy in the city, you will pay top whack, i'm sure, even with a discount! I think you may find a better deal if the centre is still open..it's after airport road on the left some place I think it is set back from the new MRT station, not sure.

I would most surely press for 50% off, you may end up with 35%, but also do a search on the internet and see, what you can expect for that price...with regards to the quality, then you have something in mind, to compare with.

Ring size may need adjustment, unless you know her size, may also take a week to do, be prepared.

[taxico]

there's no way you'll get value for money without putting some work into it! but that's not what you're after, i guess.

when i bought my ring, i thought it was troublesome too! but when i did it at a later stage, we both felt it was worth it.

i guess KSL's right - head on over to that diamond center place. but be sure you scratch any nice car for me on the way out...

don't worry if you can't get your gf's ring size. you can have it resized later - ask the store they can do it for free or if you can bring it back to change for size for free.

if you can't, make sure you buy a ring that's bigger than what you can possibly perceive her finger to be so you don't pay for extra material. it's not expensive to get it done cos the jewelers tend to keep the trimmed portion.

[SittingBull]

After hearing from you guys, i guess it would be unwise to disregard suggestions of buying from a diamond centre, as kindly pointed out by KSL. Tbh, i have been reading up on so many forums, and made a trip down to the shop today. Larry has a .63ct, E. vs2 diamond for $4900 before 20percent discount, with an additional $800 for the ring. Another local jewellery store, GH, is offering me almost $5900 for a .7ct, E, vs2 diamond ring. Are these deals reasonable? Somehow i am more inclined towards Larry for its many good reviews from my friends. Also, whats with the 57facets? Is it good enough? Btw, both of them are brilliant cut and solitaires. Anybody been to D Meyson? Should i ever consider them?

[SittingBull]

first set a budget.

then educate yourself on the various types of diamonds online.

then head to an auction. bid on one you appreciate.

with the diamond in tow, bring it to an independent jeweler.

have it set the way you/your fiance likes it.

ta da! my wife has 2 engagement rings - the first one that she thought she lost was from tiffany's. the second one was done the above-mentioned way.

cheaper. looks the same as the tiffany (except on yellow gold). better diamond.

diamond prices are inflated dnd not always really worth what stores ask you to fork over.

just make sure it's a natural stone. you can substitute an auction with perhaps a dealer. you can find dealers at auctions.

It seems like too much trouble. Quite honestly, i would rather get a ready-made ring, rather than purchase the diamond and have it set up with a jeweller. On that note and with my given budget, what would be the best option for me?

I would say the diamond centre on paya lebar road if it's still there, if you buy in the city, you will pay top whack, i'm sure, even with a discount! I think you may find a better deal if the centre is still open..it's after airport road on the left some place I think it is set back from the new MRT station, not sure.

I would most surely press for 50% off, you may end up with 35%, but also do a search on the internet and see, what you can expect for that price...with regards to the quality, then you have something in mind, to compare with.

Ring size may need adjustment, unless you know her size, may also take a week to do, be prepared.

So you're saying i should get a diamond from the centre and have it setup with a jeweller? Getting directly from a diamond centre? Would it compromise in terms of the quality? Btw, do you have the name of the placE?

[taxico]

i think the place is called diamond centre (or diamond soemthing).

they're also jewelery store so they do all your resizing stuff.

ive never been impressed by their diamonds - i shopped there before.

[SittingBull]

i think the place is called diamond centre (or diamond soemthing).

they're also jewelery store so they do all your resizing stuff.

ive never been impressed by their diamonds - i shopped there before.

I guess thats why most people go to shops like Larry, D Meyson to get them. At least it's a lot safer in terms of the 4Cs... btw, do you think the Larry's 0.63ct, E,vs2, is a good buy at 4.6k?

[durain]

buying diamond is a very subjective thing. you cant really put a price on it unless you get an independence diamond evaluator (for example for insurance purpose).

i suggest you go to as much shops as you can and try to compare a similar "like for like" size, clarity, grade, cut, etc.

[Levikane]

It seems like too much trouble. Quite honestly, i would rather get a ready-made ring, rather than purchase the diamond and have it set up with a jeweller. On that note and with my given budget, what would be the best option for me?

Seriously? Are you going to apply the same luckluster attitude towards the rest of your relationship? If the effort of choosing the right diamond ring is too hard for you to bother, I dont have much faith in your relationship being succesful! Proposing is a big deal, you should take the time to get it right. Surely if you have been together long enough for you to propose you will know what kind of style and setting she prefers - dont get her any ring, get her the perfect ring...

A good website for educate yourself that isn't too taxing:
www.thediamondbuyingguide.com

[ksl]

After hearing from you guys, i guess it would be unwise to disregard suggestions of buying from a diamond centre, as kindly pointed out by KSL. Tbh, i have been reading up on so many forums, and made a trip down to the shop today. Larry has a .63ct, E. vs2 diamond for $4900 before 20percent discount, with an additional $800 for the ring. Another local jewellery store, GH, is offering me almost $5900 for a .7ct, E, vs2 diamond ring. Are these deals reasonable? Somehow i am more inclined towards Larry for its many good reviews from my friends. Also, whats with the 57facets? Is it good enough? Btw, both of them are brilliant cut and solitaires. Anybody been to D Meyson? Should i ever consider them?

Squeeze the discount, take cash...probably won't go through the books, who knows! 20% is only a starter, they love to bargain, the balls in your court, $$$ out, tell him you like this one, and the one you have been offered down the road, hold the cash in your hand, and watch them drool at the right time, not when you go in, and walk to the door, then come back, tell him your last offer or split the difference, you have nothing to lose, they have a lot to gain. If they are offering 20% you should be able to get another 10% but may have to get higher authority, only deal, with the person that can authorise the deal..salesman cannot, try the manager!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Plavt. Right poster. Wrong thread!