Engagement Ring

[jsc20]

thanks for the response..not meaning to be a defeatist then sumarising, you should either

- only buy large ct tennis bracelets each with certification
- buy smaller but pay for the certification and transportation (need to weigh cost vs diamond cost) which may or may not be possible by the lab
- dont buy

an analogy would be deciding whether or not to go for an expensive meal in a restaurant (you know those 300 sgd plus degustation ones) , how do you know everything is as it seems? do you check where all the produce has come from and how it is handled? do you know how to tell the difference and can justify the price difference of the ingredients compared to "everyday" items? do you check that all the cooking processes have been carried out correctly?

there is usually always some way to evaluate an object but the question comes down to risk/reward or in this case cost of checking vs cost of product.

anyway too late now and am tired

regards

jsc

[JR8]

thanks for the response..not meaning to be a defeatist then
sumarising, you should either

- only buy large ct tennis bracelets each with certification
- buy smaller but pay for the certification and transportation (need to
weigh cost vs diamond cost) which may or may not be possible by the lab
- dont buy

an analogy would be deciding whether or not to go for an expensive meal in a
restaurant (you know those 300 sgd plus degustation ones) , how do you know
everything is as it seems? do you check where all the produce has come from
and how it is handled? do you know how to tell the difference and can
justify the price difference of the ingredients compared to "everyday"
items? do you check that all the cooking processes have been carried out
correctly?

there is usually always some way to evaluate an object but the question
comes down to risk/reward or in this case cost of checking vs cost of
product.

anyway too late now and am tired

regards

jsc

I think your analogy is a good one. With a piece of jewelry like that you
can't expect each stone to be certified. In which case there is likely scope
that you're going to get stuffed one way another unless you buy from a
retailer with a name and reputation on which they depend.

In that case there wouldn't be a cert but a stated assurance (and I'm expect
it backed up in hard copy on the receipt) that all the stones meet 'X'
criteria re: each of the 4C's.* (The lesser criteria usually don't get
listed), in any case the stones tend to be of a lesser grade I think.
Dealers trade on reputation, so if you could ever prove you've been sold in
breach of promise/contract you have good come-back.


Like this *
'14K White Gold Full-Bezel "Scattered" Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Bezel bliss awaits you with this gorgeous Full-Bezel "Scattered" Diamond
Tennis Bracelet. Set with 80 brilliant A CUT ABOVE ® Hearts and Arrows [i.e.
AGS =0] Diamond Melee (2.00ctw; F/G VS), [etc...]'
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-brace ... et-335.htm

[tinkerbell88]

Dear JR8,
I'm not a professional diamond reader nor am i a gemologist. Far-fetched notion for me,especially where De Beers is concerned. This thread is certainly informative about my favourite rock, and yes, I go by what my trusted merchant says about the 4 C's of my bling,with certification at hand. Take your point about the mark-ups in Asia, but frankly, if I like something enough from a trusted source, I wouldn't have qualms acquiring it if it falls within my expected budget. Do share your experiences as a diamond specialist. Fascinating.

[JR8]

Dear JR8,
I'm not a professional diamond reader nor am i a gemologist. Far-fetched notion for me,especially where De Beers is concerned. This thread is certainly informative about my favourite rock, and yes, I go by what my trusted merchant says about the 4 C's of my bling,with certification at hand. Take your point about the mark-ups in Asia, but frankly, if I like something enough from a trusted source, I wouldn't have qualms acquiring it if it falls within my expected budget. Do share your experiences as a diamond specialist. Fascinating.

Absolutely Tinkerbelle, I think that is the best that you can typically do, as even if the customer considered something like a '10Cs' of valuation even that would not be enough and you can still be taken for a ride.

Ultimately for complex pieces you have to go with the reputation of the retailer. For simpler pieces I think you really need professional certs (GIA/AGS/EGL) for anything over US$1k. Otherwise you are flying blind...

p.s. I'm no specialist (kind of you to suggest it!). It's just gemology has long fascinated me.... and my wife

[tinkerbell88]

Thanks for the tip! Will keep my eyes peeled when I'm bling shopping next! What about blue or pink diamonds? Work on the same grading system?

[JR8]

Thanks for the tip! Will keep my eyes peeled when I'm bling shopping next! What about blue or pink diamonds? Work on the same grading system?

No don't. With coloured diamonds the whole focus is on the colour, rather than the focus being on the fire in colourless stones.

There is a different system for grading coloured stones. I believe there are three parameters used on the colour alone, so you might have a 'Fancy vivid yellow' and so on. Then you have the other usual 3Cs in addition as well.

But this is not an area I know much about. What I will say is that even more so than with colourless stones approach coloured diamonds with caution, I understand the scope for stones to have been treated is maybe significantly higher. You really need a reputable retailer if looking at buying them.

[tinkerbell88]

Thanks for the advice!

[Balnald]

Dear JR8,
I'm not a professional diamond reader nor am i a gemologist. Far-fetched notion for me,especially where De Beers is concerned. This thread is certainly informative about my favourite rock, and yes, I go by what my trusted merchant says about the 4 C's of my bling,with certification at hand. Take your point about the mark-ups in Asia, but frankly, if I like something enough from a trusted source, I wouldn't have qualms acquiring it if it falls within my expected budget. Do share your experiences as a diamond specialist. Fascinating.

Absolutely Tinkerbelle, I think that is the best that you can typically do, as even if the customer considered something like a '10Cs' of valuation even that would not be enough and you can still be taken for a ride.

Ultimately for complex pieces you have to go with the reputation of the
retailer. For simpler pieces I think you really need professional certs (GIA/AGS/EGL) for anything over US$1k. Otherwise you are flying blind...


DIAMOND district new york bought wife 8 ct bracelet Gia certified 11 k 24stones

p.s. I'm no specialist (kind of you to suggest it!). It's just gemology has long fascinated me.... and my wife

[JR8]

DIAMOND district new york bought wife 8 ct bracelet Gia certified 11 k 24stones

You do realise that the labs incl GIA will certify all stones, including certifying that a stone is 'not very good'.

So saying a bracelet is 'GIA certified' means nothing I'm afraid.

[rickjames]

Where is a good place to get a custom made engagement ring. Looking for a ring about 2 carat, and willing to spend upto SGD 20k.

NO Tiffanys!!

Dunno... and can't think of a bigger waste of money. Would not want to be hooked up to the gal that thinks a $20K ring is the way to go. Super shallow. What could one do with $20K that is meaningful? A million things, far better than buying a stupid, overpriced rock.

Wise words here!!!

RUN as fast as you can if you're marrying such a woman!!!!!

[JR8]

Wise words here!!!

RUN as fast as you can if you're marrying such a woman!!!!!

You're ignoring two things:

- There is an element (variable) of a guy buying a ring for his own ego and pleasure, whether the intended desires it or not.

- If $20k is no big deal to the purchaser, so what?

[poodlek]

Dovetailing here: can diamonds be certified as ethically sourced, or does that depend on the retailer's reputation also?

Is there a worldwide market for Canadian diamonds (as in, have you seen them anywhere)? I know it's a big sell in Canada to have something home"grown".

[JR8]

Dovetailing here: can diamonds be certified as ethically sourced, or does that depend on the retailer's reputation also?

I believe that you can find such stones. The demand arose mainly after the 'Blood diamonds' movie. My gut feel is that perhaps like traceable groceries you will pay a premium and your are relying on the reputation of the retailer so it will by necessity be higher end.
(I'd look into a bit more for you, but current bandwidth limitations make it impossible I'm afraid)

Is there a worldwide market for Canadian diamonds (as in, have you seen them anywhere)? I know it's a big sell in Canada to have something home"grown".

Worldwide? I've never sen one outside of Canada (if indeed it exists there)