London or NYC for engagement ring

[etting]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so please be gentle..

I'm looking for a 0.8-1.2 cushion halo engagement ring in Platinum.

VVS2 or above - G or above...

I am travelling to NYC next month, and am unsure weather to purchase the ring in London before i go, or when I get to NYC.

Does anyone have any recommendations of jewlers in London/NYC where I can compare prices?

 

[MrsWhitney]

I got my PhD at Cambridge, so I would go based on GBP strength.......

My ring is Graff, made in London, bought in US.

 

[chrono]

Far lower taxes in NYC, compared to London. Excellent selection of vendors in NYC Pricescopers can suggest you visit.

ETA
VVS2 is overkill and makes it harder to ID your diamond should you need to verify that it is indeed yours.

 

[baby monster]

Your money will buy more in NYC. There are several PS recommended vendors in NYC diamond district. Contact them in advance with specs and budget so that you have stones to view in person. Here are a few:
Idjewelry.com
Enchanteddiamonds.com
Diamondsbylauren.com

 

[ecf8503]

Good Old Gold (on Long Island)

 

[Madison2]

Yourare going to get more bang for your buck in NYC.
ID Jewelry
Good old gold.

 

[OoohShiny]

Don't forget that you will get more diamond for your money in the USA but are subject to 20% VAT when you import the (loose) stone into the UK, which may wipe out your savings.

IIRC the 'complete jewellery' tax is 2.5% on top of the VAT as well, payable when importing a stone that is set into a complete ring.


Of course, I believe some would recommend buying in the USA and posting the box and paperwork back separately while just wearing the ring and walking through the green channel, but I don't believe PS would allow such tax avoidance actions to be promoted on this board.

FWIW, I imported a CBI stone from the USA and had it made into a bespoke Pt ring in London. I recommend speaking to Durrants - no BS, none of this insincere fawning you get at many 'label' shops, and I was told they do work for Cartier, Graff etc. No idea if the last part is true but I'm very happy with the design and quality of the ring I had made, as is the missus. Also, for the money I spent, an equivalent amount only appears to buy a smaller Towolski / Leo branded cut in WG from one of the main High Street chains, with colour either 1 or 2 shades lower and clarity 2 to 4 steps lower - going 'DIY' was far and away better for budget and also quality. 0.67ct F VVS2 v 0.5ct G-H VS2-SI2? No contest, especially when the larger stone is Super Ideal cut!