Round Brilliant Solitaire Engagement Ring

[meens]

Hi Everyone

As you can tell from the time I am posting, I have been up late looking at DIAMONDS.

I have decided on a round brilliant solitaire with a classic 6 prong setting in platinum. I am looking for a stone that is ideal cut, I color, and VS2 with excellent symmetry and polish.

I am from canada and our diamond budget is around $5800 USD, and around $750 USD for the setting. This is the absolute maximum we want to spend, but I want the largest diamond I can get with that price.

I know a little about diamonds now from lurking, but I don''t know if a lot of these places ship to Canada, or if there is any extra costs/duties? If anyone can help out and give advice, it would be great appreciated. Are there any good quality diamonds at a great price out there, and what are the best online stores for canadians?


Thank you very much!!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

I am sure some of the other posters can advise about duties and buying from the States, you could check out www.usacerteddiamonds.com as they are in Ontario.

Depending on what you want for cut quality as the term Ideal Cut doesn't always mean much unless pertaining to AGS AGS0 cut grade, if you want the best cut you can get then look at AGS0 cut grade and GIA Excellent cut grade as this should narrow the field.

Are you absolutely set on having just I colour and VS2 clarity only?

Here is a diamond from James Allen which might suit you, it could also be in budget depending on what the duties work out as.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1195081.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[meens]

I''m not set on anything yet. I guess I just want the color to be near colorless (eye-white) and no visible inclusions. I haven''t seen many diamonds in person and I''m not sure if the SI grades will detract from the sparkle.

If you have any suggestions for a great cut and sparkly diamond I will appreciate those too.

I was hoping to get something around or bigger than 1.2 carats, but I guess I will see what our budget will bring in.

 

[meens]

PS. thank you for the information and quick response.

 

[JulieN]

SI grades usually don''t detract from the sparkle. An SI2 with very expansive clouds might have a problem, but this (whether a cloudy SI2 might have a problem,) is debatable.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 5:25:31 AM
Author: meens
I'm not set on anything yet. I guess I just want the color to be near colorless (eye-white) and no visible inclusions. I haven't seen many diamonds in person and I'm not sure if the SI grades will detract from the sparkle.

If you have any suggestions for a great cut and sparkly diamond I will appreciate those too.

I was hoping to get something around or bigger than 1.2 carats, but I guess I will see what our budget will bring in.

As J says only some clouds in SI2 clarity usually can affect sparke, the main thing with SI grades is to make sure the diamond is eyeclean to your standards by clarifying with the vendor. You could consider J colour ( GIA/ AGS graded) also if you want to get some extra size for the budget, as a J colour can still look very white if the cut is great.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/6/2009 5:25:31 AM
Author: meens
I''m not set on anything yet. I guess I just want the color to be near colorless (eye-white) and no visible inclusions. I haven''t seen many diamonds in person and I''m not sure if the SI grades will detract from the sparkle.

If you have any suggestions for a great cut and sparkly diamond I will appreciate those too.

I was hoping to get something around or bigger than 1.2 carats, but I guess I will see what our budget will bring in.

This one fits the bill. And you would get a 5% PS discount off the listed price. If eyeclean of course.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-636630.htm

 

[tophatxj]

Have you looked into any extra taxes or tariffs you might have to pay?

 

[meens]

I haven''t contacted Canada customs directly because they tend to be variable in their amount of knowledge. I have heard that we have to pay our own taxes (5% in Alberta) but that there should be no other customs. However, on other reviews I have heard that it depends if the diamond is set or not....SO CONFUSING!

I would prefer to buy from a Canadian site to prevent these issues, but they certainly don''t compare in selection to the american sites.

 

[beau13]

I am Canadian, I wouldn't personally buy from a US vendor (support our own economy instead). Besides the exchange rate right now is RIDICULOUS..and you would be paying almost double the asking price when, factoring in the Xchange rate, customs, duty..taxes..

There are LOTS of beautiful diamond rings to be had..especially when shopping in larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver. I got a H color diamond SI-1 (eye clean), 1.76 carats, setting included..for less than $10 000. (Toronto). I think it would be hard to find that kind of deal when shopping in the US.

 

[beau13]

I see you are looking for a 6 prong, classic setting as well. Here is mine! Again, the setting was included in the price. It's ALOT of gold..a nice weighty piece..that would normally sell (on it's own) for about $500-$600. The head is a Stuller solstice head. I can give you the name and phone number of the jeweler I dealt with if you desire. They can find what you're looking for (in Toronto), for much cheaper than most (and I shopped around alot myself).

 

[karee888]

that is a GORGEOUS band - wow.

 

[beau13]

Thanks..I really liked that band too!

 

[karee888]

is it a custom piece? i''ve seen bezeled eternity bands, but this one looks so different. great choice!

 

[beau13]

It is different! I like it because it was a little thicker (wider) than some bezel bands out there. I bought it from Dover Jewelers (through E-bay) it''s one carat of diamonds, G in color, VS clarity, in 18k white gold..and I got it for under $500. I just recently sold it . I wasn''t wearing it since I bought my five stone band!! The buyer sent me a few e-mails to thank me for such a fabulous band at an incredible price!!

I believe she''s enjoying it!!

 

[karee888]

wow, what a lucky buyer! i totally would have bought it from you! it''s beautiful!!!

 

[karee888]

I see that Dover''s is kind of like a collector''s place with lots of different stuff. Do you know who the original manufacturer is?? It would make a nice Christmas present.

 

[meens]

Date: 1/6/2009 4:02:36 PM
Author: beau13
I see you are looking for a 6 prong, classic setting as well. Here is mine! Again, the setting was included in the price. It''s ALOT of gold..a nice weighty piece..that would normally sell (on it''s own) for about $500-$600. The head is a Stuller solstice head. I can give you the name and phone number of the jeweler I dealt with if you desire. They can find what you''re looking for (in Toronto), for much cheaper than most (and I shopped around alot myself).

I would really appreciate it. I don''t live in Toroto, but I''m sure I can call them to see what they have available.

Thank you

 

[meens]

Date: 1/6/2009 4:08:31 PM
Author: karee888
that is a GORGEOUS band - wow.

I completely agree. Both the solitaire and the band are gorgeous.

 

[beau13]

Date: 1/6/2009 7:33:57 PM
Author: meens

Date: 1/6/2009 4:02:36 PM
Author: beau13
I see you are looking for a 6 prong, classic setting as well. Here is mine! Again, the setting was included in the price. It''s ALOT of gold..a nice weighty piece..that would normally sell (on it''s own) for about $500-$600. The head is a Stuller solstice head. I can give you the name and phone number of the jeweler I dealt with if you desire. They can find what you''re looking for (in Toronto), for much cheaper than most (and I shopped around alot myself).

I would really appreciate it. I don''t live in Toroto, but I''m sure I can call them to see what they have available.

Thank you

I don''t live in Toronto either. All I did, was tell them what I wanted (color, clarity, size), and they had 4 diamonds shipped overnight. I went in to look at them, and chose one. I haggled a bit..paid cash and saved alot of money (no tax). They didn''t have many nice settings in stock, so I told them what I wanted, and they had it made (included in the price I paid for the diamond). It came back from Toronto in about a week! Yesterday I realized how damaged the prongs on my e-ring are (due the the height of my 5 stone band, and the diamonds cutting in). I am having my diamond reset sooner than expected. I don''t want to have to wear a band with the ring. So..it will be something BIG and BLINGY!! Keep ya all posted!

The jeweler I dealt with is a small family run business (25 yrs now). Called GOLD DIRECT..you can give them a call at (705) 525-4653. They don''t have a website they need to pay for, so prehaps this is one reason their pricing is so great! Good luck!