Best Place to buy an Engagement Ring

Lnitinlakshan on 09/06/2016 - 11:41

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to propose to my girlfriend soon and was wondering where I could get the best deal for a diamond ring. I'm looking for a Halo design with approx 0.8 to 1ct diamond. I was thinking of buying in Australia and then going for an overseas holiday to claim the GST back. But I've also been told by friends that I could get a better deal if I travelled to Dubai or Singapore and purchased there. Does anyone have any tips or advice for me? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nitin

General Discussion

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/06/2016 - 11:50
    +9

    Cash Converters.

    • Adz81 on 09/06/2016 - 12:02

      snrk
      Beaten to it :D

  • khomeini on 09/06/2016 - 12:11
    +1

    Graysonline have sales for jewelry. Seems to be cheaper most of the time. I bought from a generic shopping centre store and she was happy. Dubai have good quality gold & generally cheaper than Aus per ounce. Worth a shot there.
    Also have a look at the Diamond factory.

  • altomic on 09/06/2016 - 12:17
    +8

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/engagement+ring?s=t…

    Mrs Altomic had a ring made, that we designed, using stones from old family jewellery - cost ~$400 to be made. valued by the jeweller at $14,000. it's nice- white gold with 2 1.8ct diamonds and a 2ct ruby in the center.

    when we were heading overseas I was worried about it being lost/stolen so I got on aliexpress and bought a similar looking CZ ring for $2.50 (plus 2 wedding bands for $1.50 each)

    Mrs Altomic wore that "fake" ring for the 2 weeks leading up to the trip and received more compliments about it in that time than her real ring had over the previous 12 years. hhmmmmmmmm.

    • fruit on 09/06/2016 - 12:37

      Where did you have it made/designed?

      • altomic on 09/06/2016 - 13:07
        +1

        Stephens & Miller in Camberwell.

        flipped through some ring catalogues/magazines found the sort of styles we liked. told the jeweler. he drew up a sketch (which we liked). he started making the ring - called us in when it was at the unpolished/raw/unset stage to make sure it was what we wanted. it was. he then finished it. nice.

  • daewoo on 09/06/2016 - 12:27
    +2

    A few tips I learnt along the way:
    - If you get a knife-edge thin band (possible with platinum), it makes the rock look bigger (hence a few hundred extra on a band may save you thousands on rock size)
    - Round diamonds waste minimal rock, over "in fashion" shapes (such as princess cut, which is worse value for money)
    - The fatter the finger, the bigger a ring you'll need to buy (and vise-versa). 1 carat will look huge on a petite woman, try 0.5 carat
    - Work out whether she is they type of person who would prefer a small investment grade white diamond (branded or not), or a large flawed off-white ring so "hers is bigger"

    Good luck. If you are brave, type "four c's of diamonds" into Google :S

  • yoonibear on 09/06/2016 - 12:58
    +1

    I'd steer clear of Tiffany's or shops in the city. I'm looking at purchasing mine from a wholesaler (eg. Blue Nile) then having a ring made - works out to be slightly cheaper than buying the whole ring from a shop.

    As Daewoo mentioned - the 4 C's play a big role in the price and diamond you get.

  • cuteseal on 09/06/2016 - 13:03
    +2

    Alternatively, buy the diamond separately online to make sure you are getting the best quality diamond, then a good local jeweler to design and put it into a setting for you.

  • nitinlakshan on 09/06/2016 - 13:12

    Thanks for all the replies guys. Some valid points that I will definitely consider. I found a place that is quite cheap for the quality of the diamond www.nataliediamonds.com Has anyone had any experiences with them? A one carat Halo design ring with G color, VS2 clarity and very good cut is $5964AUD when set in white gold. That is a lot cheaper that www.bluenile.com and a few other places I have looked at.

    • kelkel108 on 10/06/2016 - 12:10
      +1

      When looking at diamonds, you have to look at where it is certified too. GIA provides the highest standards. If it is certified from other places, it is better to look at the diamonds first.

  • cypher67 on 09/06/2016 - 13:14
    +1

    I've been happy with the quality, price and service on the bluenile website. Provided you know what you are looking for and learn how to read the detailed reports you can get a decent price on a stone. Downside is you cant see the rock before you get it. So higher in risk but more savings.

  • shroomish on 09/06/2016 - 13:53
    +1

    screw that custom. if u really want a rock dig for it.

  • fantombloo on 09/06/2016 - 14:01
    +1

    Overseas.

    Eg: America. There are various locales that have tonnes of jewelers vying for your cash. It will often be cheaper to fly there and get what you want than to buy here. An example is:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewelers'_Row,_Philadelphia

    but there are plenty more.

    But better off to dodge diamonds all together. It's an industry rooted in slavery and all sorts of other vileness and dodginess. You can do so much more with your money than keep a sham propped up.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5kWu1ifBGU

  • ESEMCE on 09/06/2016 - 14:41
    +1

    As above, I didn't want a ring made in a factory with a mould, which is how most retail rings are made (apparently).
    I found a design I liked and that I thought suited my wife's personality and had it made.
    The "Valuation" was double what I paid, so clearly the valuations are complete bunk!

    As above, if your GF is not the "diamond or it's nothing" type, then consider alternate stones that are likely cheaper and might suit her personality better.

  • cDNA on 09/06/2016 - 15:30
    +1

    I gave my wife a $20,000 cheque and a white gold wedding band instead of a stupid diamond. She was a bit embarrassed when her friends asked her, but she then realised what she could buy with $20,000.

    We're cool like that

    I also saved a lot of money on the catering by doing some of the food preparation with the family. Better than ordering shit food from the catering companies.

    • cypher67 on 09/06/2016 - 15:48
      +4

      Such a romantic

      • altomic on 09/06/2016 - 17:30
        +1

        $20,000 buys a lot of blackjack and hookers

  • one man clan on 09/06/2016 - 17:18
    +1

    I purchased my engagement ring (and later wedding ring) from jamesallen.com and was extremely happy with it. I modified one of their designs, so in that sense it was custom made. She gets compliments on it all the time, and the staff were very responsive and helpful.

    If you go this route factor into your budget the tax that you'll have to pay when it arrives in australia (I guess GST because it was over 1k?). I got the phone call from fedex (who ship and collect the tax) whilst sitting next to my GF on the couch - I was basically yelling at them to send me an email. Freaked out they'd given up the secret.

  • dogboy on 09/06/2016 - 17:25

    http://www.brilliantearth.com/

  • watwatwat on 09/06/2016 - 17:46

    aliexpress

  • cheepwun on 09/06/2016 - 19:12
    +2

    Why Engagement Rings Are a Scam - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5kWu1ifBGU
    This video never gets old.

    • khomeini on 09/06/2016 - 20:20

      Classic & so true.
      The sad truth is that society (especially her family/friends) will frown on those unwilling to give that rock :(

  • ibelynn on 10/06/2016 - 09:47
    +2

    Go to a manufacturing jeweler, they will sell you the stones and make it your design, you should get a better price than going to a retail store.
    Go to a couple to see what you will get for your money.
    I have used then twice in different states
    Plenty of them about

  • NinjaiShopper on 10/06/2016 - 13:52
    +1

    I had a pretty good experience buying an engagement ring from diamondexchange.com.au last year. Their diamond prices have gone up a touch because of the AU dollar since I bought last year, but you get a lot more bang for buck than buying from the big brick and mortar jewellery stores like Michael Hill etc.

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