Engagement ring in GTA

[elty]

I am looking to buy an engagement ring. My budget is $2000 to $3000. I have searched in this forum as well as Google, but I couldn't find an ideal ring.

My girlfriend prefer more modern/stylish ring with a narrow band. She hates thick band and those with side stones. It seems that most (online) store that I come across does not have the style she may like. For example, this is one of the better one I have seen but I prefer to have more choice.

http://www.diamondexchange.ca/classic_individual.php?id=dn14

My friend told me Chinese stores usually carry those more simplistic style, but I am always under the impression that they charge a rather hefty premium. Is there any alternative?

[aarietta]

http://www.spencediamonds.com/

they have all these radio commercials about having low prices

[coolspot]

Avoid the chain stores like Spence, Peoples, etc. The quality of the diamonds are suspect (most seem to have only GemScam/GemScam diamonds... or even worse in house certificates!)

Couple things to remember:

1. Buying a diamond is all about numbers; make sure you're buying a certified diamond (GIA/AGS preferred). Since diamonds are certified, you can buy online from a reputable dealer. Know your diamond prices!

2. ALWAYS buy an IDEAL CUT (GIA's best rating is Excellent) diamond, this is what gives the diamond its sparkle. Color - F+ (H is OK). Clarity S1/S2+. Carats - whatever you can afford. DO NOT SACRIFICE THE CUT.

3. If your finance likes white gold, 14K is actually whiter and more durable than 18K. Platinum isn't worth it unless your fiance demands it.

Chinese Jewelery shops can discount quite heavily.... but make sure you get all the paperwork and make sure you negotiate!!!

Or you can get a ring custom made: www.metamorphosisjewellery.com

I've used James Morton before, he can design a ring for a good price, it was cheaper than buying in store and the ring was 100% unique! :D

Unfortunately James is bad with e-mail... so it's best to call him directly.

Lastly, you can buy the stone/setting separately, usually you can get a better deal this way.

[elty]

Avoid the chain stores like Spence, Peoples, etc. The quality of the diamonds are suspect (most seem to have only GemScam/GemScam diamonds... or even worse in house certificates!)

Couple things to remember:

1. Buying a diamond is all about numbers; make sure you're buying a certified diamond (GIA/AGS preferred). Since diamonds are certified, you can buy online from a reputable dealer. Know your diamond prices!

2. ALWAYS buy an IDEAL CUT (GIA's best rating is Excellent) diamond, this is what gives the diamond its sparkle. Color - F+ (H is OK). Clarity S1/S2+. Carats - whatever you can afford. DO NOT SACRIFICE THE CUT.

3. If your finance likes white gold, 14K is actually whiter and more durable than 18K. Platinum isn't worth it unless your fiance demands it.

Chinese Jewelery shops can discount quite heavily.... but make sure you get all the paperwork and make sure you negotiate!!!

Or you can get a ring custom made: www.metamorphosisjewellery.com

I've used James Morton before, he can design a ring for a good price, it was cheaper than buying in store and the ring was 100% unique! :D

Unfortunately James is bad with e-mail... so it's best to call him directly.

Lastly, you can buy the stone/setting separately, usually you can get a better deal this way.

How much does it cost to have a custom design ring? Also, can I just find a design somewhere else and hand in the picture to him? I checked his website and the gallery is not... that appealing.

[Nemodigital]

I used BlueNile, I highly recommend them if they carry a ring you like.

[LaymanX]

Diamond Moments, at Dundas Square.

They not only MATCHED Bluenile, they beat them by 10% and don't even include taxes if you pay in cash. They have full GIA reports and certificates.

Great place, and my fiancee absolutely adores her ring!

[coolspot]

How much does it cost to have a custom design ring? Also, can I just find a design somewhere else and hand in the picture to him? I checked his website and the gallery is not... that appealing.

He does specialize in Celtic type rings, although I have seen him do a variety of other styles. Consultation doesn't cost any money so you can always drop by for a visit.

I assume your GF prefers the standard "Tiffany" rings? In that case you can get those done anywhere with an in house Jeweler. Those are rings are in essence copies of the real thing, and the patterns are readily available. You can probably get a cloned ring for ~1K+ depending on the type of metal, # of small diamonds etc. However, for these rings, unless you want an exact duplicate of what you saw in a picture... it's probably better just to find a similar version at store - it'll be cheaper since it'll be massed produced.

Hand made rings also depend on the option; it's best to have a couple pictures of what you like, show the jeweler, he/she can give you a quote as to how much it'll cost.

What size of Diamond are you looking at? For reference, a 1CT, Ideal Cut, F Color, S1 is roughly 4500 for the stone.

[elty]

What size of Diamond are you looking at? For reference, a 1CT, Ideal Cut, F Color, S1 is roughly 4500 for the stone.

Whatever that I can get for 2000-2500. According to Bluenile this means 0.6CT to 0.7CT (VG/Ideal cut, F/G, VS2/VS1).

[elty]

http://www.myjewelry.com.hk/NewMJSystem/RegularProductSearchEngine/img/cn/regular2007_cn_p1/image/regular2706_mainpage.jpg

The middle one looks nice, but how come I have never seen anyone offering this kind of setting?

[CharmyPoo]

How about these choices?

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-W-Prong--Solitaire-by-WF_741.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Tapered-Diamond-Ring_1271.htm

You will be surprised what you find on ebay too. I suggest you buy the diamond from a reputable vendor. Then try you luck on ebay on a setting.

[Trinidad]

I would highly recommend this place:

The Jewel Case Limited
Address: 21 DUNDAS SQ , Toronto
Phone: (416) 364-2459

Nearest Major Intersection: Yonge St & Dundas St E

Bought my wife's ring there and my brother bought his wife's there are as well. What impresses me about the place is the honesty they bring about in their business as well, they take the time to educate you on "how" to look and tell the quality of the diamond you purchase. All their diamonds are certified with gemscan as well. Just recommend a friend there one week ago. He bought the ring on the spot after going to all the other "brand name" places.

[elty]

There is a huge price difference between SI1 and VS2.... is the quality difference really that huge?

[sillysimms]

There is a huge price difference between SI1 and VS2.... is the quality difference really that huge?

It depends on who says it is an SI1 or VS2. Is it graded by a reputable lab such as GIA or AGS? They're almost always accurate with their grading. However if it is graded by EGL, an unknown lab or the jeweler telling you that it is an SI1, it might be a few grades lower than a stone that GIA would grade SI1.

SI1 is supposed to be eye clean. However, there are people that have reported getting an SI1 that wasn't eye clean. For me, I ended up with a VS2. I wouldn't have minded an eyeclean SI1, but the people that we bought from had a beautiful VS2 and that's what we got. We bought from the States because of price and because we wanted a GIA graded stone (which was much harder to find here) but bought from someone that stocked diamonds since we wanted to be able to see the stone we were buying and not just buy from the paper. The pictures they sent us were great even though it looked even better in person! Even after paying taxes when it crossed the border, it was still much cheaper than buying here.

[elty]

Went to Diamond Moment and the jeweler referred from USA certa. The guy in Diamond Moment seems to be much more knowledgeable and show me a H colour stone that look freaking good. My ex manager also purchased from him before and he is satisfied. The guy from USA Certa diamond seems to be less patient with me but the stone doesn't look as good, but it may due to the CFL lighting that he used in his messy office.

Now, USA certa diamond is $400 to $900 cheaper assuming the same 4C from GIA, but the guy from Diamond Moment assured me he will have the best looking one because GIA didn't report on everything. He said even if the report is exactly the same, one diamond could have looked better than other due to stuff that is hard to quantified. Both of them cost less than Bluenile. I guess I will wait and see.

Now, both of them has a "wholesale price chart" that they use to calculate the price. Anyone know where can you find such chart? Also, anyone know a huge photo gallery of ring setting?

[CharmyPoo]

A piece of paper does not replace what you see with the eye. You have to figure out if the diamond and service is worth the price difference. Or you can ask the cheaper place to keep looking for a diamond for you.

Huge Galleries of Settings
http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=5429
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/

[humansoul]

Went to Diamond Moment and the jeweler referred from USA certa. The guy in Diamond Moment seems to be much more knowledgeable and show me a H colour stone that look freaking good. My ex manager also purchased from him before and he is satisfied. The guy from USA Certa diamond seems to be less patient with me but the stone doesn't look as good, but it may due to the CFL lighting that he used in his messy office.

Now, USA certa diamond is $400 to $900 cheaper assuming the same 4C from GIA, but the guy from Diamond Moment assured me he will have the best looking one because GIA didn't report on everything. He said even if the report is exactly the same, one diamond could have looked better than other due to stuff that is hard to quantified. Both of them cost less than Bluenile. I guess I will wait and see.

Now, both of them has a "wholesale price chart" that they use to calculate the price. Anyone know where can you find such chart? Also, anyone know a huge photo gallery of ring setting?

I dealt with Diamond Moments and you and I may have been looking at the same stone. PM if you want to clarify if it was.

In any case, I decided against Diamond Moments, and not becuase of poor customer service, but I found that the diamond I was getting from US certed was much better in regards to cut, proportions, and overall look.

Edmund, the guy at Diamond moments is very knowledgeable and is willing to spend time with you. Although he does refer to the paper, he lets you know what makes the stone say what it says on paper. So, he really backs up what is stated on the report, but does not just rely on it.

[coolspot]

Now, USA certa diamond is $400 to $900 cheaper assuming the same 4C from GIA, but the guy from Diamond Moment assured me he will have the best looking one because GIA didn't report on everything. He said even if the report is exactly the same, one diamond could have looked better than other due to stuff that is hard to quantified. Both of them cost less than Bluenile. I guess I will wait and see.

A diamond is only worth the certification paper. Buy a diamond with a reputable certification, that means AGS/GIA.

If the Diamond were so good, why didn't the wholesaler/owner get it certified? Probably because it wouldn't have made the cut... hence the lower grade certificate or NO cert.

Now, both of them has a "wholesale price chart" that they use to calculate the price. Anyone know where can you find such chart? Also, anyone know a huge photo gallery of ring setting?

The price is probably obtained from wholesale price charts ins Rapaport Diamond Report. Not sure if regular people have access to it.

[elty]

A diamond is only worth the certification paper. Buy a diamond with a reputable certification, that means AGS/GIA.

If the Diamond were so good, why didn't the wholesaler/owner get it certified? Probably because it wouldn't have made the cut... hence the lower grade certificate or NO cert.



The price is probably obtained from wholesale price charts ins Rapaport Diamond Report. Not sure if regular people have access to it.

No, they are both certed by GIA. He simply said even if the diamond has the exact certificate, one may still look better than the other.

[Jungle]

http://www.spencediamonds.com/

they have all these radio commercials about having low prices

Ya and when I hear their commercials every 5 minutes, (and sleep countrys) spence claims they have the best diamonds. Buyer beware?

[Ohboiya]

If that's your budget ... find a jeweller in Dundas Square.

[coolspot]

No, they are both certed by GIA. He simply said even if the diamond has the exact certificate, one may still look better than the other.

Oh OK, yes that's true, the exact dimensions, table, depth, crown, etc affect the diamond's refraction. You can use Ideal-Scope online to calculate how good a diamond is based on the stats.

[matkun]

Oh OK, yes that's true, the exact dimensions, table, depth, crown, etc affect the diamond's refraction. You can use Ideal-Scope online to calculate how good a diamond is based on the stats.

Though it's worth pointing out that on AGSL certificates there are EXACT dimensions listed.

a random one from Bluenile's catalog: http://www.bluenile.ca/certs/619/AGS8528410_zoom.jpeg

That's why I went with an AGSL vs a GIA diamond. I could enter the exact dimensions into the Holloway Cut Advisor at Pricescope: http://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp and see how it compares to other diamonds.

In the end though, it will depend upon your own perception of it, since everyone has their own idea of the 'ideal' diamond look.

[sillysimms]

No, they are both certed by GIA. He simply said even if the diamond has the exact certificate, one may still look better than the other.

Yes, I totally agree with this. This is why when we bought, we only bought from someone that stocked the diamonds they sold so we could see pictures. We didn't go with a drop shipper because we wanted to see the actual diamond we would be getting before buying. The AGS/GIA papers are important, but it is also important to actually see the diamond because buying from the paper alone won't always tell you everything you need to know.

[dog_mumu]

Though it's worth pointing out that on AGSL certificates there are EXACT dimensions listed.

a random one from Bluenile's catalog: http://www.bluenile.ca/certs/619/AGS8528410_zoom.jpeg

That's why I went with an AGSL vs a GIA diamond. I could enter the exact dimensions into the Holloway Cut Advisor at Pricescope: http://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp and see how it compares to other diamonds.

In the end though, it will depend upon your own perception of it, since everyone has their own idea of the 'ideal' diamond look.

Some GIA reports also have exact measurements and all percentages listed.

The small reports, containing only the 4C's, basic table and depth percentage and fluorescence information are usually done for smaller diamonds (under 1 ct). Full reports with all percentages and inclusion plots are usually done for larger or more expensive diamonds.

Diamonds with small reports are always inscribed, diamonds with full reports are only inscribed at the request of the dealer who sends the diamond in for grading.

The reason dealers order small reports for some diamonds are mainly cost and turn around time.

[elty]

So I called them back.

The guy referred by USA certa diamond probably does not really search for me. He doesn't have the stone on hand (have to pay a deposit or "it is gone"), size is not what I really want (close, but not close enough), price is a good $500 more than what he quoted, the stone is appraised from GemScan.

Diamond Moment also doesn't have the exact size I want, but it is closer. Price is about $200 more than quoted and $100 more than the one above, but everything else fits my requirement and they have the stone that I can actually see. They are only about $300 cheaper than Bluenile for the whole ring, which is a smaller discount than I have expected. I will check with them later.

Any more recommendation?

Also, I find it funny that it almost end up at being my "2 months" salary. It is about 85% of my 4 pay cheque (which is actually 8 weeks, not 2 months) or about 1.6 months of my take home pay. A good $1000 over my original budget.

[nalababe]

10 years ago, we bought our ring at 18Karat which at the time was in the village by the grange. Looking at the website, you'll see the drawings; some are nice, some are hideous. The key was that we designed the ring. We went through several books, found a base that we liked and had them alter the design. After we were ok, they designed made the ring. The final challenge was to get them to match a slightly pinkish 9 karat ring that was my wifes great grandmothers old wedding band.

http://www.18karat.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

[humansoul]

So I called them back.

The guy referred by USA certa diamond probably does not really search for me. He doesn't have the stone on hand (have to pay a deposit or "it is gone"), size is not what I really want (close, but not close enough), price is a good $500 more than what he quoted, the stone is appraised from GemScan.

Diamond Moment also doesn't have the exact size I want, but it is closer. Price is about $200 more than quoted and $100 more than the one above, but everything else fits my requirement and they have the stone that I can actually see. They are only about $300 cheaper than Bluenile for the whole ring, which is a smaller discount than I have expected. I will check with them later.

Any more recommendation?

Also, I find it funny that it almost end up at being my "2 months" salary. It is about 85% of my 4 pay cheque (which is actually 8 weeks, not 2 months) or about 1.6 months of my take home pay. A good $1000 over my original budget.

elty, did you call back Martin from US Certed? If Victor doesn't have the stone available, Martin can do the leg work and find you what you want and price range. Victor is more of the jeweller setter, but he does have stones to also provide. I really suggest inquiring with Martin and providing him the specs you want.

I made the decision to go with him as he found me my exact specs and for much less than Diamond Moments. The only con I have about doing this is you don't see the stone first hand. However, US Certed has a guarantee that if there's issues not stated within the report, then he too would not accept the stone and therefore we would start over.

The stone was delivered earlier this week, so I'm going to check it out sometime at the end of the week. I can let you know the findings...but pretty much he's going to be going through the whole steps of looking at everything about the diamond before I complete the transaction.

Pm me if you have further q's!

[Sheek]

Avoid the chain stores like Spence, Peoples, etc. The quality of the diamonds are suspect (most seem to have only GemScam/GemScam diamonds... or even worse in house certificates!)


I'm looking into getting my fiancee's stone and ring from Diamond Moments at Dundas Square. What is wrong with Gemscan certification??

[sillysimms]

I'm looking into getting my fiancee's stone and ring from Diamond Moments at Dundas Square. What is wrong with Gemscan certification??

When we were looking we ended deciding we would only go with a GIA or AGS cert. I'm sure there are some nice diamonds with Gemscan certs. but they don't give you much information so that you know for sure. Most Gemscan certs. are "precerts" without the plot, angles or any other info - only telling you clarity, colour and cut - but with nothing else that the other certs. have - and that is important info.

[DLFB]

When we were looking we ended deciding we would only go with a GIA or AGS cert. I'm sure there are some nice diamonds with Gemscan certs. but they don't give you much information so that you know for sure. Most Gemscan certs. are "precerts" without the plot, angles or any other info - only telling you clarity, colour and cut - but with nothing else that the other certs. have - and that is important info.
..and it is important for the buyer to know about this angles, etc.

be on the research mode and study what do these things mean. that will shed some light on why people prefer GIA/AGS over other certifications

[Sheek]

I would just like to post that I had a fantastic experience with Diamond Moments at 21 Dundas Square. Best experience on a big purchase I've ever had. The jeweler (Edmund) was very trust worthy and did not even count my money when I paid. Ring looks fantastic. Highly recommended.