Proposal Ring - Part 2

[BrOwnTeddy]

The first ring I bought was the Tiffany that I use for my proposal. Back then I didn't do proper research and thought Tiffany was the best. The second ring I bought was from JP and is an upgrade for our anniversary. That's when I started to read on how to buy a good diamond and realized I paid so much for that "Tiffany" name.

She wears the JP ring now and the Tiffany one is kept in the closet collecting dust. We considered selling it since she hardly wears it anymore but the price we got offered is very miserable... Tried to sell it off on those goldsmith shop and was only offered like 10% of what we paid for it. So really bo hua to sell it. Will probably re-set it into a necklace or something. You want to buy?

Are you one of those who initially thought Diamonds are very valuable?

 

[sweetthinker]

What if the design is a special one... Like Cartier new design..Cartier Destinee? just launch this year

You can custom the same design.. no issue with that ba

 

[sweetthinker]

Are you one of those who initially thought Diamonds are very valuable?

Unfortunately yes... I initially thought branded diamonds was the top tier and if sell back in future, can get a higher price. But when you sell back to other shops, they don't pay for the brand but focus more on the quality. Assuming that a branded diamond is a high quality is a bad mistake.... Need to use the scopes and not blindly buy

 

[Des126]

Private Jewellers List

Yeah... checked from Bluenile and it is below SGD1000 for the loose diamond. Saw a few VS1 and VVS1 and can't tell the difference especially it is only 0.3ct. Color wise, I think I will go with above G recommendation.

BTW, where can I find the private jewellers list? Any link for me?

I dont think there is a link of all the private jewellers in Singapore. Below are some of the private jewellers that i have known so far. Some of them do provide ASET scope for you to view the diamond. You should put more effort to visit as many as possible for the Price, Service and Diamond Quality comparison.

JannPaul
Yuen Tung
Josi Gems
White Dwarf
Vivo Diamonds
Lovis Diamonds
Lovida Diamonds
eClarity

 

[spLeenfuL]

My new Solasfera =p

Congratzz on your hoot!!
You choose your ring design already or customizing?

 

[Seannie]

Hey guys. I would like to get a sensing of market prices here.
I got quoted 4.5k for a E colour, vs1, O.63ct GIA cert with triple excellence its from Josi
Sounds like quite an OK deal right? Brilliant cut BTW. Thanks in advance!

What type of cut did you get? Ideal?

 

[Grizz.P]

What type of cut did you get? Ideal?

They don't carry scopes.. I doubt it's an ideal cut

 

[ventisg]

Congratzz on your hoot!!
You choose your ring design already or customizing?

I choose the classic tiffany design. =D

 

[charel_ong]

If my bf has a $4k budget.. Whats the colour, carat, cut and clarity be if im looking at JannPaul's super ideal with classic setting?

Thanks..

 

[alfiee]

Congrats on joining the Solesfera club. Bling away! =)

Yes definately... I just like the more sparkle it produced =D
Got the blink blink effect... Hehe

 

[alfiee]

I agree with regards to clarity too. If possible I'll try to opt for one that is VS2 to bring down the price. And as long as the inclusion is not somewhere prominent, (Need to check the cert i guess) I think it would be fine. Though depends whether you heng heng could get a VS2 with other specs that you want. I got a VS1 coz that was the only clarity spec available for the other specs i wanted.

Colour wise personally I got an F. As I feel it provides the best value amongst the near colourless range. You cannot see the yellowish tinge when seeing the G alone. But when compared with other D,E,F's I could see the yellowish stand out a little. And that's for a colourblind guy like me who is bad with colours. But at the end of the day i think if you cannot compromise on the other specs. Should still opt for a G at least. H cannot make it lah. Proposal ring leh. And it's not like it's 2-3 carat H colour.

Still think it's bohua to get a branded ring. Coz the diamonds are super marked up for those brands. And its not even a good diamond to start off with. Plus the decent diamonds under those brands would cost an arm.

For example I wanna get a Boucheron quad wedding bed. With small diamonds amounting to 0.49 carats. It costs $8500 in SG. Without diamonds it's $4500. Those tiny diamonds not worth the extra $4k at all.

I initially also wanted to get a tiffany 1.5 carat for my proposal. Also wanted the branding and all. Coz my wife-to-be loves brands too. But after checking that their diamond quality. And realizing they are certified by themselves (WTH!). Thought against it. I decided to just instead get a good big Solasfera with that mindset that that 1 diamond wins a good deal of other diamonds out there. And basically can be family heirloom already. haha.

I think you should take a look at a few private jewellers. At least to compare the diamonds and see how far your $15-18k can stretch. Spending 5 figures must research and compare everything. Else regret and feel heart pain in the end.

Anyways all the best with your diamond selection! After that will be proposal and then wedding planning (super tedious man!) haha.

I went down to MBS Cartier and do another round of check.

My finding :
1) Cartier 0.81 carat, VS1, H color (centre stone); 0.18 carat total for 18 side diamond - $15,750

2) Cartier 0.82 carat, VS2, H color ; same spec for side diamond - $15,350

3) Cartier 0.83 carat VS2, H color ; same spec for side diamond - $15,450

4) Cartier 0.80 carat VVS2, G color ; same spec for side diamond - $17,850

5) Cartier 0.80 carat VS1, F color; same spec for side diamond - $18,600

Compared with my initial finding in Tiffany & Co Takashimaya,
Spec was 0.72 carat F color VVS1; side diamond 0.33carat in total - $15,500

So what you think? Seem like getting a gd color is more ex than clarity...

I heard from both Tiffany & Co and Cartier that diamond that is VS2 and above, you couldn't see the inclusion with naked eyes. True?

Seem like per increase grade of the color will increase approx 10% of the price of the ring..

 

[mcapple]

Anybody getting anything from Tiffany & Co? Have about $4K worth of credit to let go at probably 5% off or so... Planning to return a brand new purchase but they can't provide a refund le..

If you plan on getting the Elsa Peretti platinum wedding bands with a little diamond, I'm willing to let go at about $3.8K, brand new unwrapped, you can still do size exchange at the outlet. Retail price now is $4.3K for a pair...

9273 eight 3 eight eight...

 

[VSGenesis]

Well, hi guys. I'm new to both HWZ and Diamonds. My first search months ago led me to BlueNile and VivoDiamonds. Trying to learn as much as I can.

The budget that most of you guys have is astonishing. 5 figures with names such as Cartier and Tiffany. To be honest, I don't see the need to be purchasing a brand unless one has deep pockets. Unlike folks like me, I've only got a $4k budget. FW has been very supportive and I promise in future I'll get a better one for her. As I did not come across much post on folks with budget like mine, I thought I contribute by posting my journey.

Trips to Local Shopping Mall Stores
I've read the forum and research a few times and come to conclude that I'll bring my FW to those stores like SK, Lee Hwa etc to have a "feel" before going down to JP. It can be rather intimidating when one has a budget like mine to go to such stores when prices are incredibly staggering. With what I have read and all, the mark up of an engagement ring at such stores is rather high. Understandable but still "people" like me are not in search to find discounts but rather value for the budget we have.

I was quoted 0.57ct at $7.5k (rounded up) at one of the stores. Certain things that the salesperson told my FW made my "senses" tingle. Things like select the carat. Next time upgrade choose Colour and Clarity.

Anyway, the trips to "shopping mall" jewellers was just to have a feel. At least now I'm relieved that my FW have told me she feels good with a rock that is minimum 0.5ct on her finger.

JannPaul
In my own company, we have a KPI that requires us to reply customer emails within 4 hours. JP replied to my email in less than 30minutes. Before I know it, we've set an appointment next week. That for me is top notch service.

With that said, I hope, FW and I get more educated by JP next week and she finds the right diamond and ring.

I set a criteria and hope folks here can give any feedback or advice.
Super Ideal Cut or Solasfera (Though I am not sure I have enough budget for Solasfera.)

Carat: 0.5ct above
Cut: As mentioned above.
Colour: Minimum F
Clarity: Minimum VS2

1) Check our local "shopping mall" jewellers. (Checked)
2) Appointment with JannPaul (Pending)
3) Selected Diamond & Ring (Pending)
4) Within Budget (Pending)
5) Collection (Pending)

Thanks for reading my lengthy post.

 

[Repuls3]

u will get a decent one... if not picky, should be able to get super ideal with .51 - .55 F VS1

 

[VSGenesis]

u will get a decent one... if not picky, should be able to get super ideal with .51 - .55 F VS1

Hi there, really appreciate the feedback and I hope so too. Crossing fingers.

 

[gameling]

sure you can get one from JP. cos i got mine from them.
1 more week before collection ^_^

 

[lordleslie]

yeah, JannPaul is really good. My gf has no complains at all infact mine was featured on their facebook page

I believe Jann will help to make your ring within your budget!

 

[VSGenesis]

yeah, JannPaul is really good. My gf has no complains at all infact mine was featured on their facebook page

I believe Jann will help to make your ring within your budget!

Hi, thanks! Feel more confident about it now. Folks in here seems to have really deep pocket...really really deep pocket. Mine is just a humble one.

There's wedding and renovation to think about. So ya...

Will update on my appointment with JP next week. Anyone else in here who has gone to JP with my sorta budget? Care to share?

 

[firewalker85]

Hi, thanks! Feel more confident about it now. Folks in here seems to have really deep pocket...really really deep pocket. Mine is just a humble one.

There's wedding and renovation to think about. So ya...

Will update on my appointment with JP next week. Anyone else in here who has gone to JP with my sorta budget? Care to share?

Don't worry.. my budget was even lower than yours and I still managed to get something that I'm very happy and proud of. I don't think many of us here have very deep pockets but want the best quality for our loved one. (without over paying for it course)

One thing I like about JP is that they treat all their customers the same, whether your a small or big spender. I came in with slippers and shorts and they still gave me their full services even though my budget wasn't big.

 

[VSGenesis]

Excellent! Obviously I have never bought an engagement ring in my life.

Once you commit, I assume you'll need to place a deposit. And then...just wait for collection?

The ring is for the lady, I don't know why I'm the one excited. Wth. LOL.