Proposal Ring - Part 2

[felali]

just back from JP and booked one. seem like a bit too rush lol. first viewing and already paid.

Round Solasfera

Carat : 0.59
Colour : D
Clarity : VVS1

Polish: Excellent
Symmetry : Excellent
Fluorescence :None

$7.9k. Does it worth it?

I've never heard of JP overcharging. They may be slightly more expensive than buying direct from GoodOldGold/Whiteflash, but they don't anyhow whack one.

Are specs worth a lot to you? If specs mean a lot to you, then the price is right.

Otherwise, you're paying way too much just for very nice paper specs.

Based on a very outdated Rapaport (but still relevant to illustrate price/spec differences), at diamonds in your size range, D VVS1 are USD$7100 per carat; F VS1 are USD$4800 per carat.

 

[felali]

hi guys, most of the posts seem to be on JP but i cant choose that unfortunately because 4-8 weeks not enough time for me, did not know would take so long.

Visited sookee, goldheart and citigems today, would you all recommend actually these or probably something like lovis or love and co etc? Because theirs is very good cut while i saw JP 1 is super ideal cut but i am not sure whether the grading used is the same across the board

You tried asking them? I had a friend who successfully requested his ring to be made with them very quickly.

If you take the best from the local mall retailers (e.g. Destinee from Lee Hwa, Hearts on Fire from Tianpo), then you should be near the cut quality and performance of the stones in JP. Price, however...

Celestial, Rosella, Brilliant Rose etc are decent diamonds too, performance should be also somewhat near the tried and tested Round Brilliants and Solasferas. Definitely better than the regular Triple-Excellent cuts, but not enough ASET/Ideal scope pictures or other tests to really judge.

 

[ses009]

hi guys, normally do they offer you a slight discount if you pay by cash etc like computers?

If you mean JP, yes they might. I think they gave like 2-3% discount. You will need to ask them if they still offer such discount.

 

[mizumi]

Pics of the Brellia I chose.

 

[Symbol]

Confirmed the design with JP after seeing the plastic ring model

I see some bros checking on diamond specs and ring designs here…but no one shared about this from jp yet… thought I share my experience here.
I was doing small talk with Jann and he mentioned that their wax machine was just at their upstairs office. The kpo-ness in me asked if I can take a look at it He let me take some pics and videos for part of my proposal plan.

This is how the machine looks like.

It starts of with a green plastic block and cuts out the generic shape and hole of the ring. The rest of the details gets cut layer by layer

Didn’t have the time to sit through the whole session…it takes 4 hours!!
Some preview of the wax machine.. looking at how the ring takes shape excites the engineer in me..

Came back on another day to see the completed ring model… indeed keeping the band light on the sides brings out the brellia. Just placing the brellia on top of the ring model and I can feel its bigger already

Here's some videos of the machine in process. Sorry it's abit messy. Haven't got time to organize the video properly.

All in all, very glad I found this thread, thanks to the bros that helped and those that pm-ed me.

 

[beckslim]

Wow.. very interesting to see how the ring is made. The video would be cool for your proposal montage.

 

[fmt-diamond]

Wow.. very interesting to see how the ring is made. The video would be cool for your proposal montage.

beckslim, what ring are you referring?

 

[quotient]

\
Thank you for sharing the link!
What about the shop clarity? Kept seeing JP being mentioned but not much of Clarity.
My colleague bought some rings there and he told me he can get me a discount.
Any review about Clarity?

ya how come everyone keep talking about JP only?
how about SK, Lee Hwa, Cartier?

I don't agree that "cheap stuffs sure of not good quality".Consumers are getting more savy in their purchase now. It pays to do your homework before making a decision or in this case, it saves you $$. lol.
Anyway, all the retail stores above uses crazily high intensity lighting. I have compared my rock from JP with my friend's from LeeHwa at a neutral condition. JP's was much better.

ya im only 23 but im already planning.
i almost buy from GH cos my cousin brainwash me.
but lucky i abort my plan.

i want to do proper research on the main brands sui sui then i decide.
you buy from JP? can talk about the process from the moment you walk in?
did you attend the free talk by JP?

The Solasfera is 1.58ct next to the Brellia 1.41ct. When its next to each other, I can tell the Solasfera is abit bigger. But when I see each diamond without comparing or sit them further apart, can’t tell much difference. Color and Clarity wise (1 grade diff), I can’t see any difference. Price wise, Brellia was cheaper. Haha

how much was the brelia 1.41 carat?
is it really very very shiny? i noob about rings but.
i know she will love those shiny shiny big ones.

did you go for the free educational talk by JP?
no discount for diamonds at JP?
do they allow installment?
if pay by which credit card then can stretch payments?
i don mind pay slowly month by month.

 

[beckslim]

beckslim, what ring are you referring?

Referring to Symbol's post la.

 

[evets]

ya how come everyone keep talking about JP only?
how about SK, Lee Hwa, Cartier?



ya im only 23 but im already planning.
i almost buy from GH cos my cousin brainwash me.
but lucky i abort my plan.

i want to do proper research on the main brands sui sui then i decide.
you buy from JP? can talk about the process from the moment you walk in?
did you attend the free talk by JP?



how much was the brelia 1.41 carat?
is it really very very shiny? i noob about rings but.
i know she will love those shiny shiny big ones.

did you go for the free educational talk by JP?
no discount for diamonds at JP?
do they allow installment?
if pay by which credit card then can stretch payments?
i don mind pay slowly month by month.

There are quite a nos of customise jewellers in the market.

you can also check out:
lovida
canary
yuen tung (wah kee)

but jp by far have the best shopping experience...

 

[Symbol]

Wow.. very interesting to see how the ring is made. The video would be cool for your proposal montage.

Yup. I'm gonna do a personal ring making video journey for part of my proposal

how much was the brelia 1.41 carat?
is it really very very shiny? i noob about rings but.
i know she will love those shiny shiny big ones.

did you go for the free educational talk by JP?
no discount for diamonds at JP?
do they allow installment?
if pay by which credit card then can stretch payments?
i don mind pay slowly month by month.

PMed you the price.

It was very shiny to me la.. that's why I bought it. lol. JP is known for their shiny rocks.
I posted more details about my diamond in the back pages. This is the one I got

I sat through their educational talk.. very useful..
They told me their prices are fixed.
They have installment plans with no interest. I used my Citibank card for installment to earn miles. I think they take other credit cards too.

 

[fusionz]

I sat through their educational talk.. very useful..
They told me their prices are fixed.
They have installment plans with no interest. I used my Citibank card for installment to earn miles. I think they take other credit cards too.

Just checking, does Citibank interest free installment plan still earn reward points?

 

[Symbol]

Just checking, does Citibank interest free installment plan still earn reward points?

Yes, you still get the points from the installments. It is based on every month transaction amount.

 

[kiosai]

It feels more and more like this thread is transforming into a lucrative marketing channel for a certain jeweller.

I have no doubt that JP diamonds are of very high quality, but this level of quality comes with heaven-high prices. Do not be coerced into "wanting only the best", "afford what you can" is a much better advice.

Nice photos of your diamond and ring shouldn't cost you so much..

I had visited Diamondworks (very near Tai Seng MRT) to custom-make my engagement ring, surprising at affordable prices.

*Note I am not related to Diamondworks in any way other than a satisfied customer sharing his experience

**Note also that I did not purchase my stone from Diamondworks. They provided me with excellent service in fabricating 95% platinum (PT950) ring casing at a very reasonable price.

​

Pros:
Excellent and responsive service.
Very reasonable price for PT950 compared to 4 other custom jewellers.
Large range of designs for both engagement rings and wedding bands.

Cons:
Culture shock to visit an industrial estate to buy engagement ring (Comparitively, Yuen Tung is more shockingly factory-like)
Slightly long waiting time (mine took 3 weeks).
I had to come home to take photos of the ring using my Galaxy SIII all by myself

Some comments on diamonds:
A diamond may be a (lonely) girl best friend, but I assure you that your wife would not bring out a loupe with her 24/7 to check on the hyper-symmertry of the diamond. My obsessive compulsion as a precision engineer insisted on mine being a beautiful Hearts&Arrow cut (unfortunately the SIII and my limited lighting equipment could not take a proper photo of the arrows in high contrast) but I'm sure my wife is very likely to do an instant comparision on the size and colour with her "competition" instead. So do remember to prioritise your 4Cs eh?

Almost 2 years down the road.. I'm back to DiamondWorks (custom jeweller not oft mentioned in these threads) for my wedding bands.

Absolutely pleased with how they turned out in Platinum PT950.

A more costly choice of metal, but for a daily wear item, I'd be better off not worrying about 18K white gold turning yellow..

(Meelees were not purchased from Diamondworks)

 

[fusionz]

Yes, you still get the points from the installments. It is based on every month transaction amount.

Just checked citibank website FAQs and this is the answer.

Do I still earn rewards points or rebates if I pay through EPP?
Unfortunately, no. Due to the cost incurred in stretching your repayment period, we are unable to provide further rewards or rebates to you.

So you still getting reward points for the installment plan?

 

[xjimmy]

just got a ring from jp

Carat: 0.56
Clarity: VS1
Colour: F
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
HCA: 1.3

Without setting: $4300

Is the ring worth the price?

 

[v-dateo]

Hi guys, it's great reading all the advices and knowledge in this thread. JP seems to be the top choice here. But anyone has experience or opinion getting from Bluenile.com? I heard from my friend that JP actually get their diamonds from Bluenile.

I compared the specs and the price JP vs Bluenile, Bluenile is significantly cheaper. I just want to get the best value and diamond out of what I spend (e.g. for 5k i can get 0.6c at JP vs 0.7c at bluenile).

 

[felali]

Hi guys, it's great reading all the advices and knowledge in this thread. JP seems to be the top choice here. But anyone has experience or opinion getting from Bluenile.com? I heard from my friend that JP actually get their diamonds from Bluenile.

I compared the specs and the price JP vs Bluenile, Bluenile is significantly cheaper. I just want to get the best value and diamond out of what I spend (e.g. for 5k i can get 0.6c at JP vs 0.7c at bluenile).

JP gets their diamonds from various cutters and sources, which includes some sources where Bluenile also gets their diamonds from.

'They do not own or house their diamonds that are in their “inventory” but instead utilize the common business practice of drop-shipping allowing for the company to purchase the diamond from the supplier when the customer actually purchases it.'
Blue Nile Reviews - How To Buy A Great Diamond Step by Step Online Diamond Buying Advice

As for Bluenile vs JP, JP will confirm be more expensive, because they only carry the ones that passes their stringent performance criteria. Both retailers are still far cheaper than buying from the local malls.

In descending order of price (taking only the best diamonds)
Tiffany (Gia 3ex only)
Hearts on Fire
Brilliant Rose
Destinee
JP Super Ideal
GoodOldGold/Whiteflash/JamesAllen signature ideals
Bluenile Signature Ideal

I got friends buying from JP, WhiteFlash, GoodOldGold. Online gives you slightly better price, local gives you the all-in-one local service (e.g. polishing, resizing, etc).

 

[Grizz.P]

Hi guys, it's great reading all the advices and knowledge in this thread. JP seems to be the top choice here. But anyone has experience or opinion getting from Bluenile.com? I heard from my friend that JP actually get their diamonds from Bluenile.

I compared the specs and the price JP vs Bluenile, Bluenile is significantly cheaper. I just want to get the best value and diamond out of what I spend (e.g. for 5k i can get 0.6c at JP vs 0.7c at bluenile).

Bluenile and JP diamonds are very different. JP diamonds are Super Ideal cuts whereas Bluenile diamonds are ranges from basic triple excellence to very good - good.

Bluenile diamonds are done by drop shipping where vendors sell their diamonds on Bluenile. That's also why you they don't have any photos or useful scope images of the diamond cos it's not even their diamonds in the first place. This also means that you cannot inspect and check the quality of your diamond first and need to take a leap of faith. That's why their diamonds are cheaper for the no quality control.

JP diamonds are Super Ideal cuts with the diff scopes to assure the quality and you get to inspect the diamond before you buy. That can mean a lot of difference how good your diamond will look.

I remember 1 or 2 bros here who got JP to bring in the diamond they wanted from Bluenile before too. Think they got it at the same or lower price.

 

[felali]

just got a ring from jp

Carat: 0.56
Clarity: VS1
Colour: F
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
HCA: 1.3

Without setting: $4300

Is the ring worth the price?

Heh price seems pretty consistent for JP, based on a BlueNile search for signature ideals of around the same specs.

Strongly recommended you visit Lee Hwa for their Destinee hearts and arrows to compare price. (visit Tianpo too, for their more internationally recognized Hearts on Fire).

In terms of cut beauty and light return, JP outperforms the 2 above by a small margin, and BlueNile by a larger margin (less QC).