biggal:

 

Sam91:

 

 

 

i know it all a scam and diamonds are just carbon 

 

 

 

Isn't that everything in the universe?

I was reading a Reddit thread about Lab made ones (not Cubic Zirconia) which are scientifically comparable and follow the same grading system as a mined diamond.  If I had my time again I would definitely go down this route, they are indistinguishable and way better value.  When I was looking the show put on by Michael Hill Jewellers made me feel sick.

I had done a lot of research, I mean a lot.  I knew how they were graded and what cost a diamond should be for the imperfections, colour cuts clarity and size.  The first salesman in there looked at this ring I was considering with the eye magnifier ooooh and ahhing and then called over his sales assistant mate who did the same saying how amazing it was.  When I looked at the grading certificate of the diamond it was a middle of the road, that was when I stopped looking at chain stores.

I used to do some work for a company that imports diamonds into NZ and then sells them to the manufacturing jewellers. The boss once showed me what he paid for a particular stone, what he sold it for, and what the jewellery was selling the final piece for. There's massive markups in the jewellery industry, 100 - 200% isn't uncommon.

There are places where you can buy just the diamond(s) at a cheap rate and then you can take those to a manufacturing jeweller who will put it in a mount for you (or some of the importers can also have the stones mounted for you too).

networkn: Isn't that everything in the universe?

Fred99:

networkn: Isn't that everything in the universe?

Yes - but not everything in the universe has a corporate marketing slogan like "Diamonds are Forever" (De Beers) "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" (Kelloggs) or "It Just Works", with general acceptance by many that the truth has been spoken.
Religion. Pffft.

Nice little rant there fella. Not really sure what your point is? Don't like Diamonds, don't buy them, simple really. 

Diamonds do pretty much last forever as would be accepted by the fact they would outlast many generations of humans. Breakfast is widely accepted as being the most important meal of the day, and as for your pfft, get a grip.

Batman: WHat does it mean if you bought a diamond ring but the diamond doesn't have a certificate? (was a long time ago, say 1999, shop has closed since, was a reputable shop, sourced diamond from Antwerp but didn't give me a cert)

Without having someone examine the ring, how could anyone here possibly know the answer? You could have been scammed, or it may have been an unintentional error. Unless you are intending to hock it for cash, not sure what difference it would make after all these years. 

Batman: ok good. just in case there's the international police of black diamonds coming after me.

After 18 years? Somehow I doubt it. How would they find you? Does it have a tracking beacon? 

Fred99: My point was merely that diamonds have little or no intrinsic value, perceived value is a creation of slick marketing, especially the modern association of diamond rings used as a symbol used for engagement for marriage.

Well, that applies to *everything* surely.  Value is based on perception. Rarity is a factor, but again, based on the perception that if something is rare, it's precious.

Fred99: No - it doesn't apply to "everything". Not everything we buy has value controlled by a cartel / monopoly with the pedigree of De Beers, and demand generated by creation and perpetuation of myth.

Now you are being argumentative. Everything you purchase is has a value set by a variety of factors, one of the biggest of which is perception of it's value to individuals, which is also controlled by a variety of factors, including how "well" it's marketed.

I am assuming your primarily beef here is with some part of the marketing by De Beers? Not sure what the point of the whole thing is though? Are you trying to talk the OP out of purchasing Diamonds, or everyone in general as a service to the community? 

I showed my girlfriend the engagement rings is a scam video.. Lets just say that guy is in her super bad run over if seen crossing the road books now :p Oh and she doesnt want diamonds anymore,  she would rather rubies.  And I think the there was a little emphasis on SOON!  

Just remember whatever you get make sure you keep the damned receipts etc.  Both of my sisters found out the hard way that stupid fancy rings with lots of little breakable bits do just that..... And without proof of purchase the stores just laugh at you..... And even then there was a clause about having it professionally cleaned and checked regularly. 

biggal:

 

Partridges are good and they are Manufacturing Jewellers

 

if you're going to spend that amount i would recommend going to a Manufacturing Jewellers

 

the been in the biz for a long time

 

some one this list

 

http://www.jirbnz.org.nz/jewellers.html

 

dont go to michael hill, pascoes type of stores

 

Partridges are not manufacturing jewellers, they outsource it.

Michael Hill (and indeed most chains) uses stones that only just avoid being classified as industrial grade, no self respecting "proper" jeweller would use such poor quality stones.

Most manufacturing jewellers will also be members of JWNZ; http://www.jwnz.co.nz/home.aspx - this site gives you a bit of info on purchasing, but nothing that you couldn't find via Google.