Buying precious stones online?

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Disrespective

1921 posts

Uber Geek

#204993 25-Oct-2016 22:45

I'm looking to buy one or more precious stones and have read/been told that brick and mortar markup on these can make the price rise quickly. I've also read/been told that online stores can be a very good option if I'm happy to take the risk of not seeing the stone in person and relying, at best, on photographs.

Has anyone bought anything like this online before? If so from where, and would you recommend doing so again?

JamjarsNZ

63 posts

Master Geek

#1657805 25-Oct-2016 22:59

Yeah, I bought my wife'e engagement ring online through a jeweler in New York. We were living in London at the time and comparable diamonds in Hatton Garden were about 3 times the price. Mind you the GBP to USD was very favourable in 2007. The company we used was http://www.exceldiamonds.com

Everything was above board, the diamonds were certified and we had everything double checked when we received the ring. I suggest you head here http://www.diamondreview.com/forum/ to check out the latest news and reliable sellers.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

mattwnz

20042 posts

Uber Geek

#1657810 25-Oct-2016 23:35

Are you buying for investment, or for a purpose in mind?

I believe if you buy retail, you are paying a huge markup. Whereas if you buy second hand via a proper auction, you can pick up some good deals.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1657822 26-Oct-2016 04:07

diamonds, its a scam. they're not even rare

kiwifidget

"Cookie"
3329 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1657834 26-Oct-2016 07:04

I cant think about diamonds without thinking about this guy :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrYB-ZvIuPE

Delete cookies?! Are you insane?!

Disrespective

1921 posts

Uber Geek

#1657841 26-Oct-2016 07:24

JamjarsNZ:

Yeah, I bought my wife'e engagement ring online through a jeweler in New York. We were living in London at the time and comparable diamonds in Hatton Garden were about 3 times the price. Mind you the GBP to USD was very favourable in 2007. The company we used was http://www.exceldiamonds.com

Everything was above board, the diamonds were certified and we had everything double checked when we received the ring. I suggest you head here http://www.diamondreview.com/forum/ to check out the latest news and reliable sellers.

Thanks will check it all out. Much appreciated.

Disrespective

1921 posts

Uber Geek

#1657842 26-Oct-2016 07:26

mattwnz:

Are you buying for investment, or for a purpose in mind?

I believe if you buy retail, you are paying a huge markup. Whereas if you buy second hand via a proper auction, you can pick up some good deals.

For a specific purpose. I'm not interested in investment value at all. I've never used an auction house before. Any recommendations? I'e heard of Dunbar Sloane, but that's about the extent of it.

billgates

4704 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1657852 26-Oct-2016 08:15

I recommend James Allen or Blue Nile. Diamonds Pro is a very good website to learn the in's and out of diamonds. They even help you buy a good diamond for free (they make a markup from retailers they recommend at end of the month). Read their Q&A.

https://www.diamonds.pro/

Do whatever you want to do man.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1657862 26-Oct-2016 08:41

nathan:

diamonds, its a scam. they're not even rare

Neither are Pokemon and cryptocurrencies, yet look what happened.

Disrespective

1921 posts

Uber Geek

#1658741 27-Oct-2016 09:16

Thanks everyone. I'll have a look around and see what I can find.

The rings I find in reputable stores here have what seems like a HUGE markup on them. I'm 99% sold on buying a stone separate, and getting the band/setting done custom. Even adding GST to the stone i'll come in cheaper and better.