Help! Need advice about buying loose cushion diamond online

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#16
I don't know of many Australian jewelers besides Holloway Diamonds, owned by Gary Holloway. But I don't know if he is anywhere near you. However, you can absolutely buy a cushion online successfully, you just need to find a vendor that does more business towards cushions than the one you're presently with. Nothing against James Allen, but they're less geared towards fancies, and more towards rounds. They're not the vendor I'd do this particular purchase with being where you're located. In the States, yes, not in Australia.

Good Old Gold and Engagement Rings Direct are two that are well known for excellent cushion selection. GOG is very good with fancies of all kinds, in fact, and does videos for customers, and tons of great images of stones to help with selection. Being half a world away from your vendor, this is crucial. I'd strongly consider contacting one of them for this process. Both should be well versed in working with overseas buyers, I know GOG especially is. If you want a specifically H&A style cushion, GOG or Brian Gavin Diamonds, again both versed in working with overseas and Australian shoppers. Just something to consider before you pay for this one which I see is marked as not available.
 
#17
ame said:
I don't know of many Australian jewelers besides Holloway Diamonds, owned by Gary Holloway. But I don't know if he is anywhere near you. However, you can absolutely buy a cushion online successfully, you just need to find a vendor that does more business towards cushions than the one you're presently with. Nothing against James Allen, but they're less geared towards fancies, and more towards rounds. They're not the vendor I'd do this particular purchase with being where you're located. In the States, yes, not in Australia.

Good Old Gold and Engagement Rings Direct are two that are well known for excellent cushion selection. GOG is very good with fancies of all kinds, in fact, and does videos for customers, and tons of great images of stones to help with selection. Being half a world away from your vendor, this is crucial. I'd strongly consider contacting one of them for this process. Both should be well versed in working with overseas buyers, I know GOG especially is. If you want a specifically H&A style cushion, GOG or Brian Gavin Diamonds, again both versed in working with overseas and Australian shoppers. Just something to consider before you pay for this one which I see is marked as not available.
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Thanks so much Ame, this is very useful information, I think I will get in touch with Holloway Diamonds and go from there! I'll reach out to GOG as well and see if I can get some more advice from them.

The diamond is marked as not available because I have it on hold, that's how close I was to buying it. Is this one I chose considered a bad purchase, I still really like how it looks from my point of view but would like to know if there is something wrong/off about it.
 
#19
Thanks Ame, I definitely feel better about my search now :)

it was quite overwhelming at the start especially with so much information and advice out there to process! I'll just take your advice to take my time and educate myself a little more before making my big decision!
 
#20
I think that's a good idea. Spend some time learning on PS, but I would advise you not take TOO much time or you'll get sucked into the holiday rush and then supplies get harder to fight.
 
#21
urasia said:
Thanks Ame, I definitely feel better about my search now :)

it was quite overwhelming at the start especially with so much information and advice out there to process! I'll just take your advice to take my time and educate myself a little more before making my big decision!
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Hi Urasia! I'm an Aussie too and can totally understand what you're saying about the markups here. It's very frustrating. It was even worse a few years ago when the Aussie dollar was very strong and you could literally save thousands and thousands by buying from the US. Unfortunately, this isn't the case anymore with the dollar dropping and the price difference isn't as huge.

When I become engaged a few years ago we also looked at Blue Nile and James Allen for diamonds, thinking we could save so much. The US just seems to have such a better selection of jewellry and diamonds. However, the problem with buying online is that you really can't judge a diamond from its certificate alone- you need to see it in person, because sometimes stones that have great certs aren't as amazing in person, for whatever reason. Then the stone needs to be shipped to you and then you need to pay around 15% in duties and tax. If you don't like the stone, you can usually return it no problems, but then you have to apply for refunds of the taxes/duties which can tie up your money and that to me was alot of hassle.

I would really recommend doing some research online about jewellers in your city, especially the smaller 'manufacturing jewellers'. Sure, these guys don't have a brand name (like Tiffany, Cartier etc), but the person you usually speak to is the person who will be personally making your jewellry/ sourcing your diamond. Because they have less staff and usually no retail space, their prices are MUCH lower and they are flexible, because usually they are the business owners as well. I would recommend you go and meet with as many as possible in your city, get a feel for their prices and what they can do for you. Once you know how much you should be paying for a diamond, you have alot more power to negotiate. Often they will also offer 'price match', where if you find a better price online or at another store, some of them will meet the price.

After researching diamonds alot and considering purchasing overseas, we ended up buying from our city and got pretty good prices!!! Looking back I'm happy we didn't buy from overseas.
 
#22
MsHermesAU said:
I would really recommend doing some research online about jewellers in your city, especially the smaller 'manufacturing jewellers'. Sure, these guys don't have a brand name (like Tiffany, Cartier etc), but the person you usually speak to is the person who will be personally making your jewellry/ sourcing your diamond. Because they have less staff and usually no retail space, their prices are MUCH lower and they are flexible, because usually they are the business owners as well. I would recommend you go and meet with as many as possible in your city, get a feel for their prices and what they can do for you. Once you know how much you should be paying for a diamond, you have alot more power to negotiate. Often they will also offer 'price match', where if you find a better price online or at another store, some of them will meet the price.
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Yes, this is great advice! I work at a small (very small, I'm talking 4 employees total) jewellery store and we've had people come to us and say that our prices are better than wholesale prices. Small businesses mean that you're getting a very unique kind of experience where people will actually remember who you are and it'll save you money.
 
#24
MsHermesAU said:
Hi Urasia! I'm an Aussie too and can totally understand what you're saying about the markups here. It's very frustrating. It was even worse a few years ago when the Aussie dollar was very strong and you could literally save thousands and thousands by buying from the US. Unfortunately, this isn't the case anymore with the dollar dropping and the price difference isn't as huge.

When I become engaged a few years ago we also looked at Blue Nile and James Allen for diamonds, thinking we could save so much. The US just seems to have such a better selection of jewellry and diamonds. However, the problem with buying online is that you really can't judge a diamond from its certificate alone- you need to see it in person, because sometimes stones that have great certs aren't as amazing in person, for whatever reason. Then the stone needs to be shipped to you and then you need to pay around 15% in duties and tax. If you don't like the stone, you can usually return it no problems, but then you have to apply for refunds of the taxes/duties which can tie up your money and that to me was alot of hassle.

I would really recommend doing some research online about jewellers in your city, especially the smaller 'manufacturing jewellers'. Sure, these guys don't have a brand name (like Tiffany, Cartier etc), but the person you usually speak to is the person who will be personally making your jewellry/ sourcing your diamond. Because they have less staff and usually no retail space, their prices are MUCH lower and they are flexible, because usually they are the business owners as well. I would recommend you go and meet with as many as possible in your city, get a feel for their prices and what they can do for you. Once you know how much you should be paying for a diamond, you have alot more power to negotiate. Often they will also offer 'price match', where if you find a better price online or at another store, some of them will meet the price.

After researching diamonds alot and considering purchasing overseas, we ended up buying from our city and got pretty good prices!!! Looking back I'm happy we didn't buy from overseas.
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Hi MsHermesAU! Thanks so much for your reply, I'm glad someone understands how I'm feeling here.The Australian markups are soooooo frustrating, everything from clothes to shoes to bags to even diamonds!! I ended up calling Holloway Diamonds in Melbourne and they quoted starting 45K for the loose diamond in the specs I wanted, online or from the US is less than half that!

Do you have any local Aussie jeweler recommendations you can give me (you can PM me if you prefer not to mention names on this thread? I really have no idea where to start looking for someone who can source high quality stones.I'm located in Melbourne but travel to Adelaide and Sydney occasionally. Any advice you can give me would be really helpful!
 
#25
smashinstyle said:
Yes, this is great advice! I work at a small (very small, I'm talking 4 employees total) jewellery store and we've had people come to us and say that our prices are better than wholesale prices. Small businesses mean that you're getting a very unique kind of experience where people will actually remember who you are and it'll save you money.
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Thanks Smashinstyle, I'll definitely keep that in mind. Looks like I'm off to contact some smaller local jewelers!
 
#26
ame said:
Well, just to be clear: they're not wholesalers if anyone not in the business can buy from them.
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Hi Ame, one thing I've learned from my research so far is that so many jeweler claim to be wholesalers (or selling at wholesale prices) but actually aren't.

If they are selling 1 stone to me directly I know it won't be wholesale, hopefully I can source a great stone at a great price that I'll be happy with.

Thanks for all your advice, it has been invaluable and I can't thank you enough!
 
#27
Urasia: Ame has given you very very good advice. I recently bought two August Vintage cushions from Good Old Gold and they are spectacular. HOwever, the cushion you posted is more of a modern style cushion. Ame and others are right-you must pick one that not only has the right specs but LOOKS good to you. Every cushion is different ...........every fancy is different. By and large any well cut round modern brilliant is pretty static in appearance and the most predictable. I love cushions and prefer the old style. They are less sparkly and more flashy-y if that makes sense.
 
#28
ame said:
Well, just to be clear: they're not wholesalers if anyone not in the business can buy from them.
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That's not necessarily true, but I agree so many jewellers say they are 'wholesalers' when they aren't. I visited a 'diamond merchant' who sells wholesale to jewellers in my city. They also have a smaller business of selling directly to individuals if they find out about them (they don't advertise). I have no doubt their prices wouldn't be the same as what they give the jewellers, but by cutting out the middle man their prices are still much lower than retail, even after marking up their 'wholesale' price a bit.

I know of others buying from true wholesalers who are meant to only sell 100% to stores. Usually this is only possible where you know the person or are put in touch with them by someone. Most of those transactions are off the books, cash only, so as not to upset the stores. So it does happen :smile1:
 
#29
Hermesaholic said:
Urasia: Ame has given you very very good advice. I recently bought two August Vintage cushions from Good Old Gold and they are spectacular. HOwever, the cushion you posted is more of a modern style cushion. Ame and others are right-you must pick one that not only has the right specs but LOOKS good to you. Every cushion is different ...........every fancy is different. By and large any well cut round modern brilliant is pretty static in appearance and the most predictable. I love cushions and prefer the old style. They are less sparkly and more flashy-y if that makes sense.
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Hi Hermesaholic, I have contacted GOG to see what they can source for me, fingers crossed I find 'the one'! The August Vintage cushions from them are gorgeous but I feel the modern faceted suits my style and personality a bit more. I'm really not a fan of the hearts and arrows cushions either, although they are more predictable in terms of optics and light performance.

I'm looking for one that has a similar look to the second stone in this video. Hopefully they can source one that is just as good or even better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aed_ykucvT8
 
#30
urasia said:
Hi Hermesaholic, I have contacted GOG to see what they can source for me, fingers crossed I find 'the one'! The August Vintage cushions from them are gorgeous but I feel the modern faceted suits my style and personality a bit more. I'm really not a fan of the hearts and arrows cushions either, although they are more predictable in terms of optics and light performance.

I'm looking for one that has a similar look to the second stone in this video. Hopefully they can source one that is just as good or even better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aed_ykucvT8
Click to expand...


good luck! GOG is really a great vendor to work with.
 
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