Q&A: Buying a 1 Ct. Diamond in Australia

Hi,

I’m after a 1 carat diamond to be set in a ring at a later date. At this stage I am round cut and I’d like to spend no more than $5,000 Australian dollars.

Obviously I’d like to achieve the best colour, clarity, cut etc as possible within that budget.

Are you able to assist? 

 Thanks for coming back to me.

In terms of the ring and setting etc it will be yellow gold and it will be a solitaire. I want to go for a simple, classic look. My girlfriend wants 6 claws which I’m lead to believe means round diamond only.

Your help is much appreciated. 

 I’ll check it out in the morning; I have been searching for a long time but after a while they all look the same!

I don’t want to be scratching for a sub par diamond for the sake of it.

What about other shapes? I quite like the look of Asccher cut diamonds. Do you think if we went that way we could get a nice diamond for $5k to be set in yellow gold as a solitaire? 

 G’day,

OK good to know.

I had a look at that diamond and is does look nice. Will the J colour look yellow once it’s set in the ring at all?

I really appreciate your help in this mate. 

 Ok cool.

Sorry to be a pain, but do you have any suggestions for a slightly smaller round diamond that would be under the $5k mark?

We have a baby on the way so my budget is tight! 

 I really like that .90CT diamond.

The only question I have, and its a tad vague, given my budget do you think the round stone set as a solitaire is the best way to go? In other words, what would you do with $5k?

I obviously want it to look nice. 

 Ok great. I have an appointment with a jeweler in Sydney tomorrow to look at a .90carat round with excellent cut, H color and I think SI1 (the Director is meeting me and has said the diamond is 100% eye clean).

The diamond is $4,650 plus taxes.

I’ll compare that diamond with the one you have sent through so I can get an idea of exactly what it is.

You’re help has been immeasurable.

I’ll let you know how I go tomorrow. 

 Yes, GIA certified.

I can send you a copy of the certificate if you’d like to see?

Let me know

…
Sorry just further to the .90carat. It is GIA certified but I won’t get the cert until tomorrow.

I’ve been advised it is H, SI1 (100% eye clean), excellent cut, polish and symmetry, nil flourescence and is actually $4,590 plus tax.

They also have a 1.01 carat H, SI1, excellent cut, polish and symmetry, faint flourescence, GIA certified and is $6,860 plus tax. 

Here are the report numbers:

.90 carat – 1147636631

1.01 carat – 2136920169

However, I have actually gone ahead with the purchase of the first diamond you recommended. I placed the order this morning. I had a chat with the guys at James Allen and they reiterated everything you have said.

The only worry I had was that it would look yellow or have a cloudiness to it. I have looked at some comparisons and am confident the diamond won’t look yellow in the setting I have outlined and in everyday environments.

Is there anything else I should look out for now that I have taken this step?

Thanks.