Diamond Ring help please.

[gk172]

Going to florida in june and have an anniversary coming up and after seeing the prices in walmart we are looking to buy a 1 carat diamond ring (square shaped) as the saving is hundreds of pounds but where to look is in need of some help.

We found one in walmart but they no longer stock it so i looked up a couple of sites listed in florida mall and came across Diamond Source which when i looked online it brought up a shop/internet site based in n.y but are the 2 connected? as that site offers picking your diamond and then the mount which does appeal. Or is there somewhere else i should be looking at?

Any help with this would be gratefully appreciated;)

[Petalsoftly]

Just be careful because the gold carats are different to UK carats... when my DH ring cracked...er rephrase that! wedding ring... cracked on BTMRR at MK we got it repaired in the UK and it was troublesome....

[grottyrotty]

There are some nice jewellers in the florida mall - they offered me tax free sales when they realised I was from the UK. But I didn't end up buying in there.

I bought a nice diamond trilogy necklace from a jeweller in Kissimmee Old Town. There were lots of Brits in that shop, who said they returned every trip because he was such good value! Don't know about that - I just liked the necklace!

Do bear in mind that their gold is not the same as ours - they don't tend to do 9ct, but do 14ct instead.

And you may get taxed when you return to the UK!

Deb :tinkani:

[grottyrotty]

Be careful of the quality of the diamonds that you get if you buy from Walmart. Check out the 4 "C's": cut; clarity; carat and colour.

DH bought me some diamond studs from Asda - cheap but still cost over £100 - and they are really dull. Obviously not "quality" diamonds, but I can't tell him that. It was the thought that counts :D

Deb :tinkani:

[gk172]

Wow replies within mins - thank you. Im learning more about diamonds each visit so we have a rough idea as to what standard of diamond we would like so thats a start its just finding it at a nice price as some are asking $6000 for a ring which the diamond source website would be doing for $3500 ish which is roughly what we hope to be paying.

[KES]

Both my mum and I bought diamond rings a couple of years ago from Florida Mall.

Mine was a bog standard channel set diamond ring (cost about £500 Ithink).

My mum bought a gorgeous platinum diamond ring with loads of diamonds in it - which cost alot - , however, two diamonds have fallen out & a jeweller over here says the claws are no good. She is thinking of having in melted down & reset.

[grottyrotty]

Both my mum and I bought diamond rings a couple of years ago from Florida Mall.

Mine was a bog standard channel set diamond ring (cost about £500 Ithink).

My mum bought a gorgeous platinum diamond ring with loads of diamonds in it - which cost alot - , however, two diamonds have fallen out & a jeweller over here says the claws are no good. She is thinking of having in melted down & reset.

Thats a real shame about your mum's ring!

You should think about a holiday to Goa if you want cheap good quality diamonds. They cost a fraction of the cost of the UK.

A colleague of mine goes to Goa at least once a year. She usually brings back some item of jewellery. When she gets home, she gets the jewellery valued, and it is always valued at vastly greater sums than she paid for it.

She is on 1st name terms with the jeweller that she goes to - he even phones her up in the UK to ask her to bring stuff out for him (latest was a pushchair as his daughter is expecting her 1st baby!)

Deb :tinkani:

[Cyclospora]

I had a ring bought for me from Kays in the Florida Mall. The next time we went - I went "rock climbing" where you can part exchange your ring for another. The new ring has to be twice the value of the old ring though. They also give you full price of what you bought it for and added 5% for every year that I had it (although I think they've stopped this last bit).

[_tinkerbell_]

Both my mum and I bought diamond rings a couple of years ago from Florida Mall.

Mine was a bog standard channel set diamond ring (cost about £500 Ithink).

My mum bought a gorgeous platinum diamond ring with loads of diamonds in it - which cost alot - , however, two diamonds have fallen out & a jeweller over here says the claws are no good. She is thinking of having in melted down & reset.

whats wrong with your mums claws ? Have they worn down or are they sitting up too high that she is catching them on clothing etc to pull back the claws ?

if your mum melts down her platinum ring to make another with her original stones, she will need more platinum to add to it mind. One ring doesnt make another ring, she will lose a percentage in the meltdown process, if she doesnt have more platinum lying about the jeweller, goldsmith sorry, will charge £'s per extra gram, depending of ring weight. I dont know the going rate for platinum at the moment but it could be around £80 - £90 a gram. Would it not be cheaper to reset the stones and fix the claws ?

Also when anyone is buying diamonds, ask if they have been treated. Treated diamonds cannot be replaced into rings as they break when heat is applied. Jewellers sometimes laser treat diamonds to up the quality by removing flaws, noticable black carbons etc. Makes stones nicer but if it falls out you could be disapointed and the goldsmith fixng your ring is not reponsible if the stone breaks.

The square shape the original poster spoke of is a Princess cut, one of the most expensive cuts of stone but the prettiest i think. Also to keep costsdown you could go for 4 smaller quarter carat stones, set side by side to give the illusion of one large stone. You get your full carat but pay less !

[Michelle]

I got my rings from a shop in the Florida Mall it was part anniversary part birthday present.
I got them valued as soon as I got back home and they are valued at double what I paid for them, so I am happy.
I too can 'rock climb' (love that Annie:D) if I so wish.

[gk172]

We have looked into the 4 smaller set ones in the uk but hubby wants the one stone and who am i to argue;) Tinkershell cna you remember the shop name or was that kays too? did any of them have a voucher you could use:tounge:

Hopefully lastly again im a bit muddled re quality we thought almost colourless( Ior J) with no flaws visable via normal eye would suit us but ive seen costly ones (G or H) with internal flaws going for more is it just down to personal taste?

[andyhayley]

If you are in the mall (I know its not exactly romantic) but ask them what their best price is, dont just pay the price on display. They can often take another 25% off the price if you keep saying you really like it, but its just a bit too much.

Then, go to an amazing restaurant (lots around) and have a romantic dinner with the savings!

[disneydreamer]

When we were over in summer last year we had a loook in a lovely jewellers in the Premiuin outlets off International Drive. They had a vast range their price range was also vast. I was looking to replace my engagement ring. I think we were in there for it seemed like an hour trying on different rings. The only thing i found was that they started speeling off about the carat, gold weight etc but they didn't tell you the price. As I had to get a special shaped ring to find round my eternity ring I found one that was VERY NICE. until i managed to get a quick peek at the price tag. NICE PRICE too $30,000. Needless to say I had to put it back on the shelf. Would have needed a second mortgage to buy it!!!

Still good to look at what you get for the money.

Jackie

[griffl02]

Hi :wave:

We shop at Jared (the Galleria of Jewellery) down International Drive (next door to Bed, Bath and Beyond, but don't buy a universal remote from Beyond), DH has bought me some fantastic pieces from there and we will defo be going again in October.:d: :d: :d:

[Soozi]

I saw a ring in Walmart I liked last trip (it was a cheapish dress ring) - I enquired about it and as they didn't have my size they said it would take two weeks for sizing - this was at the end of the holiday so I didn't take them up on it, so be aware it could take time for sizing and enquire at the beginning of your holiday! :)

[Michelle]

Nope it was not Kays. I will have to find the reciept. I just saw the rings were in my budget, tried them on, they fitted perfectly, it was meant to be ;)

[Bovril]

Another fan of Kays,gave me 50% off the price,don't just look at the price on the ring and think oh I can't afford that.You very rarely pay what is actually marked.

Kays also do free ring MOT's and a guarantee,which is worth having.

[gk172]

Thank you, weve taken on the fact that if were going to buy one to do it in the first few days to allow for sizing and also good to hear that you dont allways pay the ticket price. I might email the 2 diamond source places to see if they are in fact connected as i doubt that 2 places could be called the same without copyright issues.:confused2

[wjd]

My dh bought me a beautiful diamond ring from the florida mall afew years ago from Kays. Last year we bought our wedding rings from the florida mall from helzburg diamond, ( http://www.helzberg.com/ ), I fancied white gold so dh let me have a new engagement ring too, so I ended up with a bridal set. It was so much cheaper over there, no way could I have had both over here, mine combined are 1 carat.

There are 15 jewerly shops, in the florida mall, I got mine from the 13th, make sure you have a good look around 1st, the sales assistants are abit pushy, I tryed on hundred of rings before I picked mine. When I finally decided on the one the sales lady ran around the store ringing a bell, then they put a pin on the map of where we came from.

Good luck.

[Bradleysmummy]

DH got my engagement ring and my wedding ring from Rogers Jewlery in teh Belz outlet and we will be returning in a couple of months for my eturnity ring. They are 14ct and if you buy uk ring the gold will rub against each other and slowly wear the rings away.

Like other posters have said ask about the price we paid 50% less than the tag price and I can also rock climb, in fact I have once already!!!!

[Pebblesuk]

look in ultra diamonds, in the outlet place, the have lovely canadian diamonds in there with very few flaws. we looked at the ones in walmart but when you look through the eye glass they had really big black bits inside, it did cost more in ultra diamonds but got much better quality diamond, much cheaper than here. they even mailed the reciept and certificate home for me, i destoyed the box and just wore it home.

[gk172]

Thats what im looking to do, i will see if they have a website, thank you;)

[chodwobbler]

Unfortunately, (speaking as a man that is) we always go to see lovely lady name of Rose-Marie at Kays In Florida Mall, she has become a real friend and always sorts out a good deal on whatever jewellry is in vogue at the time, as you can guess, jewellry fashion in the U.S. is a little ahead of U.K. Last year DW ended up with a "circle of love " diamond studded gold ring necklace which was the envy of anyone who saw it (female that is) on our return to U.K.

[Happy Hammer]

Thats what im looking to do, i will see if they have a website, thank you;)

their website is www.ultradiamonds.com i had been planning to buy my wife a diamond ring while we are there.:wavey:

[gk172]

Every ring ive seen and liked has been in white gold:confused2 I would much prefer yellow, but everywhere ive looked it seems white gold is the way to go.

[pvbmb01]

My DH got me a 1/2 cara diamond ring (square shaped) from the Florida Mall - unfortunately I can't remember which shop it was now, but we went to a few different shops, and I tried on a million different rings before we were satisfied with what we were buying - they did the diamond test on the ring for me in the shop when I went to pick it up, and had it checked when i got home as well ...

Good luck ... it's a lovely idea and a wonderful memory to keep forever!

p.s. mine is yellow gold too!!! not a fan of white gold!!

[gk172]

Ive found what i have been looking for and there is a picture in this link (http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=13497) which is as close as i can find, i have checked out the site and they have a shop in florida about 2 hours drive away and they can make me this ring at a great price:spin: :spin: :pgig:

[Cyclospora]

What a beautiful ring!!! I love it! I want one!

[cmpjdp]

I always go to the ultra diamonds shop in premium outlets, bought a lovely 1 carrat diamond ring quite cheap... there website is www.ultradiamonds.com
;)

[gk172]

The price for a very similar ring to the one linked was around $2400 do you think that can be beaten? Ive looked on ultra diamonds and non had the wow factor that this one has.

[Michelle]

gk172 - Just wanted to say that I just have not had time to hunt the reciepts out from my rings to see where I bought them from.

I love that ring, I think its time I went 'rock climbing' though.;)
I do have a picture of them though in my trip report
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=79107 They are white gold, with Princess cut diamonds in them.

[gk172]

Your ring is beautifull i could have chose that myself had i not seen the one in the picture, at the moment im leaning towards abazias i know it will probably take a good chunk of 2 days but they are well recomended on an american jewellrey forum and ive still to find a ring similar in any shop in florida as i dont really want to drag hubby and kids about then go back to original choice and maybe not have the time to have it made.

Does anyone know anything about diamond source i think is in the florida malls which if they offered the service of building or had a really good choice would be a lot closer.

[tessdog]

Unfortunately, (speaking as a man that is) we always go to see lovely lady name of Rose-Marie at Kays In Florida Mall, she has become a real friend and always sorts out a good deal on whatever jewellry is in vogue at the time, as you can guess, jewellry fashion in the U.S. is a little ahead of U.K. Last year DW ended up with a "circle of love " diamond studded gold ring necklace which was the envy of anyone who saw it (female that is) on our return to U.K.


I got mine off Rose- Marie when we went, I am going to upgrade next time we go.
Already looking on the web site for a new one.
xx

[jackieann]

Hi Tess, can you give me the website address. Thanks

[tessdog]

Hi Tess, can you give me the website address. Thanks


Hi

Here you go, start saving :grin:




http://www.simon.com/mall/showlink.aspx?url=www.kay-jewelers.com&returl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.simon.com%2fmall%2ftenant_ details.aspx%3fID%3d139%26TID%3d1638

[jackieann]

Thanks Tess, I've looked and kept it on my desktop, but won't tell DH yet.

[tessdog]

Thanks Tess, I've looked and kept it on my desktop, but won't tell DH yet.




;) :grin: I won't tell
xx

[gk172]

Can i ask those that have shopped in kays, does the website show all thats in stock or are there more instore than listed on the site? As ive looked on the site and the only ring coming close is the leo solitaire 1 ct princess at $6499 but the diamond is sI1/2.

[Minniesmum]

Does anyone know if you can "rock climb" at ultra diamonds?

[gk172]

At the moment ive now found another place as where i was going to go i couldnt get to see many diamonds, so im now looking into The international diamond center in florida who will show me rings setting and diamonds galore;)

And if needed i can rock climb there.

[laulau]

so to high jack this thread but i am going in sept and really want a pink diamond ring has any one got one in orlando or seen any ....?

an web links most welcome

Thanks Girls:grin:

[CityWalk]

go to Jareds we got a ing there sep 2005 got it valued last week at double what we payed for it!

Plus you can pick your setting and diamond separately.

[gk172]

http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=65655

Finally i got it, the link takes you to a forum which helped me make my decision and i dint know how to upload photos onto this one, so this is the picture of the ring my hubby bout me for my anniversary ;)

[ticky15]

its beautiful, lucky you :grin: :grin:

[dogken]

http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=65655

Finally i got it, the link takes you to a forum which helped me make my decision and i dint know how to upload photos onto this one, so this is the picture of the ring my hubby bout me for my anniversary ;)



It's lovely, very nice.
It must have cost you a fortune with the customs?

[gk172]

Thank you :grin:


Still a fraction to what we would have paid here, infact i wouldnt have got one here :omg:

[Michelle]

Oh it is very nice....:)

Glad you got what you wanted in the end.