Hi sifus,

Been researching and studying diamonds for a planned proposal and after an extensive search, I’ve shortlisted this one that’s around 14.5k.

Seeking any kind input before I pull the trigger, thanks in advance!





This post has been edited by remix10: Feb 12 2024, 01:34 AM

Personally I think this diamond is not bad, more towards value for money kind of diamond. The price is not bad and I assume you have done enough comparison. This diamond should have the hearts and arrows image, you can ask from the seller.

Thanks for the feedback and happy CNY! I’ve asked for the hearts and arrows image, but besides that and being value for money do you see any pros and cons with this diamond?

This post has been edited by remix10: Feb 13 2024, 08:01 PM

Pros is of course the price for its size. The data I have is that the stone doesn’t look milky so I supposed the fluorescence does not bring negative impact to the stone.

Cons is that the cut quality can be a little better?

But in this situation the pros outweighs the cons, so it is still a good buy because even if you don’t mind fluorescence (to bring the price down), it is not as easy to get a stone that meets that criteria.

Thanks! Sadly the diamond got snapped up yesterday sigh.
I’m looking at J grade diamonds now with almost the exact cut and proportions, clarity and Fluorescence at the same price but at 1 carat instead so that i can go up in size by compromising the colour.

What is your opinion on J coloured diamonds? Will it look obviously yellow to observers with untrained eyes?

This post has been edited by remix10: Feb 15 2024, 09:05 PM

It won’t look obviously yellow, but you can probably see the tint if you look closely, or compare side-by-side to a higher colour diamond.

Hi Sifus, hope all is well!

I am planning to propose my gf after 10 years together, as much as I want to make it memorable but my budget is a constraint.

Is there a good and affordable engagement ring places that I can survey around Klang Valley? Im staying in usj area. Budget below RM5k

I find that this diamond is not bad. It is overkill to get VVS1, but the cut quality is rather decent (not the best, but not bad at all). You can try to ask DeGem to provide you the Hearts and Arrows image (the supplier has that image for this one), however, I can't find the actual diamond image.

Since both DeGem and D&P belongs to the same group of companies, you can find the same stone on both sides.

https://www.degemdiamond.com/gia-diamonds/WSH079059

https://diamondnplatinum.com/customised-jew...amond/WSH079059

That being said, I also have access to this diamond from the supplier, but my price will be more or less the same as them and you won't be saving much at all, and I won't be earning much at all as well. lol. Besides, as they are full-fledged jewelers, their ring setting prices are much better than mine, and you can choose from a variety of settings on their websites. They didn't state their gold is 14k or 18k, but in Malaysia, I assume 18k is the standard for engagement rings. Remember check out their platinum as well, as I find that it is quite affordable:

For instance, this one:
https://diamondnplatinum.com/customised-jew...79059/GR7067/PT

If you choose the above ring setting, this whole package will be within your RM 5k budget.

In other words, for natural diamonds, RM 5k is very possible for a 0.3ct + ring setting combo. If you research a bit here and there, you can even find better deals. You can try to check out ZCOVA as well, I think they are running some promo. Nonetheless, I find that DeGem/D&P GIA graded diamonds online is value for money, that's why I have written about them on my blog twice I think. You can also try https://www.baemont.com/ (Baemont).

On a side note, I also have a few diamonds to let go at 0.3x ct, if you interested, you can PM me as well.

Another good choice is to get a lab grown diamond, you can try https://www.loosegrowndiamond.com/ or https://www.ritani.com/pages/lab-grown-diamonds. I am not sure now we have any taxes or not, but even with that, the prices they provided is really terrific. My customer got his 2 carat G VVS2 (IGI graded lab-grown) for 900 USD+- I think. 1 carat should be around 500+ to 600+ USD. If you want a jeweler to help you for lab-grown, you can try https://www.instagram.com/romanandcoofficial/ (Roman & Co), they do have some stocks for lab grown diamonds but they are located at Batu Pahat. I believe they sell natural diamonds too. I have never deal with them before but I find that their prices are pretty attractive.

If you want to see actual stones before purchasing, then try to look for GIA graded diamonds without any branding from stores like Wah Chan / Lazo etc. Not that I am against branding, but to maximize value, non-branded is the way to go. So it really depends on what is your preference.

Appreciate very much for the details explaination. I am not familiar with all this and my biggest fear of all is the engagement ring cant fit my partner finger later on. Is the size universally fitted for all?

I will have a look at the URL provided but is diamond consider the norm as an engagement ring?

You can either buy the diamond and hold it using a temporary ring setting, which Zcova can provide (I think). Or a spring holder:

(I usually provide this to my customer if they request, or you can get from taobao)

With this, you can then bring your other half choose or design the ring setting.

You can also make the ring first and if the size does not go too far apart, resizing is possible. As for whether they charge for it will depend on the jeweller’s policy. If you are interested in this with DeGem or D&P, try WhatsApp them and ask see see

While diamond is one of the most used precious stone for proposal, but you can use other gems as well, such as ruby or sapphire, in fact, having an engagement ring is just for representation and not a necessity, I have a friend that doesn’t want an engagement ring and instead just have a pair of wedding bands.

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 20 2024, 09:02 PM

Okay got it, thanks man. Kinda nervous for this..

Hi,
I am planning to get an engagement ring with budget around 7k. Totally newbie here but i am aware of the 4Cs.
I think i am more inclined to pick lab grown diamond, its more environmentally friendly i guess and i only have about 1 month time.
With this budget, whats the standard of lab grown diamond i can expect?
I also planning to get a temporary ring setting, i am not good on picking the aesthetically good ring design...

IGI graded 1 carat, non fluorescence, D colour VS/VVS should be within your budget. You might be able to get GIA graded lab grown as well, but not all vendors carry that.

Your challenge here is 1 month. The budget I listed here is for purchases from overseas, which can take up to 3 weeks. Luckily since you opt for temporary ring setting, then Ritani seems like a good choice because the loose diamond comes with the temporary ring setting and a standard typical ring box with their branding.

You can try Roman and Co, I think they have ready stones:
https://www.instagram.com/romanandcoofficia...3E0NWVpdDJzb3Rm

This post has been edited by kambingkoh: Feb 22 2024, 01:37 PM

Appreciate your feedback! I decided to go for Zcova lab grown diamond since they are located at Klang Valley area and they provide a decent looking temporary ring setting. They also running a 18% discount promotion.

I have met the consultant and was surprised that I still have to pick for the lab grown diamond. Would like you to give some comments on the following 3 diamonds that i have selected purely base on the symmetry.

https://zcova.com/lab-diamond/selected-diamond/597387110
https://zcova.com/lab-diamond/selected-diamond/607398237
https://zcova.com/lab-diamond/selected-diamond/621420312

I think the defects were more obvious on mined diamonds... Are the image not really important for lab grown diamonds?

All are not bad, but I will pick the 1.11ct personally. It is D colour and has good proportions.

Thank you for your advice! I picked the 1.11ct

I have a question not related to buying rings/diamonds but selling them. Anyone know how to sell diamond rings and wedding bands, without suffering huge loss? I still have the certificates with me

Hello, would like to understand do IGI or GIA has big differences? As they are both reputable diamond grading laboratories.

However according to google, GIA is the more prestigious and this will result in better sell back pricing or any more noticeable advantage?

P.S. im interested in lab grown diamond thou

GIA is still the gold standard. Personally, I don't think they have big differences, but there can be grade differences between different grading labs. It is very common. There is a diamond brand called Crafted by Infinity last time, which has 3 grading reports - GIA, AGS, GCAL. Sometimes 2 agreed which each other and one doesn't, sometimes GCAL gives a grade lower than GIA.

IGI has been around for sometime, and while I don't think they have big differences, but given a chance, I will still go with GIA grading reports, if option is available. However, if the cut quality of the IGI diamond is a better than a GIA diamond, then I will go with the better cut ones, if the grades are rather similar.

Most lab growns that are accessible are graded by IGI. In other words, you have more options if you pick from IGI. As for GIA, it is lesser, but you can ask jewelers like Roman & Co (located at Batu Pahat) to source for you, or you can simply buy it online yourself - Ritani, Loose Grown, are some websites that offer good prices for loose lab growns.

If you are thinking about sell back (to pawn shops or second hand luxury item shops, GIA should be the better option). Of course, some jewelers do offer buy-back as well, but you have to look carefully at their policy.

Few options:

1. Go back to the original jeweler and see if they offer any buy-back policy.

2. Go to pawn shops or second hand luxury shop:
https://www.jewel4cash.com.my/we-buy/
https://jewel-cafe.my/diamond-kaitori/certificate-diamond/
https://luxury4cash.com/

I haven't try any of them before though. But do try to get a quotation.