About engagement and wedding rings-

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: About engagement and wedding rings-, posted by SteveM on May 15, 2002

Diamonds are cheaper in Russia?

Really? Why...?

Are they the same quality?

[Rags]

... in response to Diamonds are cheaper in Russia?, posted by MarkInTx on May 15, 2002

I had my wife's ring appraised when she got here for twice what I paid in Ukraine. Maybe I just got lucky but I bought her one that she liked. (Of course I had to threaten to buy one five times more expensive before she would agree to let me spend that much on her We both favor the color of Russian gold over the more yellow American gold.

The flip side of this is that she only wears it when we go out. She doesn't wear it every day (around the house) as I had intended but that is her choice. I don't feel the need to have her tagged as being married because I know that she is mine and mine alone.

I do wear my ring constantly but only because it reminds me of her. No other woman could possibly hold any interest for me now that I have found her.

She says that she has no fear of wearing it at home because nobody believes that those are real diamonds.

[tim360z]

... in response to Diamonds are cheaper in Russia?, posted by MarkInTx on May 15, 2002

The Oppenheimer cartel has not yet taken them over so they sell at a price which reflects the cartel prices but is below the cartel price structure.  A diamond is a diamond.  There are "grades",  valued characterics,  which increase the "grade" or price of any diamond. Like size,  clarity, color etc.  It is not important where the diamond comes from.  It is a geologic process.  Unless a diamond is microscopically "tagged";  holographically---there is seldom any way to know for sure just where a diamond came from.  Few diamonds are tagged.  "Blood" diamonds from Africa (Sierra Leone) can easily be mixed with diamonds from anywhere. Here we are talking about high-gem quality stones.  Some industrial (cheap)quality stones will tell a knowledgeable gemologist where the diamonds come from.

If you are planning on buying in Russia (or anywhere) it is best to learn the basics so you can affirm the quality of the diamond.  Or bring your own gemologist (pricey).  I think one without knowledge could be easily swindled and you could buy a very inferior stone at a very high price.

[Zink]

... in response to Diamonds are cheaper in Russia?, posted by MarkInTx on May 15, 2002

I don't know about quality but Russia is one of the world's biggest exporters. More diamonds equals less cost. There was a good artical about the world diamond trade in a recent National Geographic. Unfortunately I don't remember all the details.