Gift For Wife

09 October 2009, 08:33

strapman

Gift For Wife

Is Namibia a place a fellow could buy a gift of a diamond ring for his wife at a significantly better price than in the US? Anybody ever explored this?

09 October 2009, 09:13

N E 450 No2

I did some protection work for a Diamond company several times, which included hand carrying unique Diamonds from DeBeers to my people and back.

So I learned somethings about Diamonds.

The MAIN thing I learned is NEVER buy a Diamond from someone you do not know and trust.

I also learned that Diamonds are one of the BIGGEST RIP OFFS in the Consumer world.

09 October 2009, 12:59

LionHunter

Find a GIA certified diamond merchant and buy only GIA certified stones.
GIA = Gemological Institute of America

09 October 2009, 22:24

bisonhunter1

I bought a diamond in South Africa in 2003 as a gift for my wife at a jewery shop in a mall area that my PH took me too. It was a unset but cut diamond, don't remember what size, and other than the fact I "bought it in Africa" in the end I probably paid about the same price the same size stone would have cost me here back in the states. Did I get a "deal" on the price? Doubt it since I don't know anything about diamonds except that women think they are pretty and and for what one pays, you sure don't get much in return, money would be better spent on part or all of a trophy fee.

09 October 2009, 23:37

DLS

You mean buying a woman a diamond ISN'T paying a sort of 'trophy fee?'

09 October 2009, 23:42

Tim Carney

Namibia is not a place to buy diamonds but rather to buy semi-precious colored stones. The question is whether your wife would like something like a very high quality blue tourmaline (indicalite) or, perhaps, one of the locally-mined demantoids that are of a light yellow-green color. Perhaps a bracelet in chalcedony if she likes light blue. I know two serious jewelry shops in Windhoek. One is Adriaan Meyer that is on the main street (go out of the Kalahari Sands Arcade, turn left, cross the street and walk about six blocks. The other I cannot recall the name of but it is in the large arcade, same direction about the same distance, same side of the street as the Kalahari Sands Hotel, turn left into the arcade, go in about 60 yards can't miss it.

Regards

10 October 2009, 07:02

strapman

Thanks for the information. I believe you're all correct. I like the idea of a Tourmaline. Less risk, pretty stones and more affordable.
Strapman

10 October 2009, 09:42

DLS

Sorta like the trophy fee going down from a lion to a kudu, don't you think?

11 October 2009, 17:49

Bryan Chick

Perhaps the best gift for your wife was you being out of her hair for a couple of weeks!

12 October 2009, 06:25

crane

Strap-Tim's mention of Adriaan Myer is worth checking on. I would take a third party educated in gem value. That is one hell of a store and you may be able to maximize what I call the "Domestic Tranquility Index".I did.

12 October 2009, 06:44

jdollar

quote:
Originally posted by Bryan Chick:
Perhaps the best gift for your wife was you being out of her hair for a couple of weeks!

since my benchrest and 100 yd rifle range are about 25 yds. from our front door, my wife is just happy that i am gone for a while.

12 October 2009, 08:44

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Carney:
Namibia is not a place to buy diamonds but rather to buy semi-precious colored stones. The question is whether your wife would like something like a very high quality blue tourmaline (indicalite) or, perhaps, one of the locally-mined demantoids that are of a light yellow-green color. Perhaps a bracelet in chalcedony if she likes light blue. I know two serious jewelry shops in Windhoek. One is Adriaan Meyer that is on the main street (go out of the Kalahari Sands Arcade, turn left, cross the street and walk about six blocks. The other I cannot recall the name of but it is in the large arcade, same direction about the same distance, same side of the street as the Kalahari Sands Hotel, turn left into the arcade, go in about 60 yards can't miss it.

Regards

Does one haggle in Namibia?

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12 October 2009, 17:38

338zmag

Check out Blue Nile. I have heard that the quality and prices are good. I know it is not the same as walking in the store. That is a problem for some people.

http://www.bluenile.com/

12 October 2009, 21:16

Hunter's Wife-To-Be

I love people with a sense of humor! Y'all are seriously making me "laugh out loud" on this thread.

13 October 2009, 05:37

DLS

HWTB, just stick around and you'll discover a whole new side to men. Just remember, we're not nearly as bad as you girls can be.

13 October 2009, 11:52

Deerdogs

If you take a walk around any African homegoods store you will notice that the cost of many things is much cheaper than at home. Useful stuff like dish cloths and the the like.

13 October 2009, 12:27

shakari

quote:
Originally posted by Deerdogs:
If you take a walk around any African homegoods store you will notice that the cost of many things is much cheaper than at home. Useful stuff like dish cloths and the the like.

13 October 2009, 23:47

ddrhook

Diamonds are a ripoff. I have bought Tsavorite payed 200 for 1.4 ct stone appraised here for 4600 to 6000 Tormaline is abut the same makup. bought a 2 ct shapphire for 27 bucks a few yrs ago.

14 October 2009, 00:19

shakari

I think the problem with buying stones is that the vast majority of buyers don't have any idea what they're buying and as the seller is usually a complete stranger to them, he's unlikely to cut them any slack on price etc.

Of course, if you know what you're buying or have someone with you who does, that's a different matter!

14 October 2009, 08:38

DAL

Any recommendations for jewelry shopping in either Cape Town or Port Elizabeth (or in between)?

14 October 2009, 18:10

crane

Strap- Goggle up "Crisscross" safaris in Windhoek. They facilitate all types of services and could get you a person who knows gems for an hour or two. Good luck!

15 October 2009, 01:56

Idaho Sharpshooter

take a look at Tanzanite. Gorgeous purplish color, and you can give a lot more impressive looking necklace, earrings, etc. Plus, it is only found in a couple places in Africa. Unique is the word.

Rich

15 October 2009, 02:02

shakari

quote:
Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
take a look at Tanzanite. Gorgeous purplish color, and you can give a lot more impressive looking necklace, earrings, etc. Plus, it is only found in a couple places in Africa. Unique is the word.

Rich

Tanzanite looks great but is only found in Tanzania..... is you buy it in southern Africa you can be pretty sure you'll end up paying through the nose for it.

16 October 2009, 07:26

jdollar

that's why they call it Tazanite!!

16 October 2009, 10:55

Dr. Lou

quote:
Originally posted by CAelknuts:
You mean buying a woman a diamond ISN'T paying a sort of 'trophy fee?'

Depends if she's a trophy; ugly chicks like diamonds, too.

16 October 2009, 17:09

Larry Sellers

Dr. Lou - Just wondering if you are the same Dr. Lou that's on the College Football shows?
That would be Dr. Lou Holtz.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Lou:
quote:
Originally posted by CAelknuts:
You mean buying a woman a diamond ISN'T paying a sort of 'trophy fee?'

Depends if she's a trophy; ugly chicks like diamonds, too.