Frequently Asked Questions

Common Customer Questions
What is your warranty policy on handmade MAX Diamonds Jewellery?

At MAX Diamonds we create your handmade jewellery using the highest quality materials and the most experienced and talented jewellers here in Sydney, Australia. Jewellery that you purchase from MAX Diamonds is something we want you to treasure for life, and go on to become family heirlooms. We take great pride in our work, and because of this all of our handmade jewellery comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing and material faults.

All MAX Diamonds jewellery set with gemstones of any kind must be checked by one of our trained consultants every 18 months or the lifetime guarantee will be void. We recommend that you bring in jewellery purchased from MAX Diamonds for an annual complimentary check and clean to make sure that the precious gemstones are secure in their setting

Our guarantee does not cover any faults or damage caused by general wear and tear, misuse, neglect, scratches or accidents. Any changes to MAX Diamonds jewellery made by any jeweller other than us will make this guarantee void.

In the rare instance that there is anything you are concerned about with your jewellery, please contact us to arrange to bring in your jewellery as soon as possible for us to inspect, so we can either repair free of charge if covered by our guarantee or we can work out a quote to repair it for you.

We love hearing from you so please contact us with any questions you may have.

How much does a ring cost?

For 18ct white gold cast rings, the price starts at around $700AUD + GST for a classic solitaire – a handmade ring in 18-carat white or yellow gold with a simple, classical setting and no additional diamonds starts at about $1250AUD + GST. For a ring with additional diamonds set in the band, the price starts at about $1590AUD + GST.

For platinum rings, we need to check on the trading price of platinum on the day of purchase, as the cost of platinum fluctuates on a daily basis. If you have a design or idea in mind for your engagement ring, please feel free to email it to us or bring it in and we would be more than happy to work out some quotes for you.

How do I pay for my ring?
We accept cash, cheque, all major credit cards, EFTPOS and electronic transfer. If you have asked us to custom-make a ring for you, we accept a 50 percent deposit at the time that you place your order and the balance only when you collect your ring and you’re 100 percent happy with it. It’s our mission to make sure you are absolutely thrilled with your finished jewellery.
Where do the diamonds come from?

Our diamonds are predominantly mined in Russia and Canada, and are also sourced from cutting factories all over the world.

What is a Conflict-Free Diamond?

All of our diamonds at MAX Diamonds are certified as conflict-free and ethically traded. This means the diamond is mined and sold in compliance with United Nations resolutions and its sale directly benefits the country of origin. By contrast, unethical diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds or “blood diamonds”, are illegally traded to fund wars in developing countries.

If I have a picture of a ring, can you make it for me?

Absolutely. Feel free to bring in any pictures from magazines, sketches or existing jewellery you’d like to draw inspiration from. If you’re a budding artist, we would love to see your sketches. We can combine design features from a few rings, or create an entirely fresh design. We are experts are creating custom engagement rings and other jewellery.

What are your opening hours?

To make sure we can attend to you with care and attention, we ask you to make an appointment before you come to see our diamond collection in our Sydney showroom. Appointments are available between 9am to 4:30pm, from Monday to Friday.  Just call us on (02) 9231 3454 to arrange an appointment.

Where are you located?
We have a private showroom on King Street in Sydney’s central business district. Suite 315, 3rd Floor, The Trust Building, 155 King Street, SYDNEY 2000. Visiting our showroom is a pleasant experience that makes it hard to believe our diamonds are also affordable and highly competitive in price. We ask you to make an appointment before you visit our showroom, to help us give you the time, quality, care and attention you deserve.
Do you have diamonds in stock for me to look at?
We carry a wide selection of diamonds in stock to show you. Do you have a particular diamond specification? Let us know and we’ll order it in. Most of our customers find it hard to choose between the incredible supply of loose diamonds we already hold in our showroom. We also have a range of handmade rings to try on. Sometimes it helps to see how different ring styles look when you try them on.
Do you sell wedding bands?
Yes, we have a large range of mens’ and ladies’ wedding rings to look at as well as commitment rings. If you don’t find one that we already have in stock that meets your needs, we can also custom-make one to suit your engagement ring, or matched to your partner’s ring.
What is the difference between a handmade ring and a cast ring?
Most of the engagement rings we produce at MAX Diamonds are handmade, meaning they are uniquely made for each customer, however we also now offer a range of cast designs to give each customer the freedom to choose. There is a significant difference in workmanship and price between handcrafted rings and mass-produced (or “cast”) rings. Handcrafted designs involve many hours of work by a highly skilled jeweller. The gold or platinum is heated, rolled, drawn, shaped, hammered, cut and joined to form a beautiful masterpiece. It is then polished and cleaned, resulting in an incredible display of craftsmanship. Handmade jewellery is heavier, stronger and higher in density than a mass-produced ring. The choice of handmade or cast, the style you choose as well as your choice of metal will determine the price variation of your finished ring.
What is the difference between 9-carat and 18-carat gold?
In practical terms, 18ct generally holds up to everyday wear better than 9ct and looks better than 9ct as it ages over the years. Nine-carat white gold has more alloy mixed into it (nine parts of pure gold out of 24), which makes it more brittle if it’s a fine ring. Eighteen carat is more resilient against wear and tear. Over time, a 9ct-gold ring will show a slight copper colour, and will probably need to be rhodium plated more frequently than an 18ct ring. We normally recommend 18ct white gold for jewellery such as engagement rings and wedding bands that you wear for a lifetime.
I've heard about cut, colour, clarity, and carat. But what are 'polish' and 'symmetry' grades?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) describes the “polish” grade of a diamond as “the quality of the surface condition of the facets on a diamond”. The average consumer won’t be able to tell the difference between a Very Good and Excellent polish grade, but might be able to tell the difference between an Excellent and Good polish grade with a lot of difficulty. To give you an example, a diamond might be given a Very Good polish grade because of fine polishing lines on the diamond surface that only an experienced grader will see with some effort under 10x magnification. These polishing lines would be minute and invisible to the naked eye, even if it has been given a Good polish grade. The “symmetry” grade refers to the shape of the diamond; it is the actual symmetry and even placement of each of the small, polished surfaces of the cut diamond. Few people would be able to tell the difference between a Very Good and Excellent symmetry grade. A diamond might be given a Very Good symmetry grade because one facet is a different shape or it doesn’t align with the other facets. You will see the noticeable faults in the symmetry only if the diamond has been graded fair or poor. We only stock Excellent and Very Good polish and symmetry graded diamonds.