Do I need to make an appointment to come to DDS?
Yes. Before visiting DDS Diamonds in Adelaide, we always ask and advise customers to make an appointment, so we know who is coming and we can give them our undivided attention when coming in. We also like to ensure that the right person is here to assist at the time of the appointment.
Where is your shop?
DDS Diamond Design Studios is a design and manufacturing studio located on a beautiful double block in residential Burnside. Our workshop is on-site and we have two showrooms where you will receive the designers’ and/or jewellers’ undivided attention.
Are your rings handmade?
Yes. The majority of our rings are uniquely designed and hand-made at our studio workshop in Burnside, Adelaide. We put great importance on our attention to detail and craftsmanship and hand-making jewellery also means the gold is work-hardened and the piece will last a life time. Some of our Men’s range need special machinery, so is made in Australia, using the highest quality materials. These rings are spun, not cast, giving them a perfect, long-wearing finish.
Do you have sample rings to try on?
Yes, we have over 200 women’s engagement rings in Adelaide and almost 200 men’s rings, in a wide variety of designs and sizes. We are more than happy for you to come in and try them on. This allows you to understand and gauge the size of stone you are looking for and the design that best suits you/your taste and budget.
Where do you get your diamonds from?
We have long standing agreements with some of the worlds largest diamond cutting factories, so DDS imports diamonds directly from these sources, carefully selecting each diamond for its special characteristics. All diamonds used by DDS have been through the stringent Kimberley Process of diamond mining control, so you can be assured our diamonds are from ethical sources.
What’s the difference between 9ct and 18ct gold?
The difference between 9ct and 18ct gold is the percentage of pure gold in the mixture. 18ct gold is 75% pure gold and the rest being less-precious metals such as silver, palladium and copper. 9ct gold is only 37.5% pure gold, so the less-precious metals make up the majority of the mix. The 18ct mixture is denser, so will last longer. The 9ct is about half the price as it contains ½ the amount of gold.
How long does it take to make a ring?
This depends on the complexity of the ring, but the team at DDS Adelaide usually estimate between four and six weeks to have a piece of jewellery completely finished.
What are your payment options?
DDS accepts cash, electronic funds transfer, bank cheque, and card payments. Debit cards are free of charge, but when using credit, the credit card company charges a 1% fee, which is passed on to the customer.
Can I get Finance?
Yes. DDS Adelaide offers interest free loans for a six month term. There are no extra fees to use this facility and it is easy to obtain a loan by filling out the simple application on-line with Humm 90 Finance.
What type of guarantee do you have?
The DDS guarantee is as follows: “All jewellery manufactured by DDS Diamonds is guaranteed against defective workmanship and materials and will be repaired or replaced upon assessment. Cover does not extend to loss, theft or damage by accident, negligence or normal wear and tear. Accidental damage, loss of stones or wear and tear are not covered by the warranty, therefore we highly recommend you insure your piece, so you are covered for such events”.
Does the ring come with a Valuation Certificate?
Yes. All diamond engagement rings and wedding rings from DDS Diamond Design Studios come with a complete valuation with all details, a recommended retail price and a photo of the ring. This can be used as a record of purchase and for insurance purposes.
What should I do about insurance?
We encourage you to insure your engagement ring and wedding rings from the day you pick them up. For insuring engagement rings in Adelaide, we recommend QReport because they exclusively insure jewellery, it is worldwide cover and they are exceptionally easy to deal with. Please ask for more details when talking to someone at DDS.
Can my ring be re-sized and how long does it take?
A simple re-size can usually be done on the same day or by the next day. If it’s a big change or more complex, it could take a couple of days. Everything is done by our jewellers on-site, so will get it back on your finger as soon as possible.
How do I clean my ring?
Use hot water, a drop of liquid soap and a fine bristled tooth brush. The top surfaces are easy to clean, but the main area to clean is the underside of the stones, so the light can travel through. After brushing, rinse well with water and dry thoroughly. DDS Diamonds provides a polishing/cleaning cloth with new rings, to polish up the gold portion of your piece.
How often should I clean my ring?
Clean your ring whenever it looks dirty. This may be every day, every week or every month, depending on your lifestyle.
What is Rhodium Plating?
Rhodium is a white metal that is said to be the most expensive metal in the world. Rhodium is often placed over white gold and silver to make a whiter, more brilliant finish. As it is only plating, it is obviously very thin so it wears off over time.
How often does my ring need rhodium plating?
It depends on your lifestyle and what you do while wearing your ring. DDS engagement rings may need rhodium plating every 1-2 years. Because we use Palladium-rich white gold, which is whiter than other metals, the white gold keeps its shine and whiteness even after the rhodium has worn off.
How long will you need my ring to get rhodium plated?
Usually it can be done on the same day. More complex pieces, e.g. two-tone rings, may take 2-3 days. If a ring is damaged or badly scratched, it could take more time to repair and or sand back the ring and polish it up perfectly for the rhodium to adhere well.
What can I do with my old rings?
The metal from old rings can sometimes be melted down and the gold may be used again or traded-in and the cost taken off the price of a new item. Diamonds may also be re-used in a new design of the customers choosing.
Do you remodel rings?
The designers at DDS love to remodel customers’ unwanted jewellery pieces – working with the customer to understand what they like and discuss what is possible – to ultimately create a new and more fitting style.
Do you do repairs?
DDS handles ring repairs and these are mostly done in-house. For this reason, the turnaround time is usually quite quick. Other jewellery repairs, such as pendants, chains and so on may also be possible, depending on the piece. We welcome you to bring your broken jewellery to the DDS studios for our jewellers to assess and advise you on the best course of action.
