Buying Diamonds

MiaT_2

Hi. I was just wondering does anyone know where is a good place to buy diamonds? I don't want to do it on the internet as I would like to see them for myself. I have tried Hatton Gardens but I think it is still too expensive. I am thinking about travelling abroard. I have heard diamonds are cheaper in New York and Dubai. Any thoughts on this? My lovely new fiance wants to buy one for my engagement ring :j

Hintza

When I got married we were very fortunate to have a family jeweller but the advice that I have always takem aboard is buy second hand. If you don't like the ring get the stone/s reset.


You will need to do your homework but it might be worth looking at auction houses for estate pieces etc. of course a family jeweller who you can trust also helps.

angeleyes

My boyfriend got my engagement ring wjile we were in new york in jan 06 paid £1100 and just got it valued here and its worth £4000 so well worth a trip (as well as the hol)

MiaT_2

Wow that is an amazing saving!! I also like the idea of second hand as I was planning to buy a loose diamond anyway and have it made.

divingdaisee

have you thought about buying from jersey??tax free

MiaT_2

hmmm no I hadn't thought of that. Anyone had experience of this?

Froggitt

Unless you shove it where the sun dont shine, you'll get taxed on it when you bring it into the country......whether USA or Jersey.

yankee_rower

If you're wearing the ring, customs officers will never know if you left the country with it and are unlikely to question you about the baubble. My ring was $1,200 in the US and when we priced it in the UK, it would have cost close to £2,500. Well worth a cheap plane ticket to the east coast.

Otherwise, Costco is a good place for diamonds. Good quality, good prices.

icebergx

Great post.
Who would have thought you'd ever hear the words 'diamond; and 'Costco' in the same sentence :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

stumpjumper

Best thing i can say is to get some background knowledge -

see here for one i wrote earlier: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=127788

if your looking at travelling to New York - consider Visiting Good Old Gold - Jonathon is a good bloke, very honest, and a diamond enthusiast.

Closer to home, Antwerp - Infinity Diamonds again the chap who owns it is another diamond enthusiast.

Also for consumer independant info on diamonds - see http://www.pricescope.com

best thing i can say is look at alot of diamond to begin with - so you get an idea for sizes, style, look... try and view a diamond outside of the jewellers shop lighting - as quite often their lights would make a lump of coal sparkle...as well as hide nasties... like clouds and inclusions.

Important to get a diamond that is Mind Clean - as in that your happy to look at - inclusions arent bad in themselves - its how you react to them.

MiaT_2

Thanks Stumpjumper!! Really useful info. I was just wondering do you have any thoughts on yellow/canary diamonds? Also what is the best cut to show these off? Saw a cushion cut yellow the other day which was just beautiful!!