Buying Diamonds

pash_2

relies of ours went to south africa and brought back diamonds each to have set, they also set them for you there if you know what you want etc.. HTH
Pash x

mcgi6ah2

I think the first thing to do is decide on the spec of stone you want. Once you've got colour, clarity, carat and cut decided on (which you can do by viewing diamonds anywhere). The setting is also relatively simple as you just need to choose the metal and the type of holding for the ring. Then you can get on to the pricing excercise. I looked at New York, Istanbul, Antwerp and Hong Kong.

Istanbul, after a bit of research, is NOT a good idea. There are a lot of fracture filled diamonds there (depending on certification provided).

Antwerp wasn't as pricey as Hatton gardens, but wasn't anywhere near as good no pricing as New York and Hong Kong.

New York - the exchange rate has now moved somewhat against this (and HK to an extent) but Costco, as already pointed out, does provide very good value on diamonds. Another place to look, although internet only, is blue nile.

I settled on Hong Kong. It's the diamond centre of asia (although Singapore competes). I sent my spec to a number of places and got basic quotes back. A couple of places were particularly helpful. I then visited and had the ring made up while I was there in the setting and with the stone I wanted. The main differentials on diamonds (as they are very much a commodity) are the marketing and the labour. The place we settled on was a very discrete retailer on the 20th floor of a tower in central district. They were primarily a wholesaler, but had a small (not by UK standards) retail section where jewellery was made to order. We settled on a "Cartier" setting in platinum. First time they made the ring up they made some mistakes so redid the whole thing at their cost. Final product was perfect, we got the matching wedding band at the same time.

VikJ

I bought my wifes engagement ring from Hatton Gardens. We couldn't find a better quality & colour diamond with that sized carat in a platinum setting from anywhere else at all. Also got an official certificate and insurance valuation.

Tigee

I have posted a similar comment on another thread but I am looking for as much advice as possible. So apologies for the double-post.

Can anyone recommend any specific jewellers in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter? I want to buy an engagement ring (in the UK) but the choice in the Quarter is huge!

I have read most of the MSE threads on buying diamonds/rings and I am considering having it made from scratch. I want the stones to be certified (IGI/HRD/GIA) or equivalent.

Who thought getting engaged would be so complicated?! :rolleyes:

Many thanks!

Caramelapplebetty

My engagement ring came from San Francisco - chose stone and setting separately - got certificate - it would have cost twice as much in this country for the same colour/clarity etc. Went back a couple of years ago for eternity ring - got a US trilogy ring - another great deal. Be prepared to haggle though - we bought the second ring in a mall in Santa Barbara but my husband bartered with the guy - we went away and had a coffee to "think" - went back and eventually paid 60% of the ticket price - certificate etc provided. And had two great holidays at the same time!

donstermonster

I think change your way of think

The question should not be where can i get an expensive diamond cheap it should be a case of changing your fiancee for a cheaper model - Starting off with a diamond is wrong

Its like the old saying, If you want a hamster start off by asking for a Pony

Enjoy

D

jan59

Bought loose stones in Antwerp - went for stones with small inclusions, so bigger carat for (unidentifiable to my eye!) flaws. Still a fairly high clarity spec (V2 I think) Had stones set and got certificate showing colour, carat, clarity specifications. Result is 2 carat of diamonds for half price UK version.

Closer than Hong Kong!

Whitefiver

Tigee wrote:

Can anyone recommend any specific jewellers in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter? I want to buy an engagement ring (in the UK) but the choice in the Quarter is huge!

Who thought getting engaged would be so complicated?! :rolleyes:

Many thanks!

Hi,

Not the jewellery quarter, but Roberts Jewellers on Corporation Street are really good for Diamonds.

When my wife wanted a diamond ring for Christmas, we looked at every shop in the jewellery quarter (well, it felt like it), and we ended back at Roberts where we started. Then blow me but a few months later we did exactly the same thing with my son and his fiancee (now wife).

Well worth a look in my opinion - and very well priced too, for properly certificated diamonds.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

White.

PS as others have said - second hand can also be *really* good value, if you know what you are doing.

Nesima

There is no need to go abroad to buy a diamond.
Have a look in H.Samuel or Argos (Elizabeth Duke), most towns have a branch.
Your 'lovely new fiance' is clearly a very luck man

stumpjumper

MiaT wrote:

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!!

best off looking on pricescope for better info on fancy coloured diamonds, as i'm not too up on specifics.

They are priced on different citerior to the 'colourless/yellowish brown' range you normally find...

coloured diamonds are cut more to show off their colour rather than sparkle - there is one poster/vendor on PS who has the most wonderful Radiant fancy Yellow stone as her avatar - which i believe is her diamond