Buying a diamond engagement ring in Hong Kong?

[stevie_wonderful77]

Hi all

New to this forum, and (more or less) new to the sparkly world of diamonds! I'm not sure whether this is the right subforum or even forum... If I'm wrong please pardon my ignorance.

OK, so I intend to propose to my girlfriend... and to get her a ring with a diamond. My budget is unfortunately not very high, about £1,250-1,500 or in USD up to $2,000. I'm going on a work trip to Hong Kong soon and was wondering whether this might be a good place to look for a nice deal on a ring, compared to the UK (where I live). If so, any recommendations of specific stores would be very much appreciated. (I've been to HK many times before and know all too well how easy it is to buy fake everything!)

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice

Steven

 

[heididdl]

What cut and size and setting are you looking for.

 

[diamondloveaffair]

If cost is your main concern, going to Hong Kong to buy diamonds is a BAD idea unless you know people in the trade or know your way around finding reliable private jewelers. Prices in mainstream jewelry stores like Chow Tai Fook or Luk Fook (on every turn of the street you one of these! It's like starbucks in New York) are slightly below Tiffany's.

For value buyers, it doesn't make sense. However, you might get access to some branded cuts with special patternings there. Just get ready to pay Tiffany-like prices for diamonds.

 

[Dancing Fire]

my advice is to only look at triple Ex GIA graded stones.

 

[John P]

If you visit upscale stores like CSS or CTF you'll find better cut quality representation, in general, than in the UK. And, thanks to the policing of grading in China (due to the presence of the NGTC) you'll be good in terms of color and clarity standards shopping in HK if you stick to grading reports from NGTC, GIA and IGI HK.

In terms of cut quality, which is the most influential in terms of value, the IGI HK "Hearts and Arrows" grading report encompasses a window of diamonds of both strong performance and strong craftsmanship. If you look for diamonds with that certification the cut quality is more strict than the range of GIA EX, with the added benefit of precision cut.

You may be interested than in mainland China retailers frequently double-cert diamonds >0.50ct. The trend is not so prevalent in HK, but you may find it in some stores. Ask if the diamond you're considering has more than one report; I imagine they will not be surprised by the question.

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Thanks all for your advice -- much appreciated! I do have a few local contacts, and so based on the advice so far I may well decide to take them along to the store.

What cut and size and setting are you looking for.

I'd like to go for something a little bit unusual, either in terms of cut (a marquise perhaps) or in terms of design/setting (a round cut in a crossover or part claw/part bezel setting). I'd love to be able to afford more, but realistically I think 0.5 ct will be more or less what I'll have to go for.

My gf prefers yellow gold to platinum so most of the money can be spent on the stone. Speaking of the metal, I do worry slightly that the gold (which I've never looked at properly!) may be more yellow than what we're used to in the UK/Europe -- she definitely won't like that --, but perhaps that's more the case in places like India, and not so much in HK...

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Right, I've spoken to some friends in HK and now actually have contact details of 3 jewellers they have bought from and recommend. I'm considering emailing them to ask for some preliminary estimates.

In terms of the shape and setting, I've now got some decent pics to show the sort(s) of thing(s) I have in mind. Fingers crossed I managed to attach them!

First up is a round cut in a crossover design:

Second, a round cut too, but this time in a part claw/part bezel setting (couldn't get a photo with yellow gold):

Third, a marquise. The setting is very simple, but to me the stone makes the difference here:

Finally, a double marquise... The gold looks far too yellow for my liking, but the overall look is more important now. Quite unusual I believe -- and I like it because of the symbolism that I can be ascribe to it... when I'm in a romantic mood !


I am aware that marquise diamonds are far riskier in terms of the cut grade, which is why I think I'm currently inclined towards one of the round shapes... probably the very first one.