Buying diamonds in london

[u89cs]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted a bit of advice really about where to buy diamonds from in london!

I know most of you guys are located int he states but any advice that anyone can give me and my bf on where to look would be most appreciated!

We have been to tiffanys where i fell in love with the legacy and the novo. My bf prefered the novo but i think that was because it was a bigger stone and he doesn''t realise that it won''t look as good with a smaller stone! It was a 1.5 F VS1 for £17,000!!!!

Also fallen in love with the de beers forever pave engagement ring which is on their website but having further investigated seems to only be available on their website and not through stores!!!! They only deliver in teh US so that scuppers the idea of buying it online!

Any recommendations for places to look? Obviously i know about Hatton Gardens, however a good friend of mine had some trouble with her ring when they bought it from a shop there.

We are going this evening to look at diamonds with a broker who also make rings. They are called london antwerp diamonds and are located in canary wharf. Anyone used them or heard of them?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

I am so excited about all of this and really hope to find my perfect ring and stone!!!!

Claire

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Claire and welcome!

I would still recommend you look at some online vendors like www.whiteflash.com www.goodoldgold.com and www.winkjones.com Especially as the pound to dollar rate is so favourable at the moment, even with the various duties which are payable, you would still end up with a fabulous diamond cheaper probably. There are a few PSers who have bought in this manner and have been delighted with the results!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/8/2008 9:48:22 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Claire and welcome!


I would still recommend you look at some online vendors like www.whiteflash.com www.goodoldgold.com and www.winkjones.com Especially as the pound to dollar rate is so favourable at the moment, even with the various duties which are payable, you would still end up with a fabulous diamond cheaper probably. There are a few PSers who have bought in this manner and have been delighted with the results!

Ditto. u89cs, if you're open to the possibility of ordering a ring from these vendors (who have a GREAT reputation if you do a search here), you will be able to get a great quality ring for MUCH less than you would spend at a brick and mortar shop in London. I am currently in the UK (originally from the US, here for grad school) and my boyfriend and I plan on getting engaged this year while working here, and we are going to order from the US. Even with the VAT, we will save money and get a better product--lots of stores here don't offer the extent of information you can get from a place like Whiteflash or GoodOldGold, which is important if you want to make sure you're getting what you pay for!

 

[u89cs]

Thanks for the comments!

I just don''t know how i *feel* about buying a ring online. I know it makes sense because i would be able to get a much bigger stone but i do feel like i need to see it and see how i feel about it before i buy it. Trying the rings on before buying is a massive part of the experience for me and i really feel like i need to LOVE the ring before making my bf shell out a whole lot of money!

Does any of that make sense?

 

[Lorelei]

Of course! Well then, your best bet might be to go around the higher end jewellers in London and see what you like, I don''t know if maybe Pandora has any recommendations for you if she sees this thread, but maybe she will. Buying online isn''t for everyone, and it is important for us to remember that, so we can help out those also who prefer to buy from a store. Yes, you could get a stunning diamond for your money buying online if you did consider it, but maybe for you personally, the whole store/ trying on/ experience might be best for you.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/8/2008 10:24:15 AM
Author: u89cs
Thanks for the comments!


I just don''t know how i *feel* about buying a ring online. I know it makes sense because i would be able to get a much bigger stone but i do feel like i need to see it and see how i feel about it before i buy it. Trying the rings on before buying is a massive part of the experience for me and i really feel like i need to LOVE the ring before making my bf shell out a whole lot of money!


Does any of that make sense?

It makes a lot of sense. Something to consider (what others here have done and what I plan to do myself) is to go to shops in person, try things on to get a sense of what styles look best on your and what size/colour/clarity you are most comfortable with, and then order the same sort of stone/setting online. The PS recommended vendors have return policies etc. so it''s not like you would be stuck with a ring you were disappointed with, and these companies bend over backwards to make sure people are happy with their purchases. There are also many very knowledgeable people here who can help you find an excellently cut stone (cut is the most important of the 4 C''s!) within your budget. It''s entirely possible you can get a nicer ring for the money you have if you order online, so I think you should consider it as an option. Even if you aren''t sure, we can look around and help you shop to give you an idea of what''s out there, and other UKers who have already gone through this process can tell you of their experiences to maybe help reassure you a little.

What an exciting time for you!

 

[sparxs111]

I second the comment about going around to stores and trying everything out. My FI wanted a princess bezel initially, then a cushion cut, then yellow gold. We finally settled for the tiffany replica from Superbcert. Being anxious about buying online is totally understandable!!!!! But the vendors that deal with PSers treat you well and always give a good product, They would have a lot to loose if they didn''t as people here know what they want, and it is usually very high quality stones and workmanship. Going this way, I saved 8000 CAD, got a better stone, and a ring she loves, and cleans everyday...hehe.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 5/8/2008 9:48:22 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Claire and welcome!

I would still recommend you look at some online vendors like www.whiteflash.com www.goodoldgold.com and www.winkjones.com Especially as the pound to dollar rate is so favourable at the moment, even with the various duties which are payable, you would still end up with a fabulous diamond cheaper probably. There are a few PSers who have bought in this manner and have been delighted with the results!

I am sorry, but I have to say that the dollar-rate should not have any effect on the pricing. Diamonds, from rough to polished are always traded in US-currency, so wherever a retailer or wholesaler buys the diamonds, he is paying USD, not his local currency. As such, there is no reason why the dollar-rate would make diamonds cheaper, when bought in the U.S.

On the contrary, relatively, diamonds are now historically cheaper in countries with a stronger currency.

Difference in pricing between the U.S. and other countries has to do with the competitive environment, and price-positioning of individual retailers. Technically, a retailer in the U.K. can be just as price-competitive as the best in the U.S., and some actually are.

Live long,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/8/2008 12:02:35 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp

Date: 5/8/2008 9:48:22 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Claire and welcome!

I would still recommend you look at some online vendors like www.whiteflash.com www.goodoldgold.com and www.winkjones.com Especially as the pound to dollar rate is so favourable at the moment, even with the various duties which are payable, you would still end up with a fabulous diamond cheaper probably. There are a few PSers who have bought in this manner and have been delighted with the results!

I am sorry, but I have to say that the dollar-rate should not have any effect on the pricing. Diamonds, from rough to polished are always traded in US-currency, so wherever a retailer or wholesaler buys the diamonds, he is paying USD, not his local currency. As such, there is no reason why the dollar-rate would make diamonds cheaper, when bought in the U.S.

On the contrary, relatively, diamonds are now historically cheaper in countries with a stronger currency.

Difference in pricing between the U.S. and other countries has to do with the competitive environment, and price-positioning of individual retailers. Technically, a retailer in the U.K. can be just as price-competitive as the best in the U.S., and some actually are.

Live long,

Paul, what I meant was, that some here in the UK who have bought USD from pounds to buy diamonds online from the States, have thought the exchange rate worked in their favour at the moment, as they are getting more dollars for their pounds right now, so it seems that some can buy more of a diamond for their money, than they can using pounds in the UK along with the prices, well it seems that way to me.

I suppose if I looked into it, then maybe some of the retailers could be price competitive and maybe that is a point to be aware of for those in the UK who are looking to buy a diamond, if you shop, compare and choose carefully.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Exactly Lorelei, and on a side-note, I did not want to criticize your remark.

I just want to say that the exchange rate is not a reason why diamonds should be cheaper in the US than in the UK. There are other reasons why diamonds are often cheaper in the US, but there are definitely exceptions in the UK-trade, that take a competitive position in comparison to the most competitive US-retailers.

The difficulty is in identifying these exceptions.

Live long,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/8/2008 12:24:14 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Exactly Lorelei, and on a side-note, I did not want to criticize your remark.

I just want to say that the exchange rate is not a reason why diamonds should be cheaper in the US than in the UK. There are other reasons why diamonds are often cheaper in the US, but there are definitely exceptions in the UK-trade, that take a competitive position in comparison to the most competitive US-retailers.

The difficulty is in identifying these exceptions.

Live long,

No worries Paul! I appreciate your advice and input as always!

 

[innerkitten]

Seems to me that the weak dollar makes it a less expensive option for someone buying from abroad. Not just with diamonds but with everything.

I''ve been selling things on Ebay ( not jewelry, mostly vintage clothes and stuff) and the majority of the buyers right now seem to be from other countries. I think there are some very good deals to be had here in the U.S. for people in other countries right now.

Anyway good luck with your search and make sure to keep us posted.

 

[innerkitten]

Oops double post

 

[haider]

I wouldn''t bother with the shops in Hatton Garden. Most of the shops borrow diamonds from the Diamond Bourse (diamond exchange). If the guys serving you says he has to head out of the shop to get his diamnds that is where he going. The sales-guy will then add hiscut onto the diamond dealer''s price and sell it on to you. If you don''t buy, he returns the diamond back to the dealer like a true middle-man. The shop don''t set the diamonds, the settings are pre-fabricated by someone else and they send the diamonds to someone else to get it set. You can meet someone from the diamond exchange who can show you diamonds and they can get a bespoke ring created to your design or get it set in mass produced prefabricated one. You have to provide a photo or diagram etc... He will be able to significantly under-cut the shops on Hatton Gardens. I would gain knowledge from the web, go to the shops to figure out what size diamond complements your hand size and then get an idea of the price from the Bluenile website - that way you will get to choose what diamond you want and view it in person and buy at internet prices. There is also Cool Diamonds they are on the web and also have a showroom on Greville Street where you can see the diamonds and the settings in person and buy at the internet price. Diamond dealer details: -

Cyril A Ruttenberg
Roselaar & Co.
International Diamond Merchants
London Diamond Bourse & Club
100 Hatton Garden
London
EC1N 8NX

02074044022
07831093224

Haider

 

[ahdny]

Make an appointment with some places in NY from this board (e.g. ERD, GOG), buy a cheap air ticket, and come for a couple days to look at everything. While you''re here, pick up some other items at the exchange rate discount you are getting because of pounds. You''ll get a great stone, do some other shopping, and get a couple days in NY, and probably spend less or the same as if you bought it in London.

 

[Pandora II]

Hi, I''m based in London.

I admit that I buy everything from the USA at the moment. My true love is coloured stones and I just haven''t been happy with either what I''m seeing or the prices they''re asking.

I don''t find buying online a problem and I do e-rings for friends and people that contact me. I get them to go window shopping or I go with them to see what they like and get them measured. Then I buy from the USA.

One of the pluses for me is that I really trust the vendors that I am working with in the US, they have all been extremely helpful and wonderful to work with.

I know it''s said that you can get the same price in the UK, but I have really struggled to come anywhere close when I''ve been doing price comparison shopping in Hatton Garden. I''ve also found that a lot of the sales assistants don''t know what they''re talking about and there has been some aggressive sales pressure.

That said, I have met some lovely people there (all coloured stone dealers) who I would be very happy to do some business with in the future if the dollar become less advantageous.

I may have a slightly different take on things as I''m very much a repeat customer, so building relationships is very important to me.

There are quite a lot of us here in the UK that buy online - Maisie who is in Newcastle is on her...can''t quite remember how many upgrades now

... all from Whiteflash and has not had any problems.

If you really don''t want to buy online, educate yourself on what you could get, what you are looking for in terms of cut and then go shopping. Remember you will pay an extra 20% than you will for internet prices (to cover VAT etc) and a B&M store has higher overheads.

For what it''s worth, when I was doing a comparison shop in New Bond Street, I found Graff to be the most reasonable - and they were lovely to talk to and got all the GIA reports out without my even asking!

 

[u89cs]

Thanks so much for all your replies! They have been a lot of help!

I think this weekend me and the bf are going to go and scour Burlington arcade, old bond street (tiffanys, de beers, cartier etc etc) and then possibly go to Hatton gardens depending on how we get on!

Is there anywhere in particular that people recommend that we should definately go to?

I''ll let you know how the search goes!

Eeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk!!! So excited by it all!!!

I''m not allowed to tell any of my friends or family yet so its so nice to be able to discuss it here!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/9/2008 10:13:13 AM
Author: u89cs
Thanks so much for all your replies! They have been a lot of help!

I think this weekend me and the bf are going to go and scour Burlington arcade, old bond street (tiffanys, de beers, cartier etc etc) and then possibly go to Hatton gardens depending on how we get on!

Is there anywhere in particular that people recommend that we should definately go to?

I''ll let you know how the search goes!

Eeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk!!! So excited by it all!!!

I''m not allowed to tell any of my friends or family yet so its so nice to be able to discuss it here!

LOL, I''m spending tomorrow pm looking at bling in New Bond St with a friend. If you see someone tall with a ponytail near De Beers at 3.00pm, it''s probably me!

Don''t be scared of going into Graff - not all their rings are 50cts and they were considerably cheaper than Cartier. Plus they have their own workshop in London and can make any modifications you want.

If I was into paying for name brands I would definitely shop there just because they are so nice and helpful (and have gorgeous things).

I''ve heard good things about Daniel Prince in Hatton Garden (www.danielprince.co.uk), but I haven''t been there myself. Holts are also worth talking to - they are the main UK Testing Lab and had some amazing coloured stones when I was in the other week.

I did get a quote from them for a piece I was interested in having made and it was nearly double the price it would be in the US - and they were about the same as everywhere else. They do know their stuff in there though, and I would have complete confidence.