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Harry Winston Review: These pages may reference products from companies that help to support PriceScope.
Harry Winston Review
There is absolutely no question that if you buy a Harry Winston jewelry piece that it will be a show stopper.
Harry Winston was the original jeweler to the stars. In the 1940’s he began loaning and gifting diamond jewelry to the biggest names in Hollywood, and this recognition of celebrity influence in defining a brand is as significant today as it was then. Many celebrities turn to this jeweler for the most desired diamonds and jewelry.
As expected of a jewelry house of this magnitude, there is a premium. You are paying for a big name, after all. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘King of Diamonds, we’ve reviewed Harry Winston to see if the pieces are worth every penny or just royally expensive.
1. What is Harry Winston’s story?
Luxury has always been synonymous with the Harry Winston brand. At the tender age of twelve, Harry bought a 2ct Emerald from a pawn shop for just 25 cents. A quick sale of that gem resulted in a profit of $800.
Harry Winston was destined to be a jewelry businessman. In 1920, Harry opened his own jewelry store in New York City following in the footsteps of his father, Jacob, who opened a jewelry business when he immigrated from Ukraine.
In 1926, he acquired Arabella Huntington’s jewelry collection for $1.2 million, which proved to be a turning point in his business.
As an exceptional craftsman, Harry Winston gained a reputation for excellence. Taking existing designs and redesigning them, he acquired new diamonds along the way.
He was primarily known for his noteworthy diamonds, especially the ‘Hope Diamond‘ – an enchanting deep blue diamond weighing a whopping 45.52 carats. Before its donation to the Smithsonian, it was owned by royalty worldwide until 1947, when Harry Winston acquired it.
As of right now, Harry Winston operates not one, but two, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the heart of New York City. Winston also has retail outlets in forty different countries, including the flagship store in New York, as well as London, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
They are now truly international in nature, following Harry Winston’s death and the court battle that ensued over who should run the company. However, they remain American-born and raised, and their roots and heritage are distinct elements of the American spirit.
2. What is most appealing about Harry Winston?
Grading Authority
As a gemmologist with an innate ability for business, Harry Winston focuses attention on the diamonds and gemstones, allowing them to direct the overall design of the piece rather than the metal work itself.
Diamond engagement rings made by Harry Winston adhere to a set of quality specifications, one that they say ‘cannot be translated into any gemological report’. Several big international brands also use this phrasing as a promotional technique, including Tiffany and Cartier.
Each diamond comes with a GIA certification grading report and has either faint fluorescence or none at all. On their website, Harry Winston states that they only carry colorless diamonds with D, E, and F as “they are the rarest and the most valuable”. In terms of clarity, they select only VS2 and above diamonds. Cut-wise, they sell diamonds only with Very Good and Excellent cut ratings.
To an uneducated customer, all of this sounds like the stuff of fairy tales. If you have a basic understanding of the 4Cs, you will immediately realize there’s nothing special about their diamond specifications. Our view would be that any company that advertises its diamonds as being “cut and polished to maximize their beauty” should never deal with stones that are “Very Good” cut.
To be frank, diamond companies that care deeply about light performance and the beauty of diamonds wouldn’t carry any diamonds in GIA’s Very Good cut category. It’s also worth noting there are no light reflector images (ASET/ideal-scope) of the stone available to illustrate how the light is reflected within its facets.
It would seem contradictory to settle for a cut rating of a lower-tier if brilliant and beauty were truly of the utmost importance?
You should consider your most important values when purchasing diamonds. If a designer’s name is what you desire, cut gradings might not be all that important to you – but if you’re on a budget and want the best for your buck, you’ll know upon researching, that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And probably even sweeter with the way they sparkle.
Those seeking Harry Winston quality at a significantly lower price tag, consider the Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal Cut Diamonds. If you are looking for colorless DEF IF-VVS Super Ideals, then browse their A CUT ABOVE® Collection Series as well.
If you would like a full understanding of the great variety of diamonds, including different Diamond shapes, Cuts, Colors, Clarity, and Carats, online and in stock, we recommend exploring our extensive selection of loose diamonds. You can completely prioritize what’s important to you in a diamond.
Variety
Harry Winston’s unique experience is characterized by exclusivity. There’s a variety of cutting styles and designs available for Harry Winston platinum engagement rings.
There are a few other pave and halo ring designs they offer, but their selection is very limited compared to other retailers. They’re best known for their classic 3-stone ring designs that include a center stone and two baguette side stones.
Your next question may be whether you can customize a ring with them. Unfortunately, in most cases, they won’t even consider your request unless it meets their standards or you are an extremely special client.
The benefit of shopping at Harry Winston is that you are essentially choosing from one designer. This choice does not compare to other retailers that use multiple designers and in-house designers, such as Whiteflash, Blue Nile, or James Allen.
If you are looking to purchase a Harry Winston engagement ring (or indeed any piece of jewelry), you should expect to spend a minimum of $100,000. In any case, underlining your budget might leave you with a very small D-VVS which, after viewing the Harry Winston collections, might seem a little unimpressive.
Our vetted vendors Whiteflash, Blue Nile and James Allen sell diamonds and jewelry with exceptional craftsmanship graded by top-tier laboratories. In addition to this, they also stock a fantastic selection online.
Ease of Use
First things first, it’s important to note that you cannot purchase jewelry or stones online; you’ll need to go to a store to do so. In spite of the fact that this is done to preserve the company’s prestige, it limits online shoppers and doesn’t appeal to the modern consumer.
The dark navy hues across the navigation bar and simplistic design are a far cry from the spectacular pieces created by the brand, but somehow, it works beautifully and lets the diamonds do the talking.
A website for a company of this prestige could be laid out better, however, aside from a few tab flaws and information that does not appear readily available, it’s pretty easy to navigate.
There’s a wonderful selection of education and Harry Winston lore available to browse on the site, which offers easy-to-digest materials about the fantastic jeweler’s life, star-studded clientele and details on their most exquisite pieces. As ease of use goes, it’s pretty easy to fall in love with the idea of owning your very own Harry Winston creation.
With the help of a team of diamond and jewelry experts, PriceScope provides users an easy-to-use online platform for accurate diamond information. That way, when it comes to purchasing, you’re equipped with everything you need to make an informed decision.
The Selection
Harry Winston is the name of the designer – The House of Harry Winston. It’s their belief that their pieces are designed around the gems rather than the other way around. Nevertheless, as mentioned, this does mean that you can’t just walk into Harry Winston with your own brief and expectations. Regardless of selection, for the majority of us, a Harry Winston piece is just not attainable.
Additionally, Harry Winston exclusively uses platinum for their settings, which limits things somewhat, especially for those dreaming of vintage styles of years past with yellow gold. Either way, you can still consider each and every Harry Winston piece to be a designer piece.
Comparisons between Harry Winston and other online retailers are not just about quality versus price. In particular, Astor by Blue Nile, Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE, and James Allen True Hearts‘ workmanship standards are every bit as high as Harry Winston’s.
In addition, they readily provide transparent and verifiable light performance data so you can make an informed decision rather than being bombarded with marketing messages.
We can’t speak for everyone, but we would prioritize getting the best value for our money and having tangible information for assessment when selecting the most perfect diamond ring.
The Experience
In every Harry Winston store you visit around the globe, there is an air of royalty and grandeur. Located in premium retail spots, Harry Winston’s stores represent luxury at its finest.
Despite what some people think, you won’t need an appointment. Despite what seasoned diamond shoppers might think, there is really no cause for concern here. Appointment or not, when you step inside, the ambiance is glamorous. It would be reasonable to assume you’ll be appropriately dressed here in a tuxedo.
Harry Winston is an expert in luxury. Their ability to treat customers with respect and elegance is evident. We have found that Harry Winston’s staff are extremely well educated themselves, and they know how to explain information and meet the expectations of even the savviest jewelry shoppers.
You won’t be judged if you show up without your three-piece suit. It’s a thumbs up from us for Harry Winston’s excellent customer service. Based solely on customer service, this is the place to be.
In terms of the Harry Winston experience, there are plenty of things to like, but sadly, price isn’t one of them. When it comes down to it, what you pay for in a Harry Winston diamond is the brand name above all else.
In all physical stores, including a number we’ve reviewed, diamond choices are also severely limited at any given time. Your budget and specifications may not be met by in-stock diamonds. There are no return or exchange policies at Harry Winston as well. Additionally, their upgrade policy is vague. Upgrades are also offered on a case-by-case basis and aren’t guaranteed.
When you know that other designers and retailers will sell you a similar piece at a significantly lower price, with great warranties and policies to boot, it’s a bit difficult to justify.
If the exclusivity and elegance of a Harry Winston piece just has to be yours, and you have the budget for it, we encourage you to experience the luxe of this heritage brand.
3. What diamond and jewelry products does Harry Winston offer?
It’s said that all Harry Winston artisans can translate intricate designs into wearable art because they are masters in a wide range of disciplines. Every Harry Winston jewel possesses this aptitude, ensuring a unique touch and high quality.
With no prices specified on the site, we’ve detailed their selection below:
- Engagement rings
- Wedding bands
- Watches and timepieces
- Bracelets
- Earrings
- Necklaces
- Pendants and charms
- High jewelry
- Fine jewelry
No doubt, the items in the ‘High Jewelry’ range encompassing the ‘Secrets’, ‘Winston Icons’, and ‘The Incredibles’ are exquisite. Distinguished and impressive, they make a lasting impression. While perhaps unaffordable for everyday consumers.
4. What sets Harry Winston apart from others?
A legacy: Harry Winston is more than just a brand name; it signifies decades of experience and impeccable workmanship in an industry that demands it. You’re buying into the stories and soul of the company itself.
Exclusivity: Providing exclusivity to clients is one of Harry Winston’s most significant selling points. All pieces in each collection are created one-of-a-kind to highlight the best features of each gem or diamond.
Charitable company: Using the glamour of Hollywood and precious stones to benefit charity was an important philosophy of Harry Winston. This philanthropic legacy lives on today through Harry Winston Brilliant Futures, an organization that supports those in need worldwide.
5. What does Harry Winston’s packaging look like?
Like welcoming your heart to the promise of forever, the luxurious Harry Winston navy box opens outwards to reveal lush velvet and ring of the most extravagant design. Tactile with its premium leather outer casing, it feels weighty and well-made. It’s equipped with the most exquisite gold lettering and HW logo; truly a beautiful ring box and a shame to hide in a drawer.
Overall, we’d expect nothing less for a piece of Harry Winston jewelry with that kind of price tag. What could potentially take this ring box even further, would be the addition of a light to really illuminate every diamond and facet to its full potential.
6. Are you the ideal Harry Winston customer?
Audrey Hepburn may have honed the Tiffany‘s brand through her portrayal of Holly Golightly, but Marilyn Monroe named-dropped Harry Winston in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – whatever iconic beauty you prefer, Harry Winston is in a class of his own.
When it comes to purchasing a Harry Winston diamond or engagement ring, you can expect to pay more than you would elsewhere, simply for the name. It’s expected, but not always necessary.
As a brand with an illustrious history, Harry Winston’s products sell for a premium. It’s true that you will not find “ugly” diamond rings in their stores, but they sure aren’t the best source for diamonds.
Shopping in the store is undoubtedly enjoyable, and the opulent packaging is among the best we’ve seen.
Nonetheless, we are unable to justify the huge price premium Harry Winston charges for their engagement rings. Ultimately, the engagement ring will be worn on the recipient’s hand and seen by the world. With time, the nice packaging will disappear back into the drawer, and the shopping experience will lose its luster.
This intangible stuff doesn’t have long-term value for the wearer, but adds up to the premium price tag. In spite of all that, we deeply respect the Harry Winston brand and the reputation its founder has established through philanthropy.
Despite not representing good value for money for most consumers, it’s a store we recommend for high rollers who’re looking for a multi-million dollar masterpiece you won’t find anywhere else. It’s in that niche market where Harry Winston really shines, in our opinion.
As much as we have praised Harry Winston, we should not be disheartened by the fact that most of us cannot afford a diamond worth $100,000 or more. Thanks to online diamond vendors, there’s now an incredible market for stunning diamonds within a reasonable price range.
At a fraction of the cost of big international brands, our vetted vendors like Whiteflash, Blue Nile, and James Allen offer high-quality diamond engagement rings. You won't regret checking them out if you're looking to get better value for your money.
Prior to buying a diamond, you can explore diamond education extensively with PriceScope. You can shop more confidently and informed with a resource like ours.
Get fast answers to any question: Ask our community of unbiased independent helpers or use our diamond search to find your ideal diamond.
The information in this review is current, to the best of our knowledge, as of July, 2022.
