Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Dec 2006
- Posts
- 9,642
- Location
- Around Town
Now I ain't saying she a gold digger
Have you decided yet?
Have you decided yet?
Last edited:
Hatton Gardens - Diamond Rings
- Thread starter rubberduck
- Start date
What's wrong with SI2? At that grade inclusions are still not visible to the naked eye
We went to Stephen Einhorn for our rings. You can get all sorts of customisation, and we found the quality to be exceptional. We spent months looking at rings, and were very happy with what we chose.
They are based up in Islington, so still in London if you live round there.
They are based up in Islington, so still in London if you live round there.
Someone I know went to Sri Lanker, visited a store which sold diamonds from the mines, bought one and had it sent back in the mail, melted down some old tatt earrings and left over jewelry and had it made into a diamond ring. Cost them about £500. Had it valued at around £3-4k.
Questionable legality. But it is only illegal if you get caught.
Questionable legality. But it is only illegal if you get caught.
No worries. Let me know what you think.
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 May 2005
- Posts
- 5,622
- Location
- West London
Just to add on the above. We visited 77 over Christmas, which is next to Vogue House where a few of my friends work. Was very impressed with them and their level of service. The first place we went to which didn't involve patronising us as if we knew nothing or aggressive sales tactics. They seem to use the same inventory as Bluenile, and are cheaper.
We came away with knowing exactly what attributes to go for and what we can sacrifice on the specific cut.
Going to order next month. On top of their already excellent prices, you also get 1.5% discount if you bank transfer cash, so will be doing that!
Recommend it to anyone who is around London!
We came away with knowing exactly what attributes to go for and what we can sacrifice on the specific cut.
Going to order next month. On top of their already excellent prices, you also get 1.5% discount if you bank transfer cash, so will be doing that!
Recommend it to anyone who is around London!
- Joined
- 8 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 4,539
Hi, as the OP thought I would give a quick update. After considering my options I decided to buy a loose stone and then get it mounted at a local jewellers. I ended up purchasing off Ebay for the stone which was shipped from Israel. While this allowed me to get a good deal on the stone I did have to pay VAT on import. FYI I think I paid around $2.5k for the diamond when the exchange rate was reasonable. Here is the diamond I got:
And here is the certificate. Please note that there are a number of labs that will grade diamonds and some are more strict than others. IGL is most certainly one of the 'worst' but at least you know you are getting a genuine diamond!
You should allow at least 2 weeks to get the mount ordered and the stone set (3-4 weeks if you are going with a more exotic mount). In the end I opted for a simple but classic 9-carat white gold setting which was around £350 (inclusive of mounting). You have the option of 4 or 6 claws to hold the stone. My preference was 6 because it should be more secure, but more importantly it means the diamond retains its circular cut. I found that 4 claw mounts made the diamond look very square which doesn't look good at all IMO
Anyway here is the finished articles. I went a bit over-budget but am happy with the result and more importantly she said yes!
Any questions etc. I'd be happy to answer having gone through the process myself!
And here is the certificate. Please note that there are a number of labs that will grade diamonds and some are more strict than others. IGL is most certainly one of the 'worst' but at least you know you are getting a genuine diamond!
You should allow at least 2 weeks to get the mount ordered and the stone set (3-4 weeks if you are going with a more exotic mount). In the end I opted for a simple but classic 9-carat white gold setting which was around £350 (inclusive of mounting). You have the option of 4 or 6 claws to hold the stone. My preference was 6 because it should be more secure, but more importantly it means the diamond retains its circular cut. I found that 4 claw mounts made the diamond look very square which doesn't look good at all IMO
Anyway here is the finished articles. I went a bit over-budget but am happy with the result and more importantly she said yes!
Any questions etc. I'd be happy to answer having gone through the process myself!
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2003
- Posts
- 92,036
- Location
- Falling...
Congrats.
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 May 2005
- Posts
- 5,622
- Location
- West London
Finally ordered from 77. Got a round 1.76c (I, VS1) on a platinum band, around £9.9k (got 1 1.5% discount by bank transferring).
Their service was amazing! Would recommend.
Their service was amazing! Would recommend.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 33,055
- Location
- Rutland
10k on a ring! Serious business!
2014 will be the year I buy the diamond and maybe plump the question so all of this info is top drawer. Is there anywhere in Europe that is cheaper than UK to buy diamonds?
Wouldn't mind having a city break somewhere with the Mrs and letting her choose it whilst we're there. Budget is around £1500 really. Think I can get a very good quality 0.5c VS1 diamond for that. Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between the GIA/EGL certificates etc? Seems to be a massive price difference for the supposed same quality of diamond.
Wouldn't mind having a city break somewhere with the Mrs and letting her choose it whilst we're there. Budget is around £1500 really. Think I can get a very good quality 0.5c VS1 diamond for that. Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between the GIA/EGL certificates etc? Seems to be a massive price difference for the supposed same quality of diamond.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 May 2005
- Posts
- 5,622
- Location
- West London
GIA is considered the most stringent, so attributes such as colour on another cert may be ranked lower with GIA
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but what are people's views on buying a diamond without a certificate?
Was looking at rings with the gf and she spotted one she really liked, wasnt too expensive, lovely sparkle, fit perfect, but when I started asking him about the spec of the diamond it transpired that it didn't actually have a certificate and he was just basing it on his guesses.
I know the certificates are just a labs assessment (opinion) on the diamond but should I be wary about buying a diamond that doesn't have a cert?
He has said they will get it certified for me if I want for £50. But part of me thinks I shouldn't have to front costs like that when the onus should be on them to provide something like that really shouldn't it, especially as I have absolutely no guarantees the diamond is what he says it is? The shop is an independant shop, but its a reputable one and has been in our time for many years so I have no concerns over being conned or duped. But I'm a bit wary of the whole situations. Or am I blowing the importance of a cert out of the water?
Was looking at rings with the gf and she spotted one she really liked, wasnt too expensive, lovely sparkle, fit perfect, but when I started asking him about the spec of the diamond it transpired that it didn't actually have a certificate and he was just basing it on his guesses.
I know the certificates are just a labs assessment (opinion) on the diamond but should I be wary about buying a diamond that doesn't have a cert?
He has said they will get it certified for me if I want for £50. But part of me thinks I shouldn't have to front costs like that when the onus should be on them to provide something like that really shouldn't it, especially as I have absolutely no guarantees the diamond is what he says it is? The shop is an independant shop, but its a reputable one and has been in our time for many years so I have no concerns over being conned or duped. But I'm a bit wary of the whole situations. Or am I blowing the importance of a cert out of the water?
£50 for peace of mind what you're buying is real doesn't seem a waste to me. There was a shop locally closed down for selling knockoffs at real prices. Is it from a well known jewellers? If so it's probably not worth the hassle.
Edit: should add even if it is real without a certificate you could be paying well over the odds even if it isn't too expensive.
Edit: should add even if it is real without a certificate you could be paying well over the odds even if it isn't too expensive.
Last edited:
Well I might angle for some discount then really (as you would anyway), at least to cover the cost of the certificate (and then some) with maybe some come back clause that if it isn't to the spec he says it is I can return it.
The ring isn't overly expensive and to be honest the diamond spec isn't amazing either, I had planned on getting something that on paper was a lot better however the Mrs really liked it and I could tell she would be buzzing with that so part of me thinks I should take the easy option and just get it haha.
The ring isn't overly expensive and to be honest the diamond spec isn't amazing either, I had planned on getting something that on paper was a lot better however the Mrs really liked it and I could tell she would be buzzing with that so part of me thinks I should take the easy option and just get it haha.
.Well to be fair its been the first one she's actually tried on but she's pointed out a few when we've been looking in passing. I only wanted her to try it on so I could get a good idea of what size diamond would suit her hands!
The ring had been reduced about 20% already if the price tag is to be believed.
Going to go back down tomorrow with the mother for her expert motherly opinion as she is a bit of a jewellery freak and knows a thing or two about this kind of stuff!
The ring had been reduced about 20% already if the price tag is to be believed.
Going to go back down tomorrow with the mother for her expert motherly opinion as she is a bit of a jewellery freak and knows a thing or two about this kind of stuff!