Hatton Gardens - Diamond Rings

rubberduck

rubberduck

rubberduck

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Joined
8 Feb 2004
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Hi

I know there are a few threads on this subject but thought I would start my own rather than necro an old one.

So, I am off to Hatton Gardens on Wednesday looking to get a ring for the fiance. I have a reasonable idea what she is after but have no idea what I can get for my money or if I am being ripped off etc. There seems to be an absolute shed-load of shops at Hatton gardens so does anyone have recommendations?

Anyway my budget is around £2k and here is what I am after

Very simple white gold band (cheap so not to eat in to budget)
Round cut diamond
Clarity: Some blemishes are fine
Colour: Off white is fine but not too yellow
Carat: As big as possible

So what size stone should I be aiming for given that budget? Girlfriend seems to think 'bigger is better' ;) so happy to compromise on clarity/colour if it means getting a bigger stone.

Any other suggestions?
 
You thought about buying the diamond and then getting it set? You'll get a much better deal.
Take cash as well if you can. I used to work on Hatton garden and you can get some deals. You should be able to get 1crt for 1500, or maybe just less of a crt but you'll have obviously not the perfect colouring or quality.
 
No other suggestions really. I went there myself with my fiance, we ended up getting one imported from the USA in the end!

Just go there yourself and go to as many shops as possible to get an idea.

If she thinks bigger is better just go for the best you can. But go for good clarity as well and try not to get lab-grown if you can help it.

This is notwithstanding the idea that diamonds are a waste of money but anyway, it's embedded in most females' minds now so there's little we can do.
 
I was in the same position last year. I spent a while on the Ring Builder on http://www.bluenile.com/uk/ and tried loads of different combinations of Carat, Cut, Clarity and Colour within my price range to work out what the best combination was. Then I went and bought in the Jewelry market in Dubai.

Ended up with 1.20, G, VS1, Excellent and I am very happy with the decision. :)
 
IMHO, quality > size

Go and ask about preowned diamonds. Seriously, if you buy a diamond for £2,000 then ask the same dealer to buy it back, you'll get £750 if you're VERY lucky

There is ZERO difference, they are professionally cleaned and set in a new band
 
glen8 said:
IMHO, quality > size

Go and ask about preowned diamonds. Seriously, if you buy a diamond for £2,000 then ask the same dealer to buy it back, you'll get £750 if you're VERY lucky

There is ZERO difference, they are professionally cleaned and set in a new band
Click to expand...

That's why if you buy a diamond as a diamond, you're buying it not based on it's ring value, but it's stone value.
 
Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately she is very much of the opinion size > quality.

Pre-owned diamond sounds like a good idea if it lets me get a better stone (she wouldnt like the idea but I wont tell her and she'll never know). So will most shops do pre-owned diamonds?
 
Maybe go for Moissanite then... You could get a huge rock indistinguishable from a Diamond to anyone but a professional jeweler for a fraction of the price of a diamond.
 
rubberduck said:
Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately she is very much of the opinion size > quality.

Pre-owned diamond sounds like a good idea if it lets me get a better stone (she wouldnt like the idea but I wont tell her and she'll never know). So will most shops do pre-owned diamonds?
Click to expand...

More to the point, will SHE be ok with one?

I imagine most girls wouldn't.

Just go with what she wants regardless of what everyone else says.
 
Personally I'd keep away from those areas as they will make you pay through the nose. Much better to get to know a private / independent jeweller that can find / make you a ring to your spec for 1/2 the price.

Good luck with it though. :)

Also be aware the platinum prices are currently very good.
 
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rubberduck said:
Have been given strict instructions to not even think about this.
Click to expand...

Even better, cubic zirconium!

Seriously, why be so het up on a diamond? Jesus, I just don't get it.

Just get her some cubic zirconium. You'll have the last laugh and she'll never know.
 
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