After a diamond pendant
Discussion
Apologies, this isn't watch related, but I've seen jewellery posts here, so following suit.
I'm after buying a diamond pendant for my wife and chose a loose stone for her engagement ring many moons ago from Hatton Garden, which we had made mounted into a ring. Is there a standard, trade price for these, or will I be better to go to Birmingham jewellery quarter (assuming rents etc are lower and this translates into prices)? If so, any recommendations which Brum jeweller?
Many thanks in advance
I'm after buying a diamond pendant for my wife and chose a loose stone for her engagement ring many moons ago from Hatton Garden, which we had made mounted into a ring. Is there a standard, trade price for these, or will I be better to go to Birmingham jewellery quarter (assuming rents etc are lower and this translates into prices)? If so, any recommendations which Brum jeweller?
Many thanks in advance
Does this translate into prices for cut diamonds sold individually?
You will still need to get the stone set and the setting is vital to get the best of the rock. Avoid at all costs taking the lucky recipient to choose, invariably they will choose the sparkliest diamond, regardless of size which is usually the most expensive.
If you're solely buying on price be sure the diamond is fully certified and acceptable to your insurers.
You will still need to get the stone set and the setting is vital to get the best of the rock. Avoid at all costs taking the lucky recipient to choose, invariably they will choose the sparkliest diamond, regardless of size which is usually the most expensive.
If you're solely buying on price be sure the diamond is fully certified and acceptable to your insurers.
What I meant to say is where's the best place (price wise) to buy a loose diamond, Birmingham's jewellery quarter or Hatton Garden? Or is there one, uniform trade price everywhere like any other commodity (gold sold per ounce at a quoted rate like oil)?
ETA:
I'm also unsure as to what colour and clarity to go for as I've received conflicting advice from two different jewellers, one in HG and one in Birmingham. So for an oval cut diamond, one said I shouldn't rule out inclusions and going 'down' to SI as they won't be seen but keeping the colour up at D/E, whereas the other said to go for a smaller stone, but don't go below VS1 as something like an SI will be 'milky' in the setting of a rub-over pendant hanging from a neck-chain.
ETA:
I'm also unsure as to what colour and clarity to go for as I've received conflicting advice from two different jewellers, one in HG and one in Birmingham. So for an oval cut diamond, one said I shouldn't rule out inclusions and going 'down' to SI as they won't be seen but keeping the colour up at D/E, whereas the other said to go for a smaller stone, but don't go below VS1 as something like an SI will be 'milky' in the setting of a rub-over pendant hanging from a neck-chain.
Edited by ADP68 on Tuesday 2nd December 11:46
What you need to do is look at the stones for yourself. What you can see with your eye is far more important than what a piece of paper says. Grading is entirely dependent on the person doing the grading. I did my grading course in 2007 and distinctly remember that there was an allowance either way on stone grades. So, one persons grade may vary slightly from another yet still meet mark to go on sale. Trade prices are the same accross the country for stones as they generally come from the same place. I buy all mine (bar the stones i buy off the street) from Hatton Garden and get the same prices the locals do.
Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
Thank you for your help Ecain. I work in the West End but live equidistant between London and Birmingham (just over an hour), but I'll go to Hatton Garden this lunchtime and take a look at the stones. I have bought before from 'Approved Diamonds' but hear that 'Cool Diamonds' are worth a look in as well.
I had no idea that there was some tolerance in grading and thought it was all done by machine using light refraction or some other physical characteristic.
As ever, I learn something new every day from this forum, for which I thank you.
ADP
I had no idea that there was some tolerance in grading and thought it was all done by machine using light refraction or some other physical characteristic.
As ever, I learn something new every day from this forum, for which I thank you.
ADP
As a corollary, went to Finecraft in Hatton Garden and bought a lovely oval diamond which is being made into a pendant in time for Xmas. Now can't decide to go for a claw setting or a 'rubover'!
Could not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
Could not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
ADP68 said:
As a corollary, went to Finecraft in Hatton Garden and bought a lovely oval diamond which is being made into a pendant in time for Xmas. Now can't decide to go for a claw setting or a 'rubover'!
Could not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
So you didn't call Dominic Hackett (in Hatton Garden) oh we'll it's your moneyCould not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
Adrian W said:
ADP68 said:
As a corollary, went to Finecraft in Hatton Garden and bought a lovely oval diamond which is being made into a pendant in time for Xmas. Now can't decide to go for a claw setting or a 'rubover'!
Could not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
So you didn't call Dominic Hackett (in Hatton Garden) oh we'll it's your moneyCould not see the difference between S1 and VVs1, but could between D and F, so went for a D colour.
thank you for your advice
ADP
ecain63 said:
What you need to do is look at the stones for yourself. What you can see with your eye is far more important than what a piece of paper says. Grading is entirely dependent on the person doing the grading. I did my grading course in 2007 and distinctly remember that there was an allowance either way on stone grades. So, one persons grade may vary slightly from another yet still meet mark to go on sale. Trade prices are the same accross the country for stones as they generally come from the same place. I buy all mine (bar the stones i buy off the street) from Hatton Garden and get the same prices the locals do.
Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
Sorry to hi-jack the thread but who did you do your grading course with?Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
ctrph said:
ecain63 said:
What you need to do is look at the stones for yourself. What you can see with your eye is far more important than what a piece of paper says. Grading is entirely dependent on the person doing the grading. I did my grading course in 2007 and distinctly remember that there was an allowance either way on stone grades. So, one persons grade may vary slightly from another yet still meet mark to go on sale. Trade prices are the same accross the country for stones as they generally come from the same place. I buy all mine (bar the stones i buy off the street) from Hatton Garden and get the same prices the locals do.
Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
Sorry to hi-jack the thread but who did you do your grading course with?Also, those who say certificates are the be all and end all are full of it. Just get the item valued for insurance by an independent valuer and that will give you more info than any GIA etc certificate.
ecain63 said:
If only it had been a week earlier.......... I bought in a 1.94 VVS1, yellow tinted, old style cushion cut today and it is going 'black friday' cheap. Ideal pendant stone, also a fantastic old fashioned solitaire stone.
Eddie
What sort of price does a stone like that go for? though I think teardrop looks cooler for pendantsEddie
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