melpaul2002

Looking to buy xmas present, anyone know anything about Diamonds, what i should be looking for etc,

Prices seem to vary so much, i looked at some today that were quality VS1 and colour H, which i was told were high quality.

starting price for these were around £400 for 2 x 1/18 carrot from a quality shop.

but cheaper chain shops had 1/2 c total for around £ 650.00

would the rule be buy the best quality you can afford or are the better jewellery shops just charging a premium

DavidBrown

It's not until you look into it do you realise what a minefield it is..

I started out looking at a 0.9ct from the likes of HSamuel for £800, and ended up paying over £2500 for a 0.5ct (and that was just the stone) from a diamond specialist. But when compared, the smaller stone was without doubt far superior than the cheaper/larger stone.

Hold them against a sheet of white paper, and compare differing stones side by side. It's not until you spend time looking at the more expensive stones do you realise how yellow the cheaper stones are.

Ideally, go for a certified stone, but don't let that rule your decision making.

Go for as white as possible IMO and don't get dragged into the size-is-everything game. Quality, not quantity.

Go direct to a jewelers (in the correct sense of the term), not high st. shops.



[Edited by DavidBrown - 12/19/2001 10:34:40 PM]

Luke

Hm Samuels..... What was that "jerry Ratner" said!!

RichB

Interestly Mappin and Webb in Southampton (I think) were raided yesterday evening by 'armed' men who made their get away in what car?

Yes - A Subaru Impreza.....

Edited due to paranoia...

[Edited by RichB - 12/21/2001 9:34:32 AM]

carl

Agree with DavidBrown -- when I bought the missus's engagement ring you could get 1ct from H.Samuel for around £800-£900. We ended up with a 0.43ct one (43 points) from Beaverbrooks for about £1000. I think it was VS1 or VVS1 and colour F, with a certificate. They alleged that they hand-pick all their diamonds from a place in Antwerp, but that could be BS. Try looking at the stones with a jewellers' eye-glass (if you haven't got one the jeweller will lend you one) and you will see the inclusions (black flecks). Sometimes they will drill the inclusions out with a laser. VS is 'very small' inclusions -- you will have to pay extremely serious money for a clear-coloured flawless diamond.

[Edited by carl - 12/20/2001 12:47:23 PM]

Shaolin

You cant beat going to Argos can you?

chiark

Colour, clarity and cut is what it's all about. Forget carat (weight) to a large extent as a small, good diamond will be "more sparkly" than a large, badly cut, off-white diamond with visible inclusions.

You want a G or H colour for preference, as below that you're starting to get quite off-white, down to yellow.

Clarity is another "must have" - try to get VVS1 or VVS2 if possible, particularly on a single stone piece.

Beaverbrooks are good, and their diamonds are hand picked and guaranteed. Mappin and Webb struck me as knowing their onions, or diamonds, too.

However, I ended up using Berrys, a small independent, who I would wholeheartedly recommend if you're anywhere near Leeds.

Don't let anyone give you BS, and if you don't believe someone when they try to sell you a diamond, ask to borrow an eyeglass and have a good luck under bright lighting. Beaverbrooks (or any decent jeweller) will take the time to educate you as to what you're looking for so you can compare fairly.

Of course, diamond supplies are all controlled by de Beers, so their intrinsic value is heavily manipulated... Still, they are a girl's best friend

Nick.

chiark

Oh, and do haggle if you're paying cash...

shunty

Chiark - I can see why your from the ICE forum
seriously though, I picked up a lovely diamond from USA last year for the wife, priced a similar one from the UK & I had saved quite a bit.
Your definetly right about forgetting about carrat weight as you can get a 1 carrat for £1000 but it will not even be on the clarity or colour scale, classed as common stones for that money.
Better stick to good quality but small weight IMHO. Dont mean that to sound snobby btw just honest answer

shunty

pumpers

my missus picked up a card from amsterdam telling you how to rate diamonds . She's not in at the mo but i'll get it and post it for you later. pumpers.

tonybooth

Cubic Zirconia is what you need. She will never know I you get the last laugh when the decree absolute comes through

TONY

alistair

http://www.diamonds.com/ has all the info you need.

IMHO colour is more important than clarity as you can see the colour with the naked eye - who really cares about imperfections a jewler can see under a magnifying glass ?

carl

Because the imperfections change the way the light is reflected off the internal surfaces, and hence reduce the 'fire'.

GregD

You're running out of days to Christmas but I'd recommend getting on an Easyjet flight to Amsterdam and going to Koster or Gassan diamonds. Bought my wife a £750 ring from Koster, got it home and it was valued at £1600. In terms of quality of diamonds and choice on offer you can't go wrong. Why not buy the flight tickets as a pressie and make a weekend of choosing something (plus there's one or two other fun things to do in Amsterdam too!)

melpaul2002

Thanks for all the replies, especially the www links and detailed info from Chairk.

I now understand that whilst VS1 colour H is not the very best it certainly is of a high standard so i shouldnt go wrong.

Saw a shop today that had the clarity as P1 with no mention of the Vs1 Vs2 etc that has thrown me a bit.

With regard to haggling what is the accepted kinda amount for this kinda thing I dont want my opening gambit to take the ****.

What would be acceptable starting point for a £ 500 and a £ 1000 purchase.


Thanks all

[Edited by melpaul2002 - 12/21/2001 5:56:04 PM]

JoanUK300

My friends fella was in the jewel business and told me that a good
diamond should look `blue`, if you get my drift?
Take a trip to Hatton Garden, thats your best bet.
Joan.

PS. If you`ve read about my `Dodgy Hubby` I bet he don`t buy me a diamond. The mood I`m in at the moment, I`d probably tell him where to mount it.[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

MichelleWRX1994

Let me help -

P1 classification

Over-priced, looks stunning but chances are the outercoating will flake away - wait till prices drop before purchasing