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mods, please could you keep this on the bike forum please?
put this on the bike forum on purpose, as mrs expunk reads the chat forum, and its for a birthday pressie. she wouldnt dream of reading on here. i hope 🙂
anyways, she wants a diamond necklace. single stone princess cut on a thin yellow gold chain, not white. been up town looking in the usual suspects, and narrowed it down i think, to ernest jones shop, which was recommended as decent quality stuff.
lass behind the counter showed me some, and said they were a bit cheaper as they were 'uncertificated'? they didnt have any certificated ones in that style.
i didnt know any better and asked why so, and she explained that they would still be the same quality, but just no certificate to say so.
does this sound right? id be a bit suspect if it was a back street shop or somethings, but EJ seem to have a good rep?
or any other places i could try?
cheers
[i]put this on the bike forum on purpose, as mrs expunk reads the chat forum, and its for a birthday pressie. she wouldnt dream of reading on here. i hope... [/i]
...bit of a gamble !!
Sorry, I'd love to help but my expertise is in pearl necklaces....
IGMC
certifcation adds to the cost of diamonds - uncertified may well be good but who is to tell as they have not been assessed.
also certification is not just a good/bad test diamonds are graded due to number of imperfections, clarity, size and colour...
as for a supplier you will be better off finding a decent local jewellery designer and or shop/gallery rather than going to ernest jones - you will get something less generic etc though princess cut and gold chain is quite trad, also need to look at the gold in terms of purity, 9ct is hard wearing and cheaper where as 18ct is nicer, stays cleaner but more prone to marking etc and costs more - 14ct is common in the states as a compromise
where are you based?
ta, im in lincoln mate 🙂
The retail mark-up is enormous. So much so that unless you can get over to Birmingham and mooch around the jewellery quarter I would seriously consider a weekend for 2 in Amsterdam (diamond capital of the world) and get one there. Overall cost would be the same if you're after a big rock.
nah nowt as pricey as that 🙂
£400/£500 mebbes?
Second the jewellery quarter. Lincoln isn't that far from Brum, and you will get much, much more for your money.
no chance of getting over there next week so no time really. would i still be able to buy from brum shops online? any good links?
ta 🙂
chrissyboy - Member
Sorry, I'd love to help but my expertise is in pearl necklaces....
Only two posts before this topic was hijacked from expensive diamond necklaces to pearl necklaces 🙄
Uncertified can be cheaper, as it costs to get them certified, but you don't have a garuantee of the diamonds quality. The main thing however is what the diamond looks like - does it sparkle beautifully? Does it look clear and white?
When I was buying my wifes engagement ring I did a ton of research, but whilst men can easily get hung up on certification and the four A's women tend mainly to want one that looks lovely.
One shop tried to sell me a huge diamond, but it was dull and yellow and looked awful.
A certified diamond, gets you a certificate!! But you don't wear a certificate do you? A diamond from a hight st jeweller like Earnest Jones won't be a fake. The sort of quality you should be looking for is VSII (very slight inclusions but only visible under 10x magnification) with a colour of G - this will be a pretty good diamond - though £400 won't get you a very big one.
ta, im in lincoln mate
oh was going to suggest Jon Dibben Jewellers just south of Guildford (Smithbrook Kilns). very good and nice range (own design plus others) plus bespoke.
might be a bit far - sure the will be some local designers to Lincoln
VVSI, Colour E or better (D), Brilliant Cut. THE END. 🙄
The high street generally have between 175% & 200% mark up!!! FACT!
Ask if you can see it under a microscope & watch them panic.....
chappelle jewelery stores do some nice diamonds.
The high street generally have between 175% & 200% mark up!!! FACT!
and the rest - i have an account with Cookson Gold (was exchange findings) you should see how much hallmarked wedding bands are trade as opposed to the shop!
ps anyone can get an account with Cooksons.
Good Job all mine are trade then eh 😆 .............. 😉
Not read all the responses so exxcuse me if I repeat some of the above
Spending £400/£500 on an uncertificated diamond is a bit daft sorry but you could be(and will more than likely be) getting something that is worth nothing from Earnest Jones or the like.
If you want a piece of jewellery that is good and worth something (Also for insurance reasons) get a certified diamond and a valuation cert. The diamond cert will also state where the diamond has originated from and along with the colour/inclusions etc.
If you were to use the jewellery quarter there are some good bargains to be had along with some really poor quality items that will get passed off as good. They are wise to people heading down there for a bargain with no experience!
My wife is a jewller and can design and get made what ever you like, we can source certified diamonds and supply you with valuation certs within your budget. Feel free to drop me an email if you want to talk more.
Good Luck