Where in London does one go for antique diamond earrings?

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I love the idea of having an old pair because of the history behind them and hoped I might get more for my money this way. Are Burlington Arcade shops very expensive? Or would I be better having something made in Hatton Gdn? Does Hatton Gdn also sell antique jewellery?

Bonhams auctioneers, they get amazing jewellery and you will get it at a fraction of the price of somewhere like Hatton Garden. You may need to keep an eye on their lots over a few weeks/months until you see something you like, but that is all part of the fun.

They have an office in Knightsbridge, they do viewings I think the weekend before the auctions, which are then on a Wednesday. You can bid in person or on the phone.

I got my engagement ring there, made in 1889, 1.75 carats for about a third of the price of the the 0.5carat little solitaries we were looking at in Hatton garden!

Good luck.

Ps I personally don't understand the attraction of Hatton garden. When we were there we found them all really pushy, eg offering huge discounts but then being really aggressive and saying the same deal wouldn't be available the next day. We had only got engaged that morning and went ring shopping and obviously didn't want to rush into a decision. They seemed like a load of overpriced cowboys to me!

Sunny Totally with you on Hatton Garden. It all seems a bit dodgy and seedy.

OP you might also like to take a look at Fellows auctions who have regular sales and often have some lovely stuff.

Grays Antiques off Oxford street near Bond Street tube, lots of treasures to be found there.

I know it's a train ride away, but have you thought about coming down to Brighton? We have masses of jewellers in the Lanes selling both new and antique jewellery. Plenty of choice and a lot of competition too, which is never a bad thing.

I second greys antiques market. The perfect place to browse for antique jewellery IMO. A bit like antiquarius used to be on the kits road before they turned it into an Anthropologie

I second Brighton.

Well, I will go against the trend and say I bought the most beautiful diamond bracelet in an antique shop in Hatton Garden for (at least what I thought was) a really good price! It's a fraction of what I would have paid in a jewellery shop and absolutely beautiful!

My antique engagement ring is from Berganza, who only deal in antique jewellery - Hatton Garden.

Bonhams are pretty good though - back in the days when I did probate I have sent quite a bit of stuff there and they have told me in the past that there is no market for second hand jewellery so it sells much more cheaply than the equivalent metal and stone would sell if it was new. So it would be a good bet for a bargain!