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Original poster

Did you get your engagement ring made in Hatton Garden?

85 replies

DietofWorms · 08/02/2014 13:18

If so, where did you go?

Recently got engaged and have heard that getting it made in Hatton Garden would be cheaper than buying in a high street shop (also the style I want - three equal-sized stones in a row - doesn't seem that popular at the mo). We live in London anyway.

But what's the deal? I assume some places are literally just wholesale jewellers and you have to know your shiz re gems to go there, but some are more like independent jewellers for consumers.

I have googled, but they don't all seem to have websites and some of the websites that are up aren't that helpful.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

OP posts:

cardamomginger · 09/02/2014 14:30

Clive Ross Field at Eric Ross in Hatton Garden. He didn't make my engagement ring, but made a half eternity ring for me. Lovely man, lovely shop.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 09/02/2014 14:47

Can't remember the name of the design studio (office not shop based) that we used in Hatton Garden, but I had three stones and they're all certified.
I spent ages making sure they were all a good match from the details given on line.
The mount was a standard one, not handmade and what I did find is that the very same stones were on other websites, but the people we went to gave us a much better price.

I had to wait while the stones were then bought in. I remember one was in New York, can't remember where the others were located. But it goes to show you that shopping around does pay.

Obviously in the case of antique jewellery you have to be bound as to who has the stock.

WalkingThePlank · 09/02/2014 14:53

We bought mine from a shop in Hatton Garden. Went to almost every shop and tried on about 12 rings. Narrowed it down to 2 rings from 2 shops and spent ages flitting between the 2 shops.

The ticket price is not what you pay. It is expected that they will take off about 25% so don't be too limited by your budget.

Have fun choosing.

cheeseandpineapple · 09/02/2014 15:36

Another vote for Clive at Eric Ross, he knows what he's doing. My engagement ring was stolen, we had insurance money to replace it but not enough to replace everything that was stolen so whilst I had a good budget, the more I spent on the ring, the less I'd have for replacing other valuables.

We traipsed around virtually every shop in Hatton Garden but ended up getting the perfect ring at Eric Ross, very competitive on prices and when I told Clive how I wanted it set, he said the stone would look better the other way (radiant cut, 8 sides). I was convinced I knew better, but when I collected the ring, it didn't look right, Clive was right, it did look better the other way, they took it straight up to their studio and changed it on the spot. I love the new ring, never thought I'd find anything to replace the original but I actually prefer my new one.

We chose a stone and then had it set as I knew exactly which setting I wanted.

Congrats on your engagement! Personally would opt for platinum over gold.

www.ericross.co.uk/

Ben, Clive's son is also v good if Clive's not available.

sarahandmallard · 09/02/2014 15:49

The bit that put me off antique rings was their price. The very nice lady off bond street that told me she couldn't possibly spend a couple of hundred pounds to get each diamond evaluated in her rings so she couldn't say what quality the diamond was. Yet she was asking £5k for a ring, which was comparable to what a new one cost (which did come with a certificate that told me what the diamond was worth). I was left with the impression I was paying for sentimentality. I found the antique rings also had quite thin worn out bands and didn't really get a great response when I asked how to go about repairing that. I was, however, snootily told that I'm paying for "one of a kind". So I snootily replied the jeweller down in Hatton Gardens would probably disagree and be able to make a very good copy of any design.

pippop1 · 09/02/2014 15:55

I had my ring made at Eric Ross by Clive around 30 years ago. It's still lovely.

jumperooo · 09/02/2014 16:03

Having one made by Catherine Budd

Jewels234 · 09/02/2014 20:27

Yes! Ace of Diamonds :) It's beautiful and their service has been great x

mrscumberbatch · 09/02/2014 20:32

Hello again!

If you are interested in antique or second hand then the stone quality will/should be indicated in the price.

I don't send stones off for certification but I can grade them by eye (generally).

The joy of antique or 2nd hand is that you can get some really unusual old cuts that just aren't done often anymore. Theres been a few occasions where I have found a cracking stone in a naff ring. Haggled it down and had it reset.

2nd jewellery can be different from new as the wholesale vs RRP thing is quite irrelevant. Often shops will buy in a ring at a fair price of, say, £2k, and sell for £2,5k. It's nowhere near as good a markup as on new items but emphasis is on quick turnover. So they are usually happier to haggle as they'd rather recoup the funds they paid out.

If you see anything while you're out browsing, take a picture and a note of the cost and feel free to message me on here.
Obviously I can't be wholly accurate looking at a picture but I can tell you if it's a rip off or not

mrscumberbatch · 09/02/2014 20:33

Also Sarahandmallard, she sounds like a right piece of work!

Make sure any refurb costs are agreed at the time or factored into the price. Anywhere that doesn't 'accept' hagglers- dont bother.

Original poster

DietofWorms · 09/02/2014 23:23

Wow, thanks mrscumberbatch I will remember that and pm you if I see anything in particular.

And thanks everyone else - I've got so much choice now I don't know what to do (except get really overexcited, obviously).

OP posts:

Mitchell2 · 09/02/2014 23:25

Raphael, engagement and wedding rings. They weren't the cheapest but they had the best selection of diamonds at the time that we were looking for. Good craftsman ship and nice people.

VikiSun · 07/01/2015 19:44

I would recommend Ivan Dvorak Jewellery- you deal directly with a designer Zuzana or Ivan, who actually make the piece of bespoke jewellery for you. I wanted unique and modern engagement ring, after the discussion they sketch out various lovely designs for me, after chosing one they made a wax model so I could see it before work begin. The ring they designed and made for me is absolutely gorgeous and I love it!

SingSongSlummy · 07/01/2015 19:57

We had a great experience with Jade Jewellers in Hatton Gardens. DH chose my lovely and unusual engagement ring there and we returned to get our bespoke wedding rings made there. They were great for a bit of bargaining too!

mowglik · 07/01/2015 20:58

I got mine made at Hatton gardens by a long time retailer there (pm me for name) and they completely botched it. It was a Tiffany halo style ring and the diamonds set around the side were wonky and the whole shape was wonky! I was so shocked I didn't say anything on the day but went back the next day and told them I'd like a refund.

They were pretty keen to keep our business though and offered us the wedding rings free of charge (£2k) if we let them fix the ring but since it was so close to the date I didn't want to risk it.

In the end I went to a local jeweller who also had a Hatton garden shop and got mine made there - gorgeous ring hand made but perfect to the eye. I've had a couple more pieces made by him too to my spec and he's been spot on every time! Highly recommended - Martin Oliva in South Woodford London.

WinterFire · 07/01/2015 21:04

What sort of budget are people talking? (Sorry to hijack) I'm looking for another ring, but wouldn't want to embarrass myself if I can't afford what they are asking. It's always difficult to talk money!

bluewisteria · 07/01/2015 21:04

Try Berganza in HattonGarden, they have stunning rings, 3 stone diamond ones or a different central stone with flanking diamonds, lots of gold setting too. Great website to see them on before a trip.

Congratulations and good luck choosing!

mowglik · 07/01/2015 21:04

Oo reading back other comments I see the shop that botched my ring are mentioned - maybe it was a solitaire purchased as they don't (or didn't) seem to do fancy ring designs well

I see you might be after secondhand rings -
Austin Kaye in the strand do lovely rings (mainly watches but also some diamond rings) and they are very nice and will give a good discount!

CharlieSierra · 07/01/2015 21:12

I got my rings from Diamondgeezer.com. Much better choice than that cool diamonds site I just looked at, loads of diamonds, fantastic service and workmanship and they do palladium which is a similar price to white gold but looks and wears like platinum, so you can spend a bit more on the stones.

Lndnmummy · 07/01/2015 22:18

I can whole heartedly recommend the jewellery quarter in bham too. Despite living in london we went there after recommendations from a family friend.

I am so pleased with my ring and the price was under budget too.
I just want a plain rose gold band for my wedding ring and wont bother go to bham just for that though but if I ever get an eternity ring I will def go back.

Shakey1500 · 07/01/2015 22:24

Mine was made by a friend of DH's who worked in Hatton garden at the time. I got to pick my diamond from a handful, gave him a basic design and voila. I have no idea how much it cost

libbii · 08/01/2015 10:22

I also went to the diamond shop in Hatton garden to make our engagement rings. Then we went back for our wedding rings, we did an all day workshop making each other's rings from scratch. With lunch and fizz. Highly Recommended!!

Deux · 08/01/2015 10:33

Another cool diamonds customer here. In fact we were one of their first customers. I have an amazing stone in my ring and didn't have to pay the markup of a high street jeweller.

In fact when it was valued for insurance purposes, it's value was almost 5 times the actual cost! It's a certificated diamond.

So you can get a lot more ring for your budget if you avoid the high street.

slug · 08/01/2015 11:14

I had mine made by these people They worked from a sketch of DH's and made something original, wearable and surprisingly affordable.

minibmw2010 · 08/01/2015 12:03

We had our rings made by an independent jeweller in Clerkenwell Green (just up the road from Hatton Garden) and he's lovely. We had our wedding rings and my eternity ring made there too. Mine is a 3 stone emerald cut platinum ring. PM if you'd like his details.

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