Hatton garden

[RoundandSad]

Hi, sorry if this is a stupid question
I don't really understand how Hatton Garden works
Can we, as consumers just go in and buy something? It's for an anniversary and I really want to look at things with my own eyes it wouldn't be that we've got a lot to spend on it maybe £200 but I really want to see it instead of just looking online

So can we just go and look around the shops? I have looked at the website but it's not very clear and they're quite full of detailed information presumably for trade.

We would go before Christmas and have a day in London. But we wouldn't be ordering anything we would want to buy it there on the day
Thank you

Yes, they are a row of shops. You don’t need an appointment.

Thanks! Is our budget up to it?

Yes, I'm sure you'll find something in your budget. Most of the shops expect people to haggle!

What are you looking for?

I'm not sure I'm up to haggling but we will try

We both want something, so it's 200 each
I'm thinking a necklace is more likely than a ring don't like bracelets as I find them impractical

DH wants a ring because he lost his own holiday long story

I'd like a coloured gemstone, but there's not a huge amount of choice and as I say, it seems so weird to look online for stuff we live in a very quiet place so nothing really here

Thanks so much I think this will be fun

to be honest, we can spend more it's not like a really rigid thing

It is mostly diamonds. But there are all sorts including vintage. Prices can be very high, is quality stuff, whilst at good prices it’s not cheap. Just cheaper than the expensive jewellers.

Yes, it’s a road of shops, however it’s worth looking at who you want to visit, some like Berganza you do need appointments for.

I went to Hatton Garden when we were looking for my engagement ring. I'd been put in touch with a private jeweller who worked above the retail shops. He told me to look in the windows to determine what I liked and he then made it from scratch. We were shown various diamonds for the setting and he explained how some of them were more expensive (perfect) and some were cheaper because they had flaws (not visible to the naked eye but could be seen by an expert with an eyeglass). It worked out much cheaper than buying retail, but of course we had to wait for it to be made and then go back to get it. This was over 35yrs ago though.

One huge street of shops plus a load of shops down the side streets. My favourite shop is the antique one - Ullmans. I got my eternity ring there. I love antique jewellery and I got a 5 stone 2.5 carat ring for £2k. I like old rose cut diamonds and these are less fashionable now as people like that really sparkly modern cut.