Posted by
Red Setter
19 yrs ago
Hi, I've just arrived in HK,from Ireland, via Bahrain, Bangkok, on my way to China.
I want to buy a diamond engagement ring. European VAT put me off Ireland, high duty-free prices in Bahrain and uncertain quality in Bangkok.
So I have three days in Hong Kong
My budget is Euro 1,000. Where do you recommend I go in HK to buy my ring. I really want to buy from a reliable seller, who understanding my plight (know nothing/have no time to research the four Cs/want to unveil the ring next Wednesday evening ;-)) will recommend the best value.
HELP!!!
TIA
Red Setter
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AYM
19 yrs ago
Agree with Pinkstone, Chow Tai Fook is good.
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You cannot buy a diamond without knowing about the 4 Cs unless all you want is a flash rock, in which case go for cubic zirconia. And you MUST NOT BUY a diamond without a GIA certificate.
Diamonds 101: The 4 Cs
Colour - The colour of a diamond refers to the relative amount of yellow, brown or grey a stone possesses. The GIA scale starts at 'D' which is colourless (more expensive) to 'Z' which has a yellow, brown or grey colour.
Clarity - Nearly all diamonds have inclusions, little internal characteristics in them. These do not matter if you can not see them at 10X magnification. Clarity ranges from Flawless, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, SI3, I1, I2, I3.
With I3 you might be able to see the flaw with the naked eye and this would affect its durability (diamonds are hard but they can shatter).
Carat - Weight. One carat weights 1 gram. [Correction Five carats = 1 gram]
One carat = 100 points. O.50 carat = 50 points.
Cut - Probably the most important C. It has been mathematically determined the optimum percentages for the ideal cut for maximum brilliance and dispersion. Too large a table (the flat bit on the top) and even the most perfect stone will not reflect light well and will appear flat. The table, for example, should be 53% of the total width of the diamond.
Here is a GIA Certificate from a Mabelle diamond ring.
http://hk.mabellelife.com/images/products/cert/D00229R-18KW.jpg
Although the clarity (VS1) and colour (E) are not bad, the table at 55% is a little too large, as is the depth of 63.1% (should be 59.3%). The culet is good because None is the ideal. A large or extremely large culet is not acceptable.
See how it compares to this one.
http://hk.mabellelife.com/images/products/cert/F03169R-18KW.jpg
Remember, an engagement ring is meant to last forever. A little knowledge before buying one will help you select a diamond which will always grace her finger.
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Try D'Alejo in Central, www.dalejo.com or 2521-2238. You want a nice ring!
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ceeh
19 yrs ago
Another reliable, honest jeweller is Premier Jewellers in the Mall of the Holiday Inn, (Golden Mile) Nathan Road, TST, Kowloon. Give them an estimation of your budget then stick to what you want to spend. They are a family business and have been trading for many years.
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One carat does NOT equal to 1 gram. it is more like 1/5 of a gram.
A budget of EUR 1k, really is too low for a diamond ring worth keeping. You should consider a sapphire or ruby ring. (Princess Di's engagement ring was a sapphire ring.)
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Oops a typo. Five carats = 1 gram.
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Well the DeBeers' "A Diamond is Forever" is just a clever marketing ploy which harkens back some 50 years to when the market slumped.
If Red Setter is popping the question to someone who has fallen for the line, then it has to be a diamond...
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Thank you all for the excellent advice, and for your congratulations..
I feel like a bit of a cheapskate, as my impression is that HK$10,000 wont buy me a diamond ring of quality?
Claire / Moonshine can I ask your opinions of colour/clarity/cut I should be looking for at my budget?
A number of you have recommended Chow Lai Fook, while also saying that non-trad shopping area locations (outside the Nathan/ Causeway Bay to Central district) /non street level are the places to purchase from.
Are Chow Tai Fook prices in say Tai koo Shing going to be cheaper than in Centra/ or Wanchai?
I'm not really a cheapskate, do want to buy a ring that is a life keep, but think that HK$10,000 plus is a little over the top when the excess could be spent on a nice holiday...
Plan to purchase in the morning, pending the advice here, or else on Tuesday morning.
Thank you all again...
Red Setter
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Red> It's a bit of a Hong Kong thing. Here size matters. The diamond oneupmanship I have witnessed here is not terribly attractive. This is why many places in HK don't have a decent range of smaller diamonds.
First is cut. The right cut makes a diamond catch the light and truly sparkle. This applies no matter the shape of the cut.
Print this out for the ideal proportions for a round cut.
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/round.asp
Next is colour. Ona smaller diamond it is harder to notice colour, and also harder to notice on a brilliant (round) cut. It is easier to see the colour of a diamond in a white setting (platinum or white gold). It can be a trade off, i.e. a diamond with more colour for a better cut. Even down to a G, she will be unlikely to notice the very slight colour, unless comparing it with others - but maybe not even then. But if she likes warmer colours, you can go yellower.
Clarity: Unless she has very good eyesight, a VS2 should be ok. Aim for a VS1 if you can but even an S1 can be fine.
Finally, a setting you think she will like. A simple elegant is lovely. A princess cut (square) can chip. A round cut is, dare I say, easier to resell.
If you go into a jeweller armed with this kind of information they will hopefully not muck you about. Obviously the big names won't, but if you say you want, for example, a round brilliant cut diamond, between D and G colour, no less than a S1, you'll sound knowledgable.
BTW, I don't the current prices in HK so I couldn't say what size you would get for your budget. But it won't be a "Ratner's".
For helpful attention, Lane Joaillier is excellent and I know they have had satisfied UK customers with UK budgets. They are in Prince's Building, Central. Call for opening hours. Tel: 2869 8819.
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kram
19 yrs ago
If you want to get a feel of how the different Cs change price, try out the diamond selector at bluenile.com......
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oo113
19 yrs ago
Hey Red
Very interesting stuff this.
I have to say I'm not a size queen but frankly I think your budget may be too a bit low for a diamond ring.
I think the coloured stone idea is a really good one and so is the suggestion that you have a look round the Prince's Building. For coloured stones have a look in Tayma Fine Jewellery on the 2nd or the 3rd floor.
Or, completely out-there idea maybe, but how about a pearl or pearl-and-diamond ring? Wai Kee in the Prince's Building on the 1st floor are doing deals on South Sea pearls at the moment. They're not as durable as diamonds (ie they will mark if you bash them) but they are beautiful.
Lane Crawford in the IFC also has a fine jewellery section with some interesting stuff. Like the Prince's Building places, even if you don't buy anything there the staff are v helpful and it will give you an idea of prices.
Best of luck, would love to hear what you decide to go for.
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kram
19 yrs ago
FWIW, I picked up my first diamond ring for around 1200US - or just shy of HKD 10k. Bought it online at bluenile.com. Looks like a good diamong ring to me. Yeah, it doesnt turn heads, but I paid my De Beers due with it....
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@@
19 yrs ago
I like to use Rebecca Shop in the Marco Polo hotel in TST (opposite GOD).
She will not try and blow you off no matter what your budget and is very honest.
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