Bottom Line Recommendations
- When buying a diamond in the UK, it is important to ask yourself whether you are better off buying from an online seller or a physical store. The latter have high overhead and staff costs which means that their prices are also high. We recommend buying from James Allen, Blue Nile or Whiteflash.
- Also note that when you are buying from a physical store, you will need to pay a 20% value-added tax on top of the price of the diamond.
- Many top-notch diamond sellers in the UK will offer you bespoke services. These work together with the buyers in the design process to come up with the ideal piece of jewelry. Examples include Taylor & Hart and Ingle & Rhode.
- Some stores will even stock other gemstones in case the buyer wants something else included in their jewelry than just a diamond. A good example is EC One.
- Whenever you are buying a diamond, whether online or from a physical store, always give the diamond cut first priority and then evaluate the diamond color.
What you need to know about shopping for a diamond ring in the UK
The process of buying diamonds is different from one region to the next. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to and where to buy diamonds in the UK.
London is famous as one of the major fashion capitals of the world. Its fame extends to jewelry as well. There is always something for everyone’s taste.
If you are in search of an engagement ring, there is so much to choose from which means you need to first know what you want. Otherwise, you may very well find yourself overwhelmed by all the choices.
Some sellers in London stand out and here we will take a look at some of the best diamond sellers in the English capital.
Note however that while these are physical stores, often the best place is to buy diamonds online from the leading sellers such as James Allen and the Blue Nile.
We feature some of the best stores to get quality bespoke engagement rings that offer some of the most competitive prices. And if you want something other than a diamond, you will find this too.
The Main challenge when buying diamond rings in the UK
The main challenge when searching for the perfect diamond in the UK is that some of them lack high-quality cut diamonds. And even these may tend to be a bit overpriced.
While this is not something that is unique in the UK and is found all over the world, the fact that there are high overhead and staffing costs means that it is more exaggerated in the UK.
Best places to buy diamonds online
While we will look at some of the best physical stores in the UK where you can find a quality diamond, the best places to buy a great stone is online.
We recommend James Allen, the Blue Nile or Whiteflash.
But why would you prefer to buy your diamond online? Simple! You get complete transparency throughout the buying process. Plus, they offer 360-degree videos of the stone you are interested in.
You also get great quality cut diamonds when you shop online and the prices are also significantly cheaper.
Online retailers have low overhead costs which means they can stock more. As a buyer, you can access a huge collection and pick one that best appeals to your eyes.
The Value Added Tax
When purchasing your diamonds in the UK, you will have to contend with value-added tax. This sits at a constant 20% on all purchases.
What this means is that for every piece of jewelry that you will buy, you need to add 20% on the price.
Let’s start by taking a look at some of the best physical stores to check out while shopping for a diamond in London.
Taylor a& Hart
Taylor & Hart is located at 27 Clement’s Lane, London EC4N 7AE, UK. This store was originally called Rare Pink and was rebranded to Taylor & Hart in 2016.
The store is well known among diamond enthusiasts as the best place to go for bespoke jewelry items. The designers will work with the customers to learn their personal stories. Then they will try and include the themes and ideas to the engagement rings.
What also sets Taylor & Hart apart is their competitive prices. A buyer can get a great piece starting from 1,500 pounds or around $1,950. The buyers and customers will be involved in the design process and their input is highly valued.
But it doesn’t end there. You can also contact Taylor & Hart via email, live chat, WhatsApp as well as video call and are well known for their excellent customer service.
And to top it all off, every ring that you purchase from the company will feature a ruby inside that serves as a memento.
Berganza
Berganza is located at 88-90 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8PN, UK. You can find them right at the center of Hatton Garden. This one is for the modern stylish couple who still want something vintage, elegant and unique.
You can find traditional pieces including Georgian, Byzantine, Edwardian, Victorian as well as Art Deco pieces. If this is what interests you, then you will be pleased to know that Berganza stock some of the largest antique jewelry in the world.
You can also buy your jewelry from their website which looks modern intuitive and easy to navigate. Here you can access 360-degree videos of their diamonds.
Ingle & Rhode
Ingle & Rhode is situated in 14 Gee’s CT, Marylebone, London W1U IJW, UK. The company was founded in 2006 and they pride themselves in selling ethically sourced jewelry.
They use metal that has been recycled and their diamonds are conflict-free. All the jewelry is created in the UK.
If you prefer to buy your diamonds online, you can do so through their website. However, you can also go to their physical store. If you opt for the latter, however, you need to book an appointment as there is no open storefront.
What’s more, is that Ingle & Rhode will also work with the customer to create bespoke pieces of jewelry. Even if you cannot visit their physical location, you can still communicate using phone or email.
EC One
EC One is Located in 41 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4QL, UK. The company is known for its unique and exquisite designs. They also use ethically sourced diamonds and farm mined gold.
You can also find many other different gemstones which include tanzanite, topaz, sapphire, emerald, and aquamarine.
And if you want a ring that is custom made, contact them through phone or email. You will work with designers to get the perfect piece for you.
That said, the website is not as intuitive and user-friendly and it’s perhaps best to buy directly from the store.
Lewis Malka
Find Lewis Malka at 100 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8NX, UK. This Jewelry store gets its name from the founder and is a great choice when you want bespoke diamond rings.
And while it is easy to think that the prices are expensive, the reality is that almost everyone can get a unique diamond at the prices they can afford.
Lewis Malka himself will personally develop and create the pieces that are ordered by his clients. He will also inspect every jewelry piece to ensure quality before the customer receives it.
You can go to their website and take a look at their rings and find one that is most appealing to you as well as getting inspiration on what you want to find. Note however that Lewis Malka does not sell online so you will need to contact them through phone or email.
There are great customer service and support at Lewis Malka and you can rest easy with your new jewelry knowing that the diamonds are conflict-free.
Vashi
You can find Vashi at 46 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0DS, UK as well as 13A Grafton Street Mayfair, London W1S 4ES.
If you are a lover of vintage diamond ring designs, then Vashi is a great place to begin your search.
They are well known in London for their large collection of jewelry items and readymade engagement rings. You can see their products online through their website.
The great thing with buying from Vashi is that they can cater to different budgets. This means that you will find something for you.
They also have plenty of options for your diamond settings and sometimes will offer unique designs that you may not find in most other physical stores in London.
And let’s not forget that Vashi also offers bespoke designs where the buyer works closely with the designers to create a unique ring and one that tells a story.
77 Diamonds
Find them at 3 Hanover Square, Mayfair, London W1S 1HD, UK. What sets them apart is their ability to provide customers with great value for their money while also maintaining high standards. They can offer such competitive prices since they get their diamonds from global diamond cutters.
Customers also get a price guarantee by going above a price match and will go 1% cheaper in case a buyer finds a similar diamond elsewhere.
You can get luxurious experiences at a much more affordable price. You can even purchase your diamond online as the website is easy to navigate and functional. This makes it easier for buyers to find their ideal diamond
77 diamonds have 6 main types of rings. These include solitaire, bespoke, trilogy, diamond band, vintage, and halo.
If you want a custom-made ring, you can contact 77 diamonds. You will be involved in the whole design process from beginning to end to ensure you get your perfect engagement ring.
Diamond Boutique
You can locate Diamond Boutique at 34S Molton St, Mayfair, and London W1K 5RG, UK. The name of this store can fool you into thinking that they only stock diamonds. However, they have a collection of different gemstones which are a great choice when you want to buy something different from a diamond.
You can also view their collection of pre-designed engagement rings. However, if you want something more and something unique, you can contact them for bespoke services. Start by checking out their free sketch step-by-step process and come up with your unique design.
You can find a huge range of engagement ring options at Diamond Boutique. And the great thing is that you can get them at some of the most competitive prices in London.
Many customers are in awe of the attention to detail and the quality of their craftsmanship.
Stephen Einhorn
Find Stephen Einhorn at 210 Upper St, London N1 IRL, UK. They stock contemporary pieces and custom-made jewelry. The company was founded in 1995, and also has a wide range of different gemstones, shapes, and metals to choose from.
There is something for every diamond shopper at Stephen Einhorn. You can find traditional and vintage designs as well as modern skulls rings. They also stock rings that are designed to cater to the LGBT community.
You can rest easy with your new stone knowing that ethically sourced jewelry and metals were used.
Customers also get personalized services and once the design of your ring is completed, it will proceed to be handcrafted by a highly skilled team of jewelers.
If you are on the other side of the world, do not worry as you can still get custom rings through the Stephen Einhorn website. Here you can also view many different designs of pre-made rings.
Stephen Einhorn boasts top-notch work and designs and you can begin to appreciate this once you see what is on offer through their website.