Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Hi, Im travelling to Dubai in July and am thinking about buying my engagement ring there, I have heard they are alot cheaper than diamond rings in Australia and fantastic quality, is this true?

Thanks!

*got my eyes peeled*

*blink blink*

Guilo2 wrote::shock: *got my eyes peeled*

*blink blink*

hahaha or is it bling bling

Susie, its true and not true. Cheaper yes, but grade and clarity doesn't compare.

Malaysia actually has diamonds with good grade and clarity at reasonable prices.

This is going to be a novice question as I know nothing about rings are you saying that a clarity of lets say F here is lower than an F in Malaysia or you just wouldn't find an F here? (substitute F for what ever a good clarity would be)

Susie, let the fiance figure it out, no?

Am in the same boat. But never felt comfortable stepping into any of the jewelers here.

Fayz: Definitely *blink blink*... considering my clueless-ness Where's a good place to look? Noticed quiet a few outlets in Mall of Emirates...

Fayz, to put things into perspective we're talking about "cheap" diamonds here. In theory what you are saying is correct, clarity or grade "X" here should be the same as found in Malaysia, or any where else in the world for that matter. But in practice QA processes are different and this process ensures quality of the diamond.

Hi,
In the gold souk you (can) get the best prices but - as stated by others - it is a souk. You have to be careful (have a good look at what you are buying) and you must deal. In the shopping malls it might be easier if you are not used to arabic business behaviour. Also in July it will be very hot here. The shops (even in the souk) are all air conditioned but in the souk the air can be almost sticky. So you might feel more comfortable in a shopping mall, where everything is air conditioned. Although it is an experiance not to be missed.
In general everything is available here. Every quality at every price. Of course better quality is a bit more expensive. Just have a look at some pieces in Australia, let them explain how you can see the clarity and then come looking here. The variaty you find here is amazing. And if you like shopping and looking around a bit it is wonderful and you will get a good deal.
I mostly met friendly guys - if you don't just leave the shop and go into another. There are so many here around! But indeed people might be friendlier to men, sometimes. So I suggest go totgether with your fiance, if possible. It's more fun anyways.
Be aware that it's the gold price that is very low here. But good quality stones have their price. But because of the mass of juwelery sold you can make really good deals.
Cheers, gokm

Gokm: You sound like someone who has had some real experience shopping for precious metals and stones here (but you've returned to Germany?)... is Tiffany's Dubai worth a serious look (standard pricing the world over?)? Wanna get something nice soon. There are many independent outlets around but there's little to assure me of quality and authenticity... am new here, so I'm hardly familiar with most names, apart from the likes of the major chains (no pun intended).

Thanks a million carats!

When you have the authentic certificate from DeBeers, there will be no difference between a diamond sold in Dubai, or Paris, or Beijing, or Beirut.

It will come down to ones negotiating skills at the end to get the better price....

I have good skills....

THe 4C's- cut, clarity, colour and no, not cost but carat weight. In my opinion, briefly colour ( unless you want a "fancy" diamond) wise go for colourless which are DEF (D being the best hence a Z is not good), for clarity look for something vvs2 up. Diamonds should come in a special container with a certificate stating all the details GIA is one such certificate and I think there are others HRD, DCLA, GSL- I can't remember what they stand for and there are probably others-I think most people have heard of GIA (I think it is American??) but they are reputable labs that give a report on the clarity etc that accompanies the diamond, but do not give the cost or value. Some jewelers will not even sell diamonds of lower grades. Hunt around at home- not the jewelery shops that put catalogues in your post box-get some prices and then compare. Jewellery here is pretty amazing!

XRW and Liban and Gabs are quite correct in their info

The diamond market in Dubai is really no cheaper than most other places in the world. De Beers certificate all their supply and are prices according to various factors detailed by Gabs. The market is strictly controlled likewise Rolex etc

However, the best diamond market for price and selection is most definately Amsterdam.

Wife has a 3 diamond ring set in platinum with a 3 carat centre and 2 outer 2 carat stones. No i am not telling you the price.

I spent 6 months searching the internet/world for the best quality and priced diamonds. If you're investing over a grand, ensure you only buy a certificated diamond. Overall I though that Antwerp to be the best, we went straight to a diamond cutting factory www.diamondworld.be

The first decision you need to make is - do you want a diamond that is colourless/no inclusions, colourless/with inclusions, coloured with no inclusions etc.. this will help you to then work out what size your budget will give you.

A good start is to find a buying guide that fully explains the 4Cs as well as certification. www.thediamondshop.co.uk has a good one.

I found my ideal engagement ring in London in Mappin Webb (quite a fancy jeweller) and was able to get almost exactly the same look/setting in Antwerp for less than half the retail price. An independant valuation confirmed the saving was genuine.

Good luck, I hope you find a gorgeous stone!

What about custom made jewellery? Is Dubai a good place for that, and do you recommend any particular jewellery makers?

After 4 years of shopping for diamonds with my mother, (and husband sometimes!!) I found the very best jeweller in Dubai is located in the Gold and Diamond Park on SHk Zayed Road.

The jeweller is called CARA JEWELLERY and the guy is called Kieran who owns the shop.

His diamonds are very good quality, and the workmanship is great.

I went to him for my diamond and white gold wedding ring.It cost us around 2000dhs?!which is about what 300 quid if Im right? Anyway when i took it to the UK and had it valued its worth 950quid!!

So thats a good deal!!!

Happy shopping!!!

I've always found going to the larger shops in the Gold Souk the best bet, and all the diamonds will be certified and come with a certificate.

Bacially you need to be good at haggling, I took a friend there recently and she broke their balls and got everything for half price.

Chocoholic wrote: all the diamonds will be certified and come with a certificate.

How sure can you be the certificate is authentic? how can you tell? is counterfeit certificates even a concern in places like the gold souk? Sorry for all the novice questions but this is all new to me and I just want to make sure I’m not taken too badly.

The authorities check the souk quite often to make sure the jewellery is of a good standard, for example it's illegal to sell anything under 18Ct gold here. And you can always check the hallmark on jewellery.

Many pieces are imported though from Germany, Italy and other countries across Europe.

Diamonds are easy to check if they're real or not using a diamond checker which bleeps when it comes into contact with the stone, all stores carry these.

Thanks

shopping for a ring fayz ?

I have to respectfully disagree with Choc. None of the imported gold is hallmaked in UAE. Gold can only be hallmarked by an "assay office". There isnt one in UAE.

Fayz, diamonds are complex in terms of what you buy, there is a difference between clarity, cut and colour.

The only official authenicity certificate is issue by De Beers. Any other form of certificate is basically worthless, unless you have it independantly checked by a specialist.

The largest reputable chain in Dubai is Damas.

who cares as long as she thinks its real

MaaaD wrote:who cares as long as she thinks its real

hahahaha I agree, Cubic Zirconia it is.

Arnie, then how come verything I've ever bought has had a hallmark on it? It's required to have one.

Chocs

You have bought Gold that has been imported from the country of the Hallmark origin that has already been "made up".

Sorry i read back my post and didnt explain well. The gold that is imported and "made up" in Dubai is not Hallmaked. Imported "jewellery is hallmarked but not all countries have "assay" offices.