The Best Place to Buy a Diamond Engagement Ring in London

You’ve decided to ask the big question to that special someone, and now you’re wondering:

 “Where is the best place to buy an engagement ring?” 

The market can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know who to trust. 

We’ve put together a UK guide to help you choose the perfect diamond engagement ring for your partner.

Where Can I Buy a Diamond Engagement Ring?

Many people have different qualities they look for in buying an engagement ring in London, from how big you want your ring, the clarity and cut of the stone, to how much it is.

In London, there is a wide selection of places you can choose from, including cheaper jewellers from high street brands such as H. Samuel, Goldsmiths and Ernest Jones.

If you’re looking for something more mid-range, there is a large selection of independent diamond stores within Hatton Garden — the heart of the diamond jewellers district. Most of the stores within Hatton Garden offer traditional engagement rings and bespoke engagement rings to choose from. Most of what Hatton Garden has to offer will be similar from store to store, so it is important to have an idea of what qualities you want from your engagement ring.

London’s Bond Street hosts a range of luxury brands from Cartier, De Beers and Tiffany’s for those with a larger budget. These often offer high-quality traditional engagement rings.

Luxury Engagement Rings

Now we know three different places to buy the perfect diamond engagement ring, let’s talk about the best place to buy one. If money isn’t an issue, then one of the best places to buy an engagement ring would be a luxury store, such as the following.

Cartier

Cartier is a French luxury goods company established in 1847. Cartier is well-known for designing, manufacturing, distributing and selling luxury jewellery and watches worldwide. 

Leading innovators within the industry, Cartier designs and expands their collection on wedding and engagement rings frequently and also hosts a different array of metal choices like White Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum, giving you plenty of choices. Cartier also stocks other precious stone rings if a traditional Cartier diamond ring isn’t for you. Cartier also sells GIA-certified diamonds.

Tiffany

Tiffany has arguably the most famous and popular setting for an engagement ring, a variant of the prong setting. 

Created by Charles Tiffany himself in the 1880s, the design is highly sought after due to its stunning design and elegance. Tiffany coined the term ‘Tiffany setting’ due to its huge popularity as a ‘multi-prong solitaire ring’. The Tiffany setting ensures the diamond is higher in the ring setting, allowing as much light as possible to refract back onto the gemstone's surface, creating an iridescent sparkle. If you would like a vintage-style ring, you cannot go wrong with a Tiffany engagement ring.

De Beers

One of the world’s leading diamond companies, De Beers is known for monopolising the diamond market. 

Established in 1888, De Beers has great expertise in the mining and trading industry of rough diamonds. De Beers was also responsible for coining the famous slogan ‘A Diamond Is Forever’. 

De Beers aimed to inspire and persuade the market that diamonds symbolise romance and that there was a correlation between the size of a diamond and a measure of a person’s love. 

The exceptional heritage that comes with De Beers also comes with a luxury price tag.

Rêve Diamonds

Rêve Diamonds is a London-based diamond manufacturing and wholesale company that provides high-quality natural and lab-grown diamonds. 

For their rarity and beauty, natural diamonds stand out. However, synthetic diamonds can be more sustainable, ethical and of better quality for a better price. 

Rêve Diamonds was the first company to introduce lab-made diamonds into the mainstream market in the UK, and we offer a unique consultation service for clients. We handcraft diamond engagement rings and wedding rings in our Hatton Garden workshop, alongside diamond pendants, bracelets and earrings. 

Explore Our Collections

Engagement Rings

Diamond Wedding Rings

Tennis Bracelets

Eternity Rings

Diamond Earrings

Diamond Pendents and Necklaces

Hatton Garden Engagement Rings

One of the best places to buy a diamond engagement ring is in London’s famed Hatton Garden. Situated within Hatton Garden are many jewellery shops and independent workshops. These range from specialising in contemporary-style engagement rings to bespoke jewellery. 

Hatton Garden has been in the centre of the jewellery trade for over 350 years. A diamond engagement ring is a big emotional and financial investment. You need to feel reassured that your diamond dealer has the relevant experience and knowledge in traditional engagement rings and fine jewellery.

The Best Online Jewellery Stores and Retailers

If you still feel that luxury and mid-range engagement rings don’t suit your needs, there are a lot of engagement rings on offer from the high street brands, such as Goldsmith’s and Ernest Jones. These stores offer a range of diamond jewellery and engagement rings at an affordable price.

Goldsmith’s

Established in 1778, Goldsmith’s is a UK based jewellery retailer. With over 120 showrooms across the UK and Northern Ireland, Goldsmiths offer a wide selection to choose from. 

Engagement rings range from under £500- £5000+, so there is something for everyone. Goldsmith’s offer Solitaire, Trilogy, Halo, Cluster and Proposal rings, with metals consisting of White Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum. 

Goldsmiths also allow you to shop by the cut of the diamond, so you can choose a ring that reflects light beautifully.

H. Samuel

H. Samuel jewellers were established in 1862 when Harriet Samuel acquired her father’s clock making and silversmith business. Today, H. Samuel is part of the Signet Group, which also own Ernest Jones, and have just over 300 stores nationally. H.Samuel offer Solitaire, Cluster, Halo and Bridal Sets rings, as well as an array of metals including White Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum. H. Samuel rings price from £100 – £1000+.

Ernest Jones

Established in 1949, Ernest Jones is a British jeweller and watchmaker with over 150 stores in the UK. Ernest Jones is a renowned diamond specialist and offers all types of diamond engagement rings from a cluster to traditional styles. They also offer metals from White Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum. Ernest Jones offers engagement rings from £150 to £1000+.

Should I Buy an Engagement Ring Online?

Buying an engagement ring online is a useful and convenient option.

But wouldn’t you prefer to see your diamond in real life?

Take into consideration the 4 C’s when buying a diamond. These include cut, clarity, carat and colour. From this, you can distinguish which is the best possible diamond for you. We recommend booking an appointment with your diamond dealer to pursue the best possible options when buying a diamond engagement ring.

Here are some things to remember when looking to buy the best engagement ring:

• Always book an appointment – See the diamond yourself, some of the best places to do this would be an independent diamond jeweller or workshop. This helps guarantee you are getting the best possible diamond.
• Make sure your diamond is GIA certified and ethically sourced (e.g. through the Kimberley Process.)
• Personal recommendations can be a good place to start, especially if you know someone who has had a recent positive experience.
• Do your research – Make sure the product you want is the best suited to your needs.

Getting married is a memorable and joyous life event. Buying an engagement ring shouldn’t be a rushed process.

A proposal is part of a celebration of love for your partner, so it’s important to make the right decision. Consulting a diamond expert can be reassuring, making that challenging choice easier.

Book a virtual or in-person appointment at Rêve Diamond’s London showroom for impeccable service and guidance in your purchase.