pauljoels
09-07-2009, 11:25 PM
I'm effectively a hobbyist silver/goldsmither, and make lots of pieces for friends and family. I am doing a stone setting course very soon and would like to know the best place to buy diamonds at the best rates. As a hobbyist I do not have a company registration or anything like that and I realise that limits me to where I can purchase my stones from...
I have been in touch with wholesalers in London, Germany and Antwerp and effectively had the same response from each - unless I can prove I am a legitimate company I cannot purchase diamonds from them. (Btw, I have purchased a couple from Cooksons in the past, but want to have a full choice and be able to consider all the C's depending on budgets). The more frustrating thing is that all of them gave me access to their systems so I was able to view all the trade prices etc, and now I know what price they should be I am loath to go to jewellers in the quarter or elsewhere for that matter as I know I am paying much more than I 'could be'.
Is there any way of buying diamonds at near true trade rates, without being a proper company as I do not want this hassle as I am not selling, but merely wanting to make quality pieces for my own hobby?
Or without sounding too cheeky, and because I don't believe you get without asking, is there someone on here who can help me out, and purchase on my behalf with minimal mark-up for time spent buying etc?
I have been in touch with wholesalers in London, Germany and Antwerp and effectively had the same response from each - unless I can prove I am a legitimate company I cannot purchase diamonds from them. (Btw, I have purchased a couple from Cooksons in the past, but want to have a full choice and be able to consider all the C's depending on budgets). The more frustrating thing is that all of them gave me access to their systems so I was able to view all the trade prices etc, and now I know what price they should be I am loath to go to jewellers in the quarter or elsewhere for that matter as I know I am paying much more than I 'could be'.
Is there any way of buying diamonds at near true trade rates, without being a proper company as I do not want this hassle as I am not selling, but merely wanting to make quality pieces for my own hobby?
Or without sounding too cheeky, and because I don't believe you get without asking, is there someone on here who can help me out, and purchase on my behalf with minimal mark-up for time spent buying etc?