Message from Ebooom.com: A Rising Star in Lab-Grown Diamonds
If you're looking for an unforgettable shopping experience when buying diamonds, a trip to Hong Kong will surely satisfy you. As a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures, Hong Kong offers a shopping experience like no other. Over the past decade, Hong Kong's diamond industry has rapidly developed, and today, this bustling city rivals New York in diamond trade.
Hong Kong boasts some high-profile venues and expensive retailers, making it a hot spot for luxury shopping experiences. But does this mean it's a good place to buy diamonds? This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Pros of Buying Diamonds in Hong Kong
As always, let's start with some positive aspects of the diamond shopping experience in Hong Kong.
Exceptional Luxury Experience:
If money is no object, there's an opportunity to enjoy a truly extraordinary experience at high-end luxury retailers. Harry Winston, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co all have exquisite stores in Hong Kong, each one brimming with the opulence you'd expect from these brands. I must emphasize the word "experience"; if you've read my reviews of these companies, you'll know the prices are incredibly high, and you can find diamonds of equal or better quality online for just a fraction of the cost.
Variety of Retailers:
Hong Kong has a vast number of diamond retailers; from high-end brands to local names like Chow Tai Fook and independent jewelers, there are plenty of options to choose from. This abundance allows you to shop around and compare offerings.
Vibrant City:
Hong Kong is an incredibly cool city. If you love hustle, bustle, and bright lights, you'll be captivated by the city's incredible atmosphere. If you find a great diamond, it will come with fond memories of the place.
For me, this is where the positives end. Hong Kong presents all the typical issues of in-store/diamond district shopping, along with some unique problems, which we'll explore next.
Cons of Buying Diamonds in Hong Kong
Here are my main concerns when it comes to buying diamonds in Hong Kong:
Lack of Emphasis on Cut Quality:
While many salespeople are friendly, there's a noticeable lack of knowledge about diamond quality. In the worst cases, the information provided is completely incorrect. The only retailer that has demonstrated a thorough understanding of diamond quality is Harry Winston—even Cartier has shown worrying gaps in employee education regarding cut quality.
Cultural Differences in Purchasing Diamonds:
Throughout Asia, there's a significant emphasis on clarity or "purity." While I advocate for focusing on cut quality (the most important quality aspect), I acknowledge that personal preferences play a role. Remember, for most buyers, eye-clean is the goal, and pursuing the highest clarity grades can lead to substantial price increases for things that are invisible to the naked eye.
Aggressive Upselling:
High-pressure sales tactics and upselling can ruin any shopping experience, and in Hong Kong's competitive market, the pressure to close a deal is palpable. This can lead to rushed decisions and overspending.
Use of IGI Reports:
Hong Kong jewelers primarily use GIA and IGI for diamond lab reports. While GIA's credibility is impeccable, IGI diamonds often have inflated and inconsistent grades—hence, I do not recommend them. Ignore the sales pitch and only accept diamonds certified by GIA or AGS.
Lack of Documentation:
Shoppers have reported instances where diamonds are sold as having hearts and arrows patterns without any images or performance reports to back up the claim. Upon closer inspection, many of these diamonds lack the perfect symmetry we desire and do not exhibit the hearts and arrows pattern.
Should You Buy Diamonds in Hong Kong?
If you possess extensive knowledge and are confident in your ability to evaluate diamonds using only a jeweler's loupe, you can indeed find a hidden gem among the many jewelry stores in Hong Kong. However, if you are that confident, you probably aren't reading this page! Most buyers will find the purchasing experience challenging, and opting to buy online can easily avoid these issues.
Disclaimer: The above is based on personal travel and purchasing experiences and should be referenced with caution!