To Dubai or not to Dubai

18 May 2008 669 views No Comment

I had lunch with my friends today. This was our first time out with our friends since the announcement of my engagement so I got lots of hugs and kisses. Everyone wanted to see my ring, which I didnt have, so I mumbled on about how it takes 2 months to make the ring for me as my finger sizes is too small. Secretly, I wished I had my ring to dazzle into everyones eyes. I compared my finger to other girls and just realised that some girls have even smaller fingers than me! Mine is a size 4.5 or 47 (I cant remember exact numbers) and the default ring size is much too big at a size 6.

The last few days I have been looking online at other people’s blogs and discussion boards on where diamond rings are made. I have read that Antwerp and South Africa has the cheapest diamond in the world. I also read many people discussing Dubai as a cheaper and smarter alternative. Diamonds are cheaper and also the labour is not expensive, making it an ideal place to buy and make your own engagement rings. There were accounts of people who had designed their own ring and had it made within 3-4 days.

One of these places is Cara. I’ve been emailing their representative Kiran and he’s been really helpful and quick to respond. There were posts from other people who had brought back items from Dubai to have them valued and realised that they got a bargain. Someone also mentioned that the UK Customs Officials would be reading these posts and would, in the future, check all British couples leaving Dubai!

Since I have never met anyone who actually did buy a ring in Dubai, I’m quite skeptical. But my friend’s sister who is in the diamond trading business did confirm that diamond prices are cheaper in Dubai. A friend at lunch also confirmed that the quality of jewelry from Dubai is very high. I guess the workmanship costs so high in the UK that the total cost of the ring ends up becoming overpriced. My fiance is still a skeptic. He’d rather have me buy the Tiffany ring than go to Dubai. I’m determined to change his mind… of course, I wouldn’t mind a holiday in the process of making my ring!