How it works
How it works: clear terms, careful hands.
How buying a diamond privately with Gem House works – what it does, how it’s charged, and where your stone is at every step.
Adviser and supplier, openly
Gem House advises you on what to buy and supplies it. Elloise sources the stone, holds it, takes it to the manufacturer, collects the finished piece and delivers it to you. Because Gem House earns a margin on what it supplies, that margin is shown to you in writing, alongside every fee, before you commit.
Fees
Service
How it is charged
Sourcing
A flat brief fee, credited against a sourcing fee (a percentage of the stone's price) if you buy. The stone is supplied at a disclosed margin over trade price.
Engagement rings
Sourcing fees for the stone, plus a design fee and a disclosed margin on manufacture
Bespoke
A design fee, plus a disclosed margin on manufacture
Selling and consignment
A flat listing fee, plus a commission on sale
Valuations
A flat fee per item
Prices are quoted on enquiry and there is no minimum budget. Your written quote shows every figure, including delivery and insurance.
Deposits and payment
A deposit is taken before any stone is purchased or any manufacture begins, and the balance is due before dispatch. The amount and the terms that apply to it are set out in your quote. Payment is by bank transfer or card, through a secure online invoice. For your security, bank details are only ever sent on a Gem House invoice; if you receive a message asking you to pay elsewhere, call Elloise before you pay.
What a report confirms
What a report can't tell you
Significant diamonds come with an independent grading report from a recognised laboratory such as GIA or IGI, and fine coloured stones with reports that address identity, treatment and, where possible, origin. Elloise's part is to judge the second list as carefully as the laboratory has judged the first.
Identity: what the stone is, and whether it is natural or laboratory-grown
Weight, measurements and, for diamonds, colour, clarity and cut grades
Detectable treatments
Geographic origin, for coloured stones where a laboratory can determine it
Whether the stone is beautiful in person, or right for you
Whether the price is fair
How it will look once set, or wear over time
Where your stone is
Stage
Where it is
How it is recorded
Secured
With the supplier, reserved against your deposit
Written confirmation and report details
Received
In Gem House's care
Checked against its report, photographed, logged
At the bench
With the manufacturer
Photographed handover, signed receipt
Finished
Back in Gem House's care
Inspected and photographed
Delivered
With you
Insured, tracked, signed for, with the handover record sent to you
Insured and documented at every stage, on the terms set out in your quote.
Step by step
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A short call or message exchange to understand what you have in mind. No obligation.
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Stone type, quality priorities, size, budget (all-in, including delivery, duties and taxes) and timing.
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The scope, every fee and margin, and the timing, in writing. Like any responsible business in the fine stone trade, Gem House completes standard identity and anti-money-laundering checks before work begins.
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A small shortlist, with a candid view of each option.
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Nothing is bought without your written approval and deposit.
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The stone comes into Gem House's care, and goes to the bench if it is to be set.
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Insured, tracked and signed for, or in person by appointment.
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Insurance valuations, care advice and the next piece, whenever you need them.
Wherever you are
Gem House works with private clients worldwide, by video, WhatsApp and email, and in person by appointment. Delivery, duties and taxes are planned before purchase, so your all-in cost is clear before you commit. See Shipping & Delivery for the detail.
Tell us what you have in mind.
Every engagement begins with a private, unhurried conversation, by WhatsApp, email or video, wherever you are. There is no obligation and no minimum budget.
One conversation. One point of contact. No handoffs.