Buying a Diamond in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar: What to Watch For

Short answer: When buying a diamond in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, ask about four things and get them in writing: the stone’s independent certificate and report number, whether the stone is natural or lab-grown, the gold purity and weight, and an invoice. Compare stones with the same characteristics in several shops; do not compare a quote that gives only the “carat” without cut, colour and clarity details.

Why is the Grand Bazaar the heart of jewellery?

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) on Istanbul’s historic peninsula has been a centre of trade since the 15th century, and its jewellers have trained master craftspeople for centuries. Today every step of jewellery making, from design to stone setting and polishing, still happens in the bazaar and the inns around it. Our workshop was also founded here, in the Grand Bazaar, in 2020; today we produce in our workshop in Fatih. About us.

Questions to ask when buying a diamond in the bazaar

1. “Does the stone have a report, and can I check its number?”

A report from an independent gemmological laboratory documents the stone’s carat, cut, colour and clarity. Check the report number on the laboratory’s website; the number is usually laser-inscribed on the stone’s girdle too. How to read a certificate.

2. “Is the stone natural or grown in a laboratory?”

Both are real diamonds, but their prices are very different. The seller should say so clearly and write it on the invoice. Lab-grown diamond reports state clearly that the stone was grown in a laboratory. What is a lab-grown diamond?

3. “What is the gold purity, and roughly how many grams?”

Check the purity hallmark inside the ring. Gold weight is an important part of the price, especially for wedding bands and wide designs. 14 karat or 18 karat?

4. “Do you give an invoice and a guarantee certificate?”

The invoice is both the record of your purchase and the document you will need later for resizing, maintenance or a sale. The characteristics of the stone and the gold should be written on the invoice or an attached document.

When comparing

• Compare like with like: comparing a 1-carat G VS2 Excellent stone with a 1-carat H SI1 Good stone is misleading.
• See the stone in different light: look at it in daylight and in shop light separately; shop lights make every stone sparkle.
• Do not rush: if you can reserve a stone or take a photo of it, ask for time to think.
• Judge the setting separately: even prongs, a stone that does not move in its seat, the quality of the polish.

Buying from a workshop versus a shop window

With a ready-made piece in a window, the stone and setting are fixed; with a piece made for you, you choose the stone, shape, carat and gold colour. Buying from a place that produces in its own workshop cuts out middlemen, so more of the budget usually goes to the stone, and you know exactly who to talk to for resizing and maintenance. You can see all the designs made in our workshop in the gallery.

Frequently asked questions