Super wealthy Americans are flocking to the U.K. to snap up royal-inspired engagement rings - as jewelry experts reveal why more clients are looking overseas
Many wealthy U.S. clients in the market for jewelry are looking to U.K. for gemsLondon jewelers have seen an uptick in U.S. clients coming to the U.K. for stonesREAD MORE: Engagement ring designer reveals the three styles NOT to buy
Buying engagement rings and expensive jewels in the United States may be a thing of the past - it's all about the selection available overseas in the United Kingdom right now.
London jewelers have been seeing an uptick in customers coming from the U.S. to purchase gems, and it's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Many people are looking for unique gems with history, which is one reason they're going abroad, according to jewelers.
And, with the new season of Bridgeton out on Netflix, there's no better way to emulate these characters than wearing jewels similar to what's shown on the series.
'The driving interest in fine antique stones has grown hugely,' Guy Burton, managing director at famed jewelry house Hancocks London, confirmed to DailyMail.com.
![Guy Burton is the managing director at Hancocks London](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/14/14/85746293-13490229-Guy_Burton_is_the_managing_director_at_Hancocks_London-a-15_1718370700988.jpg)
![London-based bespoke jeweler Emma Clarkson Webb is the founder of her namesake brand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/14/14/85748403-13490229-London_based_bespoke_jeweler_Emma_Clarkson_Webb_is_the_founder_o-a-12_1718370700430.jpg)
Guy Burton of Hancocks in London (left) and Emma Clarkson Webb of her bespoke namesake brand (right) have seen an uptick in U.S. clients
![Luxury gems expert and GIA diamond grader Laurie Wickwire also noted the role that the royal family's engagement rings play a part into this phenomenon](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/14/85747063-13490229-Luxury_gems_expert_and_GIA_diamond_grader_Laurie_Wickwire_also_n-m-42_1717595615197.jpg)
Luxury gems expert and GIA diamond grader Laurie Wickwire also noted the role that the royal family's engagement rings play a part into this phenomenon
![In London, the jewelers have access to different cuts not available in the U.S., like this old European cut diamond geometric halo ring by Hancocks. The central diamond weighs 1.29cts.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/14/14/85746345-13490229-In_London_the_jewelers_have_access_to_different_cuts_not_availab-a-11_1718370700338.jpg)
In London, the jewelers have access to different cuts not available in the U.S., like this old European cut diamond geometric halo ring by Hancocks. The central diamond weighs 1.29cts.
Burton, who specializes in antique stones, has seen customers from New York City and the West Coast take interest in his distinct offerings.
A large amount of the stones at Hancocks are bought privately from families they have been working with for generations, and have never been seen before.
That's not to say that there aren't some amazing diamond dealers in the States, Burton explained, but it's the combination of the history and the traditional craftsmanship of the stones in the U.K. that makes it extra special.
And, of course, the history of the British royal family has played a part in popularizing certain gemstones.
Luxury gems expert Laurie Wickwire, based in London, said that the nod to British royal engagement ring stones and designs were not something that U.S. brides had available within the American engagement market.
Wickwire told DailyMail.com that many British brides were inspired by the sapphires in Princess Diana's engagement ring, which was now worn by Kate Middleton, as well as the ruby engagement ring worn by the Duchess of York - and now, Americans are taking note.
'I am now seeing this an increasing trend with my U.S. clients,' Wickwire said. 'Just as in the U.K., America is full of Royalists, so it is not a far stretch to want to see a royal design influence in our rings.'
London-based bespoke jeweler Emma Clarkson Webb, founder of her namesake brand, has also seen an increase in U.S.-based clients to her business.
![The Princess of Wales was given Princess Diana's engagement ring when Prince William proposed to her](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/14/14/85747087-13490229-The_Princess_of_Wales_was_given_Princess_Diana_s_engagement_ring-a-14_1718370700505.jpg)
![Wickwire said the nod to British royal engagement ring stones was not something U.S. brides had available domestically](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/14/14/85747071-13490229-Wickwire_said_the_nod_to_British_royal_engagement_ring_stones_wa-a-13_1718370700463.jpg)
Wickwire noted that the nod to British Royal engagement ring stones and designs were not something that U.S. brides had available within the American engagement market
!['Just as in the U.K., America is full of royalists, so it is not a far stretch to want to see a royal design influence in our rings,' Wickwire told DailyMail.com](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/14/85747069-13490229-image-a-50_1717595846866.jpg)
'Just as in the U.K., America is full of royalists, so it is not a far stretch to want to see a royal design influence in our rings,' Wickwire told DailyMail.com
![Emma Clarkson Webb created this 18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire Emily Ring](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/15/85748343-13490229-Similarly_Emma_Clarkson_Webb_created_this_18ct_White_Gold_Diamon-m-115_1717597519963.jpg)
Emma Clarkson Webb created this 18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire Emily Ring
![This Old European cut ring by Hancocks is set to the center with a diamond weighing 1.12cts with pear shape diamonds either side, set in platinum with a scalloped gallery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/15/85746381-13490229-This_Old_European_cut_ring_by_Hancocks_is_set_to_the_center_with-m-52_1717596008527.jpg)
This Old European cut ring by Hancocks is set to the center with a diamond weighing 1.12cts with pear shape diamonds either side, set in platinum with a scalloped gallery
Webb explained London was also ideal to procure a diamond, because shops were 'famous for their craftmanship and service,' comparing it to Saville Row for suits.
'We often have clients seeking older cuts of diamonds - old mine, old European, rose cuts which are a pleasure to source and add significant history to the piece,' Webb said.
Wickwire's U.S. clients have been searching for antique diamond cuts, too.
The expert shared that those who are shopping in the U.K. or on U.K. jewelry websites have access to the old mine or antique cushion cuts.
Wickwire explained the extensive offering of antique stone cuts and jewelry in the U.K. was not available to brides across the Atlantic who were strictly shopping at American-based companies.
However, for Burton, some of the diamonds he sells were polished and cut in Europe, particularly in London, but sent over the Atlantic during periods when Europe was struggling financially.
He spends a lot of time buying these diamonds back from the United States, but then eventually selling them to private clients in the overseas market once again.
![This 18ct yellow gold and diamond engagement ring, designed by Webb, features a brilliant-cut stone, something that is extremely popular with U.S. brides, according to Wickwire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/15/85748341-13490229-This_18ct_yellow_gold_and_diamond_engagement_ring_designed_by_We-m-117_1717597960906.jpg)
This 18ct yellow gold and diamond engagement ring, designed by Webb, features a brilliant-cut stone, something that is extremely popular with U.S. brides, according to Wickwire
![Meghan Markle's engagement ring featured three stones with a cushion-cut diamond in the center](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/15/85747345-13490229-Meghan_Markle_s_engagement_ring_featured_three_stones_with_a_cus-m-121_1717599192472.jpg)
Meghan Markle's engagement ring featured three stones with a cushion-cut diamond in the center
!['When you've got WhatsApp and you can do fantastic videos, I now I sell quite a lot from that,' Burton said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/05/15/85746303-13490229-_Now_when_you_ve_got_WhatsApp_and_you_can_do_fantastic_videos_I_-a-102_1717596204073.jpg)
'When you've got WhatsApp and you can do fantastic videos, I now I sell quite a lot from that,' Burton said
It helps that he can even send his clients detailed videos and pictures of the diamonds via WhatsApp.
He says the platform has created a surge in overseas buyers compared to what it was just a decade ago, and has made a huge difference.
Burton explained that although he used to be in touch with customers from the U.S. by sending photos, it typically culminated in them wanting to come to the U.K. to look at the stones in person.
'Now, when you've got WhatsApp and you can do fantastic videos, I I sell quite a lot from that,' Burton said.
So, the next time you're looking for a diamond, it might be worth looking overseas - you never know what you may find.