How to compare diamond ring quotations in the UAE

By La Roche Jewellery Manufacturing · Updated 13 October 2026

A bespoke diamond ring quotation should describe the centre stone, the metal setting and the work involved in making the ring. Two rings with the same diamond weight can differ in their stones, construction and included services. Understanding those details helps you choose the right proposal for your project.

La Roche provides individual quotations after discussing your design and requirements. This guide explains what to look for in a complete proposal, how to compare options and what to share when requesting a personal quotation.

Ask for a quotation for the complete ring

Ask whether the advertised amount includes both the centre stone and the mount, the metal structure that holds it. A loose-diamond price covers the stone; a mount-only price covers the setting. Neither tells you the complete cost of a finished ring.

For a custom piece, request one written total for the approved specification, with the main components identified. The quote should explain whether design development, setting, finishing, an agreed ring size and any required documentation are included. Ask whether taxes and delivery are included in the total you will pay.

If the initial estimate is provisional, ask which decisions remain open and when the jeweller can confirm the final amount.

Compare natural and laboratory-grown options separately.

State whether you want a natural or laboratory-grown diamond. If you are considering both, request two clearly labelled alternatives. Specify this for the small diamonds in the band or halo as well as the centre stone.

Do not assume that the cheapest result in a search represents the same product as another listing with a similar photograph. Ask for the actual stone details and the laboratory report, where supplied. Check the laboratory, report type and the information it assesses before comparing its findings with another report.

The stone description should identify whether it is natural or laboratory-grown and list its shape, weight, dimensions, available quality information and report reference. If the proposed stone becomes unavailable, approve its replacement and any price change before work proceeds.

Separate centre-stone weight from total diamond weight.

Carat measures weight; millimetres describe dimensions. Total carat weight combines the diamonds in a piece, while centre-stone weight refers to the main diamond. A ring described only by its total weight leaves an important question unanswered: how much of that total belongs to the centre stone? GIA explains these distinctions in its guide to carat weight.

On your comparison sheet, give the centre stone its own line. Put side stones, a halo or stones set into the band on another. This makes it easier to compare a simple solitaire with a more detailed design without treating them as identical products.

For example, a ring with a 0.80 ct centre diamond and 0.20 ct of smaller diamonds has a total diamond weight of 1.00 ct. It is not the same specification as a ring with a single 1.00 ct centre diamond. These weights illustrate the distinction and do not describe a La Roche product listing.

Use the quality information, then look at the actual stone.

The familiar 4Cs describe colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. They provide a starting point for comparing diamonds, but a document does not replace viewing the stone. GIA recommends comparing relevant grading information and looking at diamonds under different lighting conditions in its loose-diamond comparison guide.

Ask which qualities account for a price difference between your shortlisted options. If a proposed upgrade costs more, have the jeweller show you what changes: the appearance, the documented quality, the dimensions or something else. You can then decide whether that difference matters to you.

For remote enquiries, request clear photographs or video of the actual candidate stones, labelled so you can match them to the quote. A generic catalogue image is useful for design direction but should not be confused with evidence of a particular stone's appearance.

The setting is part of the specification.

Confirm the metal, purity and colour, alongside the ring size and finish. La Roche's focus is 18K fine jewellery; availability and the appropriate construction are reviewed for the individual design. If you are comparing another metal option, keep it visible as a separate choice.

A plain band, a stone-set band and a halo involve different design and production requirements. Ask how the quote treats the centre setting, additional stones and any engraving. A side-view drawing can help you discuss height and how the ring will sit beside a wedding band.

Ask whether the quoted metal weight is estimated or final, and how a difference is handled. A drawing-stage estimate should not be mistaken for a finished weight. Agree the treatment of changes before you approve production, particularly when a design is being developed from a reference image.

Use one checklist for every quotation.

Mark an unanswered item as “to confirm”, rather than assuming it is included. Send the same missing-information request to each supplier. This is more useful than comparing a detailed quote against a lower headline figure with an unknown scope.

Keep the accepted quote with the final design reference. If the stone or setting changes later, request an updated version so that the specification, amount and delivery date remain consistent.

Make one change at a time when adjusting the budget.

Set a total budget in AED that you are comfortable spending, then explain your priorities. You might want a natural diamond, a particular shape or a simple setting. Tell the jeweller which choices are flexible and whether you have a fixed occasion date.

Compare two or three clearly defined options. You could request the same stone in a plain band and a stone-set band, or two different stones in the same setting. Changing one feature at a time makes the price difference easier to understand.

If several things change at once, the lower figure can be difficult to interpret. Request a short explanation of each alternative instead of asking only for a discount. You may prefer a simpler design, but that should be a conscious decision rather than an unnoticed omission.

For a custom ring, agree the approval and change process.

Before development begins, clarify what you will review and when. This may include the proposed stone, a CAD view, dimensions and the final production specification. Ask how revisions are handled and what happens if you change your mind after a stage has been approved.

A render helps communicate the design, but ask the jeweller to explain details that are difficult to judge on a screen. Band width, setting height, the relationship between the centre stone and the band, and the intended ring size all deserve attention.

Discuss resizing, inspection and maintenance with the quote. Record the services offered, their conditions and any separate charges. Do not assume that every custom design can be resized in the same way or that future alterations are included in the initial price.

A deadline needs its own confirmation.

Tell the jeweller whether your date refers to collection in Dubai or delivery elsewhere in the UAE. The schedule needs to allow for sourcing, design approval and production. Ask for written confirmation that the project can meet your date.

Our documented pear-shaped solitaire project was completed in two days. That was the outcome of one particular project, not a standard turnaround promise. A new ring needs its own assessment of the stone, design and available schedule.

What to include in your quotation request

For an initial La Roche enquiry, include your budget in AED, natural or laboratory-grown preference, preferred shape, approximate ring size and required date. Add a photograph or sketch you have permission to share, and explain which features you like.

If you already have a stone, say so before requesting a complete-ring quote. Supply its documentation and dimensions if available, and ask about acceptance and handling terms before sending it. If you have not chosen a stone, tell us whether you want to review sourcing options as part of the project.

Label your references and explain what you like about them. For example, you may want the pear shape in one image and the plain band in another. This helps us understand your design before preparing an itemised quotation.