FAQs

Upon confirmation of an order, our master jewellers will craft your piece in your desired design and materials. The estimated time for completion can be advised based on your selection, typically the time frame is 8-12 weeks. Learn more about our Custom design process.

Our team of skilled custom design consultants are here to help guide our clients through our unique way of designing. To begin the bespoke process, we invite you to meet with one of our jewellery designers and diamond specialists for a personal consultation.

Whitakers understands your jewellery is of significant sentimental value. That’s why we have partnered with ‘Q Report’ to provide our clients with an insurance policy that is specifically tailored to your jewellery items. Upon purchase, you may speak to our consultants to discover more about the cover available to you.

Every Whitakers piece designed or sold comes with a 12-month manufacturing warranty. Impact damage and loss are not covered by our warranty policy.

Yes, we offer our unique Lifetime Care Plan. Talk to one of our consultants to find out more.

You should always spend what you feel comfortable spending and should base your budget around what you’ve learned about the four pillars of diamond value. Begin by talking to one of our diamond experts about your budget and let them guide you into the right decision.

This all depends on what you want. Talk to an expert about the different types of certification and the value opportunities around un-certified diamonds. Your consultant will be able to give you the best advice about what you should do.

The GIA is the Gemological Institute of America – the world’s largest and most respected non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemmology and the jewellery arts. It is the creator of the 4Cs of diamond value.

As each diamond is unique in quality and appearance, we cannot provide fixed quotes for diamonds over the phone or in email. In our showroom, we demonstrate the unique characteristics of each diamond with our expertise and specialty equipment. This precise level of detail cannot be expressed over the phone or in an email and only serves to create a relationship of pricing against a certificate. By viewing diamonds in person, you are equipped with the insight and confidence required to make an informed decision.

Yes. John Whitaker is not only a trained diamond grader but is also a fully trained Gemmologist. At Whitakers we have partnerships worldwide with diamond and gem merchants to help us find even the rarest of coloured diamonds and gemstones.

While it is not a requirement, we recommend you schedule an appointment to ensure a diamond specialist will be available at a time convenient for you.

Yes. Whitakers offers a unique custom design service that allows clients to remodel their existing pieces into a bespoke new ‘one of a kind’ piece. This process begins in our showroom where you can meet with one of our consultants to discuss your options. Learn more about our custom jewellery design service in Newcastle.

18ct is made up of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy, whereas 9ct is made up of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% alloy. 18ct is usually stamped with either 18ct or 750, whereas 9ct is stamped with 9ct or 375, this helps to identify the type of gold and its gold content. 18ct has more pure gold content and is also about 40% denser than 9ct, making it the better wearing metal.

Contrary to popular belief 18ct is harder than 9ct gold. Metal hardness is measured by the Vickers scale. 18ct has a Vickers hardness of 125 and 9ct has a hardness of 120. This shows 18ct as being harder and better wearing.

Rhodium plating is an electroplating used on jewellery to help create a surface that shines and resists scratches and tarnish. It also gives white gold its ultra-white colour by providing a coating over the existing metal.

There are a number of ways to do this. You can go into a jeweller and have it measured or alternatively bring in another ring she wears and we can size this (you need to know what finger it fits on).

Yes, but only by a certain number of sizes.

You should really do this when it works for you, but don’t leave it until the last minute! As all our rings are custom ordered per client request, timeframes vary between 4-6 weeks. If you are buying from Whitakers, you can take advantage of our lay-buy service and payment plans. See our range of wedding rings and bands.

As its name suggests, ‘normal wear and tear’ is caused by the everyday wearing of jewellery. For example, claws can get worn down, and bands can get thinner just through constant rubbing on your hand. Normal wear and tear are covered by the Whitakers Lifetime Care Plan, whereas damage caused by an ‘event’ – such as a claw snapping off because you’ve caught it on something – is not.

Professional Cleaning is the best option. We ask that you come and see us at least once a year to have your Whitakers items cleaned and checked by our jewellers.

In the interim, you can soak your jewellery in a small bowl of warm, soapy water made with any mild liquid detergent. Gently brush the diamond jewellery with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds. Then rinse each piece under warm running water. 

Visit our store in Newcastle or call us with any questions you have on diamonds or diamond care, we’ll be happy to assist