Where's good to look for an engagement ring?

Question

I'm in the UK and I earn £20,000 p/a, I have looked at Tiffanys and Boodles. Any other ideas guys? I guess I'm looking at spending 1-2 months wages if that's the tradition. Throw me some serious ideas and any other (good) advice that you like. Cheers all

Answer 1

Congratulations! Don't worry about tradition all that much, if you have the money saved, then go with it, im sure she will be very appreciative.. if you don't you can either continue to save or use the budget you have... I have heard it is 1-2months wages though. Best of luck, and make sure you have some idea of the design of ring, and material that is likes... Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold etc... Diamonds.. 1 stone or 3stones..?

Beaverbrooks
Goldsmiths
Ernest Jones
Ernest J Brooks
H Samuel
Tiffany

Answer 2

There are lots of wholesale jewellers around not always open to the general public public. If you know any one in business normally they can get a card for you to get in one of these places and pay the wholesale price. If not look around reputable jewellers. Try and learn something about diamonds, perhaps on the internet as it's not usually bigger the better so have an idea of the quality you are buying. Sometimes you can also buy diamonds from a diamond supplier and get them set in a ring. One word of advice if you don't mind. If you are not letting your girlfriend pick the ring, really find out from someone her taste as you could spend a fortune on a design she doesn't really want. Can be a good idea when you have the money together to propose somewhere romantic and let her choose the ring.

Answer 3

This is totally dependent upon your budget. Don't go into an engagement in debt, an auspicious beginning at the very least. Surely there is a local, reputalble jeweler in your home town or in a major city near by. Go for quality and clarity, not necessarily size. How about Harrod's or Niemann Marcus? Bloomingdales? Hearts On Fire is a great company with diamonds of exquisite beauty and quality. That would be an excellent place to start your search. Best wishes.

Answer 4

Always best to start by thinking about the type of engagement ring that your fiance would love, what style would suit her and her lifestyle. (You don't want a very elaborate ring if she works outdoors all the time). Get inspiration from high street shops, look at magazines and ask her friends - discretely!

Then shop around, online has got some great resources where you are not paying the mark up in retail shops as their costs are less.

Antique shops are great to look at as you will find unique rings and you may end up with a very expensive ring for less money.

Your fiance may want to choose the ring herself - so consider that too!

If you want any more advice on saving money but still having your dream wedding take a look at

www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com

Good luck!

Answer 5

I got mine at the beginning of the month from www.diamonds-usa.com

If you know the style and shape of the diamond she likes and ring gold, white gold etc. you can design it yourself.

The ring is ordered in the USA but built in Israel direct at the factory so you miss out lots of middlemen (and costs)You are emailed by them all the time and they answer questions quickly so they can be trusted.

I paid import duty and shipping costs. When it was valued over here (you have 10 days to return the ring if not satisfied) it was valued at over 3 times what i paid. The diamond is bloody huge and a perfect cut.

Read the customer feed back its all true. a friend at work had the same great results, and we both now have to plan weddings for next year!!!

Just have a look!!

They supply top stores in London so why give them a profit when you can get more for your loved one.

Cheers

Answer 6

Take into consideration her finger shape and length. A round or princess stone looks best on a shorter finger or a finger with some meat on it. A emerald cut, marquise cut or pear shape look better on a longer slender finger.

Size should be your last consideration, you should look first for cut, then color and clarity. I think you have a really good amount of money to get a nice diamond AND a nice size, I dont think you really even need to spend that much for a nice ring, but if thats what you intent on spending then go for it. JUST DO NOT TELL THE JEWELER HOW MUCH YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEND!!!!

Good luck!

Answer 7

I'm not in UK so don't know what you might call a pawn shop. If you have an eye for diamonds or can get somewhat educated on them, Check out a re-sell or pawn shop. You can get double your moneys worth.

Common complaint, Ewww, I want a "NEW" diamond. Guess what, no such thing. All diamonds are older than the hills.

Find a good stone, have it re-mounted.

I Worked for upscale jewelry store for 20 something years. Loved the selling but really liked the inside track on diamonds.

Congratulations!!

Answer 8

I'd highly recommend checking out places like Blue Nile, Mondera, and Diamond.com. I run a free diamond search and free marriage proposal site at marriage-proposal-ideas.com/di... so I deal with dozens of diamond jewelry sites.

Whatever you do, don't go to Ebay. 99% of the time, those diamonds are rip-offs that just appear like good deals until you realize that they're treated diamonds, uncertified, horrible color, etc.

Most of the large diamond jewelry sites have very small profit margins, so it's hard to beat those deals.

As far as how much to spend, I'd recommend spending what you feel most comfortable with. You can get some great diamonds even on a low budget if you know where to look.

If you want, I'd be happy to do a free diamond search for you (I don't sell any diamonds myself -- this is a free service) to give you an idea of the quality and size that you could get on any budget.

Just go to my website and e-mail me.

Answer 9

You should really try any jewlery store. Youll find the prefect ring in the least expected place. Also, you need to keep in mind your girlfriend. Depending on her lifestyle will determine what kind of jem, and setting you should get. If she works somewhwere where she does alot of manual work, look for something small and convenient. If she works somehwere very slow where there isn't much movement go for the big ones. Also look at the jewlery she wears, Does she frequently use gold jewelry?! Does she prefer platinum over silver?!....hope this few tips help out in this big step. Best of Wishes = ]]]

Answer 10

Go to www.bluenile.com and take a look at their selection. They have an interactive site that explains how diamonds are graded, etc and a place where you can pick the exact stone and ring. The customer service is FABULOUS and you won't have to spend as much as you would on a Tiffany for better quality. Congrats!!