Engagement ring... for £700?!

debtfreein2007

Hi there!
I would like to propose to my girlfriend! I am a bit of an romantic but I also don't believe in spending thousands on rings or weddings - I don't have the money anyway! I am fully aware that most engagement rings cost over £1200 but I think my girlfriend would rather I spent money on our combined debt. But I could do £700 by making a few personal sacrifices and selling off some things that I no longer want.

Is £700 a crazily low amount of money? I've been looking online at places like zxdiamonds.com or https://www.dejoria.co.uk and could nearly afford on there. Would it be even crazier to buy one online? Would I just be buying cr*p at that price? I know it's hardly any for an engagement ring but £700 is still a lot of money in general... I wouldn't want to waste it.

Any advice gratefully received!

Mel2

£700 seems a lot to me as my engagement ring cost less than £100!!!!!!!! We couldn't afford any more than that but I still really like it and we've been married now for 10 years. If you have debts then I would be inclined to use any spare cash to help clear them and sarifice the expensive ring.

sandford6016

look at www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk

Got mine from them. Very helpful and an amazing selection. You chose the diamond and then the setting, very reasonable, some diamonds are 30 quid if you really want to go cheap! All come with the diamond certificates too.

lostinrates

DH ecently bought me a ring from a fantastic designer jeweller, who advertises in Vogue, whose shop is in Exeter but who can do stuff by mail order. She would certainly have a ring in your budget. I am thrilled with mine, absolutely thrilled, and in fact, DH is going to find himself getting me some more from her in the future. Much better value than my other jewellry, and IMO, the nicest I own. 18 carat gold, ''ethical'' diamond.

I can add/pm the link, I'm not connected in anyway apart from as a customer.

HelenYorkshire

If you're going for diamonds, check certificates etc as you may get a naff one from ebay/mail order etc.
Have you looked at antiquey / second hand places? For my 18th birthday I got the most beautiful diamond white gold solitaire - £100 a small diamond yes, but scale it up and £700 is a LOT.

It's about the meaning, not the rock

McKneff

Ah bless you, why dont you propose to your girlfriend with a polo mint, a coke ring pull, a special thing in your possession that is ring shaped. Let your girlfriend choose her own ring with you. Personally, 700 is even a lot of money if you are in debtand the expense is something you should decide on together.
If i owed £500 and we had £700 spare i would rather pay £200 on a ring,
(it really doesnt have to be a flashy diamond,) it's a symbol and pay the other £500 off and be debt free. Go for the ring together its much more exciting and romantic. Go to a little local jeweller, they do not normally sell crap,
oooh, i am so excited fro you.

McKneff

Does she like any particular kind of stone, she might not even like diamonds
Have you asked her. this is a big thing and is going to be on show for a long time so its got to be something that she absolulty adores.

My own particular preference is Opals, single with nothign at the sides, 9ct or 18ct gold.

go for it. and i hope she says yes.

hundredk

debtfreein2007 wrote: »

I am fully aware that most engagement rings cost over £1200 but I think my girlfriend would rather I spent money on our combined debt. But I could do £700 by making a few personal sacrifices and selling off some things that I no longer want.

Take a nought off both figures and that would be nearer the mark.

cazscoob

my OH spent every waking moment working so he could buy me an antique ring, we were only 16 at the time and i couldnt believe it when he showed me it! sadly after 10 years and 5 babies it no longer fits however he did replace it but the first one obviously is my fav!

we have a jewellery shop nearby that makes rings to your budget or your design, we had our wedding rings made there and they are very special as they are one offs and werent too expensive, why not look into something like that!

Sami_Bee

debtfreein2007 wrote: »

Hi there!
I would like to propose to my girlfriend! I am a bit of an romantic but I also don't believe in spending thousands on rings or weddings - I don't have the money anyway! I am fully aware that most engagement rings cost over £1200 but I think my girlfriend would rather I spent money on our combined debt. But I could do £700 by making a few personal sacrifices and selling off some things that I no longer want.

Is £700 a crazily low amount of money? I've been looking online at places like zxdiamonds.com or www.dejoria.co.uk and could nearly afford on there. Would it be even crazier to buy one online? Would I just be buying cr*p at that price? I know it's hardly any for an engagement ring but £700 is still a lot of money in general... I wouldn't want to waste it.

Any advice gratefully received!

:eek:No!! My engagement ring cost £125 (I picked it) wedding ring was £250 (I picked that too)
Have you thought about the style she would want? my OH doesn't have a clue about these things and as I'm the one wearing them for the rest of my life it seemed obvious that I pick them.
If you decided to let her pick you could steal my friends idea and propose with a haribo ring sweet

I'm getting an eternity ring for Christmas that will be paid for with Tesco CC vouchers at Goldsmiths (provided I like one of theirs!) so if you have some saved or can wait that may be an option

BallandChain

My engagement ring was £30 (sapphire and silver) and it was a dress ring. You couldn't tell it was a dress ring though. My wedding ring was white gold and got it in a sale for £50. Neither rings looked cheap and I just think paying any more is a waste especially if you are just starting out and need money for more important things.