Engagement Rings (merged)

SmallL

Gloomendoom wrote: »

If you are serious about getting a ring that you are going to cherish for years, make a trip to the Birmingham jewellery quarter and get a ring made to your own design. This is what we did for my wife's wedding ring. It's unique and cost less than a mass produced ring from a high street or online retailer.

Thank you, given my experience in high street shops it does look like this is the right way to go!
I have visited one jewellers that makes their own rings, but was rather put off by his 'waffle' which largely consisted of putting me off my ideas and onto his (limited) designs.
I'm also considering Etsy as they have some lovely ring-makers with some really lovely designs!

lettice

You could go to Hatton Gardens if London is closer to you than Birmingham.

If you're comfortable ordering from the USA, you could try the Natural Sapphire Company- https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.co.uk

There are some very pretty sapphire rings here - http://www.astleyclarke.com/uk/wedding-jewellery/unusual-engagement-rings/shopby/gemstones-sapphire/

I was very tempted to get one of these rings before we opted for a similar solitaire - http://www.etsy.com/shop/EidelPrecious I think you might like them too.

natley

SmallL wrote: »

My partner proposed to me last wednesday with a token ring, we had previously discussed that i would prefer to choose the ring (plus he didn't think much of his own taste!).
I'm now excitedly looking at 'real' rings, which is proving a challenge due to my picky taste!
Im looking for sapphire (as the focal stone/s) and diamonds on a white gold band.
Originally i wasn't keen on a solitare/cluster style but the token ring is in such a style and im warming to it!

Can anyone reccomend online retailers to have a look at? Im currently in the process of looking in shops, but its been rather fruitless at the moment, sapphires almost black or cloudy, settings not to my liking etc

Have you looked at this one?
http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/db6425/18ct-white-gold-diamond-and-sapphire-cluster-ring

I noticed in one of their shops the other day they also do this ring in a larger stone size. Think it was £2250.
The image online does not do it justice.

AuroraR

Hi, I just got engaged and I am also looking for wedding bands as me and my partner are looking to get our nuptials out of the way as in vows and registry!

Can anyone recommend any specialist ring stores in London? I've been down Hatton Garden but the street itself doesn't seem to entice me to see any rings and the high street stores doesn't offer me anything special or ideal.

Thank you!

RosalieCharles

SmallL wrote: »

Thank you, given my experience in high street shops it does look like this is the right way to go!
I have visited one jewellers that makes their own rings, but was rather put off by his 'waffle' which largely consisted of putting me off my ideas and onto his (limited) designs.
I'm also considering Etsy as they have some lovely ring-makers with some really lovely designs!

Hey SmallL,

I just ordered my wedding bands from Aurus in London. It has an impeccable selection of rings to choose from and you can also customize it to metal or size of carat!

They are located not far from Hatton Garden, however they prices are more reasonable and with their USP being specializing in just wedding and eternity rings, they definitely cater to your needs. And the best thing about the store was they don't rush you to find any ring, instead they offer time and patience just so I could be happy with what I'll be hopefully wearing for a very long time!

RosalieCharles

london_saver wrote: »

My fiancee bought my ring from Hatton Garden. He trawled all the shops, looked at loads of rings, got an idea of size stone and what he could afford. In the end he didn't see anything "perfect", so he approached a jeweller with a workshop and had my ring made with a bespoke design. The price was competitive and the experience was more personal as there wasn't a fancy shop with flashy sales assistant. He had a chat with our jeweller, choose the stone, created the design and the jeweller went away and made it.
A bit like having a bespoke suit made rather than buy off the peg from Next or John lewis.
Buying online is hard though, you want to see the stones and the designs of the ring.
You can negotiate in Hatton Gardens too, dont be afraid to haggle hard or just try another shop. You wont be stuck for choice. You dont really need to make appointments for HG. Either go early on saturday AM or weekday when its quieter and the sales people have time to serve you and you can take your time to choose and decide.
Everyone is different with how they would like to buy their rings, but shop around as much as you can and then you can make your decision about how and where you want to buy.
My friend went shopping in Hatton Garden, went to loads and loads of shops, in the end he toddled off to Tiffanys, no messin'! (ok, not mse, but it was easy)

Good luck

Hi, I was in a similar situation as I trailed all over Hatton Garden looking at all the rings through the window display. Of course all the rings were pretty, but nothing seems to had stand out for me. Some of them do offer bespoke rings however the prices were way out of budget for me.

So we stumbled around the area and found a store called Aurus on Clerkenwell Road, London which specializes in wedding rings. With a huge range of styles to choose from, the guy who served me knew what he was talking about.

My experience with Aurus was a pleasurable one and I would recommend anyone who is picky and particular like me to go check them out, because they sure helped me out!

RosalieCharles

AuroraR wrote: »

Hi, I just got engaged and I am also looking for wedding bands as me and my partner are looking to get our nuptials out of the way as in vows and registry!

Can anyone recommend any specialist ring stores in London? I've been down Hatton Garden but the street itself doesn't seem to entice me to see any rings and the high street stores doesn't offer me anything special or ideal.

Thank you!

If you read my previous posts, I highly recommend Aurus in Clerkenwell Road, it offers specialist ring services which offered me a whole range of styles for my wedding band as well as my O/H!

Pollycat

Does anyone feel like dashing out to Aurus in Clerkenwell Road to buy their rings after reading RosalieCharles's 3 posts (plus another also praising this shop on another thread)?

Me neither. :cool:

I'd prefer to use a shop that doesn't use tactics like posting on a forum posing as a 'satisfied' customer.

samarajames

LEJC wrote: »

Samara james have no high street retailers so can keep costs lower by only selling online...this has advantages if you know exactly what you want without trying it on or seeing the rings before you buy
lots of people have had good experiences with the company so from that point of view they are a recognised internet provider of jewellery..what you dont however get is the personal service that your local jeweller would provide....buying independantly may give you more peace of mind and possibly some aftercare of your jewellery....what you could do if you still wanted to buy from your local jeweller is ask if they price match the price at samara james...its worth a go!
The choice and price you pay is up to you but its my guess that the ring is cheaper online as they have no high streer overheads... HTH

Hi LEJC. Whilst we agree that we do not have a presence on the high street, I would have to disagree with the view that there is no personal service. We have a showroom and prospective buyers are more than welcome to come to us. We also often have customers call us to get advice.

Where the money is saved is in the fact that we have very good relationships with our diamond polishing companies and deal with them directly as apposed to third party 'buyers'.

I am not seeking to advertise our business, however I think it is important to understand exactly how we work.

It is absolutely right for the consumer to make enquiries and shop around.

Many thanks,
Shan.

Stephb1986_2

samarajames wrote: »

Hi LEJC. Whilst we agree that we do not have a presence on the high street, I would have to disagree with the view that there is no personal service. We have a showroom and prospective buyers are more than welcome to come to us. We also often have customers call us to get advice.

Where the money is saved is in the fact that we have very good relationships with our diamond polishing companies and deal with them directly as apposed to third party 'buyers'.

I am not seeking to advertise our business, however I think it is important to understand exactly how we work.

It is absolutely right for the consumer to make enquiries and shop around.

Many thanks,
Shan.

My ring came from Samara James in 2009 I have never had a problem with it yet, we get married next year and my ring is still in perfect condition apart from needing a polish We were very happy with ordering from them online we didn't even order a sample we just took the plunge and ordered straight away.

Steph x