Engagement Rings (merged)

purplepurple

mdb99jh wrote:

Anyone know of a good independant jewelers in manchester?

Manchester Makers/Designers... some names and e-mail addresses!

try this mdb99jh! :snow_grin have a look at the contemporary jewellers or the jewellery designers....

purplepurple

"Thanks a lot, we live in Surrey/Berkshire, I know a lot of people mentioned the possibilities of Birmingham or Manchester for jewellers, it is a little bit out of the way..."

best place near you would be Hatton Garden as wigginsmum suggested.... it's the diamond capital of the UK and almost every shop in every road is a jewellers! I would go into one of the bullion dealers (for example Exchange Findings/ Cooksons ) and ask them to recommend someone who will give you a good deal. You could even buy the ring and setting from them and take it to one of the diamond places and ask them to put a ring together for you....

I bought our wedding rings from exchange findings for a fraction of the price of a high street jewellers (2 18ct gold bands for £30... paid another jeweller £20 to size them and polish them) (bearing in mind this was a few years back though :snow_laug )

Hatton Garden... the UK centre for Diamonds

There are also a few second hand/antique jewellery shops with some astounding pieces...

littlelaurakate

Hi,

Just very general advice, but have you thought about trying an antiques fair near you. Generally, antique jewellery dealers carry some brand new (as there is a greater market for modern stuff these days and people don't like second -hand engagement/wedding rings).

I only say this as my fiancee has just got mine from an antique dealer whom we know and know to be honest. We touted the high streets for an idea of what we wanted, then described to her and she came up with the goods for a fraction of the cost (she has little overheads and many contacts)...I got 1carat set in 18ct white gold for £995...have seen exactly the same ring on high street for £2500...the mark ups are horrific...

Check out an Antique Fair - only costs a few quid to get in and nothing lost if you don't see anything you like eh?

Savvy_Sue

If you're spending £1900 then a trip to London, Birmingham or even Manchester would be a good investment, I'd have thought! Would be too terrified to wear anything that expensive myself!

FWIW, my nowhere-near-that-expensive engagement ring came from Salsbury's in Guildford, if they're still there, and I've never seen anything like it since, nor another one I'd want to wear. It's nothing like what you want, but AFAIK they were independent and not part of a chain.

m00

def go pick out a stone and have it made - it will be something much nicer and better value for money! I picked my stone in Hong Kong and had it made at a fraction of the cost. Be aware though that diamonds quality seems to be very subjective and one view from an 'expert' doesnt always match with another 'experts' so it might well be worth getting a certified stone.

becky004

If I had the choice would buy it from a duty free site I.E. Columbian emeralds
they are caribbean based and I have had 2 fabulous rings from them for the fraction of the price you would pay in UK. Last piece I bought in Barbados, cost £220 valued in UK as £750! And you can buty at duty free prices on their websites

Savvy_Sue

BTW, there are even Fair Trade diamonds, but since I wasn't about to buy one I didn't listen to the explanation (at a 'green' Christmas Fair) about how you know whether you've got one or not.

laughingsheep

My ring has three diamonds, set in claws which I wear every day without any trouble. You might want to be careful putting on tights while wearing it, but apart from that it's grand!

Re. where to get it from, I would personally avoid H Samuel for a purchase like that. As other posters have said, local jewellers offer better value. If you are going high street though Beaverbrooks look good.

boots_babe

Try www.thebeautifulcompany.co.uk. They have a giant range and really good prices. My OH has just bought his wedding ring from there and as it happens the owner is based in our village so he went to his house to pick it up. Really helpful would definitely recommend.

Or try www.weddingrings-direct.com as they're meant to be good.

1purplefairy

laughingsheep wrote:

Re. where to get it from, I would personally avoid H Samuel for a purchase like that. As other posters have said, local jewellers offer better value. If you are going high street though Beaverbrooks look good.

actually I was just looking at a Beaverbrooks Brochure this very moment...

Thanks for the advice people!! I think I shall wait a while and not just rush to the nearest H Samuals just coz I cant wait to wear my new ring!!

Think it'll be worthwhile to take a trip to Hatton Garden though...think that's what we'll be doing...can't wait :xmassmile