Engagement Rings (merged)

LEJC

If I choose to have a ring made with a certain stone etc... how long does it usually take until it's ready for collection?

...if you choose a stone and seperate setting that the jeweller has in stock then the process of pairing them up can be done in a couple of hours..
....if you want to create your own setting or design your own band then this becomes bespoke and possibly take a little longer to do....up to a week depening on how busy the workshop is...
there is a great choice in the jewellery quarter...plenty of diamonds...possibly not so much choice on coloured stones but im sure you'll have a great time looking and choosing your ring

jones8892

thanks for the tips... have managed to get a day off work and am going shopping tomorrow!!!

One final question, other than the 4 C's etc. (and I have a very good idea of what I can expect to get for the money) is there anything else I need to watch out for? None of the shops around there will be selling knock-offs etc. or rings with forged certificates will they?

Michael

jones8892

well, i went to Birmingham Jewellery Quarter today and here are my thoughts... the place is amazing!

I think I chose the wrong day to go as I think half the places were shut due to the horrible weather but I was still spoilt for choice. Went to quite a few places and ended in Marlows where they had a great selection of settings and stones! The only thing I am gutted about is that completely forgot to haggle although I still think I got a very decent price.

The setting I chose was platinum with shoulder stones (unsure on the carat of these as it is the one thing I forgot to ask, would imagine around .10!). The center stone was a 5 carat diamond, E Colour, VS2 Clarity, Excellent Cut and Symetry and VG Polish. In total it came to £1710. Does this seem about fair. I don't think I could have done better somewhere like Samara James so quite happy with that!

Michael

LEJC

Ive not even seen a 5 carat ring so to get it under £100k would be a bargin...I guess in your excitement its a 0.5 carat centre stone and it sounds lovely..very classic style...
Price..well if you like it thats fine and if your girfriend likes it thats priceless...so price shouldnt be a question that I comment on...
congratulations on your purchase...and best of luck with your proposal...you have a beautiful ring with which to propose....

jones8892

LEJC wrote: »

Ive not even seen a 5 carat ring so to get it under £100k would be a bargin...I guess in your excitement its a 0.5 carat centre stone and it sounds lovely..very classic style...
Price..well if you like it thats fine and if your girfriend likes it thats priceless...so price shouldnt be a question that I comment on...
congratulations on your purchase...and best of luck with your proposal...you have a beautiful ring with which to propose....

oooooops... yup, clearly meant a 0.5c ring

I'm happy with it and I am sure she will be too but being a keen moneysaver (aren't we all) I always like to know I have not been taken for a ride. Am I guessing from being reluctant to comment that I should have expected something better for that price?

LEJC

Absolutley not.....you describe a beautiful ring which I am sure your girlfriend will treasure for a lifetime...
the specifications of your ring are good...and the price you paid well thats between you and the jeweller...yes it was a fair price...although what your ring signifies is priceless and simply cant or shouldn't be measured in monetry terms...

roundbrilliant

Okay so i've taken the plunge and bought a ring from Blue Nile. I eventually came full circle. After going down to Hatton Gardens i felt a little overwhelmed and had 1 or two experiences with somewhat Salesy people giving me what i took to be spiel! Anyhoo, bought one on line and really happy with it (I hope! It arrives Monday!). I actually called up their customer service team with the item in the basket and asked them if they had any offers running and she gave me 10% off the setting so i saved £97 from a phone call! Always worth a try, very MSE of me i thought.

Thank you everyone in thsi thread for your help so far. Almost there.

I now have a question. I'm nervous to take it out with me w/o insurance - how do i go about getting it valued and insured?

misscoupon

Well done you! The ring should arrive with a certificate indicating the specs and value of the ring. You can then list the ring on your home contents insurance, just give them a call! Depending on the value of the ring, you might just need to add it to your list of valuable content for no extra fee or it may add a bit on your premium. Hope it helps.

LEJC

The ring will be covered via your home insurance policy...give them a call they will need details of purchase price etc..but this should be on your receipt and the specifications on the certificate that comes with the ring.Check with your insurance company that the ring isnt just covered whilst in the home..strange I know but some insurance companies need you to take extended cover to fully insure the ring against loss/damage.sometimes out of the home is covered automatically but not always..you also need to check that the ring falls within your single article limit....again this varies from company to company but is typically £1500...thats the limit a company will pay out on a single item should you need to make a claim.If the ring is above the single item limit this can be increased easily but you may find you need to pay a little extra on your policy and specify or delare the ring to the insurers.
Do let us know what the ring is like when it arrives...it would be good to get some recomendations of online companies...well done on your extra discount!

roundbrilliant

Thanks for the quick replys people! I thougth i had read in this thread that people had been buying rings online and then having them valued independantly and the value was coming out higher than the purchase price? God forbid it ever gets lost or stolen but if it does then I want to be able to get the best replacement possible, do i just goto a jewellers and get a valuation?

I also dont have any contents insurance at the moment (renting in a house share) although we are moving to a new flat in Jan which i will get insurance on. For the mean time do you have any suggestions?

I'll report on here what the ring is like. It should be here Monday!