Engagement Rings

weddingringman

Ok- I need to buy an engagement ring.

Ive seen some in a shop in Edinburgh- Fraser Hart, but its on Princess Street so friends have advised me that chances are their stuff is going to be pricey.

Ive been advised I could get more for my money by possibly buying it from the US or bid up TV!

I take their stories with a pinch of salt but a few people at work swear to have paid £100 for pieces of jewerley on telly auction sites to later have it valued at £300/400.

I reckon £800-1200 will get something really nice.

iheart_freebies

The problem with getting something online or off TV, is that you can't be sure it is going to be exactly what you want/expect when it arrives.

Maybe have a shop around first to find a ring that you want and then search the make and model online to see if you can get it cheaper in the US. I would be wary about bid up TV for such a special occasion and I guess you can't get a refund?

Good luck!!

jemb

My OH had mine made , granted, we live in West Yorks, but he saw one in a shop that was v expensive, and ended up taking the independent Jeweller he ended up getting it through, on to look in a shop window down the road, said "I want that one", he made it, I said yes, and he saved over half the money! Probably best seeing if there is someone like this in your area to talk to?

I would suggest India though? We went to Goa, had a ring made for £240 and got it back here and it's been valued at £750!

Don't get stuffed on ebay or anything for something like an engagement ring though. You don't want her finger to go green!

Good luck!

roses

Don't rule out ebay, my friend's partner got one for £1,200 and had it valued at £5,800 last month. They tend to sell on there for 20% of the valuation. Just be very careful about the persons feedback to make sure they are a genuine seller and pay with a credit card via paypal.

ankspon

I bought my wife an 18k gold 1carat trilogy diamond from shopping channel for £300,it was valued at over £1000

arbroath_lass

I wouldn't use bid up but some of the specialist jewellery channels are ok. The more expensive ranges on the jewellery channel can be gorgeous and you can return it if it's not what you expected. Remember a valuation is what it would cost to make a ring EXACTLY the same as the one you have - which means sourcing stones the same and making a one-off ring. It's not really what the ring is worth.

Missconduct

My fiance got mine from Hatton Garden in London - it's a whole street of jewellers specialising in diamonds and therefore engagement rings, so you can play them off against each another and haggle. Excellent customer service too. More info here:

http://www.hatton-garden.net/

I've heard Dubai is very good for diamonds too!

hoopie_2

i agree with the arbroath lass' post. jewellery channel's Iliana range has minimum G - H in colour diamonds and i think minimum SI clarity and uses 18K gold:

example: http://www.thejewellerychannel.tv/ProductDetail.aspx?StockCode=734993&ISFPC=true

don't tend too have as much online but you can phone and request them to show you things on their channel 650 (sky)

vwelsh13

Wow thats a lot of money!! I am sure the lady in question will be thrilled with whatever you buy. Wishing you every happiness

viclspence

my hubby bought my engagement ring off ebay, it cost him £900 but is valued and insured for £1500 you just have to be sure on sizes etc as mine had to be altered

StumpyPumpy

Are you buying it as a surprise or in conjunction with your intended? If she has a say, what does she think about an antique ring? I wouldn't suggest going "second hand" if you're not sure how she would react. (Antique engagement rings seem to be the marmite of the jewellery world) but there are some stunning pieces around at reasonable prices.
Either that or have a word with a local jeweler and find a designer to make one for you. Bespoke jewellery is not as expensive as you might think (most of the retail value is in the stone/metal) but for me there is something special about being able to say the ring was made specially for the occasion - and I'm a bloke by the way!