Engagement Rings

Rich1c23

[FONT=&quot]Hi All,

I am in desperate need of some assistance as to where to purchase my girlfriend's engagement ring?!

I will be buying the ring on my own with no assistance or knowledge from my partner, I know it's a gamble but to me I see this as a massive part of the experience.

My ignorance to engagement rings is very high, so I truly have no idea what to do! What I do know is my partner is not superficial in the slightest, a big stone is not important and the cost of the ring is equally unimportant (tiffany's would mean nothing to her)! She would like a vintage ring, Edwardian or Victorian and maybe art deco in style.

Any help would be greatly appreciated![/FONT]

rachbc

i have a deco/ edwardian antique ring - we choose it together though. Mine was from a dealer on ebay which people always think was very risky but we are very happy with it

FatVonD

Buy a novelty ring to propose with and let her choose it herself

lostinrates

FatVonD wrote: »

Buy a novelty ring to propose with and let her choose it herself

this is the best idea.

Seriously.

It the being asked that counts, not the ring....until you have to wear something you hate on your hand forever!

She might have been dreaming about the perfect vintage ring for years...and you buy a beautiful modern ring, or vice versa. You might go for traditional diamond, never guessing she wants a saphire the colour of your eyes/an emerald/something else.


The potential to get it wrong is very very huge unless you really know what she'd like. And she'll never say she doesn't like it, because she loves you and is thrilled to be asked....

meritaten

ok, so you know she likes vintage jewellery. ask her what her favourite stone is. not every woman likes diamonds or sapphires- or simply ask her what her dream ring would be! my OH bought me sapphires and diamonds for my engagement ring - and I was too polite to tell him that I would have preferred a solitaire diamond or an emerald.
my dd made sure she had an Opal - her birthstone and its gorgeous!

Sammy85_2

Go to your local jewellers and take a look at their second hand rings. I have a beautiful vintage ring that my husband bought me on my 21st from an independant jewellers.

Definately propose without a ring or with a mock ring and go choose something together. No point getting something she will hate.


x

Annisele

I agree with others - cheapo ring for the proposal!

My fiance bought my engagement ring without my involvement, and even though I love it I would have preferred that we chose it together. (Though he still says he's glad he bought it - he says that I'd have said "let's not spend silly amounts of money on a ring now, let's wait until after we've saved up for a house deposit...and he's right; I've been engaged five years and if I'd had my way I probably still wouldn't have a ring).

gift1

Buy a novelty ring to propose with and let her choose it herself

gratefulforhelp_2

The novelty ring idea is a good one, and then some happy days looking at rings (take a hand lens to look for flaws). That said, DH chose my (modern) ring and did a great job - but he had "researched" what I liked beforehand.

Pollycat

I'd seriously reconsider your idea to choose the ring yourself.

I'm not sure from your post if you intend to do a surprise proposal and present the ring or if you've already got a 'yes' from her and are looking for the ring.

I think if she'd like "a vintage ring, Edwardian or Victorian and maybe art deco in style" there's even more potential for getting it wrong and end up like Meritaten with a ring which wouldn't have been her choice.

I second the 'choose it together' option.
It will be fun, you can make a day of it and maybe go for a nice meal.

Check out independent jewellers who often have a selection of 'pre-owned' rings or maybe go to an antique fair - you'll have loads of choice there.

Lara44

My husband bought the ring beforehand and I absolutely adore it. It's not what I thought I would have wanted, but actually much nicer and much more 'me'. It's a very special gift and if you want to do it your way you should OP. Definitely find out what stones she likes though. I think there are some jewellery auctions you can attend in London, that might be a good way to get a decent price?