Engagement Ring

Gigglepig

Most ladies like diamonds but some may not due to political reasons (the conditions for the workers in diamond mines, and that some of the countries that profit from the diamond industry are non-democratic to say the least.)
Just saying, since I know some people who would not wear diamonds for this reason, and others who would want to check they were not "conflict diamonds".

TeamLowe

have you thought about a different stone than diamond as the main stone?
my favourite colour is purple so DH got me a 1 carat (i think) amethyst with 2 little diamonds on either side. so it's a good sized rock at a decent price (in fact i think it was less than 100) and to me was a lot more thoughtful
don't worry too much about the ring though, it's 'just' a symbol of your promise to marry her. i'm sure she'll love it whatever you choose because every day she'll be able to look at it and remember just how much you love her x x

lisa26_2

Another vote for not getting too hung up on the quality of the diamond, as long as it looks good set in the ring who cares what letters and numbers its been given on some bit of paper somewhere!! My engagement ring is a much bigger diamond than I ever thought I would want or be able to have, there is a fairly large inclusion in it that I can see if I look very carefully but I don't care!!! I loved the ring at first sight, it seems to be a fairly uncommon cut of diamond (radiant), I hadn't seen any others anywhere else, and its is lovely and sparkly which is what i liked. I'd deffo let your girlfriend choose with you as until we looked I didn't really know what I wanted myself, only what i thought I wanted!!

benb76

I'll add another recommendation for blue nile. Much better value than high street, and they also have a good returns policy.

As for size, 0.3 isn't massive but it all depends on what your OH's tastes are. Traditional rule of thumb for cost is that it should cost you a month's salary, however it's up to you whether or not you want to follow that! Although bear in mind that it should be a 1 off purchase that she'll wear for a lifetime, so certainly worth getting something special.

Slinky

Another vote for a token ring. My OH didn't buy a ring before proposing, but what he suggested he would have bought (a diamond up on wires, was what he called it!) was the total opposite of what I wanted - a heart shaped diamond with a rubover setting so there are no claws to catch on clothing.

gingin_2

Does she have simple tastes, or does she like ornate things? OH knew me well enough to know I was pretty fussy so bought me the diamond and proposed with that and then said I could choose how I wanted it set. If he had presented me with a plain gold band I would be a bit deflated because it would be the safe choice and just not me. That's not to say it won't be for your GF, we are all different but don't go for the safe choice out of fear of getting it wrong, if you are worried then let her choose, or buy just the stone.

I wear 1/3 carat earrings and they are not huge, in my opinion it would look a bit too simple on a plain gold band but like I say, that might be just me - some people aren't happy with big jewellery and don't want to be showy but I'd go for the safe option of letting her choose.

Or you could not go for the diamond and go for a different stone - I love sapphires.

LEJC

mcarthyryan wrote: »

I've had a look around on the internet, and think I've found something which suits my price range, what do you guys think? Would it be a bad thing buying on the internet?



That is £630 which is quite expensive in my eyes, but for the 'spec' is it a good price? I know people will recommend going to Jewellers, but I haven't a clue what I'm looking for in shops, where as in the internet at least you get all the info on the diamond etc.


Ryan

I have many years in jeweller dealings and have seen this senario many times....

Personally before you buy anything on the internet...and there are some good deals to be had...you need to see some rings....
You may well get the info online but you can also get info from jewellers too....and in honesty a jeweller stood in front of you with a ring in your hand will let you answer whether the size of stone is big or small!...images on line are very magnified...
If you have £630 to spend please research by seeing some actual rings before you commit to your purchase....

At least go to a jeweller and see some rings...try and find a local jeweller rather than a high street chain as they are sometimes better when it comes to striking a deal...it costs nothing to look and a good jeweller will show you something similar to the size and style you have seen online...its then up to you if you push for a discount with the jeweller or purchase online....

mcarthyryan

WOW, thank you everyone for the replies!! Very good advice everyone

I found the one on Blue Nile like other have suggested. And looking at other sites which people have suggested, it seems to be the best?

I fully understand what everyone is saying about a token ring, but I really want to choose it myself and for it to be a complete suprise for her. Which I think it will......Although that is going against what most people are suggesting.

I've been a bit silly and left it until the last minute sorting this out, as we are going on holiday on the 2nd Feb, and I really wanted it before then.

I'm from Yorkshire, so is there any well known jewelers which I could visit locally?

Is 0.3ct really too small do you think?


Thanks again everyone

Plans_all_plans

Go to any high street jeweller tomorrow and ask to see a 0.31 carat ring, then you can decide for yourself whether it looks too small or not. If she has big fingers, then maybe it would look small, but mine looks fine on my small thin fingers in my opinion.

Do you know her ring size?

BlueNile was def my fave of the online jewellers I looked at: products looked a better quality, no conflict diamonds etc.

mcarthyryan

No, I don't know her ring size, but Blue Nile offer a free re-sizing service from a year of purchase.

Her finger are tiny if I'm honest. I know this has no relevance, but her feet are size 3! So a 0.31 carat might look ok.

I will try to get through to a high street jewellers tomorrow to have a quick look.

What is wrong with the high street jewellers by the way, as everyone seems to recommend to steer clear of them.



Thanks