The most for your money - engagement rings

Curly_toes

Anybody got any ideas how to get the most for your money when it comes to buying an engagement ring? High street jewellers seem over priced for rather low quality.

Is buying from abroad a better option? I'm not being stingy I do want to spend a good amount but I would rather shop around and have a nice ring for her.

Thanks!

MrsDL

My husband bought mine from an independent jeweller, only had to pay for the stones and designed it himself

consultant31

Curly_toes wrote: »

Anybody got any ideas how to get the most for your money when it comes to buying an engagement ring? High street jewellers seem over priced for rather low quality.

Is buying from abroad a better option? I'm not being stingy I do want to spend a good amount but I would rather shop around and have a nice ring for her.

Thanks!

I have several 'diamond' rings which are, in fact 9ct gold but set with cubic zirconia. It would take a jeweller to be able to tell the difference but the money saved could be put towards the deposit for your first home together.

Diamonds are over-rated IMO. I love the sparkle but can't bear the thought of spending all that money on something that looks no better than a cz.

Auntie-Dolly

Second hand at an auction? you'll get more for your money but it's not everyones cup of tea.

skintchick

Either second hand or go to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham or Hatton Garden in London where you will get better value.

notanewuser

I second the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. All my diamonds are from there.

jumpedtheshark

Bluenile is a sensible option and they have a UK website.

It might be cheaper to buy from a reputable jeweller overseas, even with import taxes, etc. To figure out reputable overseas options, visit the Pricescope forums and look at their recommended vendors list (who also offer a Pricescope discount, and sometimes an additional discount if you pay via bankwire (ONLY DO THIS IF THEY'RE REPUTABLE!)). Also, you can get advice from the forums: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/ (cut is king, eye clean can be OK, unless you're colour sensitive you don't necessarily need a really high colour, etc.)

There's always eBay if you don't mind used. But make sure that it's being sold with a certificate from a reputable lab (basically GIA only) and then get an independent certification and appraisal yourself. Some labs definitely aren't that reputable and will over-inflate the quality of the diamond. But you can read more about that on Pricescope.

Finally, you can consider a coloured stone (ruby, sapphire, spinel, etc.) instead, which can be cheaper and is definitely unique. However, it's harder to find a really good untreated coloured stone and would take more research than getting a diamond ring.

19lottie82

consultant31 wrote: »

I have several 'diamond' rings which are, in fact 9ct gold but set with cubic zirconia. It would take a jeweller to be able to tell the difference but the money saved could be put towards the deposit for your first home together.

Diamonds are over-rated IMO. I love the sparkle but can't bear the thought of spending all that money on something that looks no better than a cz.

Thats your opinion but I have a feeling most women, inc myself would be heartbroken if her future husband suggested a cheap CZ ring, hardly a good start for you life together. You'll only have one (well that's the plan anyway) engagement ring!

ognum

19lottie82 wrote: »

Thats your opinion but I have a feeling most women, inc myself would be heartbroken if her future husband suggested a cheap CZ ring, hardly a good start for you life together. You'll only have one (well that's the plan anyway) engagement ring!

I think I must be one of women you don't understand! Nearly forty years ago when my husband and I got engaged we simply had no money for an engagement ring.

He was a research student I was a nurse and we were very poor, but, we managed without an engagement ring. I have never since those days felt the need for my husband to buy me a ring either with or without diamonds! It is just a symbol and not needed by me.

So all this says is we are all different, want and need different things from our partners.

Curly_toes

Thanks for all of your replys! I respect the fact that some people buy CZ for appearance and price! They look no different too me but in my eyes a women always knows lol.

I have got an old ring that was given too her great great grandma for there ruby anniversary and the ruby is missing so I was thinking of getting it re sized, polished and the stone replacing with a sapphire as its her birthstone but I had the problem of choosing what type of sapphire and was quoted £390 for a light blue sapphire, does anyone think this is a reasonable price?

Thanks for all replys appreciate any response

peachyprice

ognum wrote: »

I think I must be one of women you don't understand! Nearly forty years ago when my husband and I got engaged we simply had no money for an engagement ring.

He was a research student I was a nurse and we were very poor, but, we managed without an engagement ring. I have never since those days felt the need for my husband to buy me a ring either with or without diamonds! It is just a symbol and not needed by me.

So all this says is we are all different, want and need different things from our partners.

Although that's something else entirely, I too would rather have no engagement ring at all than a cheap CZ one TBH.

There are plenty of other beautiful stones at a fraction of the cost that my OH would rather have got if diamonds were out of his range, no need to go fake.