Engagement Ring Advice

Mizz_Pink

I recommend Hallmark jewellers at the Jewellery Quarter, but as your in Glasgow I dont think it would help. My stone is VS2 (clarity grade) and colour G. It sparkles like a bugga !! Cost £1700 with a tapered baguette diamond each side of the round cut diamond, set in platinum.

Platinum is much better than white gold so go for that if you can afford it. Whiet gold has been plated and will wear off so you will have you get it re-coated every so often.

Let us know what you buy !

foolsgold99

Brilliant, I might try the jewellery quarter in Birmingham. My parents live in Derby and they always comment that I never visit. Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

wordwizard

Hi there, great news that your thinking of proposal, my boyfriend proposed with a haribo sweet as tempory ring then we went to Jersey and had a ring made to our requirements, cost us £3000 but saved 40% on UK mainland prices, obviously you don't have to spend that much but if you can pick up a cheap flybe flight and head to King street St Helier you really can't go wrong, either buying from the jewellers or having one made like us. You have a lovely break and get a better value of money, plus for me it was even more special at it being made, good luck

Jem8472

One other thing I forgot to mention above is that what ever metal you get the engagement ring made out of, the wedding ring will have to be made out of the same stuff.

if you get a 9K engagment ring and an 18K weding ring, the engagment ring will slowly wear out the wedding ring.

Same with different metals, platinum and gold. One is harder than the other.

[Deleted User]

If you spent a grand and got a 9K ring you've also been heavily ripped off

skintchick

I second Mizz_Pink ref white metals - platinum only costs a few hundred extra and you'll save that over the life of the ring in not having ot have it replated like you do white gold.

Floss

Why not make your beloved an IOU to give her when you propose, then you can both go together to choose her ring?

I was shameless enough to have shown my DF the ring I wanted when we were at the discussing stage, but when he proposed he'd bought the more expensive one that I didn't think was in the budget so hadn't bothered looking at!

Magicboo

I was given a lovely silver ring with cubic zirconia stones in, it served the purpose for the proposal and now the OH and I are designing the "proper" ring-although at the moment, I think I'm going to have a replica of the silver one!
I think that covers all the bases, you get to propose with a ring, but don't need to worry that you might get it wrong!
Good Luck, make sure you tell us how you get on x

MrsC....tobe

foolsgold99 wrote: »

Hi,
I plan on asking my girlfriend of 10 years (yep, she's waited long enough) to marry me and I'm looking to buy and engagement ring for her. I was wondering if anyone has some good advice on haggling, etc.
My price is around about £1000 but I never like to pay the ticket price. Can any one point me in the direction of a jeweller that is open to haggling?

Thanks very much

P.S. I live in Glasgow :T

In that case I would recommend John McIntyre and Sons in Mitchell Lane, just of Buchanan Street. H2B and myself went there having no idea what I was looking for. Go up to the first floor and tell the girl on the door that you are looking for engagement rings then take a seat until you are invited in.

We were served by Gemma who was extremely helpful. Choose your price range - I think the bottom range is up to £1500 and your server will bring them to you along with a viewing tray which holds 16. You will look through a tray at a time and be asked to place the ones which are liked onto the viewing tray (i had 15 in there!!). Once you have made a selection she put them into a particular order in respect of style shape size of diamond etc.
The next bit is useful to have your GF (or hopefully by that time fiancee) with you - I tried them all all one by one and whittled them down that way until I was left with two and couldn't choose between them so I made my lovely H2B choose one - that way I was getting something that I liked but also that he had chosen!

The ring can be sized for you the same day if required on the premises - there is a workshop on the 3rd floor and you will be invited to go back at an appointed time to pick it up (Mine had to go down a full size and was ready to collect at the appointed time).

Everything was put into a lovely little bag, apart from the ring which was on my finger of course, and little boxes of chocolates put in aswell!

John McIntyre's used to be a wholesaler, now they are a retailer but still sell at wholesale prices. My ring should have been well into 4 figures but we paid nearly half that. Don't forget to ask if you qualify for their privilege card (we did because of occupations) which gives another 10% off the already drastically reduced prices!

The company will also post out a valuation certificate to your home address with details on it for when to go back for a one month and six month checkup on the ring which is great for insurance purposes. I also decided my ring needs to go down another half size and this will be done free of charge on my next visit.

A great service provided and I would recommend them to anyone - can't wait to go back and choose our wedding bands!

Good luck x

(Just realised that it sounds like I work for the company but honestly I don't, I live nearly 200 miles from the shop!!!)

MrsC....tobe

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