Upgrade Engagement Ring - Advice

OtusLondon

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and would love the thoughts of the ladies out there on this. All the stars are aligned as within the next month it is my lovely wife's birthday, our fifth wedding anniversary and the birth of our first baby. I want to mark all this by getting her a nicer (i.e. bigger engagement ring). She currently has a very simple 0.5 carat solitaire from Cartier and is very happy with it. We will have that turned into a pendant. But which option would you prefer for a budget of around £20k (all of these paved with small side diamonds):
1. 1.8c from BlueNile, signature cut, H colour
2. 1.5c from Hirsch, excellent, E
3. 1.28c from Graff, excellent H
4. 1.41c from Cartier excellent H

How much does brand matter or would you be happier with the 1.8c from BlueNile, a very reputable online dealer, in its best cut?

Thank you

DD265

I'd go to one of the jewelry quarters tbh and go independent.

Although my engagement ring came from H Samuel and I have not seen another ring I like nearly as much, I understand that the independents give the best value and the best scope.

That said - I can't tell from your post whether she wants a bigger diamond or doesn't know anything about it! I'm not sure how comfortable I would be personally walking around with something so expensive on my finger.

DigForVictory

Reassure me that you have discussed this with your wife & that she would *like* to see her beloved & cherished engagement ring converted?

The £20K could be sunk into a suitably-hard-to-access account for any extra lessons, exotic school trips, driving less, first car & part deposit on first house.

Whereas £20K on a hand changing nappies, lugging shopping & coping with all the challenges of new motherhood? Strikes me as being a mite hazardous unless her everyday wear is a stunning (& scrubbable) fake & the genuine rock is hidden elsewhere.

The brand is unimportant to me - our future & the guarantee that you will be home for bonkers o'clock every weeknight would be worth the newborn's weight in rubies.

Sambella

If I were your wife I'd prefer it if you took me on a surprise shopping trip to wherever you planned to get the ring from and let me pick my own.

Some of of ladies are picky! I prefer daintier rings over large stones.

That way you would also find out if she would rather keep her current ring (setiminetal value) in which case you could then get her something else.

Fedupofthebankers2008

How weird...I'm in the process of upgrading my engagement ring (max budget £20k)...freaky!


Really curious as to how your search of suppliers is going?
1)There seem to be loads of really great US website (much cheaper) but I'm finding the associated complications of import duties/vat etc prohibitive.
2) Blue Nile seems a hybrid, US but with a EU distributon hub in Dublin, so far so good. Bearing in mind you're buying without seeing stone/ring first I've concerns that if you have to return it, shipping & insurance (on £20k) is going to cost £160.
3) I've found 2 UK based websites but again buying without seeing carries huge risk. It seems even then you have to return items at your own expense.
4) Hatton Garden - I'm worried I'm going to end up over paying & get annoyed with 'salespeople' pushing their current stock. I don't think pricing is as transparent & limited access to stones - so overall not as good a deal as online. Going to have to really haggle to get a sensible price.


I'm guessing by you name you're based in London so are more able to check HG out? Unfortunately, HG means a trip & hotel for me, all adding to the cost,adding pressure to buy on the day.


Sorry to hijack your post but really curious how you're going about your search & how you feel about spending so much money online?


Would be most grateful to hear your thoughts, experiences etc


Cheers!