Engagement ring tips

manoir

Hi all,

I'm looking to get an engagement ring soon and I'm completely overwhelmed with the whole 4 C's and certification and what I'm looking for.

My girlfriend and I have talked about it in the past (we've been together for 6 years so it's come up) and I know she would rather be surprised than go get it with me.

Style wise she likes dainty things, she's quite slim and I know she is not after a huge rock. I'm pretty sure I'm after a solitaire ring and I know she has a preference white gold.

I'm going to go to Hatton Gardens today and I'm afraid that I might not be able to find much with I like with my budget of between £1000-£1750. I don't expect to buy anything just want to have a look today and am not in any rush

Any tips that might help?

dj1471

GIA have an Android app that includes videos explaining the 4 Cs which I found quite helpful:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gia.en

Before entering the lion's den you should have a clear understanding of diamond quality to avoid being conned. I wouldn't buy one without a certificate, but EGL certificates are not to be trusted, nor is anything produced by the jeweler themselves.

That said, don't get too hung up on quality. I bought a diamond which was below the quality I was aiming for because it looked great; appearance is the most important thing.

Don't buy 18K gold, buy 14K, but also consider platinum. Some good info here:
https://www.doamore.com/gold-vs-platinum-metal-for-your-ring/

I was planning to go to Hatton Garden but actually found the ring I wanted in a local jeweler, the first and only one I visited (H. Stain in Victoria - mostly 2nd hand rings). Don't instantly dismiss buying second hand, there's no VAT to pay so you get more for your money and rings usually look brand new once polished. She'll never know

I bought a 0.5ct K Si2 in platinum for £1,250. It looks fantastic. Less reputable jewelers will laugh at your budget and say it isn't achievable, don't believe them.

manoir

Thanks for the advice - I may have a look at local jewellers.

I went to Hatton Gardens for a browse and some ideas today, and it just left me confused.

I found a ring which I wanted to attach by I do not have enough posts. If you follow the links to you can see it. (you need to put http:// at the start)

imgur.com/0s07gdd

imgur.com/N7Hno9c

imgur.com/BvJ7drW


It's 18k white gold and the guy originally said £2800, I got him down to £2k. Walked away as I didn't want to come across desperate but am hoping I can get him closer to £1500.

Question is, is this ring any good. In the pictures it doesn't look great, but in person it did look rather nice and the only one out of all the stores that I liked that wasn't above £5k. I think she would like it, but am I going to pay over the odds for it based on the certification?


Any thoughts would be welcomed guys. From my understanding the colour is good, not great on the clarity, but this is not a huge deal perhaps?

Gloomendoom

With your budget I would be looking at platinum, not white gold. The whiteness is just a plating over yellow gold and doesn't last.

Bear in mind though that if you go for a platinum engagement ring, the wedding ring will need to be platinum too.

manoir

Ok thanks for the tips. The jewellers said they would provide polishing/redipping whenever I needed FOC, as such I didn't think it was a massive deal?

The platinum rings seemed exorbitantly more expensive. Did you have any views on the images I put in?

Geoff1963

Seconded on the Platinum. White Gold is Rhodium-plated, think of chromed bumpers vs. stainless steel.

Gloomendoom

manoir wrote: »

Ok thanks for the tips. The jewellers said they would provide polishing/redipping whenever I needed FOC, as such I didn't think it was a massive deal?

The platinum rings seemed exorbitantly more expensive. Did you have any views on the images I put in?

My personal view is that you would be better buying platinum and a slightly inferior diamond. Your fiancee is unlikely to pull out a loupe when you propose. I'd also make a trip to the Brum jewelry quarter. Your money will go twice as far compared to a high street jeweler.

dj1471

Clickable links:
http://imgur.com/0s07gdd
http://imgur.com/N7Hno9c
http://imgur.com/BvJ7drW

Looks exactly the same as the ring I went for! But £2,000 is still far too much IMO. Is it new?

Did you read the link I posted? 18ct gold is not a good idea, being more expensive and more susceptable to scratching vs 14ct. You say they'll polish it forever, but:
1. Do you really want the hassle (at least once a year, depending on how careful she is)?
2. What happens when they close down or you move away?

Pollycat

dj1471 wrote: »

GIA have an Android app that includes videos explaining the 4 Cs which I found quite helpful:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gia.en

Before entering the lion's den you should have a clear understanding of diamond quality to avoid being conned. I wouldn't buy one without a certificate, but EGL certificates are not to be trusted, nor is anything produced by the jeweler themselves.

That said, don't get too hung up on quality. I bought a diamond which was below the quality I was aiming for because it looked great; appearance is the most important thing.

Don't buy 18K gold, buy 14K, but also consider platinum. Some good info here:
https://www.doamore.com/gold-vs-platinum-metal-for-your-ring/

I was planning to go to Hatton Garden but actually found the ring I wanted in a local jeweler, the first and only one I visited (H. Stain in Victoria - mostly 2nd hand rings). Don't instantly dismiss buying second hand, there's no VAT to pay so you get more for your money and rings usually look brand new once polished. She'll never know

I bought a 0.5ct K Si2 in platinum for £1,250. It looks fantastic. Less reputable jewelers will laugh at your budget and say it isn't achievable, don't believe them.

I'm curious about the advice in red.

Why do you recommend buying 14k instead of 18k?

dj1471

Pollycat wrote: »

I'm curious about the advice in red.

Why do you recommend buying 14k instead of 18k?

It's explained in the link I posted and:

dj1471 wrote: »

18ct gold is not a good idea, being more expensive and more susceptable to scratching vs 14ct.

cashewnut

I've had an 18ct white gold engagement ring (from hatton garden) for almost three years and it's fine!