Best place to buy an engangement ring.

sooz

Or a trip down to London, and go to Hatton Garden.

I have already replied to you on your other thread....and posted a link to the same Guardian article

Step away from the Argos catalogue............

needtoknow_4

Thanks very much for all your kind regards and reccomendations. Unforuately we are not near London or Birminghan but will rule out the idea of argos as has been said very unromantic and probably costly as well. I know that HS Samuels have a shop nearby with some on their website that dont look too bad (though to be honest I couldn't tell a good ring from bad) might have a look in there (to get some ideas) as well as a few more local retailers.

Thanks again,

normal

I bought my wife's engagement ring in Hatton Garden, but having also bought jewellery in Birmingham too, I'd say definitely buy in Birmingham as it's cheaper, but doesn't have as wide a choice. Also don't forget to haggle! If you've not knocked at least 20% off, you've not finished haggling!
Do try to get to birmingham if you can as you will get twice as good a diamond for your money compared to the high street. I kid you not.

EDIT: This is the guide I used to learn about diamonds. I knew nothing before, but I could talk the talk and haggle with power after reading this! http://www.guardian.co.uk/consumer/story/0,,649273,00.html

Good luck with the ring (and the marriage!)

BargainJunky

I second and third the recommendation for Birmingham's jewellery quarter - I'm not biased honest but I am a Brummie!. My engagement ring and both our wedding rings were bought there.

Why not plan a trip on the train and make a day of it or even stay overnight if you can get a bargain hotel.

Good luck.

normal

Great idea! Just remember a lot of the shops close early on Fridays and are shut on Saturdays.

Eos

We got ours from the lanes (second hand shops) in Brighton. I was really surprised she was happy with second hand, but we got a pretty big rock for our money.
Take your time though.

Look at lots of rings. If you don't completely love a ring, leave it. Another one that you love will turn up. And enjoy the choosing.

We got quite good at using the lenses in the shop to have a good close look for inclusions etc. This was part of the fun for us, (a surprisingly large number of diamonds look very poor with a lens) and asking to use a lens probably makes the shop less likely to try and sell you a lump of coal.

Oh, and after we finally chose our ring I thanked the sales girl, and shook the managers hand. Got a masonic handshake. (Not a member, but I know the handshake.) I wonder if we could have got a better discount if I'd done one back.

-1-

Go round as many as you can, if she's anything like my fiancee she'll have a "ooo that one is nice" in each window.

I noticed one she really kept saying was nice but was expensive (£1,700) ,she knew it was one of those "I love it but will never have it" rings, but I took note and got it.

Got her a nice teddy with a pink bow and put the ring over the knot of the bow she thought it was a plastic ring on the teddy and was happy with the teddy until I told her to take a closer look.

Been in the good books ever since.

Not really money saving advice but if it's meant to be then she will have it for a long time, I wouldn't go anywhere near argos for rings, definatley well known jewelers and get a decent one and more importantly, one she likes.

Good luck mate, i'm sure she'll love whatever you get her as it's the moment and the question that counts not the size or price of a ring.

Edit :

I got the ring I wanted for myself too :-


Diamonds are usually for women yes but It called my name lol.

Dunners

Hi, just a thought but it might be worth looking on ebay for tesco clubcard coupons (the mailings are coming out imminently) buying 500 quids worth of tesco vouchers and then exchanging them for Goldsmiths vouchers - this means you'd in effect get 2000 quid for a 500 quid spend and might make your money go a little bit further........

gk172

Have you thought about buying one online? We bought our ring online but from america but there are a few uk online stores that you can pick your diamond and then the setting plus you get much better value than high street stores, a few stores ive heard people have used are bluenile.co.uk and diamondgeezer.com.

daviddonna

If you have enough Clubcard Vouchers, you can change them into Clubcard Deals for Goldsmiths for 4 x the amount of the Clubcard vouchers. I think you have to spend £200 or more but since you will get 4 x the amount of your Clubcard Vouchers, you'll get a BIG savings.

For every £2.50 Tesco Clubcard Voucher, you get £10 in Goldsmiths vouchers. The Goldsmith website is:

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/

Maybe you can have a look at the site and see if there's anything on there that she likes. Then you can save a lot of money for when the baby comes :j