Wedding Rings - online only sellers. Experiences?

KatieDee

My partner and I have been trying tirelessly to marry since January 2020. We had our entire wedding planned, which was then postponed until September, only for the venue to cease holding weddings. In July, we discovered we were pregnant after a fairly challenging time of trying, so decided to ditch the expensive wedding day and book a small registry office before our little bundle arrives in March.

We're now on to our THIRD attempt at doing this due to lockdown (which I appreciate, is far more important than our nuptials!). 

I stupidly assumed it would just be a matter of ordering a ring and having it delivered the week after, without realising that partners hands are like shovels and he needs a 6mm width to avoid the ring looking too dainty on his massive man hands. These tend not to be in stock in a size T, so require some forward planning which unfortunately, we don't have (wedding is now booked for the 23rd of February). He already has mine ordered and is due to take delivery shortly and I'll be honest, the fact he is winning at rings (I am usually the super organised one) is too much to bear.

I've had a look at a couple of jewellers online. I am well aware that high street jewellers such as Goldsmiths, Beaverbrooks and even H Samuel/Ernest Jones tend to have a high mark up. I've also learnt that rings come in different thicknesses and weight, all of which add to the cost (and unfortunately, there isn't really an industry standard, so some rings tend to be much lighter than others and most of the high street jewellers have zero information about this). 

I've also considered some of the online only jewellers, which appear to be cheaper in many cases. These are suppliers such as Elma Jewellery (which I saw mention on these forums a few years ago), 77 Diamonds, etc. They seem to have much quicker (and more specific) manufacturing times, so I feel more secure ordering from them.

I just wanted to reach out and see if anybody could recommend a seller or even share their own experiences. Elma Jewellers has reasonable reviews but they are just so cheap, I'm concerned about there being some issue with the ring/service/quality. I just want to know for certain before I take the plunge! I certainly don't mind spending more on a ring if I know it will be quality and can be delivered in the next five weeks for certain but in true Money Saving Expert fashion, any money saved is a bonus in my book!

So...where were your wedding rings from, how was the experience?

Savvy_Sue

You know you can get married without a ring, don't you? DH has never worn one (would probably be allergic if we'd tried). 

DS3 recently proposed to his g/f, using a 'temporary' ring and the intention to buy a better one when the shops re-open, so that's another option, even a brass curtain ring or a washer ... (Actually I think the ring DS3 got is quite lovely in itself, but it's not the right size)

MovingForwards

Is it just a wedding band in gold, silver or whatever? If so, look at any jewellery shop.

My first engagement ring was something my OH grabbed from his room. The fact he proposed meant so much more than what was stuck on my finger.

burlingtonfl6

KatieDee said:

My partner and I have been trying tirelessly to marry since January 2020. We had our entire wedding planned, which was then postponed until September, only for the venue to cease holding weddings. In July, we discovered we were pregnant after a fairly challenging time of trying, so decided to ditch the expensive wedding day and book a small registry office before our little bundle arrives in March.

We're now on to our THIRD attempt at doing this due to lockdown (which I appreciate, is far more important than our nuptials!). 

I stupidly assumed it would just be a matter of ordering a ring and having it delivered the week after, without realising that partners hands are like shovels and he needs a 6mm width to avoid the ring looking too dainty on his massive man hands. These tend not to be in stock in a size T, so require some forward planning which unfortunately, we don't have (wedding is now booked for the 23rd of February). He already has mine ordered and is due to take delivery shortly and I'll be honest, the fact he is winning at rings (I am usually the super organised one) is too much to bear.

I've had a look at a couple of jewellers online. I am well aware that high street jewellers such as Goldsmiths, Beaverbrooks and even H Samuel/Ernest Jones tend to have a high mark up. I've also learnt that rings come in different thicknesses and weight, all of which add to the cost (and unfortunately, there isn't really an industry standard, so some rings tend to be much lighter than others and most of the high street jewellers have zero information about this). 

I've also considered some of the online only jewellers, which appear to be cheaper in many cases. These are suppliers such as Elma Jewellery (which I saw mention on these forums a few years ago), 77 Diamonds, etc. They seem to have much quicker (and more specific) manufacturing times, so I feel more secure ordering from them.

I just wanted to reach out and see if anybody could recommend a seller or even share their own experiences. Elma Jewellers has reasonable reviews but they are just so cheap, I'm concerned about there being some issue with the ring/service/quality. I just want to know for certain before I take the plunge! I certainly don't mind spending more on a ring if I know it will be quality and can be delivered in the next five weeks for certain but in true Money Saving Expert fashion, any money saved is a bonus in my book!

So...where were your wedding rings from, how was the experience?

Very wise decision. 

Pollycat

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

68ComebackSpecial

Pollycat said:

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

I would second this. 6mm isn't very wide - I'm a fairly small woman and my band is 5mm/ size J and then has an equally wide setting for my engagement ring worn on top. The thickness of the ring will also be important if he does anything manual - a thin ring will deform easily. A manufacturing jeweller will also be able to make his ring to a more precise size - down to quarter sizes - for a better fit. 

KatieDee

Savvy_Sue said:

You know you can get married without a ring, don't you? DH has never worn one (would probably be allergic if we'd tried). 

DS3 recently proposed to his g/f, using a 'temporary' ring and the intention to buy a better one when the shops re-open, so that's another option, even a brass curtain ring or a washer ... (Actually I think the ring DS3 got is quite lovely in itself, but it's not the right size)

Perfectly aware of that, although thank you for the suggestion. After having an actual wedding cancelled twice, three cancelled registry office dates, my dad passing away suddenly (who planned to walk me down the aisle) and now being allowed a total of 4 guests, I would at least like a piece of jewellery to symbolise the day.

Prior to lockdown, we had tried on rings and partner found the one he wanted, so really it's just a matter of finding an online retailer who sells it, who can hopefully deliver before the (not so big) day.

MovingForwards said:

Is it just a wedding band in gold, silver or whatever? If so, look at any jewellery shop.

My first engagement ring was something my OH grabbed from his room. The fact he proposed meant so much more than what was stuck on my finger.

White gold, 18ct. The shop thing is a bit tough at the moment, what with being on lockdown and all. Fortunately we did try rings on many months ago and decided on what we wanted, so it's just a matter of finding a decent seller online now. I was under the impression all plain bands were the same but apparently not! Just want to make sure I'm making the right decision by asking for first hand experiences.

KatieDee

burlingtonfl6 said:

Very wise decision. 

Thank you. I'd be lying if I said we haven't been somewhat forced into the position (although rest assured, our original wedding plans were very much on a budget!) but I have to say, I am very much looking forward to a short, ten minute ceremony, then straight home for a cup of tea and a cuddle on the sofa (especially so at 38 weeks pregnant).

Pollycat said:

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

Sorry, didn't make this clear - we tried on several rings earlier in the year before our original wedding date was cancelled. He knows exactly what he wants as he tried this particular ring on in a small independent jewellers. 6mm, 18ct white gold, heavy weight. It has just been a bit of a pain getting any of the high street jewellers to confirm their weights/thickness/etc and I don't want to end up with some skinny thing that doesn't look right on him.

68ComebackSpecial said:

Pollycat said:

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

I would second this. 6mm isn't very wide - I'm a fairly small woman and my band is 5mm/ size J and then has an equally wide setting for my engagement ring worn on top. The thickness of the ring will also be important if he does anything manual - a thin ring will deform easily. A manufacturing jeweller will also be able to make his ring to a more precise size - down to quarter sizes - for a better fit. 

Thank you for your input. My engagement ring is 2mm and the ring he has ordered for me is the same width and matches well. I couldn't imagine a 5mm thick ring on my hands and it seems as though you have daintier hands than I! We were fortunate enough to try a lot of rings on prior to the wedding being cancelled and 6mm was perfect for him, hence why we've decided to go for that. I don't think I would have risked an online purchase without an idea of what we wanted, especially given how much I've learnt since looking!

princeofpounds

I had a great experience with Blue Nile, who are mainly a diamond specialist but do some other things too. I had the ring I bought there checked and valued by a high st jeweller for reinsurance purposes and they suggested double the price (the GBP had weakened in the interim but diamond prices had too so I think it about cancelled each other out).

Obviously it's not equivalent as insurance valuations tend to be on the high side and there is an implied high st mark-up in the estimate. But it reassured me that I did not get ripped off.

If you do want to get a diamond, they have huge stock that can be filtered by quite precise specs, so you can really optimise paying for the right mix of characteristics you value.

68ComebackSpecial

KatieDee said:

burlingtonfl6 said:

Very wise decision. 

Thank you. I'd be lying if I said we haven't been somewhat forced into the position (although rest assured, our original wedding plans were very much on a budget!) but I have to say, I am very much looking forward to a short, ten minute ceremony, then straight home for a cup of tea and a cuddle on the sofa (especially so at 38 weeks pregnant).

Pollycat said:

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

Sorry, didn't make this clear - we tried on several rings earlier in the year before our original wedding date was cancelled. He knows exactly what he wants as he tried this particular ring on in a small independent jewellers. 6mm, 18ct white gold, heavy weight. It has just been a bit of a pain getting any of the high street jewellers to confirm their weights/thickness/etc and I don't want to end up with some skinny thing that doesn't look right on him.

68ComebackSpecial said:

Pollycat said:

If I were in the OP's position, I would forget the ring until after the shops reopen and a proper search can be made, looking at options and possibly even trying one on.

He may decide that 6mm is still not wide enough and want to go for a thicker band.

I'd probably try a manufacturing jeweller to have one made.

I would second this. 6mm isn't very wide - I'm a fairly small woman and my band is 5mm/ size J and then has an equally wide setting for my engagement ring worn on top. The thickness of the ring will also be important if he does anything manual - a thin ring will deform easily. A manufacturing jeweller will also be able to make his ring to a more precise size - down to quarter sizes - for a better fit. 

Thank you for your input. My engagement ring is 2mm and the ring he has ordered for me is the same width and matches well. I couldn't imagine a 5mm thick ring on my hands and it seems as though you have daintier hands than I! We were fortunate enough to try a lot of rings on prior to the wedding being cancelled and 6mm was perfect for him, hence why we've decided to go for that. I don't think I would have risked an online purchase without an idea of what we wanted, especially given how much I've learnt since looking!

Have you tried contacting the jeweller where he tried the ring on to see if they can accommodate him? If they are a manufacturing jeweller they probably won't have time now to both make and hallmark it, but the hallmarking could always be done subsequently.

The only trouble with my wide bands is that I can't fit an eternity ring on top - I wouldn't be able to bend my finger! The stones in my engagement ring are reasonably large and, coupled with the design my jeweller came up with, a narrower band wouldn't have looked right. Then a narrower wedding band didn't look right against the engagement ring - so I ended up with 2 wider bands. 

KatieDee

princeofpounds said:

I had a great experience with Blue Nile, who are mainly a diamond specialist but do some other things too. I had the ring I bought there checked and valued by a high st jeweller for reinsurance purposes and they suggested double the price (the GBP had weakened in the interim but diamond prices had too so I think it about cancelled each other out).

Obviously it's not equivalent as insurance valuations tend to be on the high side and there is an implied high st mark-up in the estimate. But it reassured me that I did not get ripped off.

If you do want to get a diamond, they have huge stock that can be filtered by quite precise specs, so you can really optimise paying for the right mix of characteristics you value.

That's really reassuring - thank you for sharing your experience. 

68ComebackSpecial said:

Have you tried contacting the jeweller where he tried the ring on to see if they can accommodate him? If they are a manufacturing jeweller they probably won't have time now to both make and hallmark it, but the hallmarking could always be done subsequently.

The only trouble with my wide bands is that I can't fit an eternity ring on top - I wouldn't be able to bend my finger! The stones in my engagement ring are reasonably large and, coupled with the design my jeweller came up with, a narrower band wouldn't have looked right. Then a narrower wedding band didn't look right against the engagement ring - so I ended up with 2 wider bands. 

That's a really good idea! They're a local jeweller too, so it would be nice to help a smaller business where we can.

See that's where we're different...it sounds like you have the most gorgeous engagement ring with lovely large stones, which definitely needs something a bit more substantial. 

I only have a teeny tiny diamond! (only joking of course, I adore my ring because partner chose is specifically).