Engagement ring question

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dannyjebb
dannyjebb Posts: 428 Forumite
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in Marriage, relationships & families
Hi all

We got engaged at Christmas and I struggled to find a ring as I have real issues with buying diamonds for ethical issues. I ended up with a sterling silver lab created sapphire ring, but the sapphire was a little big for her liking so have returned it. We have been looking since and finding it hard to find anything suitable. We have decided it will definitely be either a lab created diamond or clear sapphire. We don't really want precious metals such as platinum or gold for their non environmentally friendly background, from reading a bit more silver seems to have the same problems.

We looked at titanium but then would have the problem that it's unable to be resized and dangerous if a ring needs to be removed quickly if a finger swells. Ideally it would be a argentium sterling silver that has been recycled and a lab created gem.

Out of interest from reading up I have read that white golf and platinum plated rings can need re plating yearly?? This seems a bit bizarre if people are paying 000s for a ring and then paying to have it replated yearly.

Can anyone recommend a retailer that could supply a lab created diamond from argentium sterling silver? I am not having much luck looking online :(

Many thanks
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  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 46,024 Forumite
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    Would you feel happier with an antique ring? Presuming you can find something you like, of course.
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • LilElvis
    LilElvis Posts: 5,835 Forumite
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    Savvy_Sue wrote: »
    Would you feel happier with an antique ring? Presuming you can find something you like, of course.

    Probably not as gem/precious metal miners would have had even worse working conditions than they do today, plus plundering of assets by nasty imperialist nations.

    A Haribo would probably be safest. :p
  • Gloomendoom
    Gloomendoom Posts: 16,550 Forumite
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    dannyjebb wrote: »
    Can anyone recommend a retailer that could supply a lab created diamond from argentium sterling silver? I am not having much luck looking online :(

    Many thanks

    Why not buy a secondhand classic platinum diamond solitaire?

    Anything you buy new is a drain on the worlds rapidly diminishing resources.
  • dannyjebb
    dannyjebb Posts: 428 Forumite
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    Never actually thought about second hand. Thanks I will have a look on the web :)
  • celyn90
    celyn90 Posts: 3,249 Forumite
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    Congratulations on your engagement! I think that's lovely :) I also won't wear diamonds for ethical reasons.

    Have you thought about phoning a couple of independent jewellers, explaining what you would like and asking them to make you something?
    :staradmin:starmod: beware of geeks bearing .gifs...:starmod::staradmin
    :starmod: Whoever said "nothing is impossible" obviously never tried to nail jelly to a tree :starmod:
  • theoretica
    theoretica Posts: 12,305 Forumite
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    If you want the look of diamonds, you could investigate moissanite.

    For the metal, would Welsh gold suit you? Or as suggested you could have something remade from older metal.
    But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,
    Had the whole of their cash in his care.
    Lewis Carroll
  • Saverule
    Saverule Posts: 65 Forumite
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    Moissanite is the way to go for you.
    It's a lab created gemstone, nearly as durable as a diamond without negating on scintillation. They now use this stone on drill bits, due to it's diamond-like qualities.
    I would purchase an individual stone from their online store, to be placed in an ethical setting of your choice by a reputable jeweler.
    Alternatively if you're anywhere near Hatton Garden, there are jewelers there who make one-off rings. I think they would be the best in helping you with your niche needs.
    Good Luck on finding THE ring and Congratulations on your engagement!
  • borkid
    borkid Posts: 2,475 Forumite
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    dannyjebb wrote: »
    Hi all

    We got engaged at Christmas and I struggled to find a ring as I have real issues with buying diamonds for ethical issues. I ended up with a sterling silver lab created sapphire ring, but the sapphire was a little big for her liking so have returned it. We have been looking since and finding it hard to find anything suitable. We have decided it will definitely be either a lab created diamond or clear sapphire. We don't really want precious metals such as platinum or gold for their non environmentally friendly background, from reading a bit more silver seems to have the same problems.

    We looked at titanium but then would have the problem that it's unable to be resized and dangerous if a ring needs to be removed quickly if a finger swells. Ideally it would be a argentium sterling silver that has been recycled and a lab created gem.

    Out of interest from reading up I have read that white golf and platinum plated rings can need re plating yearly?? This seems a bit bizarre if people are paying 000s for a ring and then paying to have it replated yearly.

    Can anyone recommend a retailer that could supply a lab created diamond from argentium sterling silver? I am not having much luck looking online :(

    Many thanks
    My white gold wedding ring lasted 36 years years before I needed it cutting off as my finger had swollen. Never had it replated and it didn't need it.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,094 Community Admin
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    borkid wrote: »
    My white gold wedding ring lasted 36 years years before I needed it cutting off as my finger had swollen. Never had it replated and it didn't need it.
    Mine lasted 18 months and was yellow.
  • Bumblebear
    Bumblebear Posts: 105 Forumite
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    I had a not entirely dissimilar experience, and ended up foregoing having a ring at all. I was concerned about the ethics behind diamond mining (there used to be a shop in Brighton I believe that only sold ethically mined diamonds?); and also about the cost to us personally (yes, I was being miserly). I have sensitive skin and can't wear gold everyday (gold! I ask you...) which limited us even more. A relative suggested a second hand ring which I liked the idea of very much, but then I have tiny hands and there are few rings out there in my size...

    That ended up the bit of a rant, just echoing the ideas of others really. I have a platinum wedding band which is nearly a year old now :) I wasn't told anything about it needing re-plating, but then I went into the jewellers already knowing I was looking for platinum due to my skin issues. I was surprised how scruffy it got quite quickly, but then it depends what you do with your hands I suppose, I'm hardly a lady of leisure!

    And of course, happy engagement :beer:
    Debt free as of 28/03/2017 (just don't ask about the mortgage :rotfl:)
    Lover of sewing and biscuits, hater of traffic jams and credit cards
    3-6 Month Emergency Fund Challenge #78 £0/£5,670
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