Engagement rings
#1
Engagement rings
I'm not really one for jewellery etc but it seems to mean a lot to my g/f, so I'm going to get her a nice engagement ring. We found a decent ring in town, but it was £6k. So where's the best place to buy diamonds etc for a decent price - is it in Amsterdam? They probably only sell a few rings a week in the place I went into, and I don't want to pay their rent & staff costs!
#4
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by TopBanana
I'm not really one for jewellery etc but it seems to mean a lot to my g/f, so I'm going to get her a nice engagement ring. We found a decent ring in town, but it was £6k. So where's the best place to buy diamonds etc for a decent price - is it in Amsterdam? They probably only sell a few rings a week in the place I went into, and I don't want to pay their rent & staff costs!
I purchased my wife's engagement and wedding rings from there.
Richard
#5
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: RS6 heaven. 505/445 Scooby Eater (whilst watching TV)
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
South Africa is cheap for diamonds.
My friend bought a diamond out there and had it revalued here for a lot more.
Hatton Garden in London is also supposed to be the place to go.
Phil (who just went to Mappin and Webb cos he's lazy)
My friend bought a diamond out there and had it revalued here for a lot more.
Hatton Garden in London is also supposed to be the place to go.
Phil (who just went to Mappin and Webb cos he's lazy)
#6
Yeah a second vote for Birmingham, we bought (i say we, he paid for it!) mine from there, I fell in love with a diamond in a ring but didn't like the setting so they took it out and made a new ring for me. Really good service and price. They have size and quality to suit all budgets. Remember the 4 C's when buying! It's better to go for a smaller but top quality one as you can tell the difference!
#7
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Logged Out
Posts: 10,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a guy who makes them in Coventry and sells on eBay, to your spec. Superb quality and price. None of your huge inflated mark-ups.
Eg 2.25ct diamond solitaire ring. Handmade from solid 950 standard Platinum & fully British Hallmarked as such. The Diamond is EGL-USA certified as being Colour grade 'F-G' and Clarity grade I1 , and measures 8.34 x 8.32 x 5.45mm. It currently weighs 6.5 grams - Heavyweight!
All for £3,333.
With an insurance valuation certificate for £14,596.22!
Plus there are cheaper choices.
Having said the above though, don't do it!!!
Eg 2.25ct diamond solitaire ring. Handmade from solid 950 standard Platinum & fully British Hallmarked as such. The Diamond is EGL-USA certified as being Colour grade 'F-G' and Clarity grade I1 , and measures 8.34 x 8.32 x 5.45mm. It currently weighs 6.5 grams - Heavyweight!
All for £3,333.
With an insurance valuation certificate for £14,596.22!
Plus there are cheaper choices.
Having said the above though, don't do it!!!
Trending Topics
#8
Thanks chaps
Birmingham? Desperate times and all that I suppose
I'll check out ebay Spoon - ta. She specifically gave me instructions not to buy one from ebay though, not sure what that should tell me
Birmingham? Desperate times and all that I suppose
I'll check out ebay Spoon - ta. She specifically gave me instructions not to buy one from ebay though, not sure what that should tell me
#9
Scooby Senior
Having got engaged to my wife when young and not having the money for a brand new rock I found an antique jewellers and bought a loverly twin diamond antique ring.
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: essex, then chongqing, china and now essex again
Posts: 2,568
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E & H Harrington Jewellery Manufacturers & Repairers in colchester tel: 01206 543680
- they were recommended by a friend and made my wife's engagement ring and our wedding rings. will make whatever you're looking for to your budget
- they were recommended by a friend and made my wife's engagement ring and our wedding rings. will make whatever you're looking for to your budget
Last edited by richardg; 02 August 2005 at 04:15 PM. Reason: 'cos i can't spell colchesesester!
#12
Before buying, do some research into diamonds. Sites such as http://www.thediamondbuyingguide.com/ tell you the various characteristics you need to know and look for. If you're going to spend a lot of money I would insist on a certified diamond with good characteristics.
There are sites on the web which allow you to search on the various criteria (cut, clarity etc) and see the certified stones they have in stock and their price. This will give you a good feel for the price of the raw stones, and if you buy from the high street will ensure you don't get ripped off for a low quality stone.
Hatton Gardens in London (near Chancery Lane tube) has a massive number of jewelry shops. I'm not sure whether you'll get great value for money, but you'll be hard pushed to find anywhere else where you can compare so many different stones and rings.
Gary.
There are sites on the web which allow you to search on the various criteria (cut, clarity etc) and see the certified stones they have in stock and their price. This will give you a good feel for the price of the raw stones, and if you buy from the high street will ensure you don't get ripped off for a low quality stone.
Hatton Gardens in London (near Chancery Lane tube) has a massive number of jewelry shops. I'm not sure whether you'll get great value for money, but you'll be hard pushed to find anywhere else where you can compare so many different stones and rings.
Gary.
#14
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Here!
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am lucky in as much that my Husbands Father is a jewler by trade (crafts jewellry)... however, I didn't want an engagement ring - instead I went for a rather heavy platignum band with a tiwan (sp) saphire centre and two 22 carat gold wonky hearts either side I have a heart added each anniversary (well, till he moved and didn't set up his bench again) but Im due to have a couple more hearts added soon
Last edited by Soulgirl; 02 August 2005 at 10:20 PM.
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Here!
Posts: 5,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In fact, my Dad in law can buy diamonds very cheaply - they only get expensive when they arrive in the shops. For something different and value for money, commission a jeweller to make you a ring
#25
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: essex, then chongqing, china and now essex again
Posts: 2,568
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Soulgirl
diamonds...they only get expensive when they arrive in the shops. For something different and value for money, commission a jeweller to make you a ring
#26
Originally Posted by TopBanana
Thanks chaps
Birmingham? Desperate times and all that I suppose
I'll check out ebay Spoon - ta. She specifically gave me instructions not to buy one from ebay though, not sure what that should tell me
Birmingham? Desperate times and all that I suppose
I'll check out ebay Spoon - ta. She specifically gave me instructions not to buy one from ebay though, not sure what that should tell me
Some friends bought one recently and it was absolute ****e.
She is v pissed off and he is seriously poorer
In fact - they've just broken up
#27
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Stirling
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im with +Doc+ on this one....
Antique place about 8 miles from where I live sold me a ring for my g/f last year. I bartered them down to £300.00 and when I had it valued for insurance it was up to £1250.00.
All in a nice wee earner!!
Antique place about 8 miles from where I live sold me a ring for my g/f last year. I bartered them down to £300.00 and when I had it valued for insurance it was up to £1250.00.
All in a nice wee earner!!
#29
If you're looking at Diamond Solitaire rings, my wife, who works in jewellery (not H Samuel etc.), can get some bargains and has done so for friends, family etc.
Please let me know if you would like contact details.
p.s. to give you an idea, our combined engagement and wedding bands would cost retail £28,000. I paid nearer £13k
Please let me know if you would like contact details.
p.s. to give you an idea, our combined engagement and wedding bands would cost retail £28,000. I paid nearer £13k
#30
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: essex, then chongqing, china and now essex again
Posts: 2,568
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jods
I'd give e-bay a wiiiiiiide berth when buying an engagement ring