Where to go for 'vintage' engagement rings
Discussion
My fiance and I have just got engaged. I used an old family heirloom to pop the question. It's a silver and pearl ring that wouldn't stand up well to daily use, so we're going to get something a bit shinier and tougher. She's keen on the idea of a second-hand ring; much more ring for your money and it's a bit different. We're also avoiding solitaires - we'd like something 3 stone in platinum with a purple-pink sapphire or ruby and diamonds.
Where in the country has a good concentration of shops offering second hand rings? We're in Bristol, and there's unfortunately not masses of choice. Happy to go to Birmingham and the jewellery quarter, but there seems to be more focus on new stuff there? Has anyone else gone the second-hand route? Be interested to hear experiences.
Cheers!
Where in the country has a good concentration of shops offering second hand rings? We're in Bristol, and there's unfortunately not masses of choice. Happy to go to Birmingham and the jewellery quarter, but there seems to be more focus on new stuff there? Has anyone else gone the second-hand route? Be interested to hear experiences.
Cheers!
Iirc there's a good selection of that kind of jewellers in Gloucester too
You want the old family pawnbroker style, that buy old jewellery
This is one of the 2 in Birminfham I'd head to, the other is in Picadilly Arcade, no website
http://www.rexjohnsonandsons.co.uk
Stratford, look at Prganells, Howard's, expensive, but their stuff is 'good'!
You want the old family pawnbroker style, that buy old jewellery
This is one of the 2 in Birminfham I'd head to, the other is in Picadilly Arcade, no website
http://www.rexjohnsonandsons.co.uk
Stratford, look at Prganells, Howard's, expensive, but their stuff is 'good'!
Sorry, congratulations 
We went this route, saw one in a small shop in a Solihull, it was there for 3 months before we bought it, then I waited another year for him to ask
Have fun hunting & browsing; as I said, most places will have that style of jeweller still, I still love just looking in the windows
We went this route, saw one in a small shop in a Solihull, it was there for 3 months before we bought it, then I waited another year for him to ask
Have fun hunting & browsing; as I said, most places will have that style of jeweller still, I still love just looking in the windows
Simbu said:
Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like a trip to Brighton is on the cards! It's a long drive from Bristol but we've actually been meaning to visit at some point.
Gloucester will be worth a look too. It's much closer!
Enjoy your trip! It's one of the few places to visit where I'd suggest the train. Sounds like a trip to Brighton is on the cards! It's a long drive from Bristol but we've actually been meaning to visit at some point.
Gloucester will be worth a look too. It's much closer!
normalbloke said:
Enjoy your trip! It's one of the few places to visit where I'd suggest the train.
Unfortunately we need to drive there for detour on the way home. I'm actually considering staying in Worthing and getting the train into Brighton. The place seems to be militantly opposed to cars! Bloody Greenies...Try your local independent jewellers as they often have second-hand items to sell, especially the more up-market shops.
Do you have a John Lewis nearby? They sell second-hand jewellery and I have bought a couple of rings from them.
Also keep an eye out on local antique auctions, in particular their 'catalogue' sales which tends to be the better stuff, but their routine sales may have items of jewellry too. I know Bonhams regulary have jewellry sales, as I've been to them myself, so view their catalogue online and then catch the train to London to have a look in person and make your bid!
Do you have a John Lewis nearby? They sell second-hand jewellery and I have bought a couple of rings from them.
Also keep an eye out on local antique auctions, in particular their 'catalogue' sales which tends to be the better stuff, but their routine sales may have items of jewellry too. I know Bonhams regulary have jewellry sales, as I've been to them myself, so view their catalogue online and then catch the train to London to have a look in person and make your bid!
Without a doubt Andrew Ullman in Hatton Garden:
http://www.arullmann.com/index.jsp
I bought my wife's engagement ring second hand 16-17 years ago (actually locally, small jewellers with a few second hand trays) but since then have bought several presents at Ullman's and really, really happy.
http://www.arullmann.com/index.jsp
I bought my wife's engagement ring second hand 16-17 years ago (actually locally, small jewellers with a few second hand trays) but since then have bought several presents at Ullman's and really, really happy.
Simbu said:
Unfortunately we need to drive there for detour on the way home. I'm actually considering staying in Worthing and getting the train into Brighton.
Depending how expensive hotel you're intending, the Grand and Metropole have car parks and some of the small hotels and BnBs east of the pier have limited car parking - eg on the seafront or Lower Rock Gardens. The Travelodge near Preston Park has a carpark and there is free on street parking north of Preston Park, you can walk or bus into town from there although buses aren't cheap either, £4.50 ish for a day ticket. Simbu said:
The place seems to be militantly opposed to cars! Bloody Greenies...
Looks like Brighton might be off for now! There isn't a semi-decent hotel in the place for less than >£150 a night! I won't be able to grow a goatee in time to want to pay that sort of money for a place to rest my head. It's the only weekend we have free for a while so looks like we'll be going elsewhere. I've never been to Brighton, but I don't like the place already.
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