Advice on buying an Engagement Ring
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm looking for some genuine and impartial advice on buying an engagement ring, if possible.
I've read countless articles/blogs and 'guides' online, and still cant help feeling like this is a total minefield and quick way to get ripped off.
Especially when looking to part with a fair chunk of cash (my budget is about £3.5-£4k).
I've mastered the basics (I think) across the "4 C's" (Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity), but still find myself wondering which is the most significant and which to compromise on.
Also, where should I buy the ring from? - online? high street? a designer brand?
should I buy the stone separately and then have the setting made?
There are so many online diamond brokers claiming to be the best value - but its hard to know who's top quality and who's not.
I have an idea on the style I think she'd like and I'm not looking for anything too unique or different that would require a complete custom design/build.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated. Really don't want to get this wrong
I'm looking for some genuine and impartial advice on buying an engagement ring, if possible.
I've read countless articles/blogs and 'guides' online, and still cant help feeling like this is a total minefield and quick way to get ripped off.
Especially when looking to part with a fair chunk of cash (my budget is about £3.5-£4k).
I've mastered the basics (I think) across the "4 C's" (Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity), but still find myself wondering which is the most significant and which to compromise on.
Also, where should I buy the ring from? - online? high street? a designer brand?
should I buy the stone separately and then have the setting made?
There are so many online diamond brokers claiming to be the best value - but its hard to know who's top quality and who's not.
I have an idea on the style I think she'd like and I'm not looking for anything too unique or different that would require a complete custom design/build.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated. Really don't want to get this wrong
Carlo Jewelers Hatton Garden http://www.carlojewellers.com/
While you're there, walk up and down and visit other shops who will promise you the earth and make all sorts of claims about the quality of their diamonds. Then you'll walk back into Carlo's and see why I'm recommending them.
While you're there, walk up and down and visit other shops who will promise you the earth and make all sorts of claims about the quality of their diamonds. Then you'll walk back into Carlo's and see why I'm recommending them.
king don't fStones have a market value depending on their weight and quality. That budget will get you a good size stone which is lower quality or a smaller stone that is higher quality.
The best place to start is a site like Blue Nile where you can put in your budget and then look at what size v quality will get you. The mark up will be at the lower end so you can see what the DIY route will bring.
The best place to start is a site like Blue Nile where you can put in your budget and then look at what size v quality will get you. The mark up will be at the lower end so you can see what the DIY route will bring.
Right, I did loads of research before getting Mrs Skyrat's.
First of all, if there's a wholesale jewellers nearby, use it. We used Macintyres in Edinburgh. If not, try looking at blue nile online.
What metal is the ring going to be? If it's 18ct gold there's just no point in getting an F colour diamond as the yellow from the gold just shows through the stone.
Cut is a personal thing but at that price I'd be getting a brilliant cut to show the stone off.
Avoid white gold rings. 'White' gold is yellowy in colour and has to be plated in rhodium to make it look all shiny and silvery. That wears off and you need to get it replated every few years.
Personally, we chose the ring together as I hated the idea of picking a ring then just saying "here, wear this".
First of all, if there's a wholesale jewellers nearby, use it. We used Macintyres in Edinburgh. If not, try looking at blue nile online.
What metal is the ring going to be? If it's 18ct gold there's just no point in getting an F colour diamond as the yellow from the gold just shows through the stone.
Cut is a personal thing but at that price I'd be getting a brilliant cut to show the stone off.
Avoid white gold rings. 'White' gold is yellowy in colour and has to be plated in rhodium to make it look all shiny and silvery. That wears off and you need to get it replated every few years.
Personally, we chose the ring together as I hated the idea of picking a ring then just saying "here, wear this".
Edited by Skyrat on Wednesday 17th August 00:07
Edited by Skyrat on Wednesday 17th August 00:12
RobDickinson said:
p6ndp said:
Totally agree. But I'd also like some advice on how not to get ripped off.
Dont buy a diamond? Really? They are just stupid lumps of carbon totally worthless in any practical sense.p6ndp said:
Hi Guys,
I'm looking for some genuine and impartial advice on buying an engagement ring, if possible.
I've read countless articles/blogs and 'guides' online, and still cant help feeling like this is a total minefield and quick way to get ripped off.
Especially when looking to part with a fair chunk of cash (my budget is about £3.5-£4k).
I've mastered the basics (I think) across the "4 C's" (Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity), but still find myself wondering which is the most significant and which to compromise on.
Also, where should I buy the ring from? - online? high street? a designer brand?
should I buy the stone separately and then have the setting made?
There are so many online diamond brokers claiming to be the best value - but its hard to know who's top quality and who's not.
I have an idea on the style I think she'd like and I'm not looking for anything too unique or different that would require a complete custom design/build.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated. Really don't want to get this wrong
The simple answer is that at that budget you don't need to compromise on anything.I'm looking for some genuine and impartial advice on buying an engagement ring, if possible.
I've read countless articles/blogs and 'guides' online, and still cant help feeling like this is a total minefield and quick way to get ripped off.
Especially when looking to part with a fair chunk of cash (my budget is about £3.5-£4k).
I've mastered the basics (I think) across the "4 C's" (Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity), but still find myself wondering which is the most significant and which to compromise on.
Also, where should I buy the ring from? - online? high street? a designer brand?
should I buy the stone separately and then have the setting made?
There are so many online diamond brokers claiming to be the best value - but its hard to know who's top quality and who's not.
I have an idea on the style I think she'd like and I'm not looking for anything too unique or different that would require a complete custom design/build.
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated. Really don't want to get this wrong
I could give a chimp £2000 and a map and he'd come back with a delightful ring with a Flawless, D-colour, excellent cut diamond of reasonable weight mounted on platinum. Your budget will get you a disgustingly ostentatious stone.
Were I older and more cynical, I'd move that you know this full well and simply fancied mentioning that you've got a few grand lying around. But I'm not, so I'll wish you good luck in what should be a pretty simple search.
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