help please with buying an engagement ring

[amir_j]

went down to the jewelery quarter in brum yesterday with the 'lesser' half

Didnt end up buying as didnt want to jump in on first day of looking but she did find the style she wanted, which is Platinum, not too thin a band, 0.4-0.5 carats with a main brilliant round cut centre and three or so small ones each side. Decent colour and non visible imperfections is fine.

As found elements in various rings as opposed to ideal not sure roughly the max i should pay? And also is there a guide to buying platinum as understand its combined with other metals so want to make sure of a decent quality.

Also any tips for haggling and % off to realisticly aim for?

Edited by amir_j on Sunday 30th August 11:57

[jimothy]

Calling Lord Summerisle - your expertise needed here!

[oobster]

Here are some of the missing letter I's from your post.

I I I I I I I I I I.

Use them.

[Papa_Hotel]

The spend is traditionally a month's pay (before or after tax I don't know). Of course, this
rule goes out the window if one if the shops you went into was Argos...

My missus had a pretty set idea about what she wanted, platinum, square cut diamond, tiffany setting. This proved impossible to get unless from Tiffany themselves so me and a mate got beered up and picked something close-ish which she absolutely loved.

There might be a picture in your head of the perfect ring but it doesn't exist yet - get it made up.

[-Z-]

Check www.bluenile.co.uk . Top service.

[Chilli]

-Z- said:

Check www.bluenile.co.uk . Top service.

Agree with this. Also look at 365-diamond.com

[Mr Fenix]

Best advice I can give is to find the fit an style at a high street jeweller's then search for something similar online.

My wife and I went looking in February 2007 and the limited choice we had in Glasgow was disappointing however we did find a .95 carat marquise cut, platinum band, with 0.65 worth of shoulder stones which looked great. The store wouldn't budge an inch on the price and it was the ONLY ring we found she loved. It was more than I'd expected to pay 3700gbp but...I bit the bullet and paid it off over 8 weeks. Proposed in the grounds of a castle in Ireland in May 2007.

As a rough guide I'd go for at least a month to 3 month's wages on the ring, if you buy cheap and think you'll get away with it, think again. My brother in law did that and he's reminded of it on a regular basis when people ask about my sister's lack of a diamond!

[stigmundfreud]

Mr Fenix said:

As a rough guide I'd go for at least a month to 3 month's wages on the ring,

dont be a frigging mug

mr fenix said:

if you buy cheap and think you'll get away with it, think again. My brother in law did that and he's reminded of it on a regular basis when people ask about my sister's lack of a diamond!

then he married a shallow bint and I'd be more than happy to give him a call and tell him if you would post his phone number

edit jut noticed its other people and not your sister that remind him, I'd therefor say he has shallow friends

Edited by stigmundfreud on Sunday 30th August 20:53

[anonymous-user]

I got the missus's ring from DeBeers. Their prices are surprisingly reasonable and I think the quality is pretty high.

[littlegreenfairy]

stigmundfreud said:

Mr Fenix said:

As a rough guide I'd go for at least a month to 3 month's wages on the ring,

dont be a frigging mug

mr fenix said:

if you buy cheap and think you'll get away with it, think again. My brother in law did that and he's reminded of it on a regular basis when people ask about my sister's lack of a diamond!

then he married a shallow bint and I'd be more than happy to give him a call and tell him if you would post his phone number

edit jut noticed its other people and not your sister that remind him, I'd therefor say he has shallow friends

Edited by stigmundfreud on Sunday 30th August 20:53

Amen brother.

It isn't the value, its the sentiment behind it.

[Fatboy]

amir_j said:

And also is there a guide to buying platinum as understand its combined with other metals so want to make sure of a decent quality.

Make sure any ring you buy has the appropriate British hallmark - this will guarantee it'll be good quality.

See here for hallmarks and what they look like - most Platinum in the UK will be hall marked with '950'.

[stourbridges2tvr]

I bought an eternity ring recently for the Mrs from the jewellery Qtr, heres my findings.

Buy with the heart and not the head, its impossible to compare like for like as all the jewellers will tell you their diamonds are the best colour/grade/clarity. They will then tell you their valuation/certification is more valid than those down the street.

She will love one ring.She will wear it everyday for life - its not an investment, its an heirloom.

dont listen to sales persons bullst - close your ears.

Tell them your buying today, and tell em you have no budget..."whatever she wants" the Mrs will melt...then keep going back....tell them you found others, better clarity/weight/colour etc for much less money, "how come this is so pricey compered to X?"

She wont totally love it untill you do, so dont say its too pricey; say its too small, not right for her, too bling, not shiney enough, etc"

If you cant get at least 33% off your not trying, remember these guys buy the rings, if they tell you they make em, its bks - they may set stones and thats a piece of piss, generally jewellers will double cost price then add VAT.

Pay what you can afford, dont be tied by any kind of convention that is actually a new thing invented by Jewellers, if you got the right woman - SHE will know what is that right amount!

good luck!

[911DM]

littlegreenfairy said:

stigmundfreud said:

Mr Fenix said:

As a rough guide I'd go for at least a month to 3 month's wages on the ring,

dont be a frigging mug

mr fenix said:

if you buy cheap and think you'll get away with it, think again. My brother in law did that and he's reminded of it on a regular basis when people ask about my sister's lack of a diamond!

then he married a shallow bint and I'd be more than happy to give him a call and tell him if you would post his phone number

edit jut noticed its other people and not your sister that remind him, I'd therefor say he has shallow friends

Edited by stigmundfreud on Sunday 30th August 20:53

Amen brother.

It isn't the value, its the sentiment behind it.

+10

Its the jewellers and Debeers that start off bks such as the minimum spend. Oh my how I laugh when I see fools perpetuate it.

Spend what the heck you like but don't go falling for that load of bks.