Engagement ring buyingÂ

[Daimeydum]

Hi I know jewellery is discussed here too an as I'm about to blow my watch fund on the good lady it seems prudent to come here for advice.

I know the usual stuff colour clarity cut and all that jazz and I know exactly what I'm looking for but I could do with some advice on getting a good deal. I'm not looking to hammer the price and be ridiculous, I know jewellers need to make a living but I'm a man who likes a fair price.
I'm looking at second hand and most likely from a small independent shop (Brighton, London, t'wells if you can recommend)

What sort of % is a reasonable amount to consider haggling for? Assuming that's not crass.

Are independents better like I presume they are?

And any other useful tips I don't know about.

I'm just a bit ignorant and want to get a good deal, it's a lot of money (to me) and I don't like waste :-) 

Thanks 

Edited by Daimeydum on Wednesday 4th August 19:38

Edited by Daimeydum on Wednesday 4th August 19:39

[rex]

Speak to Lord Summerisle. He pointed me towards Brian Gavin Diamonds in America. Fabulous company to deal with and designed a ring for me. The quality of their hearts and arrows diamonds has to be seen to be believed. They looked good in the pictures they sent but in the flesh they are amazing.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/

[Don1]

Also have a chat with our own Domonic H (Hackett Watches) - he sorted me out a little beauty!

[Daimeydum]

Cheers guys,
Rex, you've got me thinking now, as I did think about a bespoke ring originally and then forgot the idea but I like the idea of her having something I designed and I'd enjoy the process.

Is this what they did for you? Will I get lots more for my money having it brought from the US?

Arrrhh! Its a mine field :-/

[grumbledoak]

Sticker price on a ring in the window can easily be twice what you'd have paid to have it made. I would certainly recommend Lord Summerisle or Nightmare's advice.

[rex]

Daimeydum said:

Cheers guys,
Rex, you've got me thinking now, as I did think about a bespoke ring originally and then forgot the idea but I like the idea of her having something I designed and I'd enjoy the process.

Is this what they did for you? Will I get lots more for my money having it brought from the US?

Arrrhh! Its a mine field :-/

I had an idea of what I wanted and they created a ring from the elements I liked. They sent me a few suggestions and I decided upon the one I liked. I was a bit nervous of spending so much on an item that was to be shipped from the US but it was simple and quick. A bank transfer to the company and then the Tax paid when it arrived in the country.

Well worth the money and here is the ring.

Edited by rex on Wednesday 4th August 20:58

[jules_s]

Daimeydum said:

Cheers guys,
Rex, you've got me thinking now, as I did think about a bespoke ring originally and then forgot the idea but I like the idea of her having something I designed and I'd enjoy the process.

Is this what they did for you? Will I get lots more for my money having it brought from the US?

Arrrhh! Its a mine field :-/

What stone are you looking for?

I bought from a little independant who comissions her own rings using 'old' stones. So a 'new' ring with cheap(er) better stones imo. Given it had to be a sapphire, she wanted an old cornflowered stone as opposed to the dark stones mined these days. A white gold band, 3 carat sapphire oval, two trilliant cut diamonds = about a third of what a highstreet jeweller would charge for same.

I didn't haggle, to me that would have cheapened it a tad....and the missus chose it!!

[Daimeydum]

JAM35F said:

Unless you are really condfident let her choose the ring!

A few girls in my office still moan they they are stuck with rings they don't really like!

My wife is so glad I let her choose, I had an idea of the style but it's now exactly as she wanted, she designed it and we had a few fun trips to see the jeweller, discussing band styles and diamonds.

Remember girls love shopping, and if it's for a diamond ring they will really love it!!

I’ve sounded her out about the ring in a round about kind of way. I got an idea what she likes, also she’s very traditional and trusts my taste. She wouldn't want to choose it, much rather be surprised. Does make the old bum twitch a bit still though but I’m positive she won’t be disappointed.
All very useful stuff.....

I think I’m going to have a good look round tomorrow and go in every jeweller in Brighton and educate myself fully on what they can offer me.

I think it’s got to be bespoke or secondhand/vintage (whatever you want to call it, not at all keen on a lot of the “modern” run of the mill stuff I’ve seen in my long online searches.
Time to do some more thinking....

cheers guys! always greatful to the PH massive

[toohuge]

^^ Good luck young sir! I let my fiancé choose her ring, that resulted in a trip to Tiffany's... but I have to say it's absolutely beautiful and despite what anyone will tell you, well worth the money!

[TAS1981]

Just pulled the trigger myself. I had a good idea of the cut of the stone from round about conversations, went for a princess cut, I am 100% confident it's the right thing.

I went to an independant in Hatton Gardens, chose a stone, chose a setting, done. Read about the 4Cs, it will help you to know what you are looking at.

At the end of the day you will find there is always a compromise if you have a specific budget in mind, generally size versus colour/quality. I chose the best quality stone I could rather than go for the biggest, my reasoning being someone is always going to have a bigger rock but you pretty much cannot get a purer stone. But thats personal preference and the differences are small either way.

It is a mine field...one you can wonder round lost in for ages. All I would say is do not buy at a highstreet type jeweller, the mark up is horrendous. I went into Goldsmiths out of interest yesterday. Not only could they not get near in terms of price, they only stock H colour diamonds, where as I scooped a D VVS1 equivalent for nigh on half the highstreet price. (If you have no idea what that means ...get reading!)

Try looking on Bluenile.co.uk for some guidance. You can build your own and they have tonnes of stones to look at to get an idea. Then try an independant somewhere like Hatton Garden and haggle! Good luck.

[CraigW]

nightmare has always looked after myself and friends very well. Would highly reccomend.

[toohuge]

TAS1981 said:

Just pulled the trigger myself. I had a good idea of the cut of the stone from round about conversations, went for a princess cut, I am 100% confident it's the right thing.

I went to an independant in Hatton Gardens, chose a stone, chose a setting, done. Read about the 4Cs, it will help you to know what you are looking at.

At the end of the day you will find there is always a compromise if you have a specific budget in mind, generally size versus colour/quality. I chose the best quality stone I could rather than go for the biggest, my reasoning being someone is always going to have a bigger rock but you pretty much cannot get a purer stone. But thats personal preference and the differences are small either way.

It is a mine field...one you can wonder round lost in for ages. All I would say is do not buy at a highstreet type jeweller, the mark up is horrendous. I went into Goldsmiths out of interest yesterday. Not only could they not get near in terms of price, they only stock H colour diamonds, where as I scooped a D VVS1 equivalent for nigh on half the highstreet price. (If you have no idea what that means ...get reading!)

Try looking on Bluenile.co.uk for some guidance. You can build your own and they have tonnes of stones to look at to get an idea. Then try an independant somewhere like Hatton Garden and haggle! Good luck.

Serious stone you have there!

I think that we went for an F colour with a VS1 clarity. We wanted to have a stone that was somewhere between D-F and we got a very white F. We personally did not see the importance of going beyond a VS clarity range. I understand why they are viewed as superior, I liken it to a watch having an in house movement.

[TAS1981]

toohuge said:

TAS1981 said:

Just pulled the trigger myself. I had a good idea of the cut of the stone from round about conversations, went for a princess cut, I am 100% confident it's the right thing.

I went to an independant in Hatton Gardens, chose a stone, chose a setting, done. Read about the 4Cs, it will help you to know what you are looking at.

At the end of the day you will find there is always a compromise if you have a specific budget in mind, generally size versus colour/quality. I chose the best quality stone I could rather than go for the biggest, my reasoning being someone is always going to have a bigger rock but you pretty much cannot get a purer stone. But thats personal preference and the differences are small either way.

It is a mine field...one you can wonder round lost in for ages. All I would say is do not buy at a highstreet type jeweller, the mark up is horrendous. I went into Goldsmiths out of interest yesterday. Not only could they not get near in terms of price, they only stock H colour diamonds, where as I scooped a D VVS1 equivalent for nigh on half the highstreet price. (If you have no idea what that means ...get reading!)

Try looking on Bluenile.co.uk for some guidance. You can build your own and they have tonnes of stones to look at to get an idea. Then try an independant somewhere like Hatton Garden and haggle! Good luck.

Serious stone you have there!

I think that we went for an F colour with a VS1 clarity. We wanted to have a stone that was somewhere between D-F and we got a very white F. We personally did not see the importance of going beyond a VS clarity range. I understand why they are viewed as superior, I liken it to a watch having an in house movement.

I'd agree, most jewellers cant tell beyond VS really but that is what he had. I could have dropped quality for a bigger rock, but that's not me or the GFs style. I also got an exceptionally good deal!

[vtecstu]

toohuge said:

TAS1981 said:

It is a mine field...one you can wonder round lost in for ages. All I would say is do not buy at a highstreet type jeweller, the mark up is horrendous. I went into Goldsmiths out of interest yesterday. Not only could they not get near in terms of price, they only stock H colour diamonds, where as I scooped a D VVS1 equivalent for nigh on half the highstreet price. (If you have no idea what that means ...get reading!)

Try looking on Bluenile.co.uk for some guidance. You can build your own and they have tonnes of stones to look at to get an idea. Then try an independant somewhere like Hatton Garden and haggle! Good luck.

Serious stone you have there!

I think that we went for an F colour with a VS1 clarity. We wanted to have a stone that was somewhere between D-F and we got a very white F. We personally did not see the importance of going beyond a VS clarity range. I understand why they are viewed as superior, I liken it to a watch having an in house movement.

Another vote for Blue Nile here - I ended up buying from them too rather than just using them as a price guide, and cannot fault them. I got an E colour VS1 stone and am delighted with the results - not only is it a much better quality than even the 'higher end' high street retailers (Goldsmiths / Beaverbrooks) but the setting is much better too - a lot of the bulk-made high street stock looks as though it's held in place by scaffolding.

Worth remembering that engagement ring can also have implications for wedding ring - if you get something not uniformly shaped you may end up having to spend a fortune on a custom wedding band to sit against it, and a platinum engagement ring means that the wedding ring has to be platinum too (as white gold is a lot softer than platinum and so would be worn down by it over time).

Good luck!

[toohuge]

Yes agreed with all above. When we purchase ours there was limited choice, we had the option to sacrifice on size for one clarity range higher, so we decided to stick with it!

The other half has already ordered the wedding bands, custom made Tiffany items. Yes, I know... but it has helped the watch and car situation. She know fully understands the need to acquire these little beauties and says nothing of the price. Happy days!

Edited to add:

The thing to remember about engagement rings is that you can always go bigger and better. Your other half will be delighted that you even ask. So don't beat yourself up about whether it's big enough etc as in an ideal world our partners would be wearing nothing smaller than 1ct, FL E with excellent cut, polish and symmetry.

Edited by toohuge on Thursday 5th August 14:13

[Daimeydum]

Spent all day looking around in Brighton, had one guy offer to discount a ring from 2900 to 1200, seemed a bit too good an offer to be wise. Spoke about a bespoke with a very helpful jeweller, now have a much better understanding about what is possible. Feels like the more I learn the harder it becomes.
I have no deadline so its a case of keep on hunting and thinking.
Thanks for all the advice!

Edit to add it was actually 1100 he offered :-/

Edited by Daimeydum on Thursday 5th August 17:13

[aberdeeneuan]

I'll email you two people who really helped us out, one in London (Wimbledon) and one in Tunbridge Wells.

We went to Hatton Garden for our wedding bands, what I found was the quality of the finish varied wildly (badly fitted stones, unclean joins etc) and that for the money we could do better.

I went round loads - spend time doing your research and leave the credit card at home on the first visit out. You'll then work out what you like and what you think she'll like. Take your time, she will be wearing it every day for a long time!

[TAS1981]

Daimeydum said:

Feels like the more I learn the harder it becomes.
I have no deadline so its a case of keep on hunting and thinking.
Thanks for all the advice!

Edit to add it was actually 1100 he offered :-/

Edited by Daimeydum on Thursday 5th August 17:13

I know that feeling!!! The best thing is to find someone you feel you can trust when you talk to them.

Then the hardest thing (if you are doing this without the OH with you)....pick one and JUST DO IT!!! ( If you are like me, it's hard parting with this much cash on something that either doesn't have wheels or tells the time!)

Seriously, I think I started to fall into the "confused" trap...at a point you have to just pick one. I agree that you can always go bigger and better and someone else will always have a bigger and better ring but seriously, it sounds like you are with someone who won't care about all that rubbish and will just be happy you made the effort.

Oh and jewellers often knock loads off....its because the things are so over priced in the first place - if you are unsure about the quality of the stone, ask if it is GIA (or any other well known lab) certified and ask to see the certificate...if not....walkaway! HTH

[Markymark69]

http://www.original-diamonds.co.uk/

Very good for a loose stone then have it made.

[Daimeydum]

I think I've found the one! Well almost....found one in the jewellers (in my home town of one jeweller) that I think is ideal second hand deco style but in White gold which I didn't want so think I might have something made that is very similar, that way I can tweak it here and there and get what I want.
Oh and thanks to those who e-mailed me, nightmare I may be in touch for some advice.

Edited by Daimeydum on Friday 6th August 15:14