The most for your money - engagement rings (2024)

2 May 2013 at 6:39PM

consultant31 Posts: 4,814

2 May 2013 at 6:40PM

Curly_toes wrote: »

Anybody got any ideas how to get the most for your money when it comes to buying an engagement ring? High street jewellers seem over priced for rather low quality.

Is buying from abroad a better option? I'm not being stingy I do want to spend a good amount but I would rather shop around and have a nice ring for her.

Thanks!

I have several 'diamond' rings which are, in fact 9ct gold but set with cubic zirconia. It would take a jeweller to be able to tell the difference but the money saved could be put towards the deposit for your first home together.

Diamonds are over-rated IMO. I love the sparkle but can't bear the thought of spending all that money on something that looks no better than a cz.

Auntie-Dolly Posts: 1,008 Forumite

2 May 2013 at 6:48PM

skintchick Posts: 15,114

2 May 2013 at 6:50PM

:cool: DFW Nerd Club member 023...DFD 9.2.2007 :cool:

:heartpuls married 21 6 08 :A Angel babies' birth dates 3.10.08 * 4.3.11 * 11.11.11 * 17.3.12 * 2.7.12 :heart2: My live baby's birth date 22 7 09 :heart2: I'm due another baby at the end of July 2014! :j

notanewuser Posts: 8,499 Forumite

2 May 2013 at 6:52PM

Trying to be a man is a waste of a woman

jumpedtheshark Posts: 291

2 May 2013 at 6:53PM

Bluenile is a sensible option and they have a UK website.

It might be cheaper to buy from a reputable jeweller overseas, even with import taxes, etc. To figure out reputable overseas options, visit the Pricescope forums and look at their recommended vendors list (who also offer a Pricescope discount, and sometimes an additional discount if you pay via bankwire (ONLY DO THIS IF THEY'RE REPUTABLE!)). Also, you can get advice from the forums: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/ (cut is king, eye clean can be OK, unless you're colour sensitive you don't necessarily need a really high colour, etc.)

There's always eBay if you don't mind used. But make sure that it's being sold with a certificate from a reputable lab (basically GIA only) and then get an independent certification and appraisal yourself. Some labs definitely aren't that reputable and will over-inflate the quality of the diamond. But you can read more about that on Pricescope.

Finally, you can consider a coloured stone (ruby, sapphire, spinel, etc.) instead, which can be cheaper and is definitely unique. However, it's harder to find a really good untreated coloured stone and would take more research than getting a diamond ring.

19lottie82 Posts: 6,027

2 May 2013 at 6:55PM

consultant31 wrote: »

I have several 'diamond' rings which are, in fact 9ct gold but set with cubic zirconia. It would take a jeweller to be able to tell the difference but the money saved could be put towards the deposit for your first home together.

Diamonds are over-rated IMO. I love the sparkle but can't bear the thought of spending all that money on something that looks no better than a cz.

Thats your opinion but I have a feeling most women, inc myself would be heartbroken if her future husband suggested a cheap CZ ring, hardly a good start for you life together. You'll only have one (well that's the plan anyway) engagement ring!

2 May 2013 at 7:20PM

19lottie82 wrote: »

Thats your opinion but I have a feeling most women, inc myself would be heartbroken if her future husband suggested a cheap CZ ring, hardly a good start for you life together. You'll only have one (well that's the plan anyway) engagement ring!

I think I must be one of women you don't understand! Nearly forty years ago when my husband and I got engaged we simply had no money for an engagement ring.

He was a research student I was a nurse and we were very poor, but, we managed without an engagement ring. I have never since those days felt the need for my husband to buy me a ring either with or without diamonds! It is just a symbol and not needed by me.

So all this says is we are all different, want and need different things from our partners.

Curly_toes Posts: 5 Forumite

2 May 2013 at 7:32PM

Thanks for all of your replys! I respect the fact that some people buy CZ for appearance and price! They look no different too me but in my eyes a women always knows lol.

I have got an old ring that was given too her great great grandma for there ruby anniversary and the ruby is missing so I was thinking of getting it re sized, polished and the stone replacing with a sapphire as its her birthstone but I had the problem of choosing what type of sapphire and was quoted £390 for a light blue sapphire, does anyone think this is a reasonable price?

Thanks for all replys appreciate any response

peachyprice Posts: 22,346

2 May 2013 at 8:20PM

ognum wrote: »

I think I must be one of women you don't understand! Nearly forty years ago when my husband and I got engaged we simply had no money for an engagement ring.

He was a research student I was a nurse and we were very poor, but, we managed without an engagement ring. I have never since those days felt the need for my husband to buy me a ring either with or without diamonds! It is just a symbol and not needed by me.

So all this says is we are all different, want and need different things from our partners.

Although that's something else entirely, I too would rather have no engagement ring at all than a cheap CZ one TBH.

There are plenty of other beautiful stones at a fraction of the cost that my OH would rather have got if diamonds were out of his range, no need to go fake.