Engagement ring!

guest

I need help folks, if you don't mind. Me and the girl are having a baby, and I'd like to propose to her. Not just cos of the new beautiful soul entering our lives next year, but also because I love her.

So...where do you recommend I buy? And any advice on choosing diamond, ie clarity, quality...

I'm scouting Bidz.ie and they've some nice ones. Budget is tight and so I've unfortunately upto 600euro to spend (I'd spend ten times that if money wasn't an issue---please, no lame insults about me being cheap, it hurts me to think I'm scrimping on the most important day of our lives...)

seamus

Urgh...if she hasn't already told you, then the best bet may be to buy something cheap as a token, and then you both go and buy the real one.

This is a rock that has to sit on her finger for the rest of her life and most women already know the ring that they want. I've been warned hundreds of times not to go off and buy one

dollydrops

Ernest and Jones are the best diamond specialists. If you where to go into the shop and talk to one of the sales assistants pretend you want to buy a ring there they will give you loads of info then you be better prepared to look for one on the web.
Sorry not much help don't have a diamond myself (yet)

RosieJoe

Check out this sticky:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055031792&highlight=Diamond+rings

Should give you a fair amount of information on what to look for.

Look at http://www.cubbyoconnor.ie/main.asp to get an idea of what is nice. Should be cheaper than the stores as they manufacture them themselves, and then supply the shops!

jacool

She'll look at the baby more than the ring, and so will you, so don't worry about cost. Get a nice antique ring with a bit of character as a lasting symbol, not some blingy piece that will be out-dated when trends change as they do. its only a symbol, not something that should be able to take an eye out at distance.

Countryripple

Congratulations on the baby and the pending engagement. Have a look at this site here for some design ideas www.diamond-heaven.co.uk They have lots of different ones and you might find something you could look for in a shop here.

Good luck!!

ariana`

Congratulations! My fiance bought my ring himself and i LOVE it! However, i wouldn't recommend buying a ring yourself unless you don't mind if she does want to change it AND the shop has a good range & will allow you exchange it. As someone already mentioned she has to wear it for life so while the sentiment behind it is the most important thing she does have to like the ring. Also like anything different rings suit different girls, i love some of my friends rings on them but they don't suit me... Best of luck with it, let us know how you get on

Fey!

Congratulations on the upcoming baby!

For the budget, I'd recommend going for a 3 stone ring; you'll end up with more "show" for the money. I'd also consider something along the lines on a sapphire with 2 diamonds; whilst a diamond only ring is traditional, for the budget you may get a much nicer ring with the sapphire.

Bear in mind that even if you have her ring size now, it'll probably have to be sized a couple of months after the baby is born, as her body settles. Therefore, make sure that whatever you get can be sized.

Ideally, propose to her first, then bring her to get the ring. And don't worry about your budget; you have more important things to spend money on!!! In the future you'll have more money, so you can get a better ring then. In the mean time, get what you can without getting into debt.

As for shops, where are you based?

Best of luck with everything.

It doesn't matter about how much you spend....engagement rings should all be about sentiment.
Whatever the price, the point is if your doing your best for her, it will be precious, because it will make her feel adored.

guest

Fey! wrote: »

Congratulations on the upcoming baby!

For the budget, I'd recommend going for a 3 stone ring; you'll end up with more "show" for the money. I'd also consider something along the lines on a sapphire with 2 diamonds; whilst a diamond only ring is traditional, for the budget you may get a much nicer ring with the sapphire.

Bear in mind that even if you have her ring size now, it'll probably have to be sized a couple of months after the baby is born, as her body settles. Therefore, make sure that whatever you get can be sized.

Ideally, propose to her first, then bring her to get the ring. And don't worry about your budget; you have more important things to spend money on!!! In the future you'll have more money, so you can get a better ring then. In the mean time, get what you can without getting into debt.

As for shops, where are you based?

Best of luck with everything.

Thanks Fey and everyone else who's posted---I'm nervous and excited about all of this:D

I checked out the links you guys put up. I've won a few bids on prospective rings on Bidz.com. What are your opinions of that site? I felt like a bit of a scrimper, but there's a few gorgeous rings there. Here's two I have bids on:

http://www.bidz.com/ht/prod?lotID=20969953&live=1

and

http://ht.bidz.com/ht/prod?lotID=20950668

The first one is a nicer stone but the second has a gorgeous band. I'm gonna go windowshopping too.