Some advice needed - engagement ring shopping

rubynewby

Hello there,

If anyone has any knowledge on buying engagements in Northern Ireland, South of Ireland or UK, it would be greatly appreciated! (Or is it worth our while to travel???).

We have searched everywhere for the best answer to this and want to be clued up before walking in the jewelers. I have even bought books on the matter, none of which seem to give straightforward explanations about "worth."

We are lucky enough to have about £25k to spend on an engagement ring, could anyone tell us what weight, clarity etc. we could expect to get for that? We are both clueless so could be easily ripped off.

Value for money and something that will sustain and last is more important than bling! Probably go for princess cut solitaire or maybe 3 stone if we found one we liked.

Thanks!

Cabaal

Spending 25K on a engagement ring in this day and age, crazy waste tbh

If your not sure what your looking for why are you so willing to spend so much,

Is it not equal to somebody spending thousands on a top of the range stereo just so they know they have a top of the range stereo yet they don't actually appreciate it because they needed help to pick it out and know they are not being conned?

dudara

Moved to Weddings & Marriage Forum

dudara

subway

FYI, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055031792

Paulw

Well for some.

I spent 2.5k on her ring and it's beautiful, we both love it.

Shop around. Have a good look in the stores.

For that money, you'd be looking at a very serious ring.

lucylu

Cabaal wrote: »

Spending 25K on a engagement ring in this day and age, crazy waste tbh

If your not sure what your looking for why are you so willing to spend so much,

Is it not equal to somebody spending thousands on a top of the range stereo just so they know they have a top of the range stereo yet they don't actually appreciate it because they needed help to pick it out and know they are not being conned?

I have to agree, if you can afford to Spend 25K why not go to Antwerp or the Grand Cayman's where you will get better quality Diamonds cheaper.

Size does not matter its the quality of the stone clarity, cut and colour that is important in a diamond if you are buying as an investment but not for hands that wash dishes or for everyday wear

craichoe

rubynewby wrote: »

Hello there,

If anyone has any knowledge on buying engagements in Northern Ireland, South of Ireland or UK, it would be greatly appreciated! (Or is it worth our while to travel???).

We have searched everywhere for the best answer to this and want to be clued up before walking in the jewelers. I have even bought books on the matter, none of which seem to give straightforward explanations about "worth."

We are lucky enough to have about £25k to spend on an engagement ring, could anyone tell us what weight, clarity etc. we could expect to get for that? We are both clueless so could be easily ripped off.

Value for money and something that will sustain and last is more important than bling! Probably go for princess cut solitaire or maybe 3 stone if we found one we liked.

Thanks!

25K is crazy money for an Engagement Ring, once you go over 3k its very hard to tell the difference

Checkout http://www.diamondland.be/shop/en/search.php?q=diamond-store

For an idea of prices.

you could have a HUGE diamond for 3K or have a tiny flawless one 5 times the price, but you would be hard pushed to see the difference yourself.

rubynewby

I appreciate the feedback. I knew it was a lot of money but I guess not willing to spend it if there really isn't that much difference when you go over a certain figure. We figured - this is something for life, maybe even passed down to children etc., so in those terms it was justified. But not if there really is not enough difference in worth in relation to price.

All a learning experience... First time after all! ;-)

SecretChord

You could get something really amazing for that cash, as long as you realise its not the be all and end all. Only splash out like that if you would just as happy to buy an elizabeth duke. basically, ask yourself why you/your partner needs to spend this kind of cash and if you spend as much effort on your relationship...sorry to be the cynic, but in my experience grand gestures can be shallow...id be more impressed if your husband to be had planned something really special and meaningful and really showed how much he loved you so the ring pales into insignificance.

rubynewby

I appreciate the advice... However, I will try resist justifying any "grand gestures" or indeed my 14 year relationship, just because we happen to have worked hard all our lives and so have a bit of money.

I joined this forum to get neutral, non-judgemental advice about ENGAGEMENT RINGS.

Thanks for your time to all who responded but I won't pretend I'm not a little disappointed at a couple of the comments provided, simply because we are choosing to spend what is a relatively affordable sum of money for us on an item that represents a very meaningful commitment.

Cheers.

Fooz

Firstly, lucky girl

To be honest with you OP I think your budget is much higher than the regular poster here so I'm not sure if we're the best to advise on the type of ring you'd get for that money.

Have you actually spoken to any jewellers? A few of the higher end jewellers in Dublin - there's a few on Grafton Street - Weirs, one on the corner across from Bewley's (sorry forget the name) and Appleby's. Don't forget Tiffany's in BT. Actually to hell with BT, fly to Tiffany's in NY! My brother-in-law did that for his wife's ring and said it was a great shopping experience - the staff were very knowledgeable, great selection, etc.

StipendSally

Hi!

That's alot of money but you don't have to justify it to anyone on here or anywhere else!

What I would say is ask friends/family who may have experience in picking rings/diamonds and won't judge you on what your spending, maybe they won't even care.

Good luck with your search, I'm sure you will find something (or even design something) that you'll love and cherish forever!

Sal x

Unwilling

I think a lot of people would love to have 25k to spend on a ring. Most people don't have that to spend on the whole wedding.
The only thing I would say to you is... would you be comfy wearing it every day.
My aunt got a fantastic rock of a ring many years ago, but only wears it on special occasions...
It's just a consideration.
Take a few quid from the budget, fly to NYC make a weekend of it and go to Tiffanys... make it a full all rounded experience.

And don't mind the begrudgers!

bungaro

25k, wow!!
like what some people already mentioned here you'd be better off going abroad to make the most of the money. even if you used 1k of it to go abroad you'd still probably get alot better ring for 24k than you would here for the same amount. the vat alone here for rings is alot more than other countries which can save you even more.

to get an idea of what you might get for 25k in england or the usa check out both bluenile websites (.co.uk and .com) and you can use different filters of the 4 c's to get an idea of what they have for that money.

rubynewby

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all the replies.

My update is that I am now buying a loose diamond and getting a ring made - Emerald cut centre stone with side baguettes.

I wanted to know what people thought of this stone and if they think it's a good deal? It's the best one I've come across but I'm concerned about the table and depth percentages.

Any feedback much appreciated as always!

The price of the stone is £19,120..


Here are the details:
GIA Report Check

GIA Report Number: 15188987

Report Type: GIA Diamond Grading Report Date of Issue: November 13, 2006
Emerald Cut

Measurements: 9.03 x 7.43 x 4.69 mm
Carat Weight: 2.67 carat Color Grade: E Clarity Grade: VS1 Proportions:

Depth: 63.1% Table: 68% Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick Culet: Very Small Finish:

Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good