Help a man in need!

jethrothe2nd

There are certain things I would by online, but an engagement ring isn't one of them. I'd much prefer to talk to someone face to face, so I'm looking for some recommendations from people who have bought rings in and around Dublin.

I'm taking the rather substantial risk of buying without the company of my OH, but know what I am looking for. I'm really looking for a shop that will advise me, without trying to make spend more than my budget (which is E1200), and will be understanding if I get it catastrophically wrong, and my girlfriend hates it.

Thanks for your help

antiskeptic

jethrothe2nd wrote: »

There are certain things I would by online, but an engagement ring isn't one of them. I'd much prefer to talk to someone face to face, so I'm looking for some recommendations from people who have bought rings in and around Dublin.

Gray's of Johnsons Court (the narrow street leading from Grafton St. to Powerscourt centre). Small, family run and dead decent to deal with. They got a Russian wedding ring custom made-up in white gold for my wife to try on without any obligation to buy. And when I lost my job prior to the wedding they had one made up in silver (for 100 euro) as we couldn't afford the gold one.

I'd be pretty sure they'd work with you given the nature of the risk. And they're not at all pushy/snooty, whatever your budget.

superleedsdub

jethrothe2nd wrote: »

There are certain things I would by online, but an engagement ring isn't one of them. I'd much prefer to talk to someone face to face, so I'm looking for some recommendations from people who have bought rings in and around Dublin.

I'm taking the rather substantial risk of buying without the company of my OH, but know what I am looking for. I'm really looking for a shop that will advise me, without trying to make spend more than my budget (which is E1200), and will be understanding if I get it catastrophically wrong, and my girlfriend hates it.

Thanks for your help

Bought my girlfriend`s engagement ring in Patrick Glynn`s on abbey street - they were amazing!
I called in advance with details of my budget and the type of ring my girlfriend wanted and they had some trays ready for us both to view.
We ended up choosing a ring 25% under my budget and was valued at 50% or the cost price:-) We chose the ring prior to asking the value of it....

They were excellent throughout and we`ll be going back soon to have our wedding rings made. Highly recommended

DublinWriter

It all depends on how much you want to spend.

The golden rule is keep it plain and keep it classic. A one carat solitaire in 6-claw mount usually does the trick. With your budget you would be lucky if you get .5 carat diamond with a 9 carat gold ring.

You'll find the large chain/multiple jewellers will offer better value than the smaller independent back street jewellers as they buy in bulk passing on the discount and they aren't obsessed with charging spot rates for gold/diamonds.

Best of luck.

superleedsdub

jethrothe2nd wrote: »

I'm taking the rather substantial risk of buying without the company of my OH, but know what I am looking for. I'm really looking for a shop that will advise me, without trying to make spend more than my budget (which is E1200), and will be understanding if I get it catastrophically wrong, and my girlfriend hates it.

Thanks for your help

I originally was going to get the ring by myself too - but i`m delighted I didn`t! I knew what type of ring my OH wanted but had a chat with her and we decided to go in together, she tried on the ring she had in mind and we both thought it didn`t fit well.
We ended up (and I mean we, as we both love the ring I bought) choosing a ring design (two stone twist) that she would have never would even considered had she not tried it on and viewed it for herself.

But then again I know plenty of girls happy with the ring their OH`s chose for them.....

jethrothe2nd

Thanks all for the replies - I will try all the shops mentioned. Dublinwriter - I understand that I am not going to get anything amazing with the budget I have, but I'm also 100% sure that a e1200 ring will mean just as much to her as a e5000 ring. I guess my main concern is to get the style right. And know that it can be changed if it really isn;t right. I've done my homework, but I'm mindful of superleeds experience as well....

Intothesea

Hello there. There are some great deals in the smallest jeweller on Johnson's court as mentioned above. Looking in the second-hand/antique market or visiting independent jewellers for a few quotes wouldn't be a bad idea either. Outside of this, look for rings with multiple smaller diamonds rather than a solitaire (smaller diamonds are less rare generally and so less expensive). The cheapest standard jeweller I know of in Dublin selling all-new stock are these guys http://www.diamondsandgoldireland.com/pages/3stone.htm Best of luck!

superleedsdub

jethrothe2nd wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies - I will try all the shops mentioned. Dublinwriter - I understand that I am not going to get anything amazing with the budget I have, but I'm also 100% sure that a e1200 ring will mean just as much to her as a e5000 ring. I guess my main concern is to get the style right. And know that it can be changed if it really isn;t right. I've done my homework, but I'm mindful of superleeds experience as well....

Good luck with the shopping:-)

whittey

Intothesea wrote: »

The cheapest standard jeweller I know of in Dublin selling all-new stock are these guys http://www.diamondsandgoldireland.com/pages/3stone.htm Best of luck!

I bought in person from their Galway shop - great service, lovely to deal with, explain everything, suggested alternatives and more than willing to exchange if she doesn't like it - which we didn't need to avail of.

genie_us

Hiya

we got ours in Appleby's off Grafton st in the Westbury Mall. Could not recommend highly enough!