Buying Engagement Rings in Dublin

tubbs26

I hope to propose to my girlfriend over the bank holiday weekend. My girlfriend has told me before she'd like to pick the rink herself but I feel I should have something to give her on the day.

Do jewelers let you take a ring away if you give a deposit and then let you switch it after? Any advice on jewelers I should go to in the Dublin/Kildare area?

Also would I better off just jetting off to Antwerp afterwards to buy it?

tinkerbell

No no no no no no no!!!!!

There is NO NEED to buy a "token" item to propose with - no need at all!!! Trust me. I think that this token thing is the biggest waste of money ever. All you have to do is get down on one knee and ask the question. She will be over the moon and even more over the moon when she hears she will be going shopping for a ring.

Seriously - don't buy the ring AT ALL beforehand. Your gf has already told you she wants to pick it out. And if you go to a jewellers and get a ring to propose with and she doesn't like it, then you are stuck with getting another ring from the same jewellers (and she might not want that).

So all you have to do is say "will you marry me" and that's it. She says yes, you both go shopping. Best of luck!

bills

Or just buy a cheap token ring in accessorize etc if you really want a ring for the day.

Im sure she wont mind either way as she will be so excited.

badboyblast

Tubbs - head to Anwerp!!

Silcocky

I got engaged last week and was given a lovely charm bracelet with a couple of charms that mean something to both of us. Still got down on one knee and all but it was nice to be presented with something to remind me of just how happy I was, right there at that moment (and since!).I love it!

Its fantastic because I can wear it even when we do get the ring - a token ring will never be worn again (unless round her neck on a chain) because an engagement-type ring on each hand would look weird, but its a shame because the 'original' was the one that was part and parcel of the proposal. I get to keep a permanent record of the proposal on my wrist as well as have the ring I helped choose.

One thing I will say - I bought a ring for a tenner in Argos to wear in the meantime (we're not getting it until we go on hols next month and I didn't want a bare hand until then!!). Even though people knew about the bracelet from me telling them over the phone, people automatically looked at my hand when I saw them so I wanted to have something for them to see!! Its not from him and it doesn't really mean anything to me (ok, so I'm a soppy cow, I'll defo keep it!) so I won't be sorry not to wear it again when I get the real thing!

Best of luck!!!

tubbs26

cheers folks i think i'll hold off on the ring then. my brother went to antwerp and highly recommends it. plus i wouldn't mind a few days away myself. I look into getting a momento for the time I propose, something thoughtful maybe. Thanks for the help, now all i have to do is pluck up courage!!

lipi

Don't bother with the token ring. We got engaged and kept it a secret for about 6 months, organised the wedding, bought the ring in Antwerp then announced it with less than 4 months to go to the day.

I didn't mind going around for months engaged without anyone knowing and not wearing a ring. When I got the ring it more than made up for it and as we'd everything booked we kept the fuss and interference from others to a minimum.

Choosing your own ring beats the suprise of a ring on the day hands down.

newwifey

tubbs, congrats on the impending engagement.
If you decided on the 'stunt' ring get one in Claires accessories and spend no more than ten quid.
But before you head to Antwerp, check out Voltaire Diamonds. He is a guy based in Dublin and can and will match Antwerp prices. Seamus Fahy is his name and if you google him you will read nothing but positive reviews.
Check out his website www.voltairediamonds.ie or look at his facebook page. Its very active with rings of the week posted and he will answer any questions quickly and honestly.
Best wishes with the shopping

littleredspot

Each to there own but I think you should defo go with the Claires Accessories/barm brack/Poundshop ring to present at the moment. Your OH will know that she's already told you that she wants to pick out her own, but it would be nice to complete the down on bended knee etc. gesture. I think you'll feel something is missing without it.

thumper10

newwifey wrote: »

tubbs, congrats on the impending engagement.
If you decided on the 'stunt' ring get one in Claires accessories and spend no more than ten quid.
But before you head to Antwerp, check out Voltaire Diamonds. He is a guy based in Dublin and can and will match Antwerp prices. Seamus Fahy is his name and if you google him you will read nothing but positive reviews.
Check out his website www.voltairediamonds.ie or look at his facebook page. Its very active with rings of the week posted and he will answer any questions quickly and honestly.
Best wishes with the shopping

We also bought in Voltaire diamonds, defo worth checking out, love my rings and very attractive pricing

girlyhappyface

I would say go with the token ring.. it'd be nice for her to have something when you propose. A friend of mine got a lovely token ring when her partner proposed to wear before they flew to Antwerp to get her proper ring. It's gorgeous, and she wears it when playing sports, going to festivals, camping etc. It's nice to have a reminder of your engagement all the time.

I think Swarovski do a lovely range of rings that can double as engagement rings and can be worn if your girlf is doing something where her proper ring might be at risk!!

This one is a good example http://www.swarovski.com/Web_IE/en/953107/product/Dazzle_Ring_.html?CatalogCategoryName=0112

tatli_lokma

personally I wouldn't like a 'fake' ring....it might look really nice and then after she gasps and beams with joy, you then have to explain that its actually a piece of tat and you'll get a 'real' one together. Kinda an anti climax.
If you're giving a ring I'd rather the actual ring, or something completely other than a ring....

or I read on here of some people buying a charm braclet and getting a 'ring' charm to go on it. That way they present the box, with a tiny ring charm in it, which can be kept as a momento of the special occasion. You can then also add to it as a wedding present, or anniversary gift. It can then become kind of a tradition as the years go on. I think that is a really lovely idea and exactly what I would like if it were me.....

yutta

I don't like this modern fad of proposing with a fake ring and making a shopping trip part of the engagement process.

I'd go for a classic 3 diamond on 18ct gold. The highest quality diamonds I could afford.

aviendha

yutta wrote: »

I don't like this modern fad of proposing with a fake ring and making a shopping trip part of the engagement process.

I'd go for a classic 3 diamond on 18ct gold. The highest quality diamonds I could afford.

and what about poor fiancee yutta who can't stand the ring, cos it's always been her dream to have a solitaire? or have white gold... or whatever.. you can't account for taste, so to assume otherwise just because YOU like a classic is unfair to her (unless she has hinted in advance that that's what she'd like to wear on her hand for the next 50 years...)

tinkerbell

yutta wrote: »

I don't like this modern fad of proposing with a fake ring and making a shopping trip part of the engagement process.

I'd go for a classic 3 diamond on 18ct gold. The highest quality diamonds I could afford.

aviendha wrote: »

and what about poor fiancee yutta who can't stand the ring, cos it's always been her dream to have a solitaire? or have white gold... or whatever.. you can't account for taste, so to assume otherwise just because YOU like a classic is unfair to her (unless she has hinted in advance that that's what she'd like to wear on her hand for the next 50 years...)

Exactly .... and 3 diamonds on 18ct gold would be my idea of a horrible ring and I would not want to wear it. I do not like gold jewellery.

yutta - I think you would be being very selfish if you just waltzed off and bought a ring that "you" thought was classic. Your fiancee could find that type of ring minging. In fact, these days most rings are platinum, not gold.

ugh *shudder*

Zombot

When my bf proposed he had bought me a claddagh ring, which he knew i wanted, and used that for the proposal. Then we went and picked the engagement ring together. It was perfect as I can wear the claddagh ring on my other hand and it means a lot, and I got an engagement ring that suits me

I think the charm bracelet idea is quite similar and could also be very meaningful. There is no point in buying a fake engagement ring though imo as it wont be worn once the proper ring is bought.

Sheep Shagger

Highly recommend www.bluenile.com

By all means do your research on Grafton street but don't buy from there, your just paying for the high rent costs.

ciarakitten

does anyone know where you can get a decent diamond in Dublin or is it still cheaper in New York?