Engagement Rings from Antwerp

PamDen3

Hi Guys

I need some advice.

I recently got engaged and I am delighted and we are thinking about going to Antwerp to get it.

Basically i need all the advice i can get.

I have no idea what i want. Is it ok to go over not prepared?

Can it be made ASAP - as in go over the Friday morning shopping and coming home the Sunday morning?

Or would it have to be posted home and how long does this take?

I have read up to avoid shops near train station - but is it a nice experience?

All advice welcome - good / bad experiences...

Thanks

westendgirlie

Congratulations!!!

As far as I'm aware the diamond district is beside the train station and is the place you should go.

We were thinking of heading there also so I'd done a bit or research but I came across a ring I loved in Enniskillen so no need now. You might find a ring pre-made in your size. But bear in mind if you're going on a weekend that Jewish Sabbath is Saturday so no work on that day. Perhaps midweek would be better.

Best of Luck x

harry21

There is an existing sticky here that includes loads of info on going to antwerp.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056141075

We went recently and got our ring.

Stick to the jewellers who are members of the ADJA and you will be fine. You can contact them in advance and design your ring. We did this, but in the end we waited till we got over and finalised the design. I went back three weeks later to collect it.

Overall the experience is lovely, city is nice and food is excellent. I would highly recommend it. You have to be spending a fair bit to get good savings, but even if not it still a good trip and engagement story.

Staplor

Make appointments before you go, some of the better places close at the weekends. From my experience if you want something quick and easy you can get it on the day (Diamondland), I got one designed and made which took a few weeks, they couriered it over to me though (Phillipe Harold). If you want any more detailed info on what I thought of them then PM me.

Dr Robert

Staplor wrote: »

Make appointments before you go, some of the better places close at the weekends. From my experience if you want something quick and easy you can get it on the day (Diamondland), I got one designed and made which took a few weeks, they couriered it over to me though (Phillipe Harold). If you want any more detailed info on what I thought of them then PM me.

I'm getting a ring for herself in Antwerp this summer. I've had Phillipe Harold recommended to me by a few people so I intend to definately pay him a visit.

Were you long waiting fr the ring to be couriered over?

What's Diamondland like as a matter of interest?

Staplor

Honestly I thought what was in Diamondland was no better than what I could find in standard jewellers here.

Franz Josef

Hi have just got engaged and we are thinking of heading to Antwerp for the ring. All tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. Also I have looked around a few shops and I'm a little inclined to vintage / antique style rings. They just seem to me to be more interesting and have more character.I also really like sapphires ? Can u get those style rings in Antwerp. Is it just diamonds in Antwerp? Would it to be silly to go for a sapphire?? Help! Am feeling a little lost!! Sorry couldn't figure out how to start a new thread so I'm crashing this one! also our budget forthe ring is about € 3000. Is it worth going with this type of budget? Thanks all help appreciated!

NatashaS

It can be worth going to Antwerp - if you know your stuff. Send me a PM if you want; I am a qualified gemmologist so have been dealing between Antwerp, New York and Dublin for a long time now - I have a more than a good idea of recommendations and comparisons here and abroad - not just the usual people either.

And remember, the jewellery quarter in Antwerp is not open on a Saturday - so bear in mind if you're planning a weekend trip!

cormac21051983

it is well worth it in my opinion,

we did lots of research before and we knew what we wanted before we went, so i set up a few meeting with ADJA jewellers and eventually got an amazing ring through Joe Katz, we went on the tuesday, decided on the ring on the Wednesday and it arrived in the post the following tuesday. absolute gentleman to deal with and was not one bit pushy

STICK TO THE ADJA JEWELLERS

hyannisman

It’s definitely worth the trip. We got engaged in Paris (went for a long weekend) but I had booked the flights home from Brussels, I bought a cheap ring for the proposal and then told her we were going to Antwerp on the Monday to have a look at rings.
I had read the threads on this site and found them really useful and as other posters have said do some research. I had looked at rings in Dublin and for the budget I had I wasn’t happy with the rings on display or more to the point value for money and didn’t really trust buying one on line.
I had arranged an appointment with Philip Harold. We got there on Monday morning (a little over 1hr by train). I had booked the Radisson opposite the station €59 for the night, nice hotel with pool .
We walked across to the diamond district, ignoring the shops beside the station as per advice from people on boards. The main jewellers (ADJA members) i.e. Philip Harold, Joe Katz & diamond land are all on the same street. We had a look in a few windows met Philip and got great advice (no hard sell), we left him as we were thinking of getting a ring made and then she spotted the ring it was in Joe Katz window, when I first saw it my heart sank as I really didn’t think that I could afford it but knew by her face she loved it, so in we went, sat down had a coffee & chat with Joe, he gave me the good news it was within the budget (after a bit of haggling & I must also mention I brought cash) .
Happy days relief and to this day she still smiles when she looks down at it. He sent us off for a coffee and lunch and had it resized we went back in the afternoon to collect it.
We got it independently valued when we got home for Insurance purposes and the good news is it was valued a little over 3 times what I paid for it. (even though you never plan to sell the ring at least I had piece of mind that I wasnt taken for a mook):)