Engagement Ring help!

beakerjoe

Hi Guys

Well I'm in need to a helping hand in regards of buying an engagement ring. Now im planning on propsing in the next calander year and need a little info and advice please.

Well me and my girlfriend have already talked a little bit about marriage and a wedding and ive an idea of what she would consider a good ring. Now im by no means loaded, i have an ok cleical job, but id like to get her as good a ring as possible. She is adament that its not the ring that matters but id still like to get her a nice one. I know she'd like a princess cut idealy and white gold. My budget would be roughly €1,000 to maybe €2,000. Im avoiding getting a loan for this as id rather save those for the wedding itself. Ive no idea where to buy a good ring for that price or even if id get anything good for that price range at all.

Now my girlfriend isnt materialistic and i dont see buying a ring as an investment, i just want her to be able to be happy with the ring i get and not have a ring of awful quaility or an eyesore.

Wheres the best place to start guys?

topcatcbr

beakerjoe wrote: »

Hi Guys

Well I'm in need to a helping hand in regards of buying an engagement ring. Now im planning on propsing in the next calander year and need a little info and advice please.

Well me and my girlfriend have already talked a little bit about marriage and a wedding and ive an idea of what she would consider a good ring. Now im by no means loaded, i have an ok cleical job, but id like to get her as good a ring as possible. She is adament that its not the ring that matters but id still like to get her a nice one. I know she'd like a princess cut idealy and white gold. My budget would be roughly €1,000 to maybe €2,000. Im avoiding getting a loan for this as id rather save those for the wedding itself. Ive no idea where to buy a good ring for that price or even if id get anything good for that price range at all.

Now my girlfriend isnt materialistic and i dont see buying a ring as an investment, i just want her to be able to be happy with the ring i get and not have a ring of awful quaility or an eyesore.

Wheres the best place to start guys?

I'm in a similar position. While I'd love to spend 5K+ on a ring circumstance doesn't allow. My budget is also about 2K. To be honest I think it is enough also. I was married before and did the expensive ring and found it was a novelty (for her) for a while but ultimately mattered for nothing. It's probably pawned as a cash for gold by now for less than 10% what I paid.

I have a home (neg equity) and kids so cannot justify a huge outlay on a frivolous ring.

I have been looking online shops and in shops in Antwerp so far. I have also looked at second hand ( surprised by value to be had here) but it might be difficult to get size right.

Any other ideas welcome.

beakerjoe

topcatcbr wrote: »

I'm in a similar position. While I'd love to spend 5K+ on a ring circumstance doesn't allow. My budget is also about 2K. To be honest I think it is enough also. I was married before and did the expensive ring and found it was a novelty (for her) for a while but ultimately mattered for nothing. It's probably pawned as a cash for gold by now for less than 10% what I paid.

I have a home (neg equity) and kids so cannot justify a huge outlay on a frivolous ring.

I have been looking online shops and in shops in Antwerp so far. I have also looked at second hand ( surprised by value to be had here) but it might be difficult to get size right.

Any other ideas welcome.

I found a ring that looks like what i want in John Brereton Jewelers on O'Connoll St. Now its a princess cut platinum ring and cost 2.5. Now i dont know about cuts of diamonds, the quality of the ring or what have you, but it looks nice.

Where did you look at prices for Antwerp and second hand???

topcatcbr

beakerjoe wrote: »

I found a ring that looks like what i want in John Brereton Jewelers on O'Connoll St. Now its a princess cut platinum ring and cost 2.5. Now i dont know about cuts of diamonds, the quality of the ring or what have you, but it looks nice.

Where did you look at prices for Antwerp and second hand???

Done deal and adverts.ie. I can't remember the name of shops in Antwerp but many have online sites.

wrmwit

Would you consider going abroad for a weekend and proposing?

We got engaged in London and bought the ring in Hatton Garden, London's diamond district. You will find loads of rings that'll match your budget, or even less.

topcatcbr

wrmwit wrote: »

Would you consider going abroad for a weekend and proposing?

We got engaged in London and bought the ring in Hatton Garden, London's diamond district. You will find loads of rings that'll match your budget, or even less.

I'm considering doing that. Like a 2 in 1 deal.

Dancor

Check out Jamesallen.com

I was able to get a brilliant ring at an amazing price last year. Have had it valued in Dublin and it would have cost around triple here.

Just make sure to account for custom fees.

Have a look at truthaboutdiamonds.com also. The guy there gives free advice for all budgets.

beakerjoe

Dancor wrote: »

Check out Jamesallen.com

I was able to get a brilliant ring at an amazing price last year. Have had it valued in Dublin and it would have cost around triple here.

Just make sure to account for custom fees.

Have a look at truthaboutdiamonds.com also. The guy there gives free advice for all budgets.

how much do custom fees work out at roughly?

They seem to be a nice selection and decently priced

Dancor

beakerjoe wrote: »

how much do custom fees work out at roughly?

They seem to be a nice selection and decently priced

I think it was 23% of the total value in euros. Free delivery with FedEX, then FedEX got onto me to pay the charges.

royster999

How to know if the ring is worth the money? I wouldnt know difference between a €500 ring or a €3k ring from looking at them..

paeter

I got a guy in mayo to make one for me, I got a .95 carot stone in the centre and some smaller ones down the shoulders of the ring. Cost me €4000 with Cert!! we had it valued in hatton garden diamond district last month at 9800 sterling. He sources the diamond for you from Antwerp and then sets them in the style of ring you want. I put a friend of mine onto him and he paid €2500 certified as well. He had it appraised in Dublin not long after at €6700. This guy is hard to book and is very busy but is well worth it. If I were you I'd check out people who are making rings for people as they have no overheads and you'll be cutting out the middle men.i can pm you his number if you want to try him out.

theduffer

paeter wrote: »

I got a guy in mayo to make one for me, I got a .95 carot stone in the centre and some smaller ones down the shoulders of the ring. Cost me €4000 with Cert!! we had it valued in hatton garden diamond district last month at 9800 sterling. He sources the diamond for you from Antwerp and then sets them in the style of ring you want. I put a friend of mine onto him and he paid €2500 certified as well. He had it appraised in Dublin not long after at €6700. This guy is hard to book and is very busy but is well worth it. If I were you I'd check out people who are making rings for people as they have no overheads and you'll be cutting out the middle men.i can pm you his number if you want to try him out.

Hi Paeter,

Can you pm the name of jeweller for me as i am looking for someone to make a ring for me!

Thanks

Gatica

We got wedding ring made to match very particular engagement ring. were very happy with cost and result. We used Michael Horan, his website is http://www.michaelhoranjewellery.com/. Trust me, worked out about 60% of what similar ones cost in the shop!
Friends also got engagement ring custom made by Voltaire diamonds, another option often recommended on boards.

You really bypass a lot of that fanfare in the shops that costs you a good bit as a consumer....