Antique engagement ring

Teach30

Recently engaged and would love to look at some antique jewellers for something a little different.

Have never worn a ring before in my life so the whole experience is a bit daunting as I know nothing about rings but have started to do some research!

Budget is between 8-10k and I am willing to travel anywhere in Ireland to have a look and get a feel for what suits my hand.

Advice on where to go really appreciated. TIA

cazzer22

I would definitely recommend the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin. It has so many little shops (antique ones included) and I got my ring in Abana there. Definitely worth a look.

missmatty

I got my wedding ring in Abana as well and they shaped it to fit my engagement ring, they have some lovely pieces there. For antique rings I'd also recommend the alleyway from Grafton Street towards Powerscourt Centre, lots of nice shops there.

aquinn

We got our ring in CW Weldon in Powescourt and I would highly recommend. She was fantastic and extremely honest as to what suited my hand as like that I never wore rings. She was also the only one to usse cotton wool as well to make them fit better as I have tiny fingers. She was really super.

cant26

Cobwebs in Galway has amazing rings..crazy prices but beautiful pieces.

witchgirl26

cazzer22 wrote: »

I would definitely recommend the Powerscourt Centre in Dublin. It has so many little shops (antique ones included) and I got my ring in Abana there. Definitely worth a look.

Would echo this - didn't end up getting my ring there but the service was amazing and they were so helpful in helping me figure out what suited my hand etc. Just didn't have "my" ring.

I got mine in Weldon's just behind Brown Thomas. Service was really good (for the most part, one slight issue with the woman we collected it from on the day but that was minor) and they had a lovely selection.

Just be sure to get an antique ring authenticated (i.e. the stone is the 4 c's it's been advertised as, metal is as described etc) if it doesn't come with a GIA cert. We did and I was really glad. Didn't highlight any inconsistencies or anything but gave piece of mind that we were getting what we'd be sold.

Swampy

Powerscourt jewelers are over prices in my opinion. Try O'Reillys Auction https://www.oreillysfineart.com/

I also bought one in Weldons behing BT's. Great store and selection. Make sue you Haggle!!

DavyD_83

witchgirl26 wrote: »

Would echo this - didn't end up getting my ring there but the service was amazing and they were so helpful in helping me figure out what suited my hand etc. Just didn't have "my" ring.

I got mine in Weldon's just behind Brown Thomas. Service was really good (for the most part, one slight issue with the woman we collected it from on the day but that was minor) and they had a lovely selection.

Just be sure to get an antique ring authenticated (i.e. the stone is the 4 c's it's been advertised as, metal is as described etc) if it doesn't come with a GIA cert. We did and I was really glad. Didn't highlight any inconsistencies or anything but gave piece of mind that we were getting what we'd be sold.

Where did you get the ring authenticated? Would you mind sharing cost of the check?
I bought engagement ring in Powerscourt centre too. Always meant to get it verified at some stage, but never got aroind to it.
Was bought over 5 years ago now, maybe I'm better off not knowing if anything is dodge about it

witchgirl26

DavyD_83 wrote: »

Where did you get the ring authenticated? Would you mind sharing cost of the check?
I bought engagement ring in Powerscourt centre too. Always meant to get it verified at some stage, but never got aroind to it.
Was bought over 5 years ago now, maybe I'm better off not knowing if anything is dodge about it

We got it done by Carol Clarke who's based on Royal Hibernian way. Have to say she was brilliant and really good. The report we got out was really detailed too. Not sure how much it was as my OH arranged it all and paid for it but her website lists basic charges here: http://www.dublinjewelleryvaluations.ie/charges

Teach30

Thanks everyone you have all been most helpful.

I have thankfully narrowed it down ( I think) to one ring! It doesnt come with a GIA certificate instead it’s an Independent IDRC report. It’s a legitimate jewellers so just wondering what the difference in this type of report is.

Can find very little info online. Have deposit paid so hoping it’s ok!

witchgirl26

Teach30 wrote: »

Thanks everyone you have all been most helpful.

I have thankfully narrowed it down ( I think) to one ring! It doesnt come with a GIA certificate instead it’s an Independent IDRC report. It’s a legitimate jewellers so just wondering what the difference in this type of report is.

Can find very little info online. Have deposit paid so hoping it’s ok!

Not sure in the difference in the reports. Had only heard of the GIA one. If you want piece of mind, I’d still recommend an independent report. If it’s a legitimate jewellers then there should be no issue. Our report showed slight differences but nothing that would have been a concern & we were told some of them are more judgemental by the tester between 2 levels.