Getting the best value on an Engagement Ring - overseas or second hand?

Did you ask her yet, if not just get a temporary ring and take her somewhere like antwerp for a weekend where you'll save a fortune in the right place, there's a lot of wrong places there.
Tell her your budget, she might want a 6k ring and will throw in the rest herself. 6k antwerp would probably be 10k plus here.

Hi OP,
O reilly auction rooms are great because you can view before hand. You could even get a ring with papers etc. There is a shop in Galway I can't remember the name.....it is something like "jewellery box" they also sell second hand stuff and some have papers.

I personally wouldn't like a second hand ring myself and €3k is a great budget
I researched the jewellery quarter in Birmingham and hatton gardens in London. I found any jewellers I contacted were very helpful....they even sent photos of rings on someone's hand for me!!!! Sterling rate is rubbish now though

We ended up buying my ring from thomas gear....it happened to be one I was eyeing up in hatton gardens. He came in cheaper on price and came with papers etc it is valued for a lot more than we paid.

We pretty much went to every jewellers in Dublin and depending on the style different ones were cheaper.
We found rocks were the cheapest for a halo setting but I didn't like the fact they had LOADS of each ring.
Martin gear was cheapest for 1carat solitaire. He only had one of each ring.
Thomas gear was cheapest for triology setting. He only had one of each ring when I got mine so it gets sized. This might have changed?
Weirs was the cheapest for a band with diamonds. They had lots of each ring.
There is another guy Patrick Glynn on Abbey street he is brilliant...he is beside arnotts car park.

I'd recommend this place http://www.e-jewels.ie/Home.aspx

You could get a really nice ring here within that budget and skip the cost of flying to Dubai.

My fiance and I got engaged in the states and when I went looking at rings there we weren't standing to make much of a saving because of the exchange rate.

In the end we decided to buy it in Ireland and I was happy with the fact that the jeweler is only 20 minutes away if any problems arise.

If buying abroad at the moment be very careful.
I was in a jewellers getting an antique engagement ring cleaned that used to be my mothers and the lady who works in the shop was telling me how delighted she was that it was an old one due to the fact over the past few days she has had to tell 3 brides to be that their loved expensive new rings are virtually worthless.
Two of which were bought abroad, but she said without looking at them so closely and being in the business so long they would of fooled her too.
So just be very careful.

brbf wrote: »

Thanks, yes I would be super careful if buying online or overseas, I would not do it without an independent valuation and certificate. Really I want the biggest rock I can get for the money - just without it being yellow or having big visible inclusions. I'm told to go for a H color or better. I've been looking on ebay and there are some interesting ones, from proper jewelers.

It's down to personal taste really but I'd choose a smaller better quality diamond any day of the week over a bigger poorer quality one.

Out of curiosity, what size stone are you hoping to get?

As someone else suggested, try Hatton gardens in London if you can't find what you want there you won't find it anywhere, so much choice and experts wanting to help in all the stores on that street, and a few second hand stores too run by experts.

It might be worth your while trying perfectring.ie.

You can specify your budget and the size of diamond etc and it shows you rings from all different jewelers in Ireland.

Happy hunting!