Engagment Ring Dubai or Antwerp?!

lbyrne121 · 16-02-2016 2:50pm #1

Hi everyone
My boyfriend proposed and we are looking into where would be best to get a ring. more value for money, dubai or antwerp?
We are also looking into getting our wedding bands at the same time.
Any advice would be really appreciated..

Thanks

Seesee · 16-02-2016 2:55pm

How about shopping local and buying in Ireland?

sareer · 16-02-2016 2:56pm

Dubai offers good value for money in terms of purity of gold. But that is, I would guess, more relevant if you look at the jewelry resale potentional.

sareer · 16-02-2016 2:59pm

It really depends if you want gold, silver, platinum and if you are also looking at diamonds, et al. How many karats, which level of purity or does it matter at all? Also, do you want custom made or off the rack? There wouldn't be a general "best place" in my opinion as each has its own USP.

CaraMay · 16-02-2016 4:28pm

Dubai is no longer great value as the dollar is so strong.

lbyrne121 · 16-02-2016 4:40pm

I am look for approx 1 Cart diamond white gold band.. I know that the dollar rate is not good and that would have an impact on the price of diamonds. But my question is is there much of a difference between value in antwerp and dubai?
I looked around ireland and seen the prices of 1 carat rings and it was mental money. He is spending approx 5,500 on ring.

CaraMay · 16-02-2016 5:25pm

Go for .99 ish carat as it will be way cheaper than 1.0+

Jasper79 · 16-02-2016 5:36pm

My own experience was looking at minimum €8k for a decent 1 ct stone, buying Dublin, Antwerp, New York were all coming in around the same. No Idea if Dubai would be any better.

As said the 1ct. label attracts a premium, moving down to .9ct can save a fair amount.

EagererBeaver · 16-02-2016 5:40pm

lbyrne121 wrote: »

I am look for approx 1 Cart diamond white gold band.. I know that the dollar rate is not good and that would have an impact on the price of diamonds. But my question is is there much of a difference between value in antwerp and dubai?
I looked around ireland and seen the prices of 1 carat rings and it was mental money. He is spending approx 5,500 on ring.

If you somehow find a 1ct stone for 5,500 (assuming that's Euro rather than GBP) please let me know! Not to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you'll likely either have to up your budget or lower your expectations. A 1ct stone, for that price will have to be absolutely awful on the other 3 C's, most likely wherever you go.

dinneenp · 16-02-2016 5:43pm

Give Anne Love a call here. She's in Glasgow and we found her very good value.

lbyrne121 · 16-02-2016 6:00pm

EagererBeaver wrote: »

If you somehow find a 1ct stone for 5,500 (assuming that's Euro rather than GBP) please let me know! Not to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you'll likely either have to up your budget or lower your expectations. A 1ct stone, for that price will have to be absolutely awful on the other 3 C's, most likely wherever you go.

I already emailed Cara jewellers in Dubai and they gave me the following quotes, which is 1 Carat and is below 5,500 euro..

Ring as picture in 18k white gold

Center diamond – 1.00 carat – Pear shape – VVS2 – G

Side diamond – 0.35 carat total – Round Brilliant – VS-SI – F-G

Price : 19300/- AED

Ring as picture in 18k white gold

Center diamond – 1.00 carat – Pear shape – VVS1 – G

Side diamond – 0.35 carat total – Round Brilliant – VS-SI – F-G

Price : 20500/- AED

Jasper79 · 16-02-2016 6:05pm

dinneenp wrote: »

Give Anne Love a call here. She's in Glasgow and we found her very good value.

Just had a look at that site, pretty much same prices as dublin for a decent 1ct stone.

Capture.PNG

Op can recommend you try the likes of Voltaire Diamonds or Bespoke Diamonds if you are near Dublin.

CaraMay · 16-02-2016 6:05pm

Cara are excellent. I got a lot of stuff there. Is their shop in Galway still open

lbyrne121 · 16-02-2016 6:14pm

CaraMay wrote: »

Cara are excellent. I got a lot of stuff there. Is their shop in Galway still open

I dont know if they are still open there but my sister came back from there in Oct and she got an eternity band and it was only 450 euro and is identical to her wedding band which she got in ireland a year ago prior to getting her eternity band and cost 1,250 euro hence why I am really considering going to dubai but the only thing i am unsure about is if there is much difference in value between dubai and antwerp.

honey12345 · 23-03-2016 10:26pm

Well worth your while going to Dubai to buy a ring I bought a 1.3 ct solitaire in Dubai about two years ago pain 5000 for the ring got it valued here in Weirs for 14000 I also bought a ring in Abu Dhab airport paid approx 900 valued here for 2000. I would lovee to go back

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 11:41am

honey12345 wrote: »

Well worth your while going to Dubai to buy a ring I bought a 1.3 ct solitaire in Dubai about two years ago pain 5000 for the ring got it valued here in Weirs for 14000 I also bought a ring in Abu Dhab airport paid approx 900 valued here for 2000. I would lovee to go back

Worth noting that the dollar/euro exchange rate would significantly impact on the savings here.

When you factor in flights for 2 people, hotels etc etc, is it really worth while?

Obviously if I was in the area I'd have a look but would question if its worth a special trip.

exaisle · 24-03-2016 11:55am

Suggestion....stop being selfish....spend a grand on the ring and give the other €4500 to some charity where it'll do more good than sparkling on your finger. Then it'll make lots of people happier instead of just one.

CaraMay · 24-03-2016 11:57am

exaisle wrote: »

Suggestion....stop being selfish....spend a grand on the ring and give the other €4500 to some charity where it'll do more good than sparkling on your finger. Then it'll make lots of people happier instead of just one.

Why don't you stop paying for Internet and give that to charity instead.

What a stupid post. People are entitled to spend what they want on whatever they want

biko · 24-03-2016 11:58am

Or get a nice gold claddagh ring and spend the rest on the wedding or honeymoon*

*for disclosure, I am very much against diamonds.

CaraMay · 24-03-2016 11:59am

biko wrote: »

Or get a nice gold claddagh ring and spend the rest on the wedding or honeymoon*

*for disclosure, I am very much against diamonds.

And I love them so each to their own

Behind the Fence · 24-03-2016 12:41pm

Myself and the OH travelled to Antwerp before Christmas with a very similar budget on a very similar ring. After a lot of looking we were really struggling until we went to l'Odyssee. We got exactly what we were looking for. Lora was the lady we dealt with and she was brilliant. The only thing about travelling to Antwerp is that you look at the diamond first and it can be difficult to judge without the full ring. They don't have as much interest in the band, it's all about the diamond. When we returned to Ireland we got the ring valued at 2 and a quarters time the price we paid. The likes of Phillipe Harold are very good but that bit more expensive. We found Lora and L'Odyssee brilliant (look up the reviews on TripAdvisor) and we couldn't recommend her enough, plus a trip to Antwerp is relatively cheap.

Arbiter of Good Taste · 24-03-2016 12:46pm

biko wrote: »

Or get a nice gold claddagh ring and spend the rest on the wedding or honeymoon*

*for disclosure, I am very much against diamonds.

And I think claddagh rings are tacky. But as Cara May says, each to their own

Toots · 24-03-2016 1:10pm

exaisle posts like that are neither constructive nor helpful. Please read the forum charter before posting.

Everyone else, back on topic

dowhatyoulove · 24-03-2016 1:17pm

I got my two rings and my husbands rings in Dubai/Middle East. There is very good value here but as far as I know at the moment the AED is pretty strong against the euro!

Very good quality and we've both had our rings resized as we lost weight, aftercare is amazing.

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 1:25pm

Yep, AED is pegged to USD - €1 gets you $1.12 as of this morning. Its been worse in recent months, but its certainly a long way from the highs of a few years ago.

I was traveling back from Australia via Abu Dhabi and my jaw nearly hit the floor at the sight of all the amazing shiney things! I think I'd need to be in the right frame of mind to be buying expensive jewellery, but if I was there again and the exchange rate was a bit better, I'd be sorely tempted.

ella23 · 24-03-2016 1:58pm

exaisle wrote: »

Suggestion....stop being selfish....spend a grand on the ring and give the other €4500 to some charity where it'll do more good than sparkling on your finger. Then it'll make lots of people happier instead of just one.

Suggestion, get off your high horse now for a second, how dare you call someone selfish for wanting to spend their own money on something they hope to have for the rest of their lives. Do you put all your extra money towards charity (every cent?) or do you put it in to savings. I'm sure you had to pay a few quid for laptop/smartphone/television/car did you? All of these are luxuries as is an engagement ring. And if you can't afford savings, then that is your issue, not this girls, as you sure have enough to pay for internet or credit on your smartphone or computer to get on to boards.ie. Ape!

bigpink · 24-03-2016 2:05pm

Would people spend that much on engagement rings?

CaraMay · 24-03-2016 2:08pm

bigpink wrote: »

Would people spend that much on engagement rings?

Yes if they choose to

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 2:23pm

bigpink wrote: »

Would people spend that much on engagement rings?

In my experience yes (lots of friends recently engaged and we're chatty bunch!)

I heard somewhere that the average in Ireland is something like €3-3.5k

bigpink · 24-03-2016 3:35pm

SarahMollie wrote: »

In my experience yes (lots of friends recently engaged and we're chatty bunch!)

I heard somewhere that the average in Ireland is something like €3-3.5k

Jesus thats huge money that could be used on a house or something important

CaraMay · 24-03-2016 3:38pm

bigpink wrote: »

Jesus thats huge money that could be used on a house or something important

Yeah and you could also spend it in cheltenham .... I don't think that's a lot of money (as long as you don't have to borrow it)

bigpink · 24-03-2016 3:47pm

CaraMay wrote: »

Yeah and you could also spend it in cheltenham .... I don't think that's a lot of money (as long as you don't have to borrow it)

True i suppose.Just thats huge money to me i couldnt imagine that being spend on a ring

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 3:51pm

Yeah I think its proportionate to your circumstances and whether or not nice jewellery is important to you.

Personally, I know anything I'd like would like myself typically turns out to be in the €5-8k space. My BF and I have spoken about it I know he thinks they are an outrageous waste of money but I think (hope!) he knows it would be important to me when the time comes!

sadie1502 · 24-03-2016 3:56pm

Buy second hand. Antique ring. Diamonds not worth the money. They depreciate badly. I wouldn't waste the money. You get a better deal on a second hand ring.

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 4:05pm

sadie1502 wrote: »

Buy second hand. Antique ring. Diamonds not worth the money. They depreciate badly. I wouldn't waste the money. You get a better deal on a second hand ring.

True and I will explore all options when the time comes. I quite like the idea of an antique anyway to get something a bit different.

That said, i wouldn't be buying it as an investment anyway, so its resale value wouldn't matter much to me.

Toots · 24-03-2016 4:18pm

ella23, suggestion, read the charter before posting and don't ignore mod warnings on the thread.

I already asked posters to stay on topic.

PinkLemonade · 24-03-2016 5:04pm

SarahMollie wrote: »

Yeah I think its proportionate to your circumstances and whether or not nice jewellery is important to you.

Personally, I know anything I'd like would like myself typically turns out to be in the €5-8k space. My BF and I have spoken about it I know he thinks they are an outrageous waste of money but I think (hope!) he knows it would be important to me when the time comes!

Would the proposal my be the important part? 8k is a lot if money to ask someone to pay when they're uncomfortable with the amount, unreasonable IMO

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 5:10pm

PinkLemonade wrote: »

Would the proposal my be the important part? 8k is a lot if money to ask someone to pay when they're uncomfortable with the amount, unreasonable IMO

Well it would be important to me, more so than having a big wedding for example. He's only uncomfortable because he has's one of these people who goes through life in perpetual shock at how much stuff actually costs. He has a very thrifty streak that I generally don't mind because the opposite would be much worse, but this is an area that I'd hope he'd loosen the purse strings on this occasion

Also, like lots of men, he doesn't necessarily see the value in jewellery.

+ I said €5-8k, it wouldn't matter to me which end of the scale it is, once I get something I like. I gave that number because the things I've seen that I like are in that price bracket. I don't like them because they're in that price bracket.

Nekarsulm · 24-03-2016 5:14pm

Cubby O'Connor on the South Circular Road, wholesale jeweller and manufactures pieces of jewellery.

Ashbx · 24-03-2016 5:52pm

Firstly....congratulations!!!

Just to quickly say to other posters, IMO the amount of money you spend on an engagement ring is realistically up to the man who is paying for it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't LOVE a nice huge expensive sparkler on my finger but I am being realistic. I would never expect my boyfriend to purchase something he cant afford. There is no way in hell I would sell my engagement ring so the "investment" behind it means nothing really. Everyday, I wear a €20 ring I got from argos nearly 15 years ago....still looks perfect. So expensive ring doesn't necessarily mean good investment. The ring is a symbol of love...not how much money you have.

Anyway, OP the only issue I would have is the cost of going to Dubai. Im not sure if money is an issue for you but its pretty expensive to get out there so would be paying at least 1.5 - 2k EXTRA to get over to Dubai before even purchasing a ring! If you are set on getting a ring abroad, I would suggest Antwerp. There are many threads on here where people are suggesting specific jewellers in Antwerp so I would have a look at them and might be able to guide you.

SarahMollie · 24-03-2016 6:12pm

OK just to clear a few things up - I was trying to politely dance around the fact that my dear boyf can sometimes be a bit tight. He's always moaning about the price of something but he's doing very well for himself despite his best efforts not to show it! He was a student for almost a decade and the cost of adult life just appalls him sometimes. Like the other weekend he took himself out shopping for clothes and and came home with a jumper that cost €250. I don't know who was more shocked, me or him?!?

I of course would never want someone to spend beyond their means. I'm purely going by what I like, and sure I hope it keeps fine for me but sure who knows. I also wouldn't be opposed to paying for some of it myself if necessary. Its not about the money, its more about getting something I love. I wear very little jewellery so thing would be a big focal point for me.

Anyhow, I'd also be concerned that saving on a ring could end up costing more money, especially somewhere like Dubai. I'd say its very easy to spend money there. Also, i think you'd need to be spending quite a lot to make it worth while. Ad in the 7 hours flight each way, its neither cheap nor quick to get to. Also, if you go all the way to Dubai, you're going to feel like you HAVE to buy to justify your trip. I'd explore more local options first.

ChampagnePop · 24-03-2016 7:27pm

SarahMollie wrote: »

OK just to clear a few things up - I was trying to politely dance around the fact that my dear boyf can sometimes be a bit tight. He's always moaning about the price of something but he's doing very well for himself despite his best efforts not to show it! He was a student for almost a decade and the cost of adult life just appalls him sometimes. Like the other weekend he took himself out shopping for clothes and and came home with a jumper that cost €250. I don't know who was more shocked, me or him?!?

I of course would never want someone to spend beyond their means. I'm purely going by what I like, and sure I hope it keeps fine for me but sure who knows. I also wouldn't be opposed to paying for some of it myself if necessary. Its not about the money, its more about getting something I love. I wear very little jewellery so thing would be a big focal point for me.

Anyhow, I'd also be concerned that saving on a ring could end up costing more money, especially somewhere like Dubai. I'd say its very easy to spend money there. Also, i think you'd need to be spending quite a lot to make it worth while. Ad in the 7 hours flight each way, its neither cheap nor quick to get to. Also, if you go all the way to Dubai, you're going to feel like you HAVE to buy to justify your trip. I'd explore more local options first.

Maybe wait till you get engaged before you start planning the ring and wedding, a strong relationship is so much more important.

honey12345 · 24-03-2016 7:58pm

SarahMollie wrote: »

Worth noting that the dollar/euro exchange rate would significantly impact on the savings here.

When you factor in flights for 2 people, hotels etc etc, is it really worth while?

Obviously if I was in the area I'd have a look but would question if its worth a special trip.

Most defiantly worth the trip. 1000 euro per person including flights and hotel I stayed in the holiday inn.

My ring was valued at 14k its a no brainer plus i got a two week holiday out of it and only paid 5000 for the ring

PM me nudes · 24-03-2016 8:03pm

lbyrne121 wrote:

Side diamond â€“ 0.35 carat total â€“ Round Brilliant â€“ VS-SI â€“ F-G

exaisle wrote:

Suggestion....stop being selfish....spend a grand on the ring and give the other â‚¬4500 to some charity where it'll do more good than sparkling on your finger. Then it'll make lots of people happier instead of just one.

Fcuk off cnut

honey12345 · 24-03-2016 8:05pm

PM me nudes wrote: »

Fcuk off cnut

Grow up you are pathetic

PM me nudes · 24-03-2016 8:06pm

honey12345 wrote:

Grow up you are pathetic

I am grown up

honey12345 · 24-03-2016 8:08pm

PM me nudes wrote: »

Fcuk off cnut

PM me nudes wrote: »

I am grown up

you just called someone the c word you have to be mentally unstable grow up mentally

PM me nudes · 24-03-2016 8:10pm

honey12345 wrote:

you just called someone the c word you have to be mentally unstable grow up mentally

Sorry, I don't understand you

Harika · 24-03-2016 8:12pm

Depending where you are there are people from Israel/Dubai and are coming here where you talk with them and they go back home and bring the ring you want back. My wife got her ring this way, and it was valued four times as what I paid, and is looking stunning compared what we would have gotten in Ireland.

Nekarsulm · 24-03-2016 8:16pm

PM me nudes wrote: »

Fcuk off cnut

Very informative. About your general personality!

Toots · 24-03-2016 8:29pm

Locked pending mod review. An angry mod review.

Engagment Ring Dubai or Antwerp?!

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