Sapphire engagement rings...old fashioned?

[extrastrongblackcoffee]

Hi,

I know this of course subjective, but would just like to get your thoughts.

I'm already engaged. My gf proposed to me last year and I have a ring, but until now, I've not really been able to buy one for her.

Dp is quite alternative in her style and taste and I was initially was looking at black diamond rings, but can't really afford that tbh. I have seen some lovely white gold, diamond (in shoulder) black sapphire ring. She's not materialistic at all, so I don't think she'd mind it wasn't a diamond.

So, what do you reckon? Shall I wait until I can afford a diamond? Or go with the black sapphire?

TIA

[IfNotNowThenWhenever]

Ooh, I like sapphires! What cut is the stone?

[extrastrongblackcoffee]

Oh dear. I really should have previewed that before posting it. Apologies for bad grammar

[extrastrongblackcoffee]

The one I've got my eye on is a claw setting, oval cut.

[Elfontheedge]

I have a sapphire ring although mine is an Edwardian ring. I specifically didn't want a diamond as everybody seems to have a diamond these days and I wanted something a bit different. All this "has to be diamonds" stuff was just a marketing ploy by De Beers anyway.

[ImperialBlether]

But wouldn't she want to choose her own ring?

[Pootles2010]

Sapphire engagement rings are very in because of Kate/Diana's engagement ring. Very beautiful, imo. Not 100% on black though, I think blue would be better, especially as she'll still be wearing it when she's 80!

[Blueberrymuffint0p]

My engagement ring is a deep cerise sapphire and I absolutely love it. I get so many compliments on it.i think just because it's a bit different and not a diamond (which every other person I know has) so I say a big fat yes! Congratulations too!

[nmg85]

I would be happy

[extrastrongblackcoffee]

Good point Elfon I still can't get over that you're supposed to spend a months (or is I 3?! ) on a ring!

Imperial , I don't think so. Unlike me, she likes surprises. If she was massively particular about her jewels I would be less inclined to take the risk.

[chelle792]

I picked my engagement ring with DH. The man in the jewellers said that engagement rings never used to be diamonds but it's actually a very successful marketing ploy.

My engagement ring is an emerald but I wear it on my right hand because it doesn't fit with my wedding ring

[extrastrongblackcoffee]

*a months salary (or is IT 3?! ) grrrr!! Somebody wake me up!

[Nabootique]

I didn't have a diamond. I think diamond solitaires are quite boring, to be honest, and if it's three diamonds it starts to look like an eternity ring.

[Lucymatilde]

You're meant to spend a month of your salary on a ring. I was presented with a fair old diamond that I did not choose and had to go back for resizing of course (the ring, not the diamond).

[howtorebuild]

Ask her if she would like one, not mn, she has to life with it daily.

[Hobbes8]

I have a trilogy ring with a very dark coloured sapphire in the middle and a diamond on either side. I love it. I chose it myself on Hatton Garden after a morning of being a bit bored by increasingly blingy diamond solitaires.

[Chocolateteabag]

My DH spent about £600 on my engagement ring - which def isn't one months salary but I think that is a stupid idea anyway.

He initially gave me a ring which had been his grandmothers but when one of the (small) diamonds fell out he took it on himself to upgrade it as he felt he should have bought me a ring himself.

I actually really preferred the original ring, but both are old and with history. You can get so much more for your money getting an old ring and much more interesting to have a sapphire as the "main" ring.

I have a vv stylish friend who has a square (barrel or barrette cut?)Sapphire flanked by two smaller diamonds. It's a beautiful ring and looks very classic but original.

Definitely go for something different - but also go old - rings can be resized up or down if needed. You could try the auction houses too - Tennants (in Leyburn North Yorks) are very particular to check all the jewellery they get in and they do online bidding and telephone bids. (We have just taken some of my late grandmothers broaches in which is why I know)

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Sapphires seem to be back in fashion in some quarters since Kate Middleton was given Diana's engagement ring.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

And I agree with the advice to buy secondhand. You really do get so much more for your money. But I'm not a fan of the blingy style that you see in high street shops these days. Actually, I'm not even a fan of diamonds. I like rubies, garnets, and emeralds.

[Elfontheedge]

A months salary! Fuck that. Mine cost £195 and I bloody love it. It has a tiny stone missing and the sapphire isn't even the original stone. It's a ring that's lived

[Varya]

Timeless, IMO

[StrawberryTeaLeaf]

I love sapphires.

I'm not sure stones can be old-fashioned, can they? It's the settings and the cuts that are subject to fashion, but even then, some things are just classic.

[slug]

How about having one made specially?

[AuntieStella]

The 'spend a month's salary' is a DeBeers advertising slogan to encourage higher spending. It is not a tradition.

And it's all about finding a ring she'll want to wear life-long (which may well mean not expensive in cash terms).

[burnishedsilver]

Engagement rings are not a fashion item. Hopefully she'll be wearing it for the next 40 years. A lot of fashions will come and go in that time. Buy what you think would appeal to her.

[CalonDu]

Another for the month's salary. I bet Ford wish they'd come up with 'you have to spend a year's salary on your first car'. Or Tesco's had run with, 'you have to spend half your disposable income on Wagon Wheels'.