I am a bit of a jewellery virgin - where can I search for a nice ring?

[broccolispears]

I don't really know what I want, but I'll know it when I see it.

Any good website recommendations?

I don't want to pay extra for the name.

Can you get ethically sourced jewellery?

Or maybe something vintage or reclaimed and remodeled?

Something timeless and classic though.

Hmmm... I don't know what I want, do I.

[JackieNo]

Budget?

[JackieNo]

(sorry - that was a bit curt, wasn't it) What sort of budget are you thinking of ?

[JackieNo]

ANd silver or gold? Some fairly traded stuff here.

[broccolispears]

Well, Probably up to about £2000, though I would much prefer to spend much less than that. I want to find something I fall in love with - if it costs £100, so much the better.

[broccolispears]

They're really pretty JackieNo.

[JackieNo]

These look lovely - quite classic.

[JackieNo]

More bespoke - doesn't look as if you can buy online.
Ditto this one.

[broccolispears]

You're linking to the sort of thing I really like Jackie.

Have thought of a couple of considerations:

1. I would want something that will stay the same for years and years despite wearing it a lot. Some rings dull or lose their shape or pattern - maybe it's the softer metal?

1. No sticky out bits. Can't bare it when jewellery catches on clothes and children etc.

[chipo]

There are some nice and unusual ones herewww.love2have.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=18_21&osCsid=a20bbb43c56f121ed6feeff1e32c2147

[JackieNo]

Chipo - there are some gorgeous ones there. I love the gold and steel one (even if it does say it makes a good men's wedding ring). I love the chunky, hammered look.

[JackieNo]

I love Georg Jensen jewellery - I have a Magic ring that DH bought me a few years ago, and I wear all the time. Imo, though, you need to try things on - we'd gone into the shop to look at the Fusion ones, but they didn't really do anything for me in the flesh, so to speak. And when I tried on the Magic one, I knew it was 'the one'.

[ninedragons]

Two of my favourite sites for artisan jewellery are www.etsy.com and www.sundancecatalog.com

You are right about softer metals - steer clear of high-carat gold if you want it to remain sharp and crisp. Personally I love the look of old worn gold but stick to platinum or 14ct gold if you don't.

What colours do you like?

[broccolispears]

What exactly is atrisan jewellery?

I think my problem is that I don't really know what I like.

I think I prefer white gold or platinum, but that's may be just habit as I always wore silver when I was young. I don't know which complements my colouring.

I never take off the ring dp gave me for my 21st birthday - it's white gold with a diamond set into the band (ie not standing proud of the band). Very understated.

I have buckets of costume jewellery that I used to wear loads, but tend not to now I have young children (everything either gets broken or scratches them).

When dd was born I badgered and badgered for a ring, and eventually we chose one we could ill afford and (I've never admitted this to anyone) I've decided I don't like it much. It was supposed to be a beautiful ring to mark the birth of our daughter and one day be passed to her, and the truth is it wouldn't look out of place in a Christmas cracker. I wanted something I'd rarely take off, but I hardly ever wear it.

Dp and I are getting married soon. I'm not having an engagement ring or a wedding band, but dp has suggested I have a ring at some point in the next couple of years, just because why not.

I'm terrified of choosing another ring I don't like. Am going to do lots of research to work out what sort of thing I do like.

I think probably a gemstone, but which one? And possibly diamonds. And it must be sturdy.

[JackieNo]

I think artisan is hand made (in smaller quantities), rather than mass-produced. I'd definitely go and see some - what looks good on the page/screen may not be so good in rl. The other option, of course, might be to get someone to make one for you.

[ninedragons]

Artisan jewellery is designed and hand-made by real jewellers, not churned out of some factory in Bangkok by the wheelie-bin load.

Yep, I agree with Jackie, you need to try some on in person.

If you have always worn white metals you may find that you also suit rose gold. Gemstones other than diamonds will restrict how much of your wardrobe it goes with.

A classic Tiffany etoile ring is lovely.

[norkmaiden]

BS, what about something from diana porter ?? Wide price range, and some gorgeous stuff.

[jesuswhatnext]

you have a lovley budget, have a look around your nearest city for a silver/goldsmith and work with him to come up with a design you like. over the years i have been very lucky and helped to design my wedding ring, and a kind of 'eternity' ring using white gold, pink saphhires, opals and diamonds - if you have a say in the design it can be as flashy or understated as you wish

[2loudboys]

Can I ask what sort of jewellery you are normally 'drawn' to. What sort of thing would make you go 'ooooooooh that's goooooorrrgeous'?

• Clean modern designs OR
• organic, ethnic/boho, hippy styles OR
• traditional, understated styles OR
• older, antique pieces?

Usually, but not always related to your style of dress. What clothing style do you go for?

[broccolispears]

I think I am drawn to clean, smooth designs.

I like this round ring.

This vine band ring is utterly utterly divine, but (quite ignoring the fantastical price) I'm not sure I would wear it every day.

I like hearts. I like opaque gemstones - opal or ebony maybe.

[ScaryHairy]

Lots of lovely stuff on Astley Clarke

(My favourite fantasy shopping website)

[bettybeetroot]

if you're thinking about diamond/s i love the rings by malcolm betts who i bought my wedding ring from. not everyone's cup of tea as not polished like the tiffany ones you were looking at but i love his jewellry. i wear gold but here are some white gold or platinum (not sure!)

www.malcolmbetts.com/rings15.html

www.malcolmbetts.com/rings6.html

www.malcolmbetts.com/rings3.html

you could have a look here and search for goldmiths in your area

[norkmaiden]

oh sighhh at BB's link, those are beautiful.

What sort of thing is the ring you have but don't wear/like? (for an idea of what to avoid)

[ninedragons]

That vine ring is quite a standard design. I have seen them on ebay.com, (diamond and platinum, 1930s, not T&Co) for around 500-600 quid. Just keep an eye on the vintage section and I pretty much guarantee one will come up within a month or two.

This is diamond and platinum and has no sharp edges. I have been watching it for months but cannot justify buying it!

[broccolispears]

Thank you Scary and Betty for the links. I am enjoying exploring what's out there - even if I don't see exactly the right thing it will give me ideas.

Ninedragons that is lovely. Sold by the same seller is this, which wile it isn't quite right, I do like the way everything is set into the band - the stones are flush with the metal.

[broccolispears]

I like the Malcolm Betts rings, but I think I prefer something shiny. Actually though, my 21st ring is similar to his stuff and I adore it (and it has become shiny with wear - not necessarily a good thing.)

On the Astley Clarke, I love this moonstone ring, and also this ruby ring.

The ring I bought when dd was born was yellow gold with a plump heart of turquoise set into the claw, and gold latticing around it. I do like the ring, what makes me sad about it is that it is supposed to be my most special, beautiful, meaningful ring and it looks a bit like gaudy tat. If I'd spent a fiver on it in Dorothy Perks I'd love it. I'm sure this makes me shallow and silly. Sorry. All over my life I am drawn to bright, gaudy, sparkly things, but then I want to live a cool, calm, classy life. Sigh.