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Original poster

help me choose an engagement ring

28 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 09:39

I have a 'holding' one for now, but I want to get my ideas straight as to what I really want. I love multicoloured stones together, but also I am in love with Kirsty Allsops large cocktail rings.

Where do I start? We are planning a trip to a few antique shops as I love older styles too.
I'm stuck!
I guess the answer is just to go and try a load on?

OP posts:
isnothingsacred · 08/10/2018 11:03

Scroll through Pinterest and try and get some ideas together to narrow it down a bit.

There are certainly antique large multicoloured-stone rings out there (thus combining three things you like!)

Lucky you Grin choosing an engagement ring is so exciting!

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 12:09

isnothingsacred

That is beautiful! It's exactly the type of thing I was imagining, now to find it a bit more reasonably!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Clothing
Pissedoffdotcom · 08/10/2018 12:11

All i can say is try a few when you go looking, even if you originally saw pics & thought 'absolutely not'

I say this because I had a very set idea on what i wanted. We went looking & the jeweller brought out a load in DPs price range...i ended up falling in love with one that in a photo i thought was awful!

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 12:17

Pissedoffdotcom
Great advice, thank you

OP posts:
isnothingsacred · 08/10/2018 13:49

Hope you find a great ring, crochetmonkey74 I love vintage styles and multicoloured stones. Wish I'd been a bit more adventurous with my choice now.

jjemimapuddleduck · 08/10/2018 13:52

I am planning to buy myself a cocktail ring like KA's for my 50th (already engaged/married) in a few years time (currently saving) so watching this thread! Please keep us posted OP!

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 13:54

jjemimapuddleduck
What stone do you think you will go for?
I'm torn as I love the cocktail rings but not sure if I should go for a more obvious engagement style

OP posts:
mummyhaschangedhername · 08/10/2018 14:01

LeVian do usual pieces, the biggest stockist in the UK is earnest Jones. They do a lot with chocolate diamonds which is a little different.

www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/5102057/le+vian+14ct+strawberry+gold+london+blue+topaz+ring/

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 14:13

mummyhaschangedhername
That 2nd one is gorgeous in particular!
There's a stockist in my town so will go and try on!

OP posts:
LightDrizzle · 08/10/2018 14:19

There are a lot of factors to consider.

  • Do you want to wear it daily only rarely removing it,
  • Are you heavy on your hands?
  • Would it upset you if a Stone got scratched or had to be replaced?
  • Do you care about trends and fashion? Would it bother you to have something currently regarded as naff or ugly or as long as you liked it when you bought it, would you be fine?
  • Budget

If you want to wear it daily, a robust setting and style will wear best and give you least anxiety. Lots of pave diamonds and high settings are much more vulnerable to damage. Opal shouldn’t be immersed in water and needs careful cleaning. It scratches easily. Ruby and emersld also scratch more easily than people think but as with harder sapphire, you can usually get them polished out if you want from time to time. Diamond is much hardier even than sapphire (the MORS Scale isn’t linear) but of course it is expensive. Because price increases exponentially with carat size, you will get a lot more sparkle and presence by going for a three stone or cluster than by going with a solitaire.
A classic setting like a three stone or solitaire in white metal or gold is less likely to go right out of favour than trendier or more elaborate designs.
Buying second hand or at auction saves you a lot of depreciation.
Personally, I’d consider the above, and then go with what makes your heart sing. Just be aware of possible downsides and maintenance issues.

CreativeMumma · 08/10/2018 14:20

i adore these ((www.ruthtomlinson.com)) - hope the link works

CreativeMumma · 08/10/2018 14:22

www.ruthtomlinson.com

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 14:24

CreativeMumma
I love the colour combinations of those

LightDrizzle Thank you! great advice from all angles

OP posts:
BlankTimes · 08/10/2018 14:45

If you want to wear a more robust cheaper one to save the wear and tear on the multicoloured gemstones, have a look at these
www.qvcuk.com/catalog/search.html?keyword=Diamonique+ring++in+9ct+gold

I thought the small emerald-cut one looked really good. www.qvcuk.com/Diamonique-04ct-tw-Emerald-Cut-Solitaire-Ring-9ct-Gold.product.330813.html?sc=SRCH

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 14:52

BlankTimes
I like the idea of that, an ex colleague had an array of rings, for their anniversary each year, she would choose a new one, which were affordable and allowed her to try out different styles- she once wore a very modernist plastic one from Tate Modern for a year. I like this idea- I really like the idea of using my late Mum's ring too- but would like one of my own- think I have a bit more thinking to do!

OP posts:
bellinibobble · 08/10/2018 15:04

My advice is never discount anything.. I had loads of pre-conceived ideas on what I did and didn't want.. all went out the window when I started trying them on.

My other tip is to stretch it into as many trips as you possibly can, as you'll have so much fun haha.

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 15:06

My other tip is to stretch it into as many trips as you possibly can, as you'll have so much fun haha.

I'm going to start today!

OP posts:
MorticiaAddamsIsMyStyleGuru · 08/10/2018 15:22

I would also look at instagram as they have loads of antique jewellery shops on there. I think you can do a search based on UK based dealers as well. I have bought several things online and have never been disappointed as the videos and pictures show such detail.
I can put links to my favourites, both realistic and not (some fabulous and incredibly expensive pieces online that I drool over!) if that would help.
I have also purchased lots from the US as their antique market, especially for diamonds is wonderful.

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 08/10/2018 15:23

MorticiaAddamsIsMyStyleGuru
That would be marvellous thank you!

OP posts:
bellinibobble · 08/10/2018 15:34

@crochetmonkey74

Enjoy every minute!

PS. Don't forget to post a picture when you choose the one!!

UnaOfStormhold · 08/10/2018 15:49

Another thought to consider is whether you normally wear gold or silver jewellery (my ring is half yellow gold and half white gold so goes with anything though the white gold will need to be redipped). Also think about how a wedding ring will fit alongside the ring particularly if you go for an unusual shape (we did less well here so I ended up with one ring on each hand!)

Fluffyears · 08/10/2018 18:57

The metal type matters. White gold needs re-dipped, platinum doesn’t. Palladium is a cheaper alternative to platinum and looks the same, I have a platinum ER and a palladium WR.

wombatron · 08/10/2018 23:28

If looking for longevity as well as older styles, take a look at assigner and emerald cut dianonds!