If you had £2.5k for an engagement ring…

[PartyPlan]

What would you choose?

My engagement ring has been sadly lost, but it is insured so I am hoping I can buy a replacement.

The style I had before was a princess cut with diamond shoulders, all very square but I loved it, although it probably isn’t what I would choose now. I love pear shaped stones, but someone close to me has one like that and I wouldn’t want to be seen as copying.

Would love some ideas if anyone has any! Would absolutely consider lab grown or vintage rings as I think you get more for the money.

@ShirleyPhallus I agree. I want a beautiful ring to wear. I have holidays sorted already. It’s not everyone’s priority, obviously.

@ShirleyPhallus Hahah yes I do!! I'm a jeweller 🤣
Lab diamonds are not real 😆🤣🙈

That’s about what my ring cost last year - my DH designed it so it was custom made by a jewellers in the jewellery quarter in Birmingham. I’d do that! Design something very special. Mine is just under 2carats total and 18k gold so you can get really good stuff for that price.

No idea about this supplier, I've just looked at pictures. But id go for something like this:
gardinerbrothers.co.uk/products/sapphire-and-diamond-bubble-style-ring?currency=GBP&variant=39420743614544&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping

@earsup

If you buy new then about 2k of that is profit / mark up...go second hand...get cash from the ins not a voucher....some persist in offering only those !

Even if they offer a voucher you do not have to accept it the ombudsman has ruled on this and said they must offer cash if requested. I lost a lot of vintage jewellery on a burglary and was offered vouchers for goldsmiths so not comparable. Cited the ombudsman ruling and they immediately changed to cash. I would go vintage if the settings are loose you can have them fixed, you get much better value for money. If buying new I would go to a fair trade jeweller who would design for me. Personally I like Harriet Kelshall.

I have a pear shaped diamond and it’s gorgeous. The ring originally had ring diamonds down the band but I got them to change the band as it looks better just simple. I have pudgy fingers but it still looks great.

You know what I’d do, I’d go to an auction house and see what they have there. I’ve seen lovely lovely 1 carat solitaire diamonds vs1 for £3k or less set in platinum. Can get a lot for your money :)

Sorry to hijack your post OP but @ShirleyPhallus can I ask how often you should have a ring checked over by a jeweller?

Whatever you do, don’t get a fucking halo or a micro pave band

@Bluffysummers

You know what I’d do, I’d go to an auction house and see what they have there. I’ve seen lovely lovely 1 carat solitaire diamonds vs1 for £3k or less set in platinum. Can get a lot for your money :)

That’s a good idea. My mother bought a diamond bracelet at auction for €100. She got it cleaned and they told her it’s worth at least €1,200.

[quote PartyPlan]@PathOfLeastResitance I don’t want to go too cheap though. My original ring was £2.5k and the diamond has fallen out and is lost. If I buy a cheap ring I would think the same thing might happen again.

Maybe I need to think about a yearly service and clean to check the settings.[/quote]
If your original ring was 2.5k shouldn't it's insurance value have been more?

I’d either go to a good jeweller and look at vintage rings (they will ensure the settings are secure) or I’d go to a local designer and have something bespoke.

Lab grown diamonds will always be just that - natural stones formed by variable temperature and pressure will not be as perfect (unless you have bottomless pockets).

www.sansoeurs.com/uk/second-wife-marquise-gold-ring.html

This is completely beautiful.

@BridgesofMadisonfan That is what I specified on insurance as the value, so I assume that’s all they would pay out. What would you have insured for?

I still have the ring, it’s just that the main diamond was lost which is obviously the main value of the ring. I didn’t want to derail the post about the insurance part.

I have a white gold diamond trilogy, which whilst I do love had lost its 'wow' to me over time. If I ever had another engagement ring (lost or dare I say second engagement) I would go for an ultra classic yellow gold square cut diamond solitaire.

I saw a beautiful yellow diamond in a shop once, not sure if it would be classic/timeless though.

Gardiners are in Belfast and have some lovely rings. My engagement and wedding rings are from there

I'm a jeweller I would say get what you love, especially if you're intending to wear it every day.
Depending on whether you're getting a whole new ring made, you can scrap the old ring against the cost so might have a bit extra to spend. (It's a good time to scrap any old or broken jewellery as metal prices are high at the moment)

@HermioneWeasley why would you not get a halo or microset cluster?

@PathOfLeastResitance

I’d spend £500 on a vintage ring and spend the rest on a holiday. For me, I get the same excitement from fake diamonds as I do real ones but I can’t fake a holiday #campingisnotaholiday

Jeezo there’s always one! To many people camping is a holiday or are you too up your own arse to be able to under stand this? 🙄

I don’t like camping but we do own a campsite/caravan park and I can assure you we aren’t short of customers.

OP I’d be careful of a vintage ring. As someone said upthread the settings can be loose. If you do choose to go for vintage get the settings checked before purchasing.

@Hotelhelp

Sorry to hijack your post OP but *@ShirleyPhallus* can I ask how often you should have a ring checked over by a jeweller?

I’ve got a slightly OTT one which was rather expensive so I get mine checked and cleaned yearly. It’s also much more sparkly after being cleaned!

You should also check your insurance as it’s a clause in lots of contracts that you’ll get the settings checked etc

Lots of places will do it for very cheap and some for free, I’ve been to Hatton Garden before and jewellers offered to do it for me as they liked the ring

@PoshCoffeeOnly That ring is lovely, probably not my style though. It’s also called a Second Wife ring for some reason

[quote helpmeihaveatoddler]@ShirleyPhallus Hahah yes I do!! I'm a jeweller 🤣
Lab diamonds are not real 😆🤣🙈[/quote]
Of course you are

Eek I hope I haven’t invalidated the insurance by not getting the settings checked. It is a special item on the home content insurance and I haven’t seen any special clauses so crossing my fingers.

Thanks @Shirley will get onto the jeweller that made it for me and now you mention the insurance thing that does ring a bell!

I’m not sure if we are allowed to recommend people but this lady does some beautiful bespoke stuff.
katedawsonjewellery.co.uk/