Engagement ring question

[NotAllSunFlowers]

I'm sure there will be people on both sides of this..
myself and long term partner have decided to get married. No big proposal, a grown up discussion & a decision that it's what we want before we start to lose parents etc.

Been together a long time, house & kids etc. (both on the house deeds, incase that comes up).

So my question.. I don't often wear rings. I do want an engagement ring. But I can't imagine spending a huge amount ££££+. Other half has told me to pick, he wants me to love it and cherish it.

Will I regret spending a smaller amount? Will that mean the quality isn't as good? Will a cheaper ring not last? Also, I love the idea of a coloured stone like a sapphire.

I don't want to go cheap and regret it. But also feel if I spend a huge amount, I'll be shared to wear it. I've seen lots of line of people wearing a cheap replica, but I don't get the point in that.

for reference, we will be having a low key wedding. We really can't imagine spending a fortune on one day.
Thank you

What a dick comment.

Look at antique and vintage rings in local auction houses. They come up regularly for a fraction of the price of a new ring.

It needn’t cost megabucks to get something you love. Take your time. Second hand is the way to go. Auctions maybe or a city with a jewellery quarter like Birmingham.

Id be wary of Etsy etc - anywhere you can’t try and see it in person pre purchase.

TK Maxx often has reasonable looking stuff too. But check you can return what you buy online and get delivered to store.

Get yourself a gorgeous eternity ring - it is more appropriate in your circs.

Just a couple of things. Think about whether you want to wear it every day - stones are often set to sit up so that they catch the light but that can make them get in the way when you're going about your daily life - washing up etc. So think about how the ring will work for you day to day. Also, think of the wedding ring and engagement ring as being a set that you wear together so I would buy the wedding ring at the same time and try them on together. If you want a better quality ring but can't afford it, go second hand. If you're not bothered about natural stones, look at lab grown stones - much less expensive. Also, I would go timeless design rather than modern because it'll still look good in forty years time.

And congratulations!

We found my ring at Elmwoods auction - a lovely aquamarine and diamond three stone - they had lots of coloured stone rings: rubies, emeralds, sapphires etc. You can book to go and see and try on several before bidding online. They're based in Notting Hill in London so it was a nice day out. We then had it adjusted for size at a local independent jewellers. My wedding ring is a 1920s engraved platinum band, also from an auction - inexpensive and special.

We also looked at antique / preloved rings in Hatton gardens - Faringdons was one of the shops and there were others on the same road. And we looked at Katherine James jewellery - gorgeous coloured stone rings - and popped into her office opposite Faringdons to try some on.

The only ring I wear now is an Oura. Just get something nice, not expensive IMHO. Especially since the value of diamonds has plummeted!

Is it really a faff wearing two rings, I have 3 because after 25 years we added an eternity ring. Any how back to the original question, when we got engaged my ring cost under £100 it has been on my finger for 40 years this year and I love it. Value wasn't relevant. To be honest. What people say about trying it on is relevant, I had my heart set on a solatire, tried it on and it looked awful. I ended up with an amethyst ( my birth stone) surrounded by diamonds and have never regretted it. . Congratulations enjoy your engagement and your wedding x

Disappointed to be 4 comments in and no photos !

Ooh i got some pics. Just remembered someone recommend addy’s vintage to me as a good website. Also Ellibelle jewellery on instagram. Off to have a happy browse now.

My engagement ring is an aquamarine with white gold that I picked out on Etsy for £400. I love it and have gotten many compliments on it. When I showed it to my sister and told her the cost she said she wished she had done that rather than spend thousands on a ring bought at a jewelry shop.