Help me chose and Engagement Ring?

[MadAboutYou]

I am planning on proposing to my GF on Christmas Eve (which is sort of our anniversary although my brother told me this is tacky, so maybe you can help on that too)

I want to get her a ring but I have a shamefully small budget of around £250-300. She has said before she wouldn't be bothered about a ring but I think it would be nice for her to have something.

She doesn't like diamonds as she thinks they are exploitative so I have been googling alternatives but I have no idea what to pick.

When my twin brother got engaged last year he got his gf a ruby and diamond ring and she had said she thought the coloured stone was really nice, so maybe I would get her something like that?

If i take her with me to buy something she will just feel guilty about the money so I really want to surprise her, even though that might also be a bad idea.

help?

Something contemporary and subtle like these?

tomfoolerylondon.co.uk/rings/blue-topaz-pink-sapphire-silver-ring

tomfoolerylondon.co.uk/rings/dark-green-tourmaline-with-18ct-gold-and-silver-ring

tomfoolerylondon.co.uk/rings/emerald-18ct-gold-and-silver-ring

tomfoolerylondon.co.uk/rings/gold-plated-blue-topaz-trillion-ring

I'd avoid opal, it's fragile and a minor bump could crack it, I did that to an opal ring.

Go for a vintage (second hand) ring, there's no VAT, so you've already saved 20%, plus they're much cheaper anyway. You should find something really pretty and unusual for that money-probably not a traditional engagement ring, but so much the better.

Good luck OP. I'd definitely vote for keeping it a surprise and your idea of Christmas Eve is perfect! It's not tacky, it's lovely.

It so depends on her tastes. I love the white gold and sapphire ring strawberrypenguin posted on p2, but not everyone would.

Does she wear gold or silver coloured jewellery? Contemporary or classic? Does she favour a particular style, like geometric/handmade/Art Deco? Does she prefer delicate or chunky jewellery as a rule?

Agree that she might not be able to wear an engagement ring at work if she's a nurse or similar.

How exciting. I really really really hope you update with your choice snd her answer. I love a proposal story!

Christmas eve is perfect. I have a strong feeling my bf is going to lropose on 15th (my birthday) x

I think the budget is absolutely fine, btw. I wouldn't want to wear a more expensive item than that.

www.glamira.co.uk/glamira-ring-julia-0.5crt.html?alloy=white-585&utm_source=recommendation&utm_medium=sorting&diamond=diamond-sapphire

www.glamira.co.uk/glamira-ring-hayley-0.4crt.html?alloy=white-585&diamond=diamond-sapphire

You can get good value for second hand jewellery at auctions. I got my ring from here www.fellows.co.uk. Trouble is you don't have much time but if you have a token ring you could get something better when something comes up.

@madaboutyou defs go for the first one and not the second one...hate that recangular shape!!! I think the stone should be round or oval but I guess that just comes down to personal preference.

the first one is lovely.

how about checking out vintage - i got a victorian diamond trilogy ring with no claw setting (i cant remember what that setting is called but no sharp edges to catch!) in 22 carrot gold for £225. its really lovely - i know you dont want diamonds but im sure you would get a lovely sapphire for less.

I like the second one. I have an emerald cut engagement ring (a diamond cut in that rectangle shape) and I adore it. It's a classic.

I like the first one too. I can't imagine anyone not liking it.

But I love the tourmaline and emerald rings from Tomfoolery that Garlic has posted above - those have personality! (They have to be to your taste though - risky.)

OP is not well placed to choose a ring: his gf has little jewelry and hasn’t expressed preferences.

Complimenting someone else’s ring doesn’t mean it’s what she’d like for herself.

If she dislikes it or dreamed of something different she probably won’t say so.

New rubies and sapphires are going to be about as expensive as diamonds (if non heat-treated).

Options:

• Heat-treated ruby (so imperfect stones can be used, and they are heat-treated to seal fissures, much cheaper than paying for a perfect/near-perfect untreated stones).
• Antique shops etc. Second hand stones are much much cheaper.
• A stone with a dusting of diamond dust or swarovski crystals on the band can be quite unusual.

Havent RTFT but it seems that setting might be an issue with regards to practicality? If so a stone set into the band is the more practical choice chosen by most people I know who work with their hands more. I have a teardrop stone that sits on top of the band, and whilst it's beautiful, it has ripped a hole into the sleeve of every jumper I own.

I want something that looks the part I guess? Does that make sense. I don’t want her to be embarrassed when people ask to see her ring.

That website I found you can pick all kinds of stones, and they have white sapphires but I don’t know if they would look bad as compared to a diamond.

Will try and do the antique shops on Saturday and see what’s what, I sort of think it will either be a sort of normal standard white stone ring or something Art Deco vintage feeling with a colour?

Good luck op.

OP re the band metal, if you go for a bezel set / channel set / flush fitting, please don't get silver. Silver is too soft a metal to hold the stones securely on a ring worn every day.
A friend lost the diamond from her ring within a year and was so upset.

I think a vintage ring is a lovely idea, happy hunting!

Thanks again for all the help

It all sounds lovely. I would just suggest that you buy a ring from somewhere you know will accept a return. I say this as my dp proposed to me in a very similar way and the ring was really not for me at all. (Far too big and not my style.) It was great to be able to return it and get the lovely ring I have now. Tbh, I would have been happy with a hula hoop for the proposal but we're all different.

What about this place?. The "diamonds" are made in a lab.

The first one is lovely. If they have a full refund policy, go for it

Vintage or antique would be lovely if she chooses for herself.

Otherwise I love the rings on Orlando's link, especially this one
www.simchagallery.co.uk/ourshop/prod_4937652-Hammered-pebble-ring-with-5mm-Blue-Moonstone.html

Personally I advise to always choose a unique date for a proposal or wedding day. My uncle and aunt married on Christmas Eve and unfortunately he also died on a Christmas Eve, so Christmas for her, is always so sad now. Propose on a date that has absolutely no other references and can be remembered for its own sake.

Another tip: if you're buying online, check the band width alongside the other dimensions. I've noticed that some sites depict the smallest rings in their photos which makes them look more substantial than they are. This is a particular issue when you're on a budget.

I had a Christmas Eve proposal. No complaints here. It was lovely.

I have a beautiful vintage Mikimoto pearl engagement ring from a jewellers in Hatton Garden. By 'vintage' I mean second hand. I love it. It's unique and it was affordable at a time in our relationship when we didn't have a lot of money to spare.

Have a look at this beauty:
www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/8mm-white-japanese-akoya-pearl-ring?currency=GBP&offer=googleshopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4u3o3bLn1wIVZrvtCh3xZAM-EAQYASABEgJHn_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds