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?

I love the aquamarine gold dress ring. Not so pricey but I wonder how does it look like in person.

Don't forget to bear in mind how the wedding ring is going to sit with it. (I love a big ruby one someone's posted above but I don't know how it would sit with a wedding ring.)

www.qpjewellers.com/white-gold-4-83ct-sapphire-rococo-cushion-ring-4326w.html

The sapphire ring linked above is gorgeous!

If you’re thinking sapphire, how about this? It’s lovely - very engagement-y.

www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9270663/9ct+white+gold+created+sapphire+cluster+ring/?cmCat=OVM

"NC4now" have you got a picture or do you know what store he bought it?

Have a look at these

offbeatbride.com/affordable-wedding-rings/

offbeatbride.com/tungsten-wedding-bands/

I love the one sand linked to.

Just a thought, if she doesn't wear rings currently, you have no idea what size you will need.
So buying "the" ring may not work. I too like SandAndSea's diamond ring.

Oops, sapphire ring

Just saw this. If she likes yellow gold, it's fabulous.

www.qpjewellers.com/gold-3-60ct-citrine-rococo-cushion-ring-2313y.html

That said, I think I would buy a real cheapy for the proposal (saw one today that looked like a standard solitaire diamond for £3.99) and then go shopping together.

I was recommended brilliantinc by mn previously.

I love my diamond solitaire which was factory made. [no one can tell]

This one doesn't have any claws.

www.brilliantinc.co.uk/bezel-solitaire.html

Don't know where you live op but if you could get down to Brighton then The Lanes are basically all jewellers, most of them selling vintage rings. There's oodles of beautiful Victorian stuff and Deco, much cheaper than new and avoids the ethical issues.

I wondered what happened there. I was searching for birthstones and found this topaz one here with raw stones. Thought you might be interested if she is still interested. www.abiza.co.uk/product-category/topaz-jewellery/

Hopefully they’re married by now...

lol I just realised it is from 2017 :)

Try thediamondstore.co.uk I bought a lovely ring from them. They're online and seem good value.