Hi, can I have some opinions on engagement rings please?

[SevernTrentWater]

About engagement rings, I get to choose because that was what I wanted. I'm deciding between these at the moment. Which ones do you think are prettiest and most engagement ring like? And least like costume jewellery!

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Not part of the above, but i'm avoiding Diamonds as I prefer coloured gems, but if i wasn't i'd choose a marquise (diamond shaped!)diamond.
Out of curiosity, Do you prefer precious gems (diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds) for engagement rings than less valuable gems? And how any of you would prefer a diamond?

By the way, diamonds are (or were) miles cheaper in Antwerp, even taking the eurostar and hotel costs into consideration. Many of the diamond merchants there will let you choose a stone then set it for you same day, as long as you want a simple design.

4 is nice and unusual, (say she with a squoval sapphire). Sapphires carry a nice symbolism too.

I agree with whoever said too many little diamonds look like constume jewellery. I refused to have a marguerite like number 3 (? the ruby one).

Why not a marquise diamond?

It's not traditional here to have a diamond so I didn't.

I like the square sapphire and the ruby.
Feel a bit sorry for you if this is your favourite type that Diana's ring has been resurrected now! Agree to forget comparisons and go with what you want.
I wanted (and got) a plain diamond. Definitely the right choice for me.
We also went to choose together (DH proposed with a nice costume jewellery ring and admitted he'd been too scared to choose the real one himself). We had an amazing day choosing the ring and then he had tickets for a show and we stayed in a hotel. One of my best memories of us I have I think. Definitely in no way less romantic than him choosing it alone.

I like number 4.

If you want something a bit different, I really recommend going to an independant jeweller and having one made specially. Mine was made by Davies and Vaughn DH designed it himself using one of their rings as a starting point. Cost wise, it was actually a bit cheaper than buying something off the shelf and I have something unique. It's a solitaire diamond, but square cut and set flush in a deep band of matt rose gold. It has an Art Deco vibe going on, while still practical enough to wear every dy without risking gouging pieces out of myself with the stone (as I am wont to do)

None of them are my kind of thing, tbh, but I'm with you on preferring other stones to diamonds.

My engagement ring is a single, small sapphire set in a white gold band. It was custom made by a jeweller friend. Definitely look at having something made specially, then you can get exactly what you want and often for a competitive price.

Remember you will hopefully still be wearing this in 50 years time, so ensure whatever you
chose is comfortable and doesn't snag on things. Mine is just plain gold with 5 diamonds set nearly flush - sparkles like mad and i never take it off, which I prefer to something more showy. I do have a huge blinging saphire and Diamond eternity ring and I wear that when I want to show off a bit - it is so huge as is was in recognition of what I went through when DS1 was born (perfrectly straightforward birth actually, but DH very impressed by my fortitude)

They're all quite strong colours, so I'd be a bit worried about them clashing with other jewellery or clothes.

If I was going for a coloured stone I think I'd stick to something quite subtle, like a champagne coloured morganite. I do have quite conservative taste though.

Morganite's a bit soft for a ring worn every day though.

I like 2 and 4 best.

Love sapphire and diamond rings, I have one DH bought for my 30th, not as lovely as those though.

have you decided yet?