£200 for a ring- where do i look?

[ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo]

my dad gave me £200 for xmas. he made me promise not to spend it on household stuff like i always do. so i have to have something to actually show for it. i finally removed my engagement ring from EXP last night and i decided i will replace it with something of my own that i bought myself. but i have no clue about jewellery. where should i go for good rings that are within this budget?

Wright and teague

Swag

Links

Umm, cant think of any more

Where in the country are you? Do you want new or antique?

Not on the high street do lovely ones:

noths

or more cocktail rings at net a porter

net a porter

i am in northern ireland. i should have mentioned that. doh!

I also love Monica Vinader

here

also try my wardrobe.com

here

Hmm, having looked at those links i think i want a more classic style that wont date IYSWIM. they are all lovely but very modern.

i am thinking things like this

or this

or this

or this

just not sure if they are good quality or not. how can you tell if it would be money well spent?

ooh some of those SWAG rings are gorgeous.

I really don't know anywhere in NI, but if I were you I would go to some antique shops and fairs- for the style you like (v. nice BTW), you will get far better quality for the price, nd something nobody else will have.

If I had £200 to spend on a ring and wanted something classic that wouldn't date, and something special and unique I would look in antique shops/fairs. The Laines in Brighton is a great place for jewellery if you're down south. Ebay is also worth a look. Look for Art Deco styles if you like those kind of styles in your link, or possibly victorian.

I do seem to remember several years ago the owner of H Samuel publicly made a very derogatory remark about the quality of his merchandise.

thank you both. i will take my time and look around then as you say. i never knew that about H samuel, thank you for letting me know. i am all too aware that what i pay in jewellers will be hugely marked up.

Have a look Here

Find a small, independant jewellers and get one designed and made for you.

these guys made my engagement, wedding and enternity rings from designs I gave them. No one else has anything like my rings they are individual and one offs and I love them. Any way, might be nice to have something like that.

Astleyclarke.com is a website Ive seen recommended loads of times in the glossies, Ive never had the luxury of ordering from them but they have really beautiful stylish jewellery and I often drool over the rings. Lucky you, enjoy searching!

CARAT do lovely cocktail rings. I think they do mail order. Not sure if they have stores in NI.

Personally I wouldn't go to a high street jeweller like the one you have linked to as they are often not the best quality - as others have mentioned a good antique ring will be much better waulity for the same price. Otherwise I would be looking at small artisan jewellers.
If you found soemone who actually makes jewellery they could m,aybe incorporate any stones/gold from your other ring if you wanted to.

You will get something of superb quality fromEtsy for 200.

Damn, if I'd posted six seconds earlier, my post would have been from 01-01-11 01:01:01

I love the three coloured one that you linked to, OP.

It was the ex-owner of h Samuel who made derogatory comments, he's not been part of them in over 10 years. Think you would be looking well above £200 if u wanted something designed and made for u, I used to work for a jewellers and even with my staff discount and supplying the stones myself it cost £300 to get a ring made for my mum. Most of the high street jewellers now are good quality, if u get a cocktail ring make sure it's actually gold or white gold as some of them are just a base metal plated with gold so won't last very long with daily wear. As others have said, antique jewellery is usually a good option if u wanted something a bit more unusual. Always check on antique jewellery that any claws holding stones in do not look worn down as this is usually the first thing to go wrong, and would mean you could lose any stones out of them (compare to a new ring and you will see what I mean) and also that the back of the ring is not very thin. Always check for hallmarking, gold will be stamped 375 (9carat) or 750 (18 carat). Hope this helps, good luck finding something! Xxx

thank you all, that is a great help. i wouldn't have known any of that before posting rockchick.

There are some very lovey victorian and edwardian rings for arund your budget and less...online too...I will look for you and come back with a link

Just marking place to read later as dh wants to buy me an eternity ring :)

Smething silver from Tiffany? See here

I am afraid, based on my personal experience, I would recommend staying away from Ernest Jones if you are looking for a quality setting that will last you. Nothing wrong with the stones but the service past the smiles, leaves a little to be desired.
No more positive recommends, just find something you love and wear it with love.