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Engagement rings...

21 replies

MordecaiAndTheRigbys · 25/02/2012 01:57

So I like this ring....

www.rocks.ie/detail.php?id=a1108

But even though its a steal at that price, I still want a bargain..Can anyone link me where I might find similar cheaper?

OP posts:
Thistledew · 25/02/2012 02:25

I can't help with links, but do bear in mind that cheaper rings are likely to be Conflict Diamonds i.e. from sources directly financing civil war and groups engaged in human rights atrocities in the country they are mined in.

RealLifeIsForWimps · 25/02/2012 04:38

Not necessarily. If the stone is cheap for the quality of the stone (based on carat, cut, clarity, colour and certification) then that's a possibility, but diamonds range hugely in cost just because of those 5 factors, and many of these differences are not really perceivable to a layman, especially on the smaller stones

SparkleandShine · 25/02/2012 06:32

This company www.samarajames.com/acatalog/mtc_290.html will do this with pave shoulders if you call them - it is a better design than the one you have seen as the diamonds are all individually set - will sparkle more than the tongue and groove set stones in the first pic.

HillyWallaby · 25/02/2012 07:24

TBH it doesn't look particularly good value to me - not a rip-off, but not really a 'steal' as you put it. That is £1605 in sterling.

Although the total weight of the stones is 0.58 carats that is made up of lots of small and tiny stones, rather than say, three stones of 0.20 each, or one of half a carat. The bigger the stone the more you pay in terms of £ per carat, as they are rarer and harder to find in a decent colour/clarity. A big but poor stone can be broken down to obtain lots of useable, decent quality small stones, chopping out any unattractive inclusions or colour flaws.

Also, although the colour G and VS/VS1 is generally considered pretty good for say, a mid-priced soliataire ring you could argue that unless you are buying a solitaire, or a cluster of bigger stones it is irrelevant as you'd be hard pushed to spot an inclusion is a small stone anyway.

If you compare yours to this you will see that you could get three of those 25 point diamond rings for less that one of yours, and yet the diamonds are much bigger, therefore they would cost more per carat. Of course they are probably of slighter lesser quality of colour/clarity but you really need to be looking at stones of about 25 point plus, before that will make a huge difference to the naked eye.

Also you may be paying extra for an unusual design, so as always, the answer is if you love it and feel it is 'the one' then go with it. Don't compromise on what you love for the sake of a few hundred quid - it might seem important now but over the course of a lifetime you'll wish you just picked what you loved!

HillyWallaby · 25/02/2012 07:35

Another comparison here which is a set including wedding ring, v.similar in style, and a total of 1 carat in weight for £999.

HillyWallaby · 25/02/2012 07:48

this appears to be much better value and the slightly lower grade colour and cut will be absolutely inperceptible, I promise.

The other thing to remember is that as they are not 'certified' diamonds (which you always pay a lot extra for, merely as certified 'proof' of the grade) then the grade it is being marketed as is only the jeweller's best guess or 'opinion' - and they can be a bit like estate agents in that respect! Something could be sold as a G but if it was sent for certification it might be downgraded to an H anyway -so don't get too hung up on that - best to just go by eye. If you are happy with the colour that's the main thing.

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 13:57

We got my E ring from gems.tv. I would say that the ring you have picked is grossly overpriced tbh. My ring was a true bargin at £600 but it has a 7ct AAA Tanzanite and 1ct of G-H colour Diamonds (made up of 48 diamonds)in 18ct gold. I had it valued for replacement by anchorcert for over £3000 and that was 3 years ago...

Gems.tv are signed up to the kimberly process so the diamonds are just as conflict free as other reputable retailers. They also have a 30 day money back policy so you can be confident when you buy from them. A one carat cluster in general will cost between £250 and £400 from them. I have seen emerald cut 1ct solitaire diamonds in 18ct gold (E-F in colour, VSi clarity, cut Good and certified) for under £1000. I have also seen the same grade, colour and size in a brilliant cut go for about £600.

emsyj · 25/02/2012 14:04

Buy vintage/second hand. I don't know why, but according to an auctioneer that I dealt with quite regularly, second hand jewellery goes cheaper than the equivalent would be new - also, if you like that unusual style you might get something closer to what you want in a vintage ring.

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 14:10

Also look into a bespoke ring - the craftsmen can source the diamonds for you and it would probably amount to a similar cost...I don't know any good Irish ring designers though...

MordecaiAndTheRigbys · 25/02/2012 17:23

Ah thanks for all the info lads, its a minefield isnt it?!

I love the idea of the ring, I may need to reconsider what I think is a steal!
Im going to loo through the links there...

OP posts:
anniewoo · 25/02/2012 17:41

Phone Rocks. The prefix is 00353 1. I'm sure they'll give a discount of about 10%- they do in their shop in Stillorgan Dublin and with the bad recession in Ireland they might give more. Tbh the diamonds will be very small for that price

worldgonecrazy · 25/02/2012 17:47

QVC have fake diamonds - their brand name is Diamonique - set into gold. Very difficult, unless you're a jeweller, to tell the difference. A nice ring will set you back about £150 and you don't need to worry about the provenance of the diamond as it will have been made in a factory in the USA.

Catsmamma · 25/02/2012 17:50

I think that style will date really badly, and I think you could get a much nicer single stone for that sort of money.

To me that looks like a dress ring not at all what I would consider an engagement ring...but obviously I am not choosing it.

I also second the advice to go vintage/secondhand if you are looking for a genuine steal....what you pay will totally reflect the value/weight of the stones as opposed to that plus any design element, iyswim. I also have a feeling the vat is different on new vs second hand, not sure if that applies if you are Euro based though.

MordecaiAndTheRigbys · 25/02/2012 18:00

Catsmama my sister said the same thing. It has been the only one that caught my eye tbh. I have no interest in jewelly, never wear chains, rings, etc. I dont have my ears pierced so I am a novice at this type of thing! Ive been looking for months! Id love to have my mind changed though if anyone has any links?!

OP posts:
BillyBollyBandy · 25/02/2012 18:11

something like this?

vintage but classic imo

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 18:22

See I wouldn't like the finish on that ring billy has linked to but I can understand the appeal (the diamonds themselves are lovely but I don't like the setting).

My advice is go for a proper window shop and try on as many rings as you can. I really didn't want a normal engagement ring as it was the first ever piece of reall jeweller that I had. I also knew I wanted something that people would comment and ask about and made a statement. It is very elizabeth taylor - big and showy (though I have a much smaller diamonique ring that I wear when I go camping etc). I also knew I wanted a coloured stone.

Get out there and have a play - I guarantee that there will be a gemstone out there that you 100% fall in love with. Grin

Tonksforthememories · 25/02/2012 18:35

If you're anywhere near Birmingham, go to the Jewellery Quarter. I have some beautiful pieces from there, and they can advise on every aspect! Also you can get one-of-a-kind pieces. My engagement ring is nothing like what i thought i wanted, but it's gorgeous all the same!

cuddlymanatee · 25/02/2012 22:07

this is so beautiful

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 23:19

cuddly....that is very beautiful - love asscher cuts...

HillyWallaby · 26/02/2012 06:34

I definitely second all those who have said look at second hand a vintage. You can pick up Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco era diamond rings for an absolute fraction of what a similar grade new ring would cost and the workmanship will probably be better. Plus you have the added benefit of knowing it's already a classic. So much of what you see in the shops now and think 'wow, that's unusual' will actually become the style of the decade and will look pretty dated after 20 years. Always better to go classic imho.

Helenmaria · 08/03/2012 16:37

I really love the Rocks JEwellers ring you chose, I think a lot of people are missing out on the fact that all the stones in the cluster are the same size therefore the price is justified. If you notice the other rings on the rother website suggested the side stones are only pave set, much cheaper than say 7 .09ct stones that are par tof the flower. I've dealt with Rocks Jewellers in Grafton Street, they'll look after you and having a jewellers with in house workshop is so handy if you need your ring cleaned, altered etc. I recommend giving them a call and see what they will do for you pricewise. Remember that every ring is unique, its really hard to compare prices. All you can rely on is what you like and stay within your bidget. Good stones sparkle, not so good look dull, be careful you dont rate price over beauty. The have another which is cute too.www.rocks.ie/detail.php?id=a1370

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