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Original poster

Engagement ring shopping in Edinburgh

26 replies

YouHaveBeenOutbid · 26/06/2013 13:34

It's finally happened (squeeee!) I am in need of an engagement ring Grin Can anyone recommend anywhere good in Edinburgh to get one? I'm totally clueless as to what I want as well so somewhere with a good selection would be preferable.

Any general ring hunting advice would also be much welcomed!

OP posts:
mrsspongebob · 26/06/2013 13:46

Laings on Hanover or is it Frederick Street! One of the Streets off Princess Street. Or try some of the antique places on Rose Street.

lotsofcheese · 26/06/2013 13:58

A trip through to Glasgow for ring-shopping in the Argyle Arcade is a better option - much more choice.

bluewonderful · 26/06/2013 15:55

Macintyres on Frederick Street is great if you (or someone you know) work for a company that has membership. They have a website www.macintyres.co.uk/

Hamilton and Inches on George Street is lovely but very pricy. Chisholm Hunter now have a branch at Ocean Terminal and have beautiful rings. Also offer deals (or used to) for future purchases of wedding rings/bridesmaid jewellery etc.

Worth having a good look online to get an idea of what styles are out there and what they cost.

auldspinster · 26/06/2013 17:06

James Ness on Queensferry Street have the most beautiful rings I've seen in their window.

SorrelForbes · 26/06/2013 17:44

Do you have to buy in Scotland? The mark up on the high-street is incredible. It's a long way, but if you can get to Birmingham to the Jewellery quarter then you'll get much more for your money.

mrscumberbatch · 26/06/2013 18:06

I would say stay away from chain stores, you'll get a better buy in an independent.... and Glasgow stores seem to be a bit better pricewise

SingingSands · 26/06/2013 18:11

Our friends went to Rox, but they are flash gits who don't mind wasting their money. Grin

I second the arcade in Glasgow for lots of choices under one roof.

Abzs · 26/06/2013 18:20

Mine came from Palenque on Rose St, but that was nigh on ten years ago.

OrangeLily · 26/06/2013 18:23

Macintyres are great and so are Laings. Both on Fredrick st. Careful though, Laings is upstairs so you have to look for a doorway rather than a shop front.

Sparkleandshine · 26/06/2013 18:28

you'll do better online in terms of price.... www.samarajames.com does excellent quality.... where I got mine from

Sparkleandshine · 26/06/2013 18:29

I would hunt lots in shops then look online....

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/06/2013 18:38

Macintyres are great. Or, go have a hunt around in Laings etc, decide exactly what you want and then price it up on www.bluenile.co.uk or www.purelydiamonds.co.uk

I've used both, the rings cost a fraction of the comparable ones and are fabulous. Fully certified etc. I know it's slightly less romantic but I got an awful lot more for my money both times

happyreindeer · 26/06/2013 20:16

Happy memories of Argyll arcade. I got engaged when I was 16. We used to go into Glasgow every week and the shop let us pay the rings up! We had it all planned to get engaged on the 5th seat down in Georges Square but were so excited we exchanged our rings straight away. It was lovely.>misty eyed
Sorry...Lime Blue diamond store on George Street Edinburgh looks swish and nice.

Original poster
YouHaveBeenOutbid · 26/06/2013 21:53

Aw! Happy reindeer, that's lovely! I'm getting all misty eyed myself!

Some great ideas there, I knew you ladies would come up trumps. I think we're going to start with the Argyle Arcade. I'm originally a west coaster but had forgotten all about there. Not sure I'll get as far as Birmingham, it'll be enough of a job dragging my other half all the way to Glasgow. He hates shopping, I suspect his enthusiasm for engagement ring shopping will last about 10 minutes. I could spend days looking at sparkly things Blush.

OP posts:
Weekipper · 26/06/2013 22:00

Another Macintyre's vote here. We got practically the same ring design as we'd admired in Lime Blue but in Macintyre's it was a superior diamond clarity etc and actually worth nearly double what it cost.

OwlMother · 26/06/2013 22:19

Hamilton and Inches. Fantastic range, brilliant customer service. And when my eternity ring was stolen they managed to source the design and have a replacement made. AND the jewellery manager Debbie bullied the insurers into paying the entire amount, something they were being very difficult about before she got involved.

But honestly, beautiful shop, serious attention to detail, nothing is too much trouble. Having been there you'll never ever look at another jeweller. And I'm not on commission!

hollyisalovelyname · 27/06/2013 09:35

Mrs Cumberbatch is a great poster on Mumsnet threads and always gives great advice( for free). She is involved in a jewellery business in Scotland. She might pm you. I don't know her from Adam but having read her posts I value her judgement on jewellery.

notjustamummythankyou · 27/06/2013 10:55

I second owlmother - we had am amazing experience in Hamilton & Inches. 6 years on we still talk about it!

It seemed scarily plush when we walked in, but we were really put at ease and there was no pressure at all. They were so discreet they didn't even ask what our budget was - simply brought a load of rings out, obviously noted what we were going for and tailored the selection accordingly.

We were on a weekend away in Edinburgh and they resized the ring in their workshop within a couple of hours so I could wear it home. Oh and we were presented with a bottle of champagne and they even called us a taxi to take us to the station! Amazing customer service and 10/10 to Mr Andrew Teden.

(And, no, I'm not on commission either! )

mrscumberbatch · 27/06/2013 19:45

Aww thankyou Holly (it is indeed a lovely name)

If the OP would like some slightly biased suggestions she can PM me and I'll give her my favourite bargainous independent jewellery shops.

I'm not posting them on here as then everyone will want to go and I don't want all the good bits to sell out [selfish git emoticon]

Original poster
YouHaveBeenOutbid · 27/06/2013 19:48

Just logged on to find my thread top of the board! What a surprise. I will definitely do that mrscumberbatch...

OP posts:
Stopputtingitoff · 27/06/2013 20:21

Clarksons - a small family owned jeweller on Victoria Street in the grass market is fantastic. Beautiful rings and brilliant service www.clarksonsedinburgh.co.uk/

fishoutofchlorinatedwater · 27/06/2013 21:18

Mine is Hamilton and Inches. I imagine I could have got something very similar for a little less in Macintyres, but I had always imagined a Hamilton and Inches engagement ring. The whole experience was lovely - fantastic customer service, no pressure to buy. They subsequently resized it for me for free when I was pregnant (and my fingers got fat!!). The box is lovely too, a gorgeous purple.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 28/06/2013 10:09

I got mine in Alistair Wood Tate, on Rose St. Vintage diamond ring, made in 1963, cost £230, I think! We had a v small budget, but they do have some lovely stuff.

primallass · 28/06/2013 16:58

Sorry...Lime Blue diamond store on George Street Edinburgh looks swish and nice.

I got mine there Grin

tiokiko · 29/06/2013 08:45

Definitely Hamilton & Inches - you know you're getting top quality, really not much more expensive than high street places when we compared but no comparison in terms of service and quality. Ask for Ninian - very approachable, helpful, always gives us a good deal.

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