DP has proposed but left it for both of us to pick a ring (after I dropped LOADS of hints whenever we talked about it that I wanted to choose together 
). We're not remotely well off and it gives me the willies thinking about carrying £100's let alone £1000's on my hand anyway so we've set a budget of £150, possibly going up to £200 if we have to (not DP being stingy, he wanted at least double that but I wouldn't carry that much money down the street for a day let alone life so am insisting).
But am I completely out of touch with what we can get? I know diamond rings are 'pick a number and add a load of 0's' but convieniently what I really want should be cheap anyway - I really want a 9ct gold (I'd bend anything softer) ring with a decent sized amethyst and possibly a couple of much smaller coloured stones either side. I've found sites online with nice amethyst rings for the budget but not with coloured stones I like set beside. Ideally I'd love to design my own, not necessarily completely bespoke but at least be able to specify what stones I want in what setting. But am I being completely unreasonable with that budget and if not where do I start finding someone to make it? We're in Swansea, so near enough to Birmingham for a day trip to the Jewellery Quarter but would they laugh us out again with our budget? Or anyone know anything nearer or online? Or should I stick to something online ready-made?