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Original poster

help with finding an alternative engagement ring?

39 replies

TeresaGiudicesForehead · 05/08/2015 20:15

DP is going to propose. It's all not very romantic. We've been together for 8 years, have three dc together so it's been a busy few years. He's been looking for rings but is struggling for inspiration. I don't necessarily want a typical engagement ring. Max budget is £1000. I quite like art deco style rings or something a bit different.
I love solitaires but my sister has a cracker and i don't think anything could compare to that.

Does anyone have any suggestions for some good ring websites?

OP posts:
Original poster
TeresaGiudicesForehead · 05/08/2015 20:50

thanks for suggestion but the budget is £1000 so Tiffany is way out of the price range.

OP posts:
Dontloookbackinanger · 05/08/2015 20:55

Would you be happy with an antique/ 2nd hand ring? If so, why not check out your local auction house or a London one like Bonhams. They should have some lovely rings in your budget. They don't usually hold sales during August, but if you have a look at their previous catalogues you'll get an idea of what they sell.

Finallyonboard · 05/08/2015 21:00

Not the engagement rings, the dress rings. They come in around £1000 and are beautiful. I can't post the link properly though, sorry.

QueenOfEgypt · 05/08/2015 21:06

Monica Vinader does beautiful rings have a look at her site

An example

www.monicavinader.com/ava-disc-ring/ava-disc-ring-diamond?search=%2Fshop%2Frings

tryingtocatchthewind · 05/08/2015 21:09

I have an antique Art Deco solitaire and I adore it. You can get much more for your money by getting antique or even just down your local pawn brokers. I just wish I knew the history of my ring.

TheTravellingLemon · 05/08/2015 21:21

sapphire

squigglehead · 05/08/2015 21:24

Etsy. There are some amazing jewellers on there with some amazing alternative engagement rings, you should check it out :) you can filter it to only show artists in the UK.

GlitteringJasper · 05/08/2015 21:25

I went to purely diamonds.co.uk for an eternity ring and they helped me design a bespoke ring.

They were fabulous! I went for a amethyst and diamond ring, it's gorgeous and they worked very closely to me specified budget.

Hobbes8 · 05/08/2015 21:35

Where do you live? I went to Hatton Garden to buy my ring. A lot of the rings were quite pricey (I had the same budget and some shops were a bit snooty) but they have some vintage shops so if you like that style you could find something lovely 2nd hand.

Alternatively Brighton lanes or Birmingham jewellery quarter. I don't know anywhere further north I'm afraid!

Original poster
TeresaGiudicesForehead · 05/08/2015 22:03

Hi thanks for all the replies.I'm about an hour outside Glasgow. I totally don't mind a second hand ring. I need to do a bit more digging and see what vintage shops are in Glasgow.

I just don't want DP going into a jewellers and being pressurised into buying a bigger ring because all the ones under budget look a bit crap. He'd love to get me humungous big diamond but i'm not really that flashy and we totally couldn't afford that. I feel so bad that we're spending as much on the ring anyway.

OP posts:
LadyStark · 05/08/2015 22:08

Location isn't good for you but I got my engagement ring here www.friarhouse.com - it's antique ruby and diamond and I love it! You could try and find similar locally or if you'd be happy to buy over phone/online I am sure they would accommodate. I did try mine on in person but they resized and couriered to me.

Minshu · 05/08/2015 22:47

I got my engagement and wedding rings made at a local independent jeweller. It's not as expensive as you may think, then you get something exactly as you want it. We just googled for local jewellers and visited a couple to get quotes and a feel as to whether or not they "got" it.

Congratulations!

slug · 05/08/2015 22:47

Mine was designed (with DH's help) and made by these people. It's a square solitaire set flush in a deep rose gold band. It has a vaguely 20's look to it and cost well below a grand 14 years ago. Try looking for independent jewellers, especially those who make their own stuff.

Longleggedlovely · 05/08/2015 23:11

Try the Argyll arcade in Glasgow, there are loads of second hand shops in there as well as designers upstairs. My engagement ring is vintage (but DH family heirloom). My wedding ring came from John McIntyres on Mitchell Lane who are fab and not at all snooty. My friend had her engagement ring made by a jewellery designer in St Enoch Sq, (one of the workshops above the pub I think). Oh and congratulations!

florascotia · 05/08/2015 23:34

James Ness in Edinburgh has some lovely secondhand good quality rings. Some are very, very expensive, but others are within your approx price range. For example, this is just a little more than you want to pay, but rather unusual and a very pretty colour...
www.jamesness.co.uk/store/product/2_rings/24_gemstone-rings/83_sapphire-rings/1001_antique-edwardian-diamond--blue-sapphire-ring/

grisclair · 05/08/2015 23:35

I would look at moissanite rings. Absolutely gorgeous stone, as durable as a diamond and much more affordable. Also no ethical concerns (blood diamonds, environmental effects of mining) here.

www.moissaniteco.com
www.etsy.com/de/shop/RareEarth?section_id=10696693&ref=shopsection_leftnav_5
shopping.schubachstore.com/moissanite

Morganites are also gorgeous in engagement rings. Not quite as hard-wearing as diamonds or moissanites though. Love some of the rings from this seller:

www.etsy.com/de/shop/RosadosBox?section_id=11407244&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

florascotia · 05/08/2015 23:54

I have purchased secondhand jewellery from Carole Franks and found her very helpful. This ring from her website is slightly pre Art Deco, from the 1920s: carolefranks.com/view.php?prod_id=3595

CrystalMcPistol · 05/08/2015 23:58

I'd definitely go vintage, the styles are much more appealing than the blingy stuff that's currently fashionable.

CrystalMcPistol · 06/08/2015 00:00

Some inspiration here, they always have loads of lovely antique rings.

www.graysantiques.com/

magicstar1 · 06/08/2015 00:14

My DH proposed with a Claddagh ring and we went together to buy my engagement ring. Could you do that?

Milllii · 06/08/2015 01:39

Welsh Clogau Gold rings are beautiful and within your budget. Very different celtic designs.

www.clogau.co.uk/Jewellery/Rings/Womens.aspx

Eminybob · 06/08/2015 03:24

Try here for beautiful vintage rings
www.gatsbyjewellery.co.uk/shop/engagement-rings/
Warning, they are in descending price order so you might want to scroll down a bit.

Nabootique · 06/08/2015 08:40

Harriet Kelsall. They've done some lovely art deco rings.

IPokeBadgers · 06/08/2015 09:22

I will second Carole Franks: bought a beautiful spinel and diamond ring from her a few years ago, and she was happy to send me extra photos etc so i could have a really good look at it before making my mind up. I was not disappointed when it arrived: it is a stunning ring Smile

I may or may not be currently waiting for my second purchase from her