help with finding an alternative engagement ring?

[TeresaGiudicesForehead]

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?

Nabootique...you just beat me to it. I have a very unusual ring. It was Harriet kelsall inspired and made by a local jeweller. It's a perfect fit and I never stop admiring it.

I don't think the similar one I saw is featured on her website any more.

Was looking at the clog au rings in Bridgend onmonday. Very nice.

Think about your choice of metal. I had yellow gold for my first marriage and wanted something entirely different. When I heard that white gold is yellow gold that is plated with rhodium and needs Tobe redone every so often that put us off as I knew I didn't want to take it off.

So went for Palladium instead. It's very similar to platinum. Practically as expensive. I got a nice broad shaft on mine too as I wanted it to be very durable and the shaft had to be split in two at the front to encircle the diamond. Think like the shape of a eye where the pupil s the diamond.

I avoided like the plague shops where the discounts were huge . It just made me wonder what my ring was actually worth if I purchased from there.

I'm delighted with mine and ihope you will be with yours.

I have a clogau bracelet which I love and have had for many years. It's a lovely company.

The Scottish Antiques & Arts Centre at Doube has a huge range of jewellery. Well worth a look.

Doune

Wow, loads of great suggestions. That's given me a good base to start at. Do most people choose their own ring?
I am really quite fussy when it comes to jewellery. I suppose it'd be better if I did. I think I'm not fussy but DP thinks I am and I think he might be right.

I think I'll end up picking it myself. I like pretty much all the suggestions given here, that was exactly what I was looking for. Now it's just up to whittling down a shortlist. The Clogau rings are beautiful.

Argh! I've went from no possibilities to hundreds of them.

Thank you so much everyone.

Dowser Oh, how lovely I've always admired their work. There is a big gallery of rings they've done in the past that I love looking through.

I picked my own ring. It's an eternity ring.

I would have a look at Georg Jensen.
The Fusion rings are nice. You can make your own set or just get one. Some are plain, others have stones. You could even start with two end bits in plain, and then get a middle bit with stones later.

I have a second hand ring we had a wonderful time trawling jewellers and antique shops. You also get loads more stone for you money as there's no VAT on second hand jewellery. Mine is Edwardian but we saw loads of gorgeous decor rings am quite jealous of the lovely time you are about to have x

Teresa I didn't choose my ring. My DH chose it which to me makes it more special and I would.never upgrade it as it was what he could afford and what he felt was perfect for me 30 years ago

I got my ring in Lewis Grant in the Argyle Arcade over 12 years ago and I would still choose the same ring today. It's unusual and I love it. I think it was around £1000 in their sale.

I chose my own ring - if you're going to wear it a lot/all the time (I don't wear mine these days as my eczema plays up) then you need to feel comfortable with it. We went to McIntyre's in Ediinburgh which is a wholesale jeweller and bought a mega-cheap ring (seriously - it was less than ?100 in 2001) sapphire and diamond twist (tiny stones, but then I'm not much of a jewellery wearer and was just not comfortable with bigger rings that I tried on).