Can anyone recommend any good online Antique Jewellers?

[MaryJane89]

I'm looking to buy a new Victorian ring with some inheritance money though not looking to go for anything crazily expensive, something around the £2,000 mark. I've used Penlingtons of London in the past to source a ring and like the small stock they hold, also Ullman's has a good range, and love some of the stuff on 1stDibs, but it can be pretty pricey. Anyone have any similar recommendations for sites or consultants who source or have any other good tips, or anything to watch out for when buying online (I've done a bit before but would love to hear other people's tips as well)?

Genuinely online I have never found a bargain. Photos can be quite misleading.

I have an independent jewellers that I use in my local city and they've been amazing at finding what I want. (Mostly edwardian jewellery and then they've remounted in platinum for stability.)

Recently a diamond and sapphire ring that I had bought for £3,500 I spotted a similar but smaller centre stone in an antique shop for £5k.

Go have some conversations, don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket. And have fun while you're at it.

Are there any that you'd recommend staying away from online? Sounds like you might have had some bad experiences?

How does the process work with your local jeweler? Do you tell them what you're after and they source for you?

I've bought a lot over the years. I don't want to name and shame because what they do isn't illegal or wrong- but I know how to value jewellery and I've been sold a pup a few times.
Just silly things like them only testing the surround for a brooch and the inner (the heavy bit) is only base metal- yet you pay the price for an 18 carat gold brooch.
Or buying a ring that looks perfect in a photo and then you receive it and every stone is quite obviously loose and resetting adds another £200-£300 to your costs.

I literally go in and tell my jeweller that I quite fancy xxxx (at the moment looking for a nice ruby ring) and they either show me what they have in stock or they make a few calls to their people to see what they can get in for me to look at.
It can take a couple of weeks but I trust them implicitly.

I've been using them for a few years and so now they know what I am interested in, they've been known to send me an email or a text if something comes in that is up my street.

Are you willing to name the local jeweler? They sound pretty good.

Have you ever used the online auctions? Are you equally skeptical? One thing I prefer about shopping online is that sometimes I can feel a bit pressured by the sales assistants in the shops. I also find it gives me a bit of time to do some research on the pieces. I guess there can be pros and cons to both, but I do like that I can take my time when online and am not pressured into anything.

Hi, I've actually bought quite a few pieces of 'fine' jewellery from online stores and never thought twice about it. I feel that most of the sites have really clear photo's of the jewellery and all the info you could ever want about the piece, so don't really get why people are apprehensive when it comes to buying online?
To be honest, the jewellery I've bought online has all been modern. It wasn't only until recently that a friend suggested I look at antique jewellery and I was pleasantly surprised! I thought it would all be quite 'twee' but it's not and you seem to get way more for you money. Every time I look at modern 'fine' jewellery now, I keep noticing it says 'vermeil'.. which is quite off putting, considering (I think!) it means 'gold plated,' so most pieces aren't even solid gold or silver and the plating just wears off after a few years I think I'm pretty sure my next purchase will be a piece of antique jewellery and most likely from an online store!

Berganza in Hatton Garden have beautiful things, and I know they have a website. I have no idea if they are good value or not though.

I got my antique engagement ring from Whibleys in Worthing . They may have a website now .

My engagement ring came from Berganza, Hatton Gatden. Wonderful service and fantastic selection - the place to buy antique rings I'd say.

I haven't heard of Whibleys, I'll have a look if to see if they have a website. I've heard mixed reviews about berganza. It's great hearing about different Antique jewellery shops online...there are so many to discover! I could sit for hours..( if I could!) scrolling through jewellery

It's a family run company , very old fashioned but excellent service and a good choice of rings etc . I love my engagement ring because it's unique .

Another vote for Berganza here.

And another vote for Berganza, easy to search their site online, good price range and service.