Help me find the best diamond ring for my sister

[Fridakahlofan]

Hi Team!

My older sister's lovely boyfriend has just asked me to help him buy an engagement ring. His budget is approx £2k and I know she wants a 'simple classic diamond ring' with a gold band. Ethical too please

I have put some images of the kind of things we think she would like. He is a bit down that he can't afford more but I have promised him we will find something beautiful and not to worry. She was actually proposed to by a previous horrible boyfriend with a huge ring budget and so I think that makes him more sensitive as people still bring up the ring in front of him!

I know that £2k is a lot of money but rings get silly very quickly...

Should we go antique? Where should we go? What is the best we can do for the money!

I'll be in the UK for one week in a couple of weeks and he would like to buy the ring with me and then propose to her that same week so we can all celebrate together. Our shopping trip will be in London or easily doable from London.

Help us not be ripped off! All tips gratefully received...

If you're looking at moissanite there isn't a massive amount of choice here. Chupi (Irish brand but ship worldwide and prices in £) have a moissanite solitaire for £1,600 and will do bespoke pieces if you think she'd prefer oval or a larger stone. I have stuff from there and it's very well made.

Carat London now have a range of 'gentle diamonds', i.e. lab grown. They have ready to ship designs which may suit, but also a bespoke option. They have three stores in London.

I have a yellow gold oval halo ring which it sounds like your DSis would like- however I compromised on stone size and incorporated a "gap" between the centre stone and halo to keep it below £2,500. And that was in 2016. I wouldn't change it now but if there had been moissanite or lab grown options back then I probably would have gone for it.

Try an independent jeweller, they can usually get you a selection of mounts and stones to see and will work with your budget. Usually a lot better quality than chain stores

www.antiquejewellerycompany.com/shop/art-deco-14ct-gold-diamond-solitaire-ring/

Brilliant cut diamonds are much sparklier than old cut diamonds.

www.gatsbyjewellery.co.uk/product/late-20th-century-0-98-carat-old-cut-diamond-crossover-ring-dated-1989

That ring Gordonsgrin posted ( great name ) is a J colour and an old cut diamond has been used.
I wouldn't buy it personally.

@beanaseireann I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a J coloured diamond if it was a really excellent cut. I wouldn’t go for the one in the link above, but I’d always put cut above colour and clarity (eye clean is important). If you have a look on pricescope you’ll see many outstanding diamonds that are J, SI1 and face up white.

NorthernGravy
We'll agree to disagree.
Having seen J colour diamonds up beside an E, F or G colour diamonds ( at public auction viewings that take place in Dublin every month) I know which I'd go for.

What about this?

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/753536068/vintage-diamond-3-stone-engagement-ring?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=diamond+ring&ref=sr_gallery-1-18&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

www.dealbetweenusjewellery.co.uk/shop/sparkly-0-94ct-diamond-18ct-yellow-gold-solitaire-engagement-ring-d0339/
I can recommend this dealer - have a look what else he’s got available
I would also trawl round the lanes in Brighton

I just bought this amazing piece for below your budget
I know she isn’t looking for an opal but it’s astonishing what you can find if you know where to look!
I wear, buy n sell antique jewellery myself but sadly am currently out of your area - or would love to help you shop

Beautiful opal ring there! Thinking about the budget, I think you'd get more 'bling' and size with a cluster style or halo, rather than a solitaire. Please keep us updated if you find something? I love jewellery porn (especially antique.)

I'd have a wander round Hatton Garden. You'll get to see loads of options, antique and new, and all at better prices than tiny boutiquey places and high street offerings. A great range of prices too.

Unless your sister has mentioned moissanite before I wouldn't surprise her with it. I would be massively let down if I got a ring which looked like a diamond to later be told it wasn't... And having to explain that later on to people.

Online retailers like bluenile are much better value than high street stores. Have a play on their build your own ring section (www.bluenile.com/uk/build-your-own-ring/settings) to get an idea of prices. You could easily get a good quality 0.7ct stone in a simple setting

That first ring is stunning! Definitely go antique

I wouldn't bother with Hatton garden..most shops have the same overpriced stuff...I used to work there...eBay has bargains if you can view before bidding or take a chance or go second hand and haggle hard..they would have paid a very low price for it...or go for other stones as suggested.

This might be too fussy for her taste, I love it. Sadly not a lot around £2k on this website in diamonds
Katherine James

I feel very lucky to have all this help - thank you, thank you.

I have poured over all of your comments and I think we are narrowed down to the following options:

1. He is going to go the Lanes in Brighton and look at antique rings and just see if anything catches his eye... He will be on his own though and I just know he will get in a tiz... I will try to fill him with confidence!

1. www.instagram.com/londondiamondsofficial/?hl=en2.

Click on 'under 3k' and I like the first one - round illusion. Any comments?

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/753536068/vintage-diamond-3-stone-engagement-ring?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=diamond+ring&ref=sr_gallery-1-18&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

An comments?

Thank you @Rumboogie

1. I am going to pretend to have helped a friend buy a ring and open a dialogue about mossanite to see how she feels...

They're both beautiful OP.

AUCTIONS!!!!

Incredible bargains to be picked up, and you can always have the ring adjusted. You will literally pay a fraction of retail price.

I've bought jewellery from this place before and it looks brand new.

bloomsburymanor.com/collections/tiffany-cartier-engagement-rings?page=1

I would have a look at some of the online jewellers. You can get a lot more for your money and choose the exact quality of the diamond. Just make sure you get a GIA certificate.

hopeful bump for any comments before I feed back to future BIL in tomorrow!

Thanks everyone for all of your help. Hugely appreciated.

Second hand all the way! 2k doesn’t go far if she’s looking for a big stone but auctions/ second hand shops can work much better. I’ve a gorgeous ring that cost under 2k from a random small shop, 3 diamonds and a load of chips in gold, very ‘different’ and it’s commented on a lot. The diamonds have been cut and set cleverly so they look a decent size till you look closely. Plus I just fell in love with it and knew I could wear it when my hands are all wrinkly :)))

Does it really have to be diamond? Eg aquamarine or a sapphire surrounded by small diamonds or something similar could look amazing. (Again second hand).