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Original poster

I have 4/5k to spend on an upgraded engagement ring??

93 replies

BeautyQueenIamNot · 05/02/2021 20:23

And I have no idea what I want Blush

I’ve recently been given a small inheritance of just over 4K and Dh has decided we need to upgrade my engagement ring, as I want something to remember my aunt by. I can possibly but another 1k towards it.

I’ve looked at Tiffany and you don’t seem to get very good value for money, loved the Vera Wang designs but the diamond quality was poor.

Who else can I look at and what style do I want?

OP posts:
FanSpamTastic · 05/02/2021 21:34

I have 2 rings from here. They are based on the edge of Hatton Gardens. In normal times you could visit and try loads on.

Fairydustrust · 05/02/2021 21:35

You are getting some random answers today Grin. It's lovely to have a nice piece of jewellery to remember someone by.

goldpendant · 05/02/2021 21:36

Oh and mine came from Ash, in Hatton Garden.

minipie · 05/02/2021 21:37

Totally agree with vintage. In London, Berganza or Grays Antiques or some lovely little dealers in Burlington Arcade (michael rose and others).

Turnedouttoes · 05/02/2021 21:46

There’s a guy I follow on Instagram who has an antique jewellers in Dublin. Maybe not convenient but looking at the website I was quite surprised what you could get for you money with a preloved ring - www.courtville.ie

smoothchange · 05/02/2021 21:50

- I think I worded it really badly! It’s my inheritance (which I’ve offered to share) and we have talked before about getting a new engagement ring, the one I have was never going to be the one ring as we were poor new parents when we got married.

You haven't worded it badly at all. You are not supposed to buy your own engagement ring.

snowliving · 05/02/2021 21:55

I love rings, looking if not always wearing.
I would always buy vintage, the quality you can get for your money is so much better.

toocold54 · 05/02/2021 21:58

You haven't worded it badly at all. You are not supposed to buy your own engagement ring.

I agree.

Is your DH not even a bit upset that you’re planning to get rid of the ring he gave you to buy a better one?

As a PP said why not just buy a normal ring not an engagement ring?

eddiemairswife · 05/02/2021 21:58

Surely you can have only one engagement ring, unless you have been engaged more than once. Mine was from a second-hand shop in Bristol when we were hard-up students, and only cost a few pounds. Any other ring would not be the same.

didireallysaythat · 05/02/2021 21:59

DH got my ring made based on a Tiffany design.

ILoveAnOwl · 05/02/2021 22:02

Harriet Kelsall are amazing and can repurose jewels you already have into new pieces so you could incorporate your existing engagement ring into the design. I love the oueces they've designed for me.

Lexilooo · 05/02/2021 22:06

I love jewellery and think it is a lovely idea to buy one to remember your aunt by. I have a ruby and diamond ring bought with a inheritance from my grandmother and another to remember my uncle by that is his birthstone.

I don't think you should buy an engagement ring though. Your original engagement ring is the one that has the sentimental value and was bought by your husband. This ring wasn't bought by your husband.

Buy a beautiful ring to wear on your right hand and remember your aunt every time you look at it. If you love diamonds buy a diamond but consider other designs and stones. If I had an excuse to treat myself to a beautiful ring I'd buy an emerald.

JinglingHellsBells · 05/02/2021 22:23

@ILoveAnOwl

Harriet Kelsall are amazing and can repurose jewels you already have into new pieces so you could incorporate your existing engagement ring into the design. I love the oueces they've designed for me.
She is also extremely pricey! I queried having some old jewellery made into something else and it was very poor value.

I notice a lot of people are suggesting 2nd hand rings.
For me, I just can't consider that- partly superstition, about someone elses ring, partly just not wanting something 2nd hand.

JinglingHellsBells · 05/02/2021 22:25

This ring wasn't bought by your husband.
Does that really matter?
I had a new wedding ring after many years and I did it because I liked it. I don't think it matters who buys it or when.

JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 05/02/2021 22:30

I notice a lot of people are suggesting 2nd hand rings.
For me, I just can't consider that- partly superstition, about someone elses ring, partly just not wanting something 2nd hand.

It’s illogical to dismiss a designer for being poor value and then in the same breath pooh-pooh antiques. RTW new rings are the poorest value of all.

RedPanda25 · 05/02/2021 22:34

Can highly recommend Mari Thomas jewellery. She makes amazing bespoke items of jewellery and really creates something personal and beautiful.

snowliving · 05/02/2021 22:38

For me, I just can't consider that
The royal family seem to manage.
Getting something reworked is another possibility.

CheddarGorgeous · 05/02/2021 22:50

What's your style? Traditional? Contemporary? With that budget I'd get something bespoke made, maybe incorporating your current ring.

My mum (aged 71 so it's never too late!) recently got the gold and diamonds in her engagement ring reset by Mirri Damer into something like this:

I have 4/5k to spend on an upgraded engagement ring??
CheddarGorgeous · 05/02/2021 22:53

@toocold54

You haven't worded it badly at all. You are not supposed to buy your own engagement ring.

I agree.

Is your DH not even a bit upset that you’re planning to get rid of the ring he gave you to buy a better one?

As a PP said why not just buy a normal ring not an engagement ring?

Her husband suggested she buy a new ring so he's obviously not upset.

Can't someone not just have a nice thread about buying some nice jewellery?

earsup · 05/02/2021 23:41

As suggested....get second hand...most gold and stones are second hand anyway and just recycled...I worked in hatton garden for a while....and the mark up on new items is huge....its a waste of money...auctions and sh shops have best items or look abroad....some european designs have more unusual stones and settings...diamonds are the biggest con ever....tanzanite costs more per carat but isnt pushed like diamonds...its because there is actually a hug surplus of them...not rare at all unless yellow or very high grade which is unusual and very expensive to buy and find..

BlueThistles · 05/02/2021 23:43

@Jenala

Sorry, did I read right - it's your inheritance and he has decided you need to spend it on an upgraded engagement ring?

Yes I wondered this too 🤔

BlueThistles · 05/02/2021 23:44

[quote BeautyQueenIamNot]@Sealifeescape - I feel bad for saying about DH he’s only trying to do something nice for me - honestly he’s a lovely husband and really wants me to have something for me, he always says I put myself last (always thinking of others) and thought it would be a lovely thing for me to have.

I’ve had a rubbish couple of years with my health etc and he wants to cheer me up.

Lots of great suggestions thank you everyone[/quote]

Aahh ok 🌺

PBJelly · 06/02/2021 09:05

If you can wait, and live in or near London, I’d definitely recommend you go to Grays Antiques when it opens up again. Antique and vintage jewellery and it’s lots of fun to walk around and look, you can try stuff and see what you like. Or a similar antique market near you.

Frumpypigskin · 06/02/2021 09:33

I've seen this designer at a few jewellery fairs. I haven't got any of her jewellery yet but I would love one of her rings. She will also work with you on a design or tweak things: www.helenbrice.co.uk

I have a pair of earrings from this designer - again her work is a bit different and will work with you to tweak a design if you like her style: alexandraaurum.com

It's a really good budget and half the fun of buying jewellery is the shopping for it, so perhaps do lots of online looking now and have a few day trips out to try things on when you can - Hatton Garden, The Lanes in Brighton, antique centre in Bath or Birmingham - wherever you're closest to?

Happy shopping!