New diamond ring for myself

[newdiamondring]

Name changed

Single mum by choice to 2 amazing 12 year olds
Had a very tough four years due to stress, poor health, and general depression which has been hellish
Am through it.
Kids just started at secondary school, and I get a bonus in October.
I want to buy myself a present to say well done for the last 13 years.

I've read loads about lab diamonds and would love a large eternity ring.

I wear a lovely ring on my right 3rd finger already which I don't want to move as it has massive emotional value. It lives there.

Qus.

What ring should I get?
Which ring should I wear it on?
Would it be weird to wear a ring on my left wedding finger? I don't care but many might think I've got engaged!?

All thoughts and ideas welcome 🙏

First of all well done at all you have achieved. No mean feat and you deserve to treat yourself.

What is the ring like on your right ring finger? Could an eternity style ring go on the same finger? I like layering rings.

I don't think its odd if you decide to put it on the left ring finger though. But if you don't want could it go on the left middle finger?

Congratulations- what a lovely idea. Have a look at vintage rings, there are some beautiful bargains. I really like the vintage section at Carousel Jewels (they are on Instagram and have a website)

You could have something commissioned? It's not as expensive as you might think as it "cuts out the middle man" and you can speak to the designer about all those queries and set a budget.

Sherry Jewellery in Lincolnshire made my engagement ring and wedding ring (and made bespoke replacements after a burglary).
We had a discussion, they produced several drawings and then I chose the designs.

They do lab grown diamonds .

I saw a beautiful pre used platinum diamond daisy ring today on eBay. Very pretty. 1.7 carats. I'll look for link.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305760351467?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=8fBQRkT2QIS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=grn2ux5ht_y&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Great idea!

FWIW I have a full diamond eternity ring and it is really uncomfortable when I pick anything up as it scrapes against my palm. First world problems, but after 13 years of having it it still causes some pain on occasion. (My diamond shoes are too tight.... )

Wear it on any finger you see fit!

I can't find any vintage rings on that website?

Absolutely treat yourself. Do you have a budget? People might be able to find you some ideas if so.

As to where to wear it, wear it on any finger you like. The wedding industry doesn’t own that finger :-)

You need to try some on. Try lots. Go to Hatton Garden or some other area with lots of independent jewellers. When you find 'the one' you'll know.

Lovely idea OP. Well done.

There are no rules which finger you should or shouldn't wear rings. In some countries people typically wear wedding engagement rings on the right hand so I wouldn't worry at all. Wear a ring you love on whichever finger you like. Personally if I were in the fancy ring market I would be eyeing up an aquamarine / diamond combo for my little finger (I day dream about this sometimes - it's not going to happen - but I wish you joy in your search!)

I often wear rings on my engagement finger and I'm not married, just depends whether I want to wear two rings that fit the fourth finger! I have bought myself a couple of diamond rings, one half carat solitaire from eBay which is love but obviously isn't huge (and cost me £200!) and I bought myself a vintage sapphire and diamond ring about 6 months ago with my bonus which is currently my fave. I would always go for the vintage stuff, but I like things that have some history.

Prong set half eternity ring in various metals & prices

Are you anywhere near Birmingham? If you are go to the Jewellery quarter you will definitely find what you want or someone to make it for you. Also Harriet Kelsall online have an amazing image gallery with so many different rings to look through for inspiration.

You could look at some online, made to measure jewellers who will make you a mock up and send it to you. They use silver and not real stones of course.

You can choose the design from a choice online, select the size and quality of the stone, the cut, etc and that shows you the cost.

One I used was Samara James. The customer service was very good. I replaced my wedding ring with a different one like a half eternity. It was slightly less expensive than a good local jeweller.

Those Anemone rings on the Sherry link look amazing! I'm going to contact them about have my old engagement ring reset.

Go for what you love OP and I hope when you look at it you'll feel the power of your success.

Thanks for all the lovely replies and ideas. Some replies to questions---

My existing ring is an aqua that I bought and diamonds from a ring I was given 25 years ago by an ex-boyfriend. I had the ring made by a designer in Hester Clarke Jewellers in Aylesbury. Long gone, unfortunately, as the ring is unique and very lovely.

I couldn't layer on the right hand as it would mess with the aqua ring. But I also love layering so would consider for the left.

I don't have a budget but am prepared to blow my bonus, which I reckon will be about £5k after tax. This is a one-off, and I want the ring to be special.

I wouldn't dare buy on Ebay as I'd be worried about fakes etc.

I've been reading up about lab diamonds- has anyone bought jewellery with lab rather than mined diamonds?

I am in the southeast so nowhere near Birmingham unfortunately!!

Would a half eternity be a better option given what you say?

It feels like they do. I know I'm going to get a lot of people interogsting me if I suddenly appear with a diamond ring on my wedding finger !

This is a bit off piste but when I was in the same position as you and wanted to celebrate me I chose a raw diamond ring . Raw diamonds make amazing pieces of jewellery and are not obviously weddingy. I bought mine from Todd Reed in the US but you can also get items from Etsy . Link to Todd Reed Here

I'm always drawn to jewellery threads because that's my job!

I would recommend a half eternity over a full eternity, as a PP has said they can be uncomfortable, and also you're liable to scratch, chip or damage the diamonds on the inside of the band, if that makes sense.

I think your budget would comfortably get a fabulous lab grown half eternity. LG diamonds have really gone down in price as they've grown in popularity.
I would be wary about getting a vintage or antique ring if you plan to wear regularly or every day.

If you are looking at lab diamonds take a look at https://lilyarkwright.com

She also does bespoke.

My engagement ring is a 1.2 carat lab grown diamond and you'd never know, when I was buying my wedding ring the staff in that particular jewellers commented how stunning it was, the same ring in a diamond is around £15k.
You mention Aylesbury, how about somewhere in Oxford or Winchester depending which way you are from there to have something made?

Look at auctions, like on thesaleroom.com so much better value than buying new

I’ve not bought from these people but I’m busy saving away and after a lot of research I’m hoping to treat myself as they get excellent reviews.
They have both earth mined and lab grown diamonds so much cheaper than the uk (don’t forget to add import costs to the price they quote).
www.jamesallen.com

I’d highly recommend a lab grown diamond ring. I have a mined diamond engagement ring and a lab grown 5 stone eternity ring. I love the lab grown ring, you get so much more for your money. The lab grown diamond ring cost half the price of the mined diamond ring but looks a lot more ‘impressive’. The colour and clarity are also better. Go for it, you absolutely deserve to treat yourself!