Please can you help me find an engagement ring? (Poss art deco style)

[nonegotiation]

Me and DP have been together since we were quite young and after buying our first house last year he is finally in the position to buy me an engagement ring. We have been together a long time so I’m not bothered about a big proposal, we know getting married is the next step so this is just a formalisation of this, and a chance for me to get a lovely ring!

Over the years I has tried on a couple of more classic rings but I always come back to a website I stumbled across a few years ago, the problem is this jewellers is out of budget! I really love a lot of the rings particularly the art defo style ones https://jessicaflinn.co.uk/collections/engagement-rings

So I was wondering if anyone is able to recommend jewellers who sell similar, either new with lab grown diamonds (although I haven’t ruled out a colour stone) or also happy with second hand.

We are near Preston, and an hour from both Manchester/Liverpool so looking for places within the Lancashire/manchester/Liverpool areas that we can travel there and back in a day. Budget is £1-1.5k absolute max.

Hopefully that is everything but really appreciate any suggestions.

I second the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. We found a jeweller who set a diamond we already had.
also have you considered an antique ring?

i haven’t been in a few years now, but I’ve always had great experiences at the jewellery quarter. Fantastic jewellers and just generally a fab day out. Have a look online before you go to find some places you want to go, but personally I loved the “market stall” type ones that a PP mentioned. And the second hand jewellery… oh my! 😍

I’d caution against buying from any of the chains or TJC type online retailers, sorry - I’ve worked in the industry. The jewellery will likely be fine - a diamond ring is a diamond ring after all - but you are paying astronomical mark-ups. I mean, that’s a given with all jewellery, but you’d be gobsmacked by what the chains are buying in their jewellery for. The quality of a £2K ring for example from a proper jeweller is going to be miles above a £2K ring from a chain.

Yes! Victoria James in the Jewelry Quarter Birmingham spécialisé in art deco. They make all their own things and also do bespoke. They made me a new ring using an old stone that was exactly what I wanted.

They are very cunning into deceiving customers into believing they have bought solid gold when it's plated silver. They call it Gold Vermeil.

@Catsandfluffybankets yes that’s very true - I refuse to buy anything that isn’t solid gold to be honest. The fashion brands are dreadful for that too EG Thomas sabo. £150 for a gold plated bracelet - yikes!

I came on to suggest Cavendish Jewellers. Its shop is in the centre of York. Could be a lovely day out too!

If you’re able to go to Birmingham aardvark jewellery are similar to Jessica Flinn and also carry moissanite as well as lab grown stones - my engagement and wedding rings came from them during Covid. Bijoux de Chagall are also worth checking online if you want something different

https://aardvarkjewellery.com

bijouxdechagall.com

Victoria James in brmingjabe jewellery quarter. Mines from there and is perfect

Beautiful vintage and antique rings here https://donlaurencejewellery.com/shop/?stock-status=in-stock

I’m at work atm so will read the whole thread later but I’m looking for exactly the same. I’ll share what I’ve found so far when I get chance!

My go-to on these threads is to always recommend buying at auction. There is a constant supply of vintage and antique jewellery at sites like Easyliveauction.com or The Saleroom. They act as a bidding platform for independent auctioneers and you can ask for measurements, condition reports or visit yourself to view in person.

My engament ring is an art deco Burmese ruby and diamond ring. It cost a small fraction of what it would have cost from a jewellers. In fact, 90% of my jewellery is from auctions.

I also advise against lab grown stones. They may be en vogue right now but the secondary market for them is abysmal.

Full disclaimer: I’m an auctioneer and a magpie!

Rings can be resized - extra cost but not necessarily a lot especially if you need it to be smaller (as they can recover the precious metal)

@nonegotiation

in Preston, here, here and here You may already have checked these out though.

Alternative option here

Look at auction!

https://www.fellows.co.uk/upcoming-auctions I rate this auctioneer for jewellery, a friend who owns an old family jewellery store uses this one and I sold some inherited pieces through them
Edit to add that the catalogue becomes available a few days before the auction and you can view and/or buy online.

I actually got mine on eBay , it is just what I wanted and similar to your tastes.
I looked everywhere and couldn't find what I wanted in any shop

How are they deceiving customers when they’re calling it gold vermeil? Gold vermeil is the name for thicker gold plated silver. Or are you saying they’re telling people it’s solid gold?

This explains what gold vermeil is (for people who don’t know):
https://www.monicavinader.com/our-blog/gold-plated-vs-gold-vermeil

@nonegotiation I also second TJC. Much better value than high Street and they also have a bespoke service if you want something specific.
Otherwise second hand is a great option too. You can get a secondhand ring professionally cleaned and polished to look like new.

Have a look at Wild Fawn.

Look at vintage rings. A jewler near me has loads of beautiful art deco rings and they are cheaper than new.

So many beautiful rings on this thread!

<blatant place-marking>

Aardvark jewellery is EXACTLY what I was looking for thank you!!

I think we will be sorting a trip down to Birmingham to visit here and also Victoria James (plus any others we have time to pop into).

I’m still working through the rest of the thread but thank you so much for all of the suggestions

A second vote for Victoria James. I have several Art Deco rings from there - you can tweak designs to make it your own as well. Very helpful and great selection. Sometimes they have more stock in their Stratford shop so might be worth phoning ahead to see of they can have some options for you.

Steve stone.co.uk and they have a Manchester shop. I got baguette style Asscher cut and you choose the diamond to suit your budget. Some beautiful styles.

Sorry Steven Stone.