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Original poster

How many carats is your engagement ring?

125 replies

hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 28/12/2019 14:21

I’m looking for a halo engagement ring and had in in my head I wanted at least a carat but most of the ones in our price range are less than 0.75.

Anyone mind telling me how many carats theirs is and would it be really nosey to ask how much it cost?

I’m not sure how much we should be expecting to spend and what we should expect to get for it.

OP posts:
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6
DameXanaduBramble · 28/12/2019 15:20

1 carat solitaire 2 years ago. It was 5.5k

jinglebellz · 28/12/2019 15:21

I think the one you like is overpriced for what it is. I would also want to see the centre stone in person. Some have inclusions very close to the surface, whereas others are lower down or better disguised by the facets of the stone.

bubblesforlife · 28/12/2019 15:22

What’s your budget OP, if you don’t mind me asking?

FreeButtonBee · 28/12/2019 15:22

Mine is 1.2ct, good cut and clarity with one occlusion. Very sparkly. Was about £7k 12 years ago on a plain platinum band. We were both city solicitors at the time so money to burn at the time! It’s very low set to my finger on an open setting and I have wide fingers so it looks in proportion and it’s too in your face (eg was never a problem scratching the kids on it which was a problem for some friends)

BobbinThreadbare123 · 28/12/2019 15:23

0.97ct. So it looks like one carat but it was about a grand cheaper... Buy a diamond and then have it set.

billysboy · 28/12/2019 15:24

Go to Hatton Garden and speak to one of the independent diamond dealers who will also be able to get something made
I went this route with an eternity ring Boodles wanted £5700
same thing with a very good and personal service from Haruni Brothers was sub £3k

elliejjtiny · 28/12/2019 15:25

1/3 of a carat diamond on an 18 carat gold band. Cost £400 I think in 2002.

GreenTulips · 28/12/2019 15:26

I agree going independent especially the jewellery quarter. Even wedding rings vary massively for basic plain gold.

If you are going in that direction for an engagement ring you might want to consider a matching wedding ring to fit round it.

Confusedrelation · 28/12/2019 15:27

If you aren’t bothered go second hand, much more bling for your budget

InkogKneeToe · 28/12/2019 15:29

Maybe the thought of spending the value of my car on a ring is just alien to me (my ring is a second hand not even diamond job but I love it. It is symbolic of a time where we hardly anything but each other) but would you wear it? I'd be terrified of losing/damaging it and it doesn't look terribly practical (I just wear my wedding ring now for practicality reasons, even my small solitaire type ring got snagged and caught on all sorts)

dementedma · 28/12/2019 15:30

Blimey, some expensive bling on here. I think mine was something like £70! I lost it years ago - think it had a tiny sapphire and minuscule diamond chip. Can’t really remember...
Mind you, I don’t even wear my wedding ring either so I’m probably not the best person to ask!
(Married 33 years this year)

Lizziedu49 · 28/12/2019 15:31

0.75 carat, very good colour and clarity. £4K

Lizziedu49 · 28/12/2019 15:33

That's set in platinum

BuffaloCauliflower · 28/12/2019 15:37

0.5ct VVS1 H colour solitaire, platinum - about £2000

damnthatanxiety · 28/12/2019 15:40

There are always people with teeny stones saying things like 'I wouldn't want a bigger one...it would look tacky/gaudy...' Oh please. I have seen plenty of 3ct+ rings that look anything but tacky.

Original poster
hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 28/12/2019 15:41

This is all really interesting.

We’re in Scotland so will need to see if Glasgow has any good places like what you’d find in Hatton Gardens although maybe engagement ring is worth a trip to London!

I definitely want platinum. What’s the VVS1 thing is that clarity?

OP posts:
Nomorepies · 28/12/2019 15:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request.

AlternativePerspective · 28/12/2019 15:43

I wouldn’t buy a new ring. Diamonds are artificially over-priced because de Beers owns the complete market and as such new stones will always be over-priced.

If you went to a second hand jewellers or better still one of the jewellery auctions you could get something for a fraction of the price you would pay for a new piece.

Original poster
hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 28/12/2019 15:43

Budget ... I’ve got £4kish in my head but that’s really just from seeing rings in that price range I like Grin

That’s probably OTT tbh.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 28/12/2019 15:44

As a ballpark, if you’re looking at diamonds, for a high quality one you want minimum: H colour, VS2 clarity, at least Very Good cut, polish and symmetry, no or little fluorescence. That’s if it’s GIA certified. Other bodies are more lenient so you’ll need higher grades to get the same diamond.

I also agree that you’ll get better value for money second hand.

Original poster
hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 28/12/2019 15:44

I hadn’t really considered second hand but it’s not something I feel strongly about NOT doing.

I take it they’re all certified etc. Imagine spending £2-4K on a ring and finding out it’s fake? Xmas Shock

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 28/12/2019 15:44

If we’d had more to spend I’d have spent it! I’d love a 2ct ring. Maybe one day I’ll upgrade Grin

Original poster
hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 28/12/2019 15:45

Helpful Jo! Thank you

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 28/12/2019 15:45

1 carat

BuffaloCauliflower · 28/12/2019 15:46

@hardrowtohoeallbyyourself yes you want to get a certificate with it, GIA or similar. You’ll need it for insurance as well