Choosing an engagement ring

[RRK593]

Hi all!

My partner and I have been having the exciting conversation for a little while now about getting engaged and this weekend he's spoke about going to try on some rings (though he wants to make the final choice and actually propose).

Our issue is where is the best place to get an engagement ring? We live in Cheshire though open to trying some rings on to get a feel for style/size and ordering online but not even sure where the best websites are!

Thanks!

Best?
Decide on what ring style works for you, set a budget, buy one.

Have a look at second hand rings for interest and try a few in.

Remember it’s got to look nice with a wedding band so you’ll have two rings.

If you have the time (and inclination) to make a day of it, you won't find a better place to ring shop than The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham

I do agree with AmperoBlue about remembering for most of your life you'll want to be able to fit it alongside a wedding ring, so keep that in mind.

If you're near to Nantwich there's a couple of really nice Jewellers. I think the Coates family have been known to buy from there

We went to the jewelry quater too, definitely recommended that!

Some great shops on Southport I’d recommend David search which is where my fiancé got my ring and we went and chose our wedding rings. My mum also uses there to upgrade/change her diamond ring.

Have you decided where you are going yet @RRK593?

If you fancy looking online then I highly recommend Blue Nile! Great service and the price and quality for the loose diamonds is much much better than high street stores (the settings are probably just similar value though )
I ordered a loose (gorgeous) stone and then had it set at a local jeweller! ☺️
Originally had it set by them but found that the setting wasn't that good for the price

Great point by PP about remembering that you will most likely be wearing two rings, I think people can forget that and end up with an awkward shape or just a combo that simply doesn't look that nice or special together. I feel my wedding bands manages to change what I loved to much about my engagement ring even though they sit perfectly together. I would try buy them together?

Make a weekend if it in Birmingham.
Ring shopping in the JQ, dinner at folium, breakfast at York's, walk on the canal... Bliss!!

I wouldn't buy a ring at any of the high street chains if possible (H Samuel, Ernest Jones and the like). You can get way better quality diamonds and settings elsewhere eg online stores like Blue Nile, James Allen etc. or from an independent jeweller.

My engagement ring is from Blue Nile and is beautiful.

Thanks for all your help and advice guys.

When I've been looking I've fallen in love with a ring from 77 diamonds but I can't find much about them online! They have stores in Manchester and London so I'm sure they're very reputable it's just the ordering it online that's making me nervous! Though I'm sure it will be fine! It's one of their custom made options though so can't even go and try it necessarily.

If you're still looking, I can highly recommend Quality Diamonds. They source the stone then you choose the design of the ring.
They operate out of London and Birmingham, as well as online.
Either Paul or Ray would give you great service. They know what they are doing, are very honest and easy to deal with.
They did my engagement ring and both our wedding rings.

My husband went to a diamond dealer in Hatton Gardens, he choose the diamond and then they set it in a particular style. The markup on diamonds in stores is so high that i would never have a diamond like this if i went to a high street jewellery shop.

I'm late to this thread, but I wanted to throw another very strong recommendation for Birmingham's jewellery quarter! There's a small train station there so it's very easy to get to. I'm a bit of a jewellery fanatic and all my jewellery shopping gets done there

If you don't mind looking online, look at some independent jewellers on Etsy. There's some really beautiful and good value rings on there, much more unique than you would get at a high street jewellers. Just go with a well reviewed seller and be mindful of custom duties if not buying from a U.K. seller