What do you think to this ring?

[KimberleyTaylor]

My sisters boyfriend wants to propose to her, he doesn’t have a huge budget and has sent me a picture of this ring he has seen but I’m not sure! Opinions please?
not sure about it being lab created either

I think it would be really difficult to get a wedding band to sit nicely next to that- unless they make a set? I think it’s ok but would probably rather go vintage myself

Firstly nothing wrong with lab created diamonds. They are ethical and have a better clarity than natural diamonds. Secondly, it's not to my taste but I'd hope her DB would know what she likes. I disagree with the posters thst says he needs to choose her own. I didn't. My DH surprised me completely, never looked at rings together, although I told him styles that I liked. The ring he had made for me is perfect, couldn't have chosen better if I tried.

Unless your sister is set on a diamond engagement ring, I would suggest looking at alternative gemstones. Much more bang for the budget. Personally I'm going for an emerald ring.

But, I'm also not a fan of a partner buying the ring without my input. I want to be involved in this decision if I'm wearing the ring!

Not a fan.

Something much more simple (just a single stone) would be better. And not Pandora.

Argos use to guarantee their stones and rings. Not sure of the policy now that they have been taken over. Worth a look online before deciding.

I quite like the design, although agree getting a branded piece of jewellery isn't always the best value.

As a jeweller I would say to bear in mind you would likely have to get a curved or shaped wedding band to go next to it neatly, which might be more expensive than an "off the peg" standard wedding band (something to consider if on a tight budget)

Almost all white gold is rhodium plated as gold itself is obviously yellow and even when alloyed with other metals to make white gold, it can still have a yellow tinge to it. It is plated with rhodium to brighten/enhance the whiteness. Platinum is cheaper than 18ct white gold at the moment and doesn't need plating.

A coloured stone may be cheaper than a diamond (although possibly not cheaper than lab grown diamonds) but I would normally advise against emeralds or aquamarine for rings that will be worn every day as they are softer and can chip or rub more easily.

I'm not keen on the design/shape but that's personal preference. Pandora is mass produced tat that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole however.

You can get something much more unique, nicer, hand designed and handmade for a similar price. I had my engagement ring made from a Belgian jeweller I found on Etsy and paid less than £600.

Tell him to have a look at some self employed jewellers like..

www.dionejewellery.co.uk

www.abigail-jewellery.com

www.sarahhickey.co.uk

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LillyandIvyJewellery

100%

Lab created diamonds are more ethical. I didn't pick my own engagement ring and I'm glad I didn't. It was a great choice. And that Pandora ring is just really not nice.

Love the Harribo ring idea. And I agree with Pp that she should choose her own ring.
She's not Sheila Birling.

He could definitely propose without one. My DH did and then we went and picked a ring together. I actually found a beautiful ring that had a local jeweller was selling that someone had traded into them. Meant we could get a nicer ring for the budget we had at the time.
That could be worth looking into but if he definitely wants to propose with a ring then he could look around at jewellers instead of Pandora or online as there are so many options out there for similar money in nicer styles.
Something classic like a simple band with a diamond in the middle rather than slightly offset like that would look nicer but obviously that is just my opinion

Surely it depends on her taste not randoms on the internet.
I hate Pandora but each to their own.

So could a jeweller not tell the difference between a natural and a lab created diamond?

It's very difficult to tell the difference, you need a special tester, you can't do it by eye, even with a loupe.
Most diamonds over a certain weight are certificated so you know whether its a mined or a lab grown diamond

Pandora is for Christmas, not for engagement.

Its also screams “I put absolutely no thought into this” - he need to find a jewellers.