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Original poster

What do you think to this ring?

39 replies

KimberleyTaylor · 13/12/2022 23:29

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

What do you think to this ring?
OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 14/12/2022 01:14

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

PinkFrenchie · 14/12/2022 01:32

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.

YellowMonday · 14/12/2022 01:37

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!

SunshineAndFizz · 14/12/2022 02:03

Not a fan.

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

spotddog · 14/12/2022 03:24

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.

Anonmousse · 14/12/2022 08:40

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.

AnaBannanna · 14/12/2022 08:59

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

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 14/12/2022 17:55

PinkFrenchie · 14/12/2022 01:32

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.

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.

ladymalfoy45 · 14/12/2022 18:00

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

kernowpicklepie · 14/12/2022 18:00

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

catfunk · 14/12/2022 18:01

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

Windyone · 14/12/2022 18:01

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

Anonmousse · 14/12/2022 20:51

Windyone · 14/12/2022 18:01

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

MickeyMouseShithouse · 15/01/2023 22:14

Pandora is for Christmas, not for engagement.

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

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