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Apologies for the gay thread, but I'm not sure where else I can ask.  I could ask a jeweller, but I've just returned from a trip to H Samuel and I did feel a bit of a knob.

Any tips on materials, diamonds, price etc...  I was going to opt for white gold, but apparently it needs re-rhodiumising once a year, which means platinum or palladium would be a better option, but that means a probable 4 figure sum.  I was thinking of using H Samuel.

Help.

Brighton lanes...

That's what I should have done....  I forgot to add I'm going on holiday on Wednesday, and need it before then.  I don't think I'll get time to head down to Brighton, so I'll probably buy from Guildford where I work.

Ignore white gold. Avoid high street and go to a smaller, independent jeweller. Go platinum if you can afford it.  

18ct yellow gold. White gold and platinum look like silver and lead to me.

Use a hula-hoop

Amateur, you want a gummy one.

His or hers?

The advice about an independent jeweller is a good one, H Samuel are well known for the crap they sell, unless it is going to be a very expensive purchase.  Just remember to keep the receipt in case she tells you to fuck off!!

What do you class as a very expensive purchase ronnie?

Does it have to be an "engagement" ring - do eternity rings do the job?  They seem a lot cheaper and nicer designs, and can afford a better metal (thinking platinum so it doesn't need recoating every five minutes).

I used this site. Guys there are really helpful.

http://www.qualitydiamonds.co.uk/?gclid=COC85fb4_bsCFTHLtAodHTwAMA

It really is a case of what you and the good lady want, if she is happy with an eternity ring they are cheaper, but most ladies like that little diamond on their finger!  Got to show off to their friends!!  As regards expense, their bottom end is usually a bit trashy, get past £500 and you should be in with a chance.  I realise this is short notice, but have you thought about a second-hand antique ring, very fashionable these days.

I got my girlfriend a nice white gold engagement ring, she loved it. All turned to shit, but H Samuel gave me a full refund on the ring today, result.

Remember if you buy online and she says no you have to send it back.

Platinum all the way.

If you want eco-friendly handmade rings then we might be able to help  :) http://lilianashjewellery.com/ (http://lilianashjewellery.com/)

We don't have a physical shop though.

Don't worry so much about the metal. It's all much of a muchness barring the colour.

As for the stone, assuming you're going for traditional diamond, make sure you get the most carat for your money. Different cuts also give different 'sparkles'.

Even if you so have to go to Samuel's don't tell her. they are notoriously sniffy In my experience. Start off as you mean to go on.   Fib.

My mrs is using her great-grandmother's ring. It cost me £24 to get it resized. Hope this helps :D

dont do it!!

Don't buy one before the proposal. Propose and then go to a small jewellers and get them to make something unique. That way she gets choice rather than the cheapest one you can find! :-)

Good advice! Not one bloke has ever managed to get the size right.

Pop up to deacons in old town

Another vote for Deacons.

According to the thread he has to buy it in Guildford!

Go to get on the train and go to Hatton Garden in London.  You'll find a heap of independents all next door to each other and all competing against each other.  Some are pricey; others not.  You'll be spoiled for choice.

Isn't a 4 figure sum pretty much the deal with engagement rings, though?  Different story with a wedding ring, obviously, but an engagement ring is going to cost.

This place has gone proper downhill recently.
Threads on fucking engagement rings and oven cleaner in the last couple of days.

What have you become...

Grown up ?

Is it? Thank fuck I never proposed

Not racists?

Save it for Mumsnet then.

From a female perspective, I would say no.  I had engagement ring, wedding ring and then eternity ring after our first son was born.  

Platinum is nice, but bear in mind that the wedding ring and possibly an eternity ring in the future will need to be the same.  Pretty expensive.

Friends that had white gold ended up replacing them with yellow gold further down the line, because they didn't wear well.

Why the fuck does anyone want an engagement ring. Just marry the bitch and be fucking done with it.

Ironside will be starting a thread on ironing soon.

:D

osmium is best - she'll never lift a hand to you

Couple of months salary isn't it? Well that's what the females say

If he loved her, he'd drive to Swindon and buy it in Deacons.

Thank you for the advice.  I'm not a soppy fucker - if I had my way, I'd forego the engagement and get married on the cheap.....  We've been together 7 years so I'm starting to get difficult questions from friends, relatives etc., and as the best man to a couple's wedding who have been together for a shorter amount of time, it's about time I popped the question.

Swindon is a bit far for me, and I'm not going engagement shopping on fucking match day.  My work manages to swindle a 15% discount off H Samuel, and they'll allow 0% finance on the balance.

I like: http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/5189586?$thumbnail$ but the eternity part is stopping me.  It's not too pricey for platinum either, and as we're going on holiday/moving/picking up new car in the next three months, I'm inclined not to shell out too much on a bloody ring.

Sorry Ironside.  I'll get drunk soon and post a thread trouser accidents soon to even the balance....

Getting  married to placate friends and family isn't a great idea...you should do it only if you both want to and then in the style you both want.

Same thing crossed my mind too!

It is... I just don't like the expense that goes with it!!

Just remember women like Diamonds the bigger the better - don't do what I done and get a small diamond due to her job thinking she would be able to wear her ring at work (she cant) - been married nearly 8 years and still get little digs even now about not having a bigger diamond, size wise I was lucky as I got one of her other rings measured and the guess was correct

Elizabeth Duke or Cash Converters FTW

H Samuel have an 18ct yellow gold 1/2 carat diamond solitaire at half price, from 2K down to £999. Hope this helps.

that's a good price for that size of diamond. I'd show you the one i got for my missus but she might catch me looking at rings and think she's getting another one.

I got it from goldsmiths (canadian ice range) because it was the only one i could find that had a thin band, she's got tiny fingers so a standard thickness band looks a bit weird on her.

Always marry a girl with small hands  ;D