kidlewis Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I am looking to purchase a ring for the girlfriend and am looking to see if any of you work or know a genuinely awesome jewelers in the quarter who I can go to. I have various information on ring style, metal, clarity, carat, budget yadda. I think my budget might restrict me to non certified diamonds but want certified if possible. my budget is reasonable, I don't think it's modest, but it's not huge. I do need some help with it as I have been told a variety of things over the phone and it's all a bit complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I don't think it's modest, but it's not huge. Lucky girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houlston Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 how much if you dont mind saying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlewis Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 £1,250-£2k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
privateer Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 You might be able to pick up something classy and cheap from this collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlewis Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 i'm SIRIUS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houlston Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 £1,250-£2k Bloody hell, you'll easily get something certified for that, Marlows is decent but without taking the piss you ought to watch the jewellery channel a bit, they have certified stuff on there and as they buy it in bulk its cheaper, just dont let it impact on any porn watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlewis Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 i am looking to get a tri stone ring though so whilst there will be an aquamarine in the middle and two diamonds either side the individual carat weight and price might not be enough for certification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choffer Posted November 9, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted November 9, 2011 Bargain! Only £800! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlewis Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 Gays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choffer Posted November 9, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted November 9, 2011 Gays Sorry. Hadn't realised that's what you were after. This'll be what you want then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted November 9, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted November 9, 2011 Jewellery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Beat me to it Mooney you fecker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Don't be afraid to haggle if you are spending that sort of money you should easily be able to get a few hundred off the price.. You don't have to go all apprentice on the shop to get the deal but they will almost certainly do you a good price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If only Birmingham had some kind of world famous Jewellery Quarter eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCLaura Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I am looking to purchase a ring for the girlfriend and am looking to see if any of you work or know a genuinely awesome jewelers in the quarter who I can go to. I have various information on ring style, metal, clarity, carat, budget yadda. I think my budget might restrict me to non certified diamonds but want certified if possible. my budget is reasonable, I don't think it's modest, but it's not huge. I do need some help with it as I have been told a variety of things over the phone and it's all a bit complex. Ok, first of all, are we talking an engagement ring? Why Aquamarine out of curiosity? You have 2 types of Aquamarine, normal Aquamarine is a very pale blue in colour (sometimes a light greeny blue), Santa Maria Aquamarine is more of a deeper blue. Santa Maria Aquamarine is more expensive / coveted because it's heat treated to turn the gem into a purer blue colour which is visually more appealing. Light / Normal Aquamarine: Daker / Santa Maria Aquamarine: When shopping around, ask the Jeweller where your Aquamarine is mined - if the jeweller doesn't know (the correct answers being Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria or Tanzania) then don't buy it from him - too many middle men. If you do, it will show him that you know what you are talking about and can help with negotiating. Aquamarine isn't massively expensive, largely because it's still in quite good quantitiy and has a fair few mining locations so you will be able to get graded diamonds for your money. There is quite a long list of diamond grading, F/FL (Flawless), IF (Internally Flawless) VVSI (Very, Very Small Inclusion), VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3. The most popular you will see is the SI part of the scale. In a diamond of the carat weight I assume you will be buying, SI clarity (Slightly Included), SI1 and SI2 would be good quality. These all contain inclusions which are visible on magnification but not with the naked eye. Regarding carat weight, the most important thing is the size in mm's when comparing rings. Remember carat weight is about the density of the gemstone, so 2 8mmx8mm square cut gems could have 2 different carat weights. When it comes to certified diamonds, the most popular independent organisations for certification are (of course all crazily abbreviated) are GIA, IGI, IDL, AGS, EGL, HRD. All good. Sourcing, I do agree with a previous post - I think you get a lot more for your money online at the moment. Regarding Jewellery Channels, I've watched Gemstv for 6 years now (I love learning about gems, I don't have the money to buy), it's always had beautiful reasonably priced Jewellery sourced from the miners, made by them and sold by them and because of that it's better value than the high street - always graded, always certified and have a 30 day money back guarantee if it's not right. With Jewellers, when making a considerable purchase I would note the carat weight, grading, mm's, grams of gold - go home, find a similar ring on the Internet through a reputable seller (not ebay) at a significantly better price and take it back in as ammunition to move the price down. If you do buy online, don't be afraid to call the company and haggle over the phone, if it's 1600 online, call them and say you only have 1400 to spend but love the design - you'll be surprised how much even online retailers will budge. Another thing, historically Aquamarine is believed both to soothe and prolong relationships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlewis Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 OR Ring2 two different styles but essentially want the same stones (aquamarine and diamond). Laura how does SI1 and VS1 differences effect the price. Would it be a lot or marginal? Leaning towards platinum as I have been told that white gold needs treating every few years (or what I have been told). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCLaura Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 The main problem you have, which is why I asked specifically why Aquamarine, is because it is not an expensive gemstone. So to find it in an engagement ring surrounded by good diamonds, set in platinum, is a task. And because I know Aquamarine isn't expensive, when I find some I think they are MASSIVELY overpriced. I found this one below which is pretty close to your idea above, Aquamarine & Platinum. Found here Leave it with me for a while and I'll have another search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethRDR Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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