Affordable Engagement Ring

Luser-6654 on 27/02/2020 - 14:13

I'm looking for an affordable engagement ring.

I've read the popular threads, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/273513 and https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/317827.

My girlfriend doesn't see the value in expensive rings and would rather us spend the money on a nice holiday or house deposit. As such, a lab grown diamond (or other diamond substitute would be fine).

Requirements are fairly simple:
Setting:

  • Solitaire Design (6 Claws)
  • 18k White Gold or Platinum

Stone:

  • Lab Grown or Other Diamond Substitute
  • Cut: Excellent <-> Very-Good
  • Color: D <-> G
  • Clarity: FL <-> SI1
  • Carat: 0.48 <-> 0.72

I've had a look at Brilliant Earth and most options come out at around 4k and my local independent jeweler (Not a chain store) offers similar rings for a similar price.

I've heard mixed reviews about Brilliant Earth, so I'm not sure if I should stick with a local jeweler for peace of mind/easy resizing.

Does anyone have any alternate suggestions for stores with rings around the 2k-3k mark?

Thanks.

General Discussion Engagement Ring

Comments

  • alikazi on 28/02/2020 - 13:57
    +1

    I am literally going to propose with this ring
    https://www.meowingtons.com/collections/cat-rings/products/p…

    We both like animals, we both have cats and what I like about that ring is that it is shaped like a hug with those paws on the inside. So I'd like to signify to her that the ring on her finger is like a permanent hug from me, which I think carries more meaning than just a sparkling diamond.

    My would be fiancé hates spending on diamonds and jewellery anyway. For now I'll propose with this cat ring, but before we get married I will get her a real stone 😺

  • TimApple on 28/02/2020 - 15:08
    +2

    Give her a $20,000 VDHG certificate.

    • Alley Cat on 28/02/2020 - 16:29

      Aren't you a keeper!

  • greater mimic on 28/02/2020 - 15:18
    +1

    i second the idea of a moissanite. my partner and i purchased ours a couple years ago from an American company MoissaniteCo which they shipped over. Costs a fraction of a diamond and doesn't have all the inherent flaws of diamonds (e.g. cartel, blood diamonds, massive loss of value etc.) but is actually better in every way such as shine and clarity etc. Granted the AUD was a bit stronger back then, but still far better than buying a diamond.

  • darkchoc on 28/02/2020 - 17:16

    https://www.e14k.com/item/Platinum-Cubic-Zirconia-CZ-Solitai…

    I can attest to the quality and that I bought the ring from them 10 years ago.

    • darkchoc on 29/02/2020 - 17:05

      Here's their moissanite page:

      https://www.moissanitejewelry.com/moissanite-rings.htm

      The rings are gorgeous and have had so many compliments because the stone is larger and more prominent than buying a smaller expensive diamond.

      I bought the moissanite ring in 1 carat on platinum. This was stolen from my wife's gym bag. But we ended up replacing it with a white gold ring with a 1 carat CZ. The CZ has more fiery sparkles than a diamond and the moissanite, which the missus really likes!

      Good luck

  • Prickles on 28/02/2020 - 17:56
    +2

    I have bought a few things from MoissaniteCo and they are stunning!

    Definitely wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

    • carboncider on 01/03/2020 - 03:26

      Also recommend moissaniteco for well priced moissanite. Do a bit of reading on moissanite and you'll find it will suit what you are looking for perfectly.

  • DingoBilly on 29/02/2020 - 09:08
    +2

    Damn, you say affordable and then say $2000-$3000. That seems just as expensive as any other ring, not sure you're being that budget-smart here.

  • bazingaa on 29/02/2020 - 10:01

    As sheis not interested in rings, save that money for a house deposit

  • animasoIa on 29/02/2020 - 14:47

    Get Moissanite, got a 1.5 carat for around 1.5k AUD a few years back (from the US), specifically this one: https://www.charlesandcolvard.com/forever-one-round-moissani…

  • TheElderLegend on 29/02/2020 - 14:51

    Hi OP, I bought my fiancé a lab diamond with rose gold setting from Brilliant Earth 12 months ago. I bought a super ideal cut, VVS2 clarity, F colour, 0.70 carat diamond + 14K Rose Gold band, for approximately $3,600 inc GST. The same ring appears to be the same price currently, I'm curious as to how you got a $4,000 quote with the parameters you've mentioned?

    I had a wonderful experience with Brilliant Earth, however it has been noted that Brilliant Earth can be a bit pricier compared to other reputable online sites. Other reputable online jewellers that are very popular are Blue Nile and James Allen. Having a brief look at James Allen, it seems that the type of ring you're after should be able to fit into your budget if you were to buy from there.

    Just as a tip, when it comes to choosing diamonds, I would highly recommend getting the best cut you can afford, as better cut diamonds look noticeably brighter than poorly cut diamonds. In my opinion, a smaller but brighter diamond would look far better than a big dull one!

  • Plug on 29/02/2020 - 15:13

    Tried Cash Converters?

  • Herbse on 29/02/2020 - 15:59

    Second hand on eBay, gumtree or Facebook marketplace. If you can get receipts and the prove it's real.

    Lots of people get engaged and break up and jewellery, especially diamonds have no resale value, so there great deals to be had.

  • Kkcat on 29/02/2020 - 18:27
    +1

    My fiancé proposed with a placeholder ring so I could pick the ring myself.

    We ordered a 14k white gold ring with a custom design from Esty and got a 1.25ct Colour D-F C&C Forever One Hearts and Arrows Moissiante from Moissanite Co (https://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite/gemstones#forever-on…).

    Went to a local jeweler and paid $100 to set the stone on the ring.

    The ring is lovely and no one can tell it is not a diamond. I also love the fact that we only spent ~1.2k on a custom designed ring. The design of the ring means so much to me and this is the ring I want to wear everyday for the rest of my life.

    • hopper on 01/03/2020 - 08:45

      Would like to see the update on this after a year

  • beklol on 01/03/2020 - 10:01
    +1

    I went with shh secrets. No one can tell and I have a ring that I love that would have cost me $15000 if it was diamond. I have also heard good things about tianyu gems.

  • beklol on 01/03/2020 - 10:04
    +1

    I went with shh secrets. It cost us $500 - no one can tell the difference and I have a ring that I love that would have cost me $15000 if it was diamond. I have also heard good things about tianyu gems.

    Also, shh secrets give you free cleaning in store forever so I get it cleaned every few weeks and it looks amazing everytime.

  • cucumber on 01/03/2020 - 11:18

    https://www.shjewellery.com.au has lots of good reviews on Google. Give it a go.

  • G4life on 01/03/2020 - 11:35

    Bluenile
    https://www.bluenile.com/au/

    Considered second best online ring store after Tiffany’s. Heaps of diamonds to choose from. From $500- $1 mil.

  • watwatwat on 25/12/2020 - 20:49

    I find it amusing that people call moissanite a "fake diamond". It's like calling Kleenex a fake Quilton. Or like calling Mount Franklin a fake Evian.

    Moissanite has created a great arbitrage opportunity for people to participate in the ring-giving experience at a significantly cheaper price and with better environmental impact etc. I find it way more logical to spend ~$500 on a ring and relish at the others spending $5-10k for an identical product.

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