In the market for a men's wedding band. More than just a basic plain gold ring.
Ive gotten a quote for a nice engraved one from moimoi for $3000 in 18ct gold, and that seems to be the average price for 7mm and 1.8mm thick.
Ive also visited Malabar in Harris Park and was surprised at how cheap it was in comparison. $800 for 22ct rings.
Anyone have experience with any of these stores and can share any advice? The price difference is doing my head in
On the other hand, if a 22ct ring is $800, it's going to be super thin or it's not really 22ct gold (maybe it's gold plate?). Considering how malleable gold is and how light that ring must be (considering gold is about $110 a gram at the moment, it'll be lightweight), it's not going to last a lifetime.
No indian gold is plated, it's solid. And 22ct will last a lifetime, literally every ethnic person you see with gold rings will have it in 22ct.
The $800 one was not super thin, it was the same weight as the $3k one lol, hence my question about what's out there.
Middle ground seems the reasonable price point.
I tend to agree, I think it's somewhere in the middle.
You’re making the $800 one sound excellent, why not just get that?
tbh I probably will end up getting it
In that case, buy the $800 one. Just be careful that you will dent a ring of that purity at some point.
Out of curiosity, what was the weight? Seems cheap and I need to get around to getting married at some point lol.
Was going to recommend Malabar when I saw the title, but yes they're fantastic, bought a bracelet from them a few weeks ago. Very legit, one of the biggest gold jewellers in India and they have a number of stores worldwide now too. Prices are great because they charge for the actual weight of gold at the daily spot rate (note they sell both 18ct and 22ct) + a % based 'making charge' on top, just won't find better value for the gold and craftsmanship.
Thanks for this. I'm inclined to agree, I cant get over the price difference. It's crazy.
If you want something a bit more out there can I suggest getting a custom made ring with more interesting inclusions e.g. https://revolutionjewelry.com/ - you might be surprised at what can be included in a ring (dinosaur bone, guitar string, antler, wood etc)
I got my wedding band from here as I wanted it to be unique and not the standard simple band in gold or white gold/platinum. Paid maybe $50 USD for them to mock up a design of what I wanted to ensure I was OK with how it looked, which came off the final bill. Ended up paying similar to what you are being quoted, and I got a kuro Damascus steel band, meteorite inlay, and 12 small diamonds around the band.
wow, interesting, never thought of such materials as possibilities - thanks for sharing :)
i got Jack Daniels whisky barrel in mind. Unfortunately the fit wasn't quite right and you can't alter them, but it wasn't especially expensive
You generally dont want 22ct for a wedder. It's too soft and will dent and break. 14ct is the max, or go for something stronger like Platinum etc.
Honestly, no one will be able to spot the difference.
It's too soft and will dent and break
What if OP is a soft-handed office worker?
That I am :)
The commentary about 22ct denting and breaking is hilarious. Indians and others exclusively wear 22ct. I work with a lady who has worn the same 22ct ring for 30 years and it's as good as new.
The comments around "it will break" is because western ring designs are super dainty and thin and hold stones. Indian/Arab etc designs are generally thicker and pretty much never have prongs to hold things.
Cobalt chrome or tungsten wedding band and the rest into honeymoon, index funds, or literally anything more useful than a wedding band :)
stay away from any branded jewellery.. look at places like GS diamond if you want a bit of peace of mind. should not have to pay more than 1k for gold/platinum. if you like a particular design they can copy it. boutique jewellery is a complete waste of money and the premium is worth next to nothing once it's on your finger unless it's ultra high-end
Moimoi is located in Sydney's QVB. Half the price you pay for the ring will contribute to rent. You are probably not getting the best value for money. If you got cash to burn and want something branded, just get a simple Cartier band. At least your partner can proudly state it is "x branded" when people ask where he got the ring.
Depending on your partner's age, if he is more mature, I think gold looks fine. But if he is younger ( 20s to early 30s), I would think platinum is probably better suited.
Cost of living crisis. I would just use a burger ring for now
Why do you need to spend so much on a male ring. Mine was only $70-$80. Black tungsten.
Mine was sub $20 from eBay a few years ago. Titanium.
I got two actually, a winter ring and a summer ring (to account for different finger sizes in warm and cold weather).
Different people have different tastes and what they're willing to spend?
My 9 karat cost 80ish 25 years ago, weighed it on kitchen scales at 3.5 grams
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Just bumping into this forum to see if anyone has advice for me too. I'm keeping it simple with my wedding ring—a classic 18K yellow gold comfort band, 4-5mm wide, meant for everyday wear. Quality matters, but I'm not into brands or unnecessary costs. I've considered Michael Hill at $1.5K, but unsure about their yellow gold quality. I read on reviews that their white gold is poor quality but there wasnt much about 18K yellow. Tiffany’s at $2K felt the best on my hand, but the brand premium isn't my thing. I also got a couple of quotes from two jewellers at around $2.2K, but I question its value compared to Tiffany. I don’t care if it’s made by hand in the back of the shop. Any advice on Michael Hill's quality or alternative suggestions?
Edit: although I originally was just going to size up and buy online, I have decided I want to see and hold the ring as I haven’t liked some versions of the classic ‘dome’ rings with ‘sharper’ sides. Will be wearing it everyday forever so comfort was more important that initially thought
but I'm not into brands
. I've considered Michael Hill at $1.5K
MH is a brand, and a crappy one at that. Don't buy anything from them. I reckon if you're spending $1500 on 18k gold from them, it's going to be very very light.
but unsure about their yellow gold quality
Gold is gold. 18ct is reasonably pure, but it's more about the weight.
Skip MH and tiffany dude. you can get twice as much gold weight by going independant.
Go to an indian jeweller and you'll get good quality.
I'm the OP and I ended up getting by ring from "Excellent Jewellers" in Wentworthville. IIRC it was like $800 for a 22ct yellow gold ring with an engraved pattern and it is heavy, it's a lot of gold. The same weight from MH will be $5k.
Westerners love to crap on high carat gold jewellery but like I said in another comment, that's because they have dainty prongs holding massive diamonds. Asians use gold as a store of value, and it's never less than 22ct. In fact when I went to EJ they didn't even have anything less than 22ct on display.
Thanks for your reply - i agree MH feels like it just won’t be high enough quality for the money. I might try find some other jewellers around my area. I was surprised that the two I went to were already higher than the retailers. It’s going to be a pretty simple ring
18ct 4mm plain comfort fit ring shouldn't be more than $700.
FYI mine is 6mm and 1.8mm thick I believe, and it's 22ct.
@coffeeinmyveins: I was thinking that - if Tiffany is $2K surely most of that is brand. I need to look a bit harder for a reasonable deal
@art-fanatic: Crazy. I just looked them up. $1600 for a 3mm 18ct gold ring.
Doesn't specify the thickness either, and because it's curved, I guarantee it's even less gold.
you're paying for the brand where you'll be the only person that knows it's a tiffany, not worth it.
@coffeeinmyveins: I know right. I would rather it be plain without branding anyway. Labels are not my thing.
$3k is ridiculously expensive for a thin wedding ring. You're paying a premium somewhere there.
On the other hand, if a 22ct ring is $800, it's going to be super thin or it's not really 22ct gold (maybe it's gold plate?). Considering how malleable gold is and how light that ring must be (considering gold is about $110 a gram at the moment, it'll be lightweight), it's not going to last a lifetime.
Middle ground seems the reasonable price point.