Hi there,

Sounds like the same arrangement that my husband (and boyfriend at the time) had. I wanted my best friend's brother to make my ring. Luckily we had started to plan the wedding before he actually proposed... don't ask! ... And we also had a colour theme. He bought me a semi-eternity ring to match my wedding dress (which was gold and red). He bought me a ruby and diamond one from Aspinals. I was just so happy he put some thought into it, it didn't matter that the ring didn't fit and i had to wait a couple of weeks for the correct size (he took the wrong ring to get measured...again lots of thought!).

the ring he went for wasn't one i would have picked myself but because i was getting the proper ring designed and made, it didn't matter. i love both rings just as much for different reasons. I wear that ring in my right hand and the one that was made on the left.

so don't stress too much about it. as long as she knows you put effort into it she won't care you didn't spend a fortune on it.

for those who say that she is being greedy, i say after three years and a baby i haven't had any more ring. I am just so happy with the ones I have already and am appreciative of everything else he does so I don't expect more rings.

GOOD LUCK.

Your partner sounds very lucky! You may have enough ideas now but how about buying an antique engagement ring? I got my eternity ring from Grey's antiques just behind Bond Street tube. Beautiful jewellery with a little bit of history at prices that wouldn't cut into the main budget too much (although you probably pay a bit of a premium given the location).

Sounds like you know what you are doing but also just wanted to recommend Designs by Indigo for the main purchase. They operate out of Antwerp but you can set up an appointment in London at Royal Exchange Square to view diamonds and design your ring. They definitely offered the best value and quality when my husband did his research. So many friends/family have used them as well and all have been delighted.

http://www.designsbyindigo.co.uk/diamond_rings.html

Have fun choosing!

Hi there!

Saw your post and had to offer free help and advice, I'm Rowena, Agent Engagement, and have been helping guys undercover with your exact dilemma for years! My website, AgentEngagement.co.uk is about to launch, but please do contact me on rowena@agentengagement.co.uk as I have researched and sourced the best British jewellers here in London to help. Any budget, any style, I compare the market with you to ensure you don't waste money. My mission is to be a trusted, independent advisor to help you. All free - will let you in on the secret asap!

Many thanks, Rowena.
Agent Engagement
East Dulwich

Me again - sorry, I do like a bit of bling... and love the idea of 2 rings.

It's obviously a very personal and subjective thing... but personally I would not want to receive a fake, or at least not a fake which is trying to be a diamond engagement ring (so I would be ok with some colourful costume jewellery or Swarowski style ring), and it would need to look pretty different from your classic diamond engagement, which I assume is what you are getting Antwerp.

I would have thought she'll want to show off her "waiting ring" off to family and friends - but at the same time, the real, expensive (by the sound of it!) and very special ring is coming later.

I don't know your budget, but what about, for example, something from Cartier? They do a beautiful Trinity ring in 3 gold (pink for love, yellow for fidelity and white for friendship) which starts around £600 (and is more around £1,500 for a large ring. Their Love ring is also lovely - more modern - but looks different from an engagement ring.

Or maybe a ring with her birthstone so there is a meaning (assuming she's not born in April which is diamond!).

Or would she like an antiques ring: maybe a pearl, caemo, sapphire? There is so much to choose from! Obviously it will depend on her style.

Actually I expect I have confused you even more now, so will shut up.

I was lucky enough to have some family stones to set into a ring, so my husband proposed with a fabulous fake ring from heavenly necklaces http://www.heavenlynecklaces.com/c/4509968/1/rings.html

They are really good fakes (and very reasonable) and everyone presumed it was real. It is also really handy to have as I still wear my fake when we go on holiday (particularly when skiing as your hands get cold and you keep taking your gloves on and off). I also wore my fake on honeymoon (with my wedding band) so didn't have to worry about it from a security point of view- or coming off in the sea.

When it came to the wedding day, my husband also gave me some earrings from HN to match my real ring (aquamarine and diamond) and a tennis bracelet. You can pop in and see them (they work from home in Fulham) or just order online. They sometimes have one off bits or can have things made for you if you have time.

It is a really good option that doesn't break the bank, but looks totally legitimate.

Either way, enjoy it and good luck.

Could Ruth at Heirloom London help you?

http://www.heirloomlondon.co.uk

What a lovely quandary to have!

When my husband asked me to marry him he'd bought me a lovely, simple silver ring with a tiny diamond inset as he knew (not that we'd talked about it) that I'd love to be involved in the choice of the 'real' ring and that we'd go and find that together.

I still wear it on the ring finger of my right hand, sometimes stacked with one or two costume rings, and I love it. It was a brilliant stand-in on my left ring finger until our actual engagement ring was chosen and ready. Have fun; it's such a great time in the whole getting married process!

vendredimanche wrote:How lovely - you sound very romantic. Lucky lady!
If there is already an agreement between you two about choosing an engagement ring together, she may not want to receive another ring before her "real ring". Also this may take away from the real ring's budget! My suggestion would be for you to get her another (less expensive) piece of jewellery, such as a bracelet which you could have engraved with your names or with words that mean something to the two of you.
Congratulations!

Thanks ! That is a really good idea. i think she does want a second ring. The idea is that the real one will be quite significant and living in London she won't want to wear it everyday. I like the eternity ring option and the bracelet. Now lots of choices

How lovely - you sound very romantic. Lucky lady!
If there is already an agreement between you two about choosing an engagement ring together, she may not want to receive another ring before her "real ring". Also this may take away from the real ring's budget! My suggestion would be for you to get her another (less expensive) piece of jewellery, such as a bracelet which you could have engraved with your names or with words that mean something to the two of you.
Congratulations!

wsb2297 wrote:You could get her an eternity ring or similar perhaps?

Thanks good idea

You could get her an eternity ring or similar perhaps?

Hi All,

Firstly i'm reaching out here as a confused male (there are lots of us).
I am planning on asking my partner to marry me in December however we've agreed that we will buy the ring together (it will be in Antwerp and handmade). The thing is I want to suprise her. Should I buy a second engagement ring or a wedding band ? It will take approx 8 weeks for the ring we will buy together but in the meantime I want her to have a nice ring on her finger.