Engagement Ring

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iMORT3rnAL

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So I am on the verge of popping the big question, I just need the ring :D :o

Due to recent major vehicle repairs, I was not able to buy an engagement ring yet. But last week my mother blessed me with her ring and knowing my girlfriend is not fond of gold, gave me permission to change or even sell the ring should I wish to do so.

I took my girlfriend window shopping and we saw a few nice rings. She said she will be happy with a simplistic and inexpensive ring, but I could see the sparkle in her eyes when we looked at Browns' Protea ring. It is a solitaire ring made of white gold with a 0.30Ct diamond.

The mother’s ring is in the shape of what looks like a music note. It is made of gold with a 0.50Ct diamond and 3 tiny diamonds next to it.

I am not sure how to proceed, should I sell my mother's ring with the diamond, or keep the diamond and ask Browns or someone else to supply the ring? I'm looking to get the protea setting.

Also, some people recommend platinum above white gold because of the maintenance overhead on white gold. But is it worth it to take platinum?

Thanks, any advice would really be appreciated :)
 
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Keep the diamond(s) of your mother's ring.

Let her have her own design.
 
Picard said:
Keep the diamond(s) of your mother's ring.

Let her have her own design.
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+1

Also, I from my conversations with jewellers, I got the impression that Platinum is quite a bit more expensive - it does not justify the maintenance cost of white gold. Also, even though jewellers often tell you plating rhodium plating has to be done every few months or every year, you'll find that in practice, you can safely do this every two or three years. Of course, it also depends on the specific woman and how tough she is on the ring. In short, don't go spend a fortune now on platinum, just to avoid the maintenance cost of white gold.
 
platinum is very expensive, you can also look at palladium which is heavier, but a lot cheaper.
 
How much for the ring at Browns?
 
You won't get much for the old ring. Even when they melt it for another ring they barely get enough out of it to start a new ring. The only thing that you can use in a new ring is the diamond - then you can save money on that. But is Browns not expensive?
 
Despite what your mom says, she will be sad if you sell it.
 
My Fiancée picked out my ring himself. He also saw a Browns setting he liked (Queen of my heart setting), and then he took the diamond he bought with a picture of the setting to an independent jeweller and had it remade

If I were you, I would go the same route. Take the diamond from your mother's ring, and have it reset by an independent jeweller.

Don't know in which area you are, but my SO used Diamante en Goud in Heidelberg. The quality is amazing, and it's much cheaper than going through a mall-type jeweller (especially if you already have the diamond).

With regards to white gold vs platinum: I originally wanted platinum - it is super expensive, but also very heavy. I'm very glad that my SO went with white gold instead. I've had the ring for 8 months now, and it still doesn't need plating. Plus, it's only about R140 to have it replated
 
andreh said:
You won't get much for the old ring. Even when they melt it for another ring they barely get enough out of it to start a new ring. The only thing that you can use in a new ring is the diamond - then you can save money on that. But is Browns not expensive?
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I found them quite negotiable.

bromster said:
Despite what your mom says, she will be sad if you sell it.
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+1 (unless it was a horrible divorce :p)
 
Viva said:
+1

Also, I from my conversations with jewellers, I got the impression that Platinum is quite a bit more expensive - it does not justify the maintenance cost of white gold. Also, even though jewellers often tell you plating rhodium plating has to be done every few months or every year, you'll find that in practice, you can safely do this every two or three years. Of course, it also depends on the specific woman and how tough she is on the ring. In short, don't go spend a fortune now on platinum, just to avoid the maintenance cost of white gold.
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Thank you, white gold it is.

Ecco said:
How much for the ring at Browns?
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andreh said:
You won't get much for the old ring. Even when they melt it for another ring they barely get enough out of it to start a new ring. The only thing that you can use in a new ring is the diamond - then you can save money on that. But is Browns not expensive?
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I hope you're sitting... The normal price tag is R31K for the 0.30Ct solitaire ring. But it I bought it there and then, and because it was on display, the price would have been R22K which is still a lot of money.

Maybe I can have earrings made from my mother's ring. They can use two of the small diamonds.

bromster said:
Despite what your mom says, she will be sad if you sell it.
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I know... I just don't know what else to do.

Roxi_B4b3 said:
My Fiancée picked out my ring himself. He also saw a Browns setting he liked (Queen of my heart setting), and then he took the diamond he bought with a picture of the setting to an independent jeweller and had it remade

If I were you, I would go the same route. Take the diamond from your mother's ring, and have it reset by an independent jeweller.

Don't know in which area you are, but my SO used Diamante en Goud in Heidelberg. The quality is amazing, and it's much cheaper than going through a mall-type jeweller (especially if you already have the diamond).

With regards to white gold vs platinum: I originally wanted platinum - it is super expensive, but also very heavy. I'm very glad that my SO went with white gold instead. I've had the ring for 8 months now, and it still doesn't need plating. Plus, it's only about R140 to have it replated
Click to expand...

Thank you for all the information. I might just contact the people in Heidelberg.

Do you perhaps know how long it took for them to make the ring?
 
iMORT3rnAL said:
Thank you for all the information. I might just contact the people in Heidelberg.

Do you perhaps know how long it took for them to make the ring?
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They normally take about 6-8 weeks, but you can do a rush order. My SO had my ring made less than 2 weeks before we left for Canada for 6 months. So it can be done in a very short time
 
CattleDaemon said:
try www.girlsbestfriend.co.za

I recently purchased my wedding rings from them, and also got the engagement ring from them.
Their pricing is very competitive, and good quality.
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Thank you, I sent them a message.

Roxi_B4b3 said:
They normally take about 6-8 weeks, but you can do a rush order. My SO had my ring made less than 2 weeks before we left for Canada for 6 months. So it can be done in a very short time
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Thank you, I will keep that in mind.
 
iMORT3rnAL said:
No divorce.... the big Harrismith - Free State farm fires from September :cry:
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In that case I would rather not use my mom's ring and rather go for the cheaper one for now. You can always 'upgrade' at a later stage, when you do have the money.
 
I don't know where you are based but I simply cannot recommend these guys enough...

http://www.lindecollection.com

Basically husband and wife team, he designs it all and she makes it.

After a botch job of a engagement ring replacement for my wife via an insurance claim drama we went there for our wedding bands and I couldn't have been happier.

Not nearly as expensive as you would expect for a "boutique" operation and I would even go so far as to say cheaper than any franchise.
 
Sell your mothers ring and buy one from Browns. It will inevitably be better (Unless it is a Tiffany's ring or similar).
And the Protea is a very good ring. And at R22k, it's a steal.

Do not go for some no name brand jeweler that will reset the other stone. This is your engagement. Not a time to be cheap
 
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