What are the best jewellers in the UK?
Posted by TalosAnthena@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 32 comments
I’m going to get an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I have discussed it with her prior and she likes one from Warren James. It’s £600 so is within my budget. But I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews about the place. Someone got a £1000 ring and said it scratched easily. I do believe everywhere is probably cheap products nowadays, nothing is made to last anymore. I also have a Hinds and H Samuel in my town.
Anybody know which ones are good and which ones aren’t? I also don’t even know her size. Can they tell from a ring she wears? I’m thinking of taking that in with me.
Super_Commission512@reddit
I went to Fenton and I really recommend it. I didn't know the size either but took in a ring and they could tell for me. Their rings are really affordable and good quality so you don't have to worry about it scratching easily etc
DayDull4235@reddit
TJC can be a good budget option, just check the certificate, hallmarks, and returns/warranty before buying.
AardvarkJewellery@reddit
If we can help, we will! We have a few pieces in your budget and all made from quality materials!
CrowsEatCheese@reddit
William White is amazing. Handmade and bespoke.
TalosAnthena@reddit (OP)
They look very strange
CrowsEatCheese@reddit
They're art pieces. He's a very good designer, he can take bespoke requests, and he uses high-quality metals and ethically sourced stones. I get compliments on my wedding set all the time because they are individual and don't look the same as everyone else's factory mass-produced tat jewellery. I have several pieces of his jewellery.
TalosAnthena@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I bet all of them are cheap the main brands. They won’t make quality anymore, just like cars are built to break
JacobSax88@reddit
I used an independent jeweller in my town. I don’t think I’d have got a “yes” if I’d bought the engagement ring from F Hinds or H Samuel.
TalosAnthena@reddit (OP)
I went to 3 and the cheapest they had was £800. Mostly around £6000-£10’000 mental prices
heliskinki@reddit
This. Support local independent businesses.
OhBeSea@reddit
Go to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham and walk into pretty much any shop - there's so many excellent jewellers there
I know a couple of people who went to Lynall's Jewellers for engagement/wedding rings and absolutely love them
TalosAnthena@reddit (OP)
Birmingham? I’m nowhere near Birmingham
OhBeSea@reddit
You didn't say where you're located and just asked for the best in the UK 🤷🏻♂️
TalosAnthena@reddit (OP)
I never said I was in Birmingham though, that would have been a pretty big coincidence. I appreciate the advice non the less
Fraggle_ninja@reddit
Do a day trip with the future Mrs - you’d get way more for your money, can shop about and use a fake ring to propose and let her choose. Get some food whilst you there, make the whole thing an experience for your both.
DangerousDisplay7664@reddit
Elizabeth Duke has a good reputation
LemmysCodPiece@reddit
When I proposed to my wife I got her a cheap ring from Elizabeth Duke, it was all I could afford at the time. She has worn that ring every day since, it is still in great condition and she treasures it. That was nearly 24 years ago.
It isn't about the ring, it is about the gesture and what that represents.
InterestingStress122@reddit
I bought a certified gemstone (GIA) and had it set in a halo of diamonds.
Similar stones have tripled in value since I bought it.
Nicebutdimbo@reddit
You mean tripled in cost. Second hand stones are worth about 1/3 of brand new unless you happen to have the Crown Jewels.
Just writing this so that no one is confused about it being an “investment”
InterestingStress122@reddit
No, price is what someone else is willing to pay for it.
I don't have a crown jewel, but I do have a high quality certified natural emerald that's valuable.
Nicebutdimbo@reddit
How do you define the best jewellers? I’d imagine whoever makes the Crown Jewels would be one of the best.
Have a look at 77 diamonds.
FYI the purer the gold the softer it is. Scratches can be polished out.
willp2003@reddit
I’d go somewhere independent. You’ll get better value for money.
elgrn1@reddit
This is less about the jeweller and more about what you're asking for.
Different metals have different properties. Silver shouldn't be used for an engagement or wedding ring as it tarnishes and is a softer metal that is easily damaged. Gold is also a softer metal and can scratch and tarnish over time. Platinum and titanium are harder metals so they last longer, but many jewellers don't like working with them because they are unyielding.
As for gems, diamonds won't scratch nor should moissanite. Other stones might and some are to be avoided for rings that get daily wear such as pearls.
You can buy a mined diamond or a lab grown one. The mined diamond will have some association with conflict, the lab grown will cost you less without the conflict association and you can therefore get a better quality stone.
Moissanite looks like a diamond but has a higher refraction point so its more sparkly under light, however one will sparkle white and the other rainbows so anyone in the know will tell the difference (assuming that matters to you/your fiancée). Its also fab grown and therefore conflict free and cheaper.
The 4 Cs are carat (size), colour (some are very rare/expensive), clarity (whether it has occlusions or internal marks), and cut (the shape but also the facets of the cut). Consider choosing a stone if you can to ensure its quality. You'll also get a certificate of authenticity.
Don't just buy something because it costs more and think that equates to better quality. Do your research, ask the right questions and be picky. You want the ring to last for decades.
Good luck!
CodeToManagement@reddit
The price has nothing to do with how durable the ring is. It’s all about what metal it’s made from.
AlGunner@reddit
Gold is a soft metal and will scratch if treated badly. the higher the carats the more it will scratch.
Visible_Pipe4716@reddit
I got my wife’s engagement ring from Warren James and it’s been fine.
cgknight1@reddit
Sure they are - still plenty of quality independent jewellers - you have a limited budget and are selecting from "pile them high" low quality providers. Something has to give.
StGuthlac2025@reddit
I would have a look and see what local antiques places you have near you. You can find what would be rather expensive brand new in a jewellers (they can have quite the mark up) for a lot less and you're not missing out on quality by doing so. Take the ring with you and they will be able to tell you her size. You can easily get a rings size adjusted to fit.
Royal_View9815@reddit
My wedding ring was from a pawn shop over 50 years ago. It was £10 and it’s 22ct gold. My dad bought it for my mom. My mom gave it to me for my wedding. It’s really heavy old gold. It’s worth a fortune now and I’d never ever part with it. You can get some really beautiful jewellery from antique/pawn shops.
britbabebecky@reddit
Independent jewellers all the way.
melancholyy-scorpio@reddit
My advice? Get her a placeholder. That way you can propose without worrying too much about price, style and size. You can say to her that its a placeholder so you can have a nice day out shopping for a ring. That way you can be 100% sure its what she wants and the right size.
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