Wedding Rings

Does anyone have any recommendations for a jeweller in London? I'm clueless about jewellry and have no idea how to go about this.

Places like Tiffany's are out of budget range, but we'd like something nice, and we might want to engrave our rings too.

Any recommendations or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Flaurena

I'm always VERY happy to recommend the jeweller who made our rings - Alick Fine Jewellery in Hatton Garden, he is not a rip off merchant, you will pay no more than you would pay in a chain store but your rings are hand made and you can have whatever engraving etc you want. And they can get them done very quickly too.  Plus the two guys that run this place are a real hoot - it's quite an experience going there!

THANK YOU, BRITWIFE!! I keep hearing good things about Hatton Garden jewellers, but it was hard to narrow down which shop to try. I'll check them out.

Thanks!

If you're interested, I can recommend an engraver who is a personal friend of mine. He formerly worked for Gerrards who are the Crown jewellers. He not only engraved the inside of our rings, but he engraved a pattern on the outside for us. Our rings are veryunique. Aside from those important pieces, he's also done Princess Diana's coffin plate and many of the big sport trophies...

I can post a pic if you're interested...

A lot of engraving is done by machine now - engraving by hand is a dying art and that's what Geoff does (not saying they don't do that anywhere else that's been recommended though!).

Let me know if you want details!

Hi Balmerhon

That's very kind of you-- I'd be interested to see a pic!  Do you know if your friend is expensive?

Thanks for all your help!

Flaurena

I have been very happy with the service and designs of the woman who is making my engagment ring and wedding band...Harriet Kelsall..I found them on the web and we went to the studio over christmas hols to design the ring. I did not want a "typical" engagement ring so I was very excited when I found her website. She has lots of non-traditional styles and will do a custom piece for a very reasonable price. My ring should be done in the next week or so, I will let you know how it turns out!

newcomer link: http://www.hkjewellery.co.uk [nonactive]

That website was gorgeous! I will keep drooling, I have some time yet til that happens. Still fun to look

Flaurena,

You might consider getting your ring in the States. I know for a fact that diamonds cost twice as much in the UK as they do there. Andrew and I did a lot of checking here before we got married, and after comparing prices, decided to wait until we went to the States to get the engagement ring. We got a stunning ring in the States after we got married, one that would have cost at least twice as much here. If you're not in a big hurry and can let a wedding band suffice until your next visit to the States, you can get a better deal there. It's not a matter of being cheap or thrifty--it's simple economics (or "better value for money," to coin a UK phrase). See the "Buying rings and other jewelry" thread under "Chitchat." Hope that helps.

Suzanne

That website was gorgeous! I will keep drooling, I have some time yet til that happens. Still fun to look

hey....i just noticed you are in Arlington...I am in DC (the Hill to be more specific..)

DC,

I live in Hove now (in southeast England, on the Channel--about a 50-minute drive south from London). I've lived in Crystal City (across the street from the Marriott and underground stores, near the Pentagon), Alexandria, Falls Church, Silver Spring, College Park, Fort Washington--you name it--in the D.C. area. When are you moving here?

Suzanne

I work in Crystal City and live in Shirlington. Hopefully I'll be moving to Leeds to get my masters in August. We'll see, there are a lot of factors to consider before making that deicsion concrete.

DCgirl - we can get together if you'd like for coffee/lunch/drink sometime. Let me know

Sorry to hijack, but Pittpanther, are you from Pittsburgh originally?  I grew up there and live in Alexandria now.

/hijack

DH & I had my engagement ring done here:

http://www.theringmaker.co.uk/index.html

It was really cool, sitting down with the jewelry designer, and coming up with our own unique design.  They have locations in Leeds, London, Edinburgh & Glasgow.

We bought the gemstone in Europe & then had the ring designed around it here in the UK.

Carolyn B