Wedding Forum - Ring related rant!...

My e-ring is from Samuels; I fell in love with the design when I saw it a couple of years ago, as I'd always wanted an antique-style diamond cluster, but didn't want an actual antique ring as I prefer the way modern diamonds are cut. My OH bought it just a couple of weeks after I showed him (unbeknownst to me), and, to put it simply, neither of us did our research.

Two years on, I've realised I want a platinum ring, as the whole re-plating issue with white gold is bugging me; I wanted a metal that is 'pure' white, and than won't ever need replating, and that I can wear for cooking/showering/swimming without worrying about speeding up the yellowing process (mine needs re-doing every 10 months, and that is being super-careful). Also, the diamonds are NOT good quality (P grade) which means that over time, they could potentially grey. I can also notice that they aren't as white as other diamonds, just with my naked eye.

So, after discussing this with my OH, we have decided to have a replica ring made in platinum with F-G coloured VS1 (or better~) diamonds. And here comes the rant.

The ring is a complicated design, granted, and because of the setting, involves a lot of metal; it is not going to be cheap to do, but it is certainly possible, especially with CAD. Well, it's been a nightmare. I saw a company based in Hatton Garden at a wedding fair a while ago, and really liked them, and the fact it's a small workshop rather than a shop. They were going to do a custom-made band originally (as at that point we hadn't considered having my e-ring re-made); when we decided to have it re-made, I approached them, they took measurements etc, and said they'd get back to me with a quote within 2-3 weeks.

This was at the end of January; I STILL don't have a quote. I emailed saw them at a wedding fair on the 22nd Feb, and they said the quote would be with me the following week; nothing. I gave it another week, then emailed asking if they'd got the quote yet. They replied on the 12th March saying I'd have it the following day; nothing. I emailed them on the Friday; no response. I then called last Wednesday and they said they'd call that day; still nothing!

I've since been trying to get other quotes, and have had two so far: one for £2500-3500, from someone I did not trust (kept trying to push their 'stock' rings on me (which is easier and more profitable for them), and suggesting halos (I can easily afford a halo with a decent sized centre stone; but I don't WANT one lol); and £2000-2500 from someone else (reckons it'll be at the lower end). I really liked the second guy, as he's been prompt replying (but, he would be initially!), and he uses CAD, so we can see exactly what the ring will look like before going ahead and having it made; which gives us peace of mind.

I'm inclined to just go with him, but for some reason OH wants me to wait to hear from the first company?! I feel like they've messed me around, and honestly, I'm worried that they'll eventually get back to me, and then I'll be constantly chasing them to get the finished ring; which I don't want to do.

What would you guys do?

The first company seem very unreliable and as brilly said, not interested in your custom at all !
I'd definitely go with the 3rd guy if you can afford it..
Do you have a pic of your engagement ring incase any of us come across a similar already made one ?
xx

Have you tried the kissing company on here? They make CAD wedding rings so might be able to do engagement ones too xxx

Linzi: I did meet with them, but this is not something I would trust them to undertake. I'd rather deal with a jeweller direct than with a sales rep. I also found their prices quite high compared to those I've been quoted elsewhere for the bands (was quoted £900 for a shaped-to-fit band it 9ct white gold, and was quoted £550 by several jewellers in Hatton Garden).

Georgi: It is, I love it :-) Just making things very very difficult lol, because nothing else compares. If I bought something 'off the peg' that was similar, I'd be paying about £1500-1600; but none of them are 'right', and I know I'd end up regretting it. I figure I'll be wearing the new one for life, so it has to be perfect (hence why I won't get something like a halo; they are lovely, and in future I'd like one as a right hand ring, but it's not what I want for my engagement ring)

And yeah, I spoke to my OH again this morning, and he finally agrees lol. Will wait on this other quote, and go from there; will keep you posted!

I have a white gold e-ring and worn it everyday for a year and it hasn't needed to be re-plated at all?! Strange how different the metals cane be. I would go with your gut huni, I agree with the others, that the first companys customer service is poor. I hope you manage to get it how you want
x

Ellen: I think perhaps I'm overly fussy, as it probably doesn't 'need' replating every 10 months (it doesn't look obviously yellow, and none of my friends can tell when it 'needs' doing), but in my eyes it does. And the thought of having to do it even every 2 years, for life, bothers me. I've started swimming 4 times a week, and feel I have to take it off, as otherwise, it will likely yellow even MORE quickly; and again, that's a nuisance, as I don't like leaving it in my locker :-s

Tori: Linzi asked the same; see my answer above :-) The design is very intricate, and I want to deal with the jeweller/designer direct, not with a sales company. That and I'd hate to think what they'd quote, as we found them pricey.

I wouldn't like to leave it in a locker either, far too scary!!! I and like you said when its the one, you don't wanna change it. Have you thought about going back to the store to see if they can help at all? I know that some of the jewellers down here offer a bespoke servie as my sister needed to change her setting as the stone fell out and she used a high street store (ErnestJ). It really should be perfect in everyway.. after all you only get 1 :-)

The only high street jeweller I know of who does bespoke design is EJ; and again, I'd rather go with a jeweller in Hatton Garden TBH. I think this type of thing would be beyond what the likes of EJ typically do, and would rather go with someone experienced, plus again, I suspect I would be dealing with a sales rep, not the jeweller direct, which makes me uncomfortable. That and I've heard they're super-expensive.

If it was a simple solitaire ring, or a part re-shank, I'd have less of an issue; but it's a very intricate, detailed design, and I want it bang-on, with no compromises.

Go with the company where the man replies promptly and has given you a peace of mind the other company clearly enjoy messing you around and wasting your time you should not be chasing up after them hun Hope you get your new e ring soon waiting fro mine to get repaired may be getting a new ring made up in palladium in the same design as my original ring as silver is not very strong and it broke in half on me :( ♥ X

I think u should still shop round too as there's still lots of other companies that would probably do this... I think u should defo get company 1 off ur mind,totally disrespectful and unprofessional...so not worth spending your money on, I'm very impatient so that would p me off after having to chase them up twice never mind five or six times.... The 2nd company sound very expensive and may have given u that price to stop u going to them because they don't want to do the work... Number 3 sounds the best and that he actually wants to do it x

Have you thought about getting your ring re-shanked?? Which is where you can have your stones set into another band will be cheaper than having new stones try the p£effect ring company this is a set I e they can provide with a CAD xxx

LittleKettle, InDreamland and RonynnH91 could you pop the link of where you got your rings done for me to have a look at as I like the sound of getting my ring reshanked and if its cheaper I wil get it done waiting for the ring company to get back to me with how much I need to pay for my ring I don't know if they have even fixed it yet as Im trying to be lean-ant as its Easter bank holiday may send them an Email on Tuesday as I hate being without my e ring and Wednesday will be 2 weeks without my ring :'( ♥ X

Just posted on your wall Lana xxx

Fingers crossed they can help you out. I cannot rate them highly enough they're amazing (their office location should give you a taste of how good they are but without the premium price tag) xx

Thought I'd update: found a company with great reviews, who have quoted £1.5-1.7k for the engagement ring, and £800-900 for the wedding band. I'm going today to see the cast of my engagement ring, and, if it's what I want, will be paying the deposit, then it's 'just' a matter of it all being put together and the diamonds being set, so all being well, I should have the rings in the next few weeks/month.

Praying it's right, really nervous now! Will update later on.