Shhh!

Now I am wondering. Am I better to buy a ring in the UK or Canada? Will it be cheaper somewhere? Better selection in either of the countries?

If any one knows of any good resources for sourcing a diamond let me know please

Oh im in Calgary by the way

http://www.costco.ca/Common/Category.aspx?cat=108&eCat=BCCA|108&lang=en-CA&whse=BCCA&topnav=

can't advise on the specifics of where to shop in Calgary, as I'm in TO, but you've really got two options wherever you are. One is to find a diamond merchant, select your stone/s, choose your setting, and have the ring made for you. Advantage is that you get exactly what you want at the price point you can afford (you can size up/down the stone if it's a solitaire, or choose a different combination of different stones/sizes if it's a compound setting). Disadvantage is that it takes a while to make up, so you need to plan in advance!

Your other option is to walk into a "regular" jewellery (sorry, jewelry) shop and just pick out one that you like. You'll probably need to get it sized - some places can do this while-you-wait, others will need a couple of days if they don't have a metalsmith on the premises. [just noticed while I've been typing this that YYZlover put up a link to Costco - don't knock it, I've heard really good things about their diamond jewellery!]

In either case, obviously, you'll need to know what size your intended's finger is. "Borrow" an existing ring for the purpose, is my advice.

With either option, you also have the possibility (it really depends on how much of a surprise it's going to be to your OH - and how sure you are that she'll say yes!!) to ask her first and then go and choose the ring together. She'll know how much it cost; on the other hand, you'll know she really likes it.

I did the last of these for engagement ring - we went shopping in Hatton Garden in London, where there is a huge selection and some very keenly competitive pricing. We found a ring we both liked and got the jeweller to size it for us in the time it took to go and have a cup of coffee. When I bought an eternity ring last year, I went to a diamond merchant in Toronto who made up a particular setting that I wanted in the size required, using stones that fell within my budget - well, nearly (you can't resize eternity rings because the diamonds go all the way round the band, so you mostly have to get them made to order unless you happen to find one that fits).

Thanks for the replies so far. I wasn't expecting to see costco there lol I don't think shed like it as much if it came from there. I guess its a bit taboo.

When getting a merchants help - are they pricey? Is the advantage of going to one that you can get the exact diamond you want, then go ahead and get the band?

I had my engagement ring made for me in Vancouver, it depends on what you want to pay and what design you want.

My ring turned out far chunkier than a ring from the UK would have been! And this is where you have to make the decision knowing your OH, I don't actually like my ring but I'm a bit stuck with it! And this is despite me being there, bit of a long story!

I don't know much about Canadian jewellers but Birks looks to be the nicest chain I've seen. I think there's a forum connection, maybe the relevant person can get you a discount?!

(re discounts - we've bought 2 pricey watches recently, 1 in v posh jeweller in Edinburgh, 1 in posh place in Troy, MI. Both times my OH has asked for a discount. Both times I've turned a shade of maroon and left the shop. Both times he's got the discount though )

well, it's going to be pricey wherever you go - but hopefully worth it

Advice is free - go talk to jewellers and to diamond merchants, see what they have to say, find somebody you'd be happy doing business with. One reason I spent a bit over the odds last time I went shopping for diamonds (last time - huh, makes it sound as though I do this regularly! Hope SWMBO isn't reading this and getting ideas...) is that the guy took the time with me. Others I spoke to treated the potential transaction as all in a day's work for them, even though it was a very significant expenditure for me and meant a great deal emotionally as well as financially!

The best thing you can do is educate yourself. Learn about how diamonds are graded. You can walk into a jewelry store and say "I want an engagement ring, what do you have?" Or, you can walk in and say "I'm looking for a stone .75 to 1.0 carats, no worse than F color, VS1 or VS2 clarity, ideal cut... do you have one?" The more you know, the stronger your position. Ask to look at the stone under a loupe or better yet, a jeweler's microscope. If they won't let you, go elsewhere. Beware of "sales" and "discounts". Fine diamonds are commodities and the market is global. If someone is offering a 70% discount, it's a sham (poor quality stone that was marked up unrealistically to begin with). Ask friends, family, co-workers in Calgary to suggest an independent jeweler (not a mall-based chain store). A real jeweler will be glad you've educated yourself and will try to help you find something you like.

I honestly dont know whether there is a price differental between the UK and Canada when it comes to diamonds. But, having recently bought a diamond eternity ring for my OH I can offer the following comments...

Expectations in terms of size seem to be higher in Canada. Many women seem to have huge rings comparred to the UK! Thats probably not what you want to hear I suspect it could be that size takes priority over quality of the diamond here - either that or people just typically spend more.

Jewelry stores here will carry a range of Canadian Arctic diamonds. They are generally very high quality (so tend to be more expensive) but they are mined from the North West Territories, laser inscribed to prove where they came from and their authenticity/grade is guarenteed by the Canadian Govt. I dont know whether these are available in the UK or not - perhaps they are - but if you liked the idea of buying a ring with a Canadian diamond rather than a diamond from just anywhere then you may be better buying here. Some info here... http://www.canadianarcticdiamond.com/

Colleague of mine had hers specially made at a jewellers on Mcleod Trail, junction with Glenmore, opposite side to Chinook - bloody monster of a thing, she said it was cheap in comparison, but what do I know...! Can't remember the name of it, something corny like the Jewelry Shop....

You could pay 4 million for a monster of a ring that your partner may never like or $100 dollars for something that in principle means a lifetime of happiness together....only you will know what is the right amount etc.

Good luck..

Cheers

Dobbie

Even more important IMO, is that if you buy a Canadian diamond you know for sure that you are not paying to support a blood thirsty war lord and his child army somewhere in Western Africa.

My pennies worth is: take OH and let her try them on. When we looked at engagement rings the cut I really wanted (cant remember now what that was) did not suit my finger at all and I ended up with a beautiful emerald cut diamond from the Millenium range at Goldsmiths, it was amazing how it suited my finger much better

Buying from Canada or UK depends on whether you are in Canada already (landed) or not. Why is so?

Because if you landed already and decide to buy a ring outside Canada, you may be liable to pay duties (taxes) at the Canadian port of entry. I went through similar experience and after much thoughts, we decided to buy the ring in Canada to save ourselves headaches and to benefit from the after-sale service in the Canadian branch of Tiffany & Co.

Of course if you are willing to pay taxes for a ring bought outside Canada, then that's another story.

We wanted to buy the ring either from Cartier or Tiffany & Co in CANADA. But they were no taxes to pay, We would have loved to buy it from USA because of more and better choices.


A good and serious website/forum about diamonds and jewellery in general is:

http://www.pricescope.com/

I find this site extremely helpful...

LP

If your going ring shopping in the Uk you must go to Hatton Gardens (London). The choice is staggering and you can haggle a little too.

What you could do is get a cheapy costume ring to propose with and then take her shopping for the real ring. That way you know she will be happy with it too. My hubby and I scoured tons of shops before we found the right one.

Congratulations by the way!