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Tip Store: Weddings: The Rings

​Every Ring Has a Story

After announcing our engagement, I was determined to have something beautiful that didn't send us into a black hole financially. My Grandmother left me and my twin sister two rings and a pendant when she passed - and on announcing our engagement my sister asked me if I wanted to take Nan's ring - which was also Nan and Great Gran's engagement ring. It was a ruby with two tiny diamonds. Other family members all offered help by donating old gold 9 carat cheap chain store jewellery that was no longer worn - end result - a stunning antique set ring (ruby surrounded by tiny diamonds) - a tasteful and exquisite design that gets many comments and cost between $2000 and $4000 less than expected. By not having a diamond as the feature stone, we saved thousands. Plus, we already had the ruby, more savings. We also received a $700 gold credit from all of the old bling! All up it cost me $2000 -my bridesmaids were amazed when I told them! I love that my ring has a story, and every time I look at it, I think of my Nan and how happy she would be that she is sharing in such a special time of my life. You don't have to be wealthy to have an heirloom - I hope that one day my grandchildren or great grandchildren will get the same joy out of being a cheapskate!
​- Contributed by Debbie, Derby, 3rd December 2009

​The Perfect Ring at a Perfect Price

My partner and I recently got engaged, which meant looking for a ring we both were happy with and within a small budget. I'd decided not to get a diamond as there are so many other lovely stones. There are a large number of jewellery stores in town so we found one we liked - the store already had a sale on ready made rings so we found a style we liked, had the stone changed, and the ring resized. As it was for an engagement ring, the store gave us an extra discount! Happy ending - we got a ring we both absolutely love for $280!!!! Much cheaper to fiddle around with a ready made ring rather than have one made from scracth!
​- Contributed by Kelli, Horsham, 19th August 2008

​Waiting for the Perfect Ring

We used a jeweller in Ivanhoe (suburb of Melbourne) and my ring gets commented on ALL the time. It is set with an African ruby (as dark as dark) and two beautiful white diamonds from Israel, and she went to SO much trouble to ensure it was what we wanted. Admittedly, we had some time up our sleeve, and waited for the right stones to become available - but I would have no hesitation in recommending her services at all. She has made up rings already there, in classic and more unusual styles. Her name is Lisa, and the store is L T Goldsmith, 35 Ivanhoe Pde Ivanhoe VIC 3079 ph: (03) 9499 7799. Hope this helps someone.
​- Contributed by Catherine, Bet Bet, 17th October 2005

​Beautiful Diamond Rings Online at a Fraction of the Price

If you want cheap diamond rings without having to get them set, then check out Gillets online - this is where I've ordered my wedding ring: http://gilletts.com.au/index.php?cPath=1 Also, my fiancé wanted a titanium wedding ring for himself, and we found a good store on eBay that has a money back guarantee and has almost 100% positive feedback (and the negative ones were from people who didn't use their return policy). http://stores.ebay.com.au/Iverson-Products_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm He can get a titanium ring with some nice grooves in it (for added features) delivered to Australia (it is a US shop) for under $80AU. These rings normally sell in Australia for around $1000. Not a bad saving.
- Contributed by Melissa, 4th October 2005
Websites: http://gilletts.com.au/index.php?cPath=1
​http://stores.ebay.com.au/Iverson-Products_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

​The Perfect Diamond at Wholesale Price

We went through a diamond wholesaler, and I never want to purchase retail again. If you're in Sydney, the one we used is Gem Gallery in World Tower. The guy who runs the place exhibits diamonds in Asia, then sells them off here. Because the diamonds are ex-exhibition they're beautiful quality but a lot less expensive than in the stores. When we went, we were given a brief lesson on diamonds before we were shown the stones within our price range. The owner then sends the stone away to be set, so you have to know what setting you want. They're also known as 'A Diamond Wholesaler'. Run by S. Kim, office tel. 9283 6885, direct tel. 9283 7988. Suite 1307, World Tower. They take about 2 weeks to make, depending on what you want. Mine took about 10 days. It's a lot easier if you know what you want before you go in - from the $ to the style. I'm completely happy with my ring: it's nothing like I've seen in a store, and I paid a considerably cheaper price for a better quality stone!
​- Contributed by Emily, 29th September 2005

​Buying Your Own Diamonds Can Save Thousands

We saw a wedding ring that was about $9000 which we liked. The diamond in it was shocking though - you could see the inclusions with your naked eye. So we bought our diamond from the diamond exchange (www.diamondexchange.com.au) and had the ring made up. Diamond exchange people were very helpful - we went and saw them in the city and they showed us diamonds and explained the differences between them. The total cost (diamond + ring) was about $4500 - we got a much better diamond and saved heaps.
​- Contributed by Danial, Glebe, March 2nd 2005