Jewellery Dilemma

[yambabe]

I have a ring, which I wear on my "wedding" finger. It's a very nice ring and has great sentimental value, bought for me by Himself many years ago with 3 stones in it to signify "today tomorrow and always" apparently. The stones are cubic zirconias and the whole thing was fairly cheap at the time because we were really skint but I love it anyway. There is a problem with it though. Because of the nature of the stones and because I wear it all the time the stones are actually visibly wearing away around the edges.

So we've talked about it and decided that as we are in a much better position financially now it is time to replace it with something "real". Ideally we'd both like the same design but it doesn't appear to be fashionable any more and so far we've not found one "off the shelf" although I have found a few similar designs (with the 3 stones to keep the meaning) that I quite like. This means we will be looking to either replace the cubic zirconias in the existing ring with diamonds or have one made to our own design by a specialist. Both of these options are going to prove expensive, particularly the bespoke option. Not necessarily prohibitively so, but more than we really wanted to spend, BUT......

.......Himself reckons we should look on it as an investment opportunity as whatever we pay out it will more than likely hold or increase its value in the future. I'm not so sure if this is true though. How do diamonds (cut) perform as an investment item? I haven't got a clue!

My other worry is that if we replace the stones in my current ring and then at some time in the future we need the cash and I have to sell it I'd be left with no ring at all.

Sooooo, what do you reckon? Keep looking in the hope that we find something close enough to satisfy both of us? Replace the stones in the current ring and hope that I never need the cash even if it is an investment? Or spend more than we really wanted to on having a bespoke one made so I have 2 that are practically identical except for the price?

It hasn't turned into an argument yet, but it's definitely heading that way. He prefers option 2. For various reasons I want to keep my worn-out, cheap little ring cos of what it means to me so that is my least favourite option.

Am beginning to wish the subject had never come up in the first place........
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[XR125]

Diamond prices fluxuate every year, it depends how many are released from the mines.

Mines only release a certain amount of diamonds each year so they keep their value and there is competition in the market.

I'm not sure if they're releasing less each year but depending on the year it will be worth a different price, but it will also depend on the price of gold for the ring if it was to be sold or whatever as a piece.

Gold is valued in the same way as diamonds.

Out of curiosity, would you ever consider selling your wedding ring? Would it really matter about the market value of diamonds?

[colin1]

i think keep it and let it wear

its a reminder as to how long your love has lasted

if you want to celebrate how things have lasted with a purchase, im sure there is something else you could get

maybe a nice weekend away or something

if you do get some custom made jewellery, go to the jewellery quarter in birmingham and you will save a lot over other places elsewhere
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Itchy]

You can't really invest in gold/diamonds in the UK , not like in other places , in Taiwan/HK/China/Mid East

in that the only way you can really turn them into cash is to sell them or pawn them at a pawn shop who
will give you an insulting price, or through specialist dealers who will gvie you an even more insulting price
I personally missed the 2002 gold rush when gold per ox was $255 , and then shot to $675 in 2005, namely
as I was in the UK at the time.

wheras the above places will have shops that will smelt your gold for you , shine lights through diamonds
to value them and give you a fair price for them.

Maybe you should just get your current ring coated in titianium (which can be made transparent , just look
at the screen on an NR750) , or another hard substance,
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Itchy]

well alternatives I'm sure a new fireblade parked outside for you would go down a treat!
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Annabella]

A bespoke ring may not be as expensive as you think.

My Mum's wedding ring is an individual design, hand cut from Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. It was made by a student rather than a 'master'.

It may be worth a visit, even it's just to get some ideas


I think the three stones are a really lovely idea - very romantic
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[Paivi]

I'd think it wouldn't be worth your while to replace the stones in your ring with the real thing. The diamonds that us mere mortals have in our rings etc do not tend to appreciate. Keep your original, perhaps replacing the stones with cubic zirconia again, and buy a new one.

Check your local Goldsmiths' Company college and put an ad on their noticeboard, as often students do commissions at a very low rate. This can be an inexpensive way of getting the design of your choice.

https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/supportforthecraft/techportal_results/tech_cat.php?choice=4