Goldsmiths, UK: The Best in Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, Loose Diamonds and Watches, Gold, Silver (2024)

FAQs

How much should you spend on an engagement ring in the UK? ›

How much should you spend on an engagement ring? According to the classic engagement ring cost rule, you should spend three months' salary on an engagement ring for your loved one – after all, they'll be wearing that ring for the rest of their life.

For example, gold has a harder tensile strength than silver, meaning it will scratch less and is much harder to bend out of shape. The added strength of gold makes it an exceptional choice for wedding rings and other pieces that you will wear every day.

Goldsmiths are also proud to stock ethical and conflict-free diamonds and gold from around the world.

Engagement rings and wedding rings are usually worn all the time, so silver being a softer, malleable metal it will quickly show signs of wear and is prone to bending out of shape quite easily.

What is the average ring size for women? The average engagement ring size in the UK is M.

In English law, there's a presumption that giving an engagement ring is a gift, so the recipient should keep it. However, that presumption is rebuttable if there's proof that giving the ring was a condition in expectation of marriage. So, if the couple don't subsequently marry, the recipient should return the ring.

White gold can enhance the appearance of diamonds in several ways. Its silvery-white colour can make diamonds look brighter and more brilliant. Additionally, white gold can contrast the diamond and the metal, drawing attention to the stone and making it stand out.

18K gold is the highest standard for most gold fine jewelry, as higher karat gold is too soft for most everyday wear. 14K is a legitimate option as well for engagement rings as it features good purity and even better hardness and scratch resistance than 18K gold.

High-grade colourless diamonds look stunning in white gold or platinum engagement rings, as any colour in the diamond will be more noticeable. A yellow gold setting can also reflect back yellow colour into a white stone. On the flip side a slightly yellow tinted stone can look great with a yellow gold setting.

Goldsmiths' is renowned and respected globally because of its unique character and famous alumni who include Lucian Freud, Oscar-winning film director Steve McQueen, Mary Quant, Damien Hirst, and most former Turner Prize winners or nominees.

Do goldsmiths only work with gold? ›

A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals.

This means that diamond jewelry is often imitated and sold as a real diamond. If you have been sold a fake diamond it is most likely to be CZ (Cubic Zirconia), an imitation created in a lab. While some choose to knowingly buy and sell CZ gems, others attempt to exploit the industry and sell them as real diamonds.

Delicate and dainty designs, for example, may be trendy, but they are more prone to breakage and warping over time. These designs often feature thin bands and small prongs, which can easily break off or wear down. On the other hand, overly traditional designs should also be avoided.

White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis. White gold's rhodium plating will wear away over time. You'll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its 'white' colour however, this is a simple process.

The short answer is yes, sterling silver is of good quality. It's a favorite for jewelers due to the signature color and strength of sterling silver vs silver.

Diamond finance – one of the most recommended options, this allows you to easily pay for your engagement ring over the course of 6 months, 12 months, 18 months or more – depending on the cost of the ring you buy.

The average cost of an engagement ring is about $5,500, according to The Knot's 2023 Jewelry and Engagement Study. That said, prices vary widely based on the source of the stone, cut, clarity, setting, whether the ring is custom-made or off the shelf, and the jeweler, says Grant.

Understanding the Average Costs

The national average cost of an engagement ring hovers around $5,000, but prices can vary significantly based on factors like the cut, carat, clarity, and setting of the diamond.

While engagement rings are a pricy investment, the usual cost tends to be below $10,000, with a national average of $6,000, according to The Knot's 2022 Jewelry and Engagement Study.