Surprising Your Partner in London? Here’s Where to Buy Your Engagement Rings

London is known as one of the world’s fashion capitals, home to some of the top fashion and jewellery brands. So, if you’ve decided to buy your engagement ring in London and to pop the question there, you’ve made a great decision! There are so many options available to you that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

London’s engagement ring scene is bustling, with many top retailers offering a variety of designs at reasonable prices.

Let’s take a look at what to consider when buying your engagement rings in London and some of the best shops to do that.

What’s Offered by London Jewellery Retailers?

1. Ready Made Rings

One of the first things to consider is whether you want your ring to be custom made or off the shelf. A ready made ring is quick and easy to purchase, often requiring just a couple of clicks on a website. Some jewellers give you more options to personalize your ready made ring, like the ability to choose the centre stone and metal. You may also be able to have engravings and other such elements added to the ring. However, it won’t be as unique as a bespoke ring.

1. Bespoke Engagement Rings

Many London engagement ring retailers offer bespoke services, with some designers focusing only on custom made designs. The benefit of a bespoke ring is that it’ll be truly unique, and you can personalize the ring in a number of ways by adding elements that are special to you and your partner. Think gemstones, engravings, and texture. However, bespoke rings take time to create and are more involved. You will need to meet with the designers, in person or virtually, and go over your requirements. For some, this takes much too long. If you’re short on time, a ready made ring is your best option.

2. Sustainable Options

Some jewellery retailers focus completely on sustainable materials, which is a big part of their identity. For example, they may use only recycled gold, platinum and silver, lab-created diamonds and moissanite, or synthetic gemstones.

With the shift towards sustainable choices, many customers are looking for more ethical options when it comes to an engagement ring, seeing it as a representation of their values. If this sounds like you, London has many jewellery designers that offer just that.

3. After Sales Policies 

Every store is different, but we’ve found that most jewellery retailers offer competitive pricing and excellent after sales policies. For example, some retailers offer a 90 day returns policy, no questions asked, free consultations, interest-free finance options or free insured international delivery. Having these options can make all the difference as to which shop you choose.

Where to Buy Engagement Rings in London

The choices of where to buy engagement rings in London are endless, but we’ve narrowed down some of the top stores, focusing on what they offer:

 

1. Taylor and Hart: One of the most popular jewellery stores in London, Taylor and Hart now have an international presence as well. The store is popular for their bespoke services and unique designs. They even ship overseas, so you don’t have to be in London to make use of their services. With competitive prices and excellent after sales services, Taylor and Hart is your best bet for a personalised option.
2. Reve Diamonds: With a large natural, coloured and lab-grown diamonds inventory, Reve offers ethically sourced diamonds at reasonable prices. You can browse their products via their site or visit them on-site. With competitive after-sales policies and a great customer service team, Reve is deal for bespoke or ready made jewellery designs.
3. EC One: This retailer is an excellent option for creating unique and beautiful jewellery designs. The company is committed to ethically sourced gold and conflict free diamonds. Their engagement ring collections feature stylish designs and are all created on site at their workshop.

Lewis Malka: For one of the most personalized services, Lewis Malka is your best bet. The owner, Lewis Malka, 

1. creates most of the engagement rings personally, but today the growing business has a large team. The bespoke ring creation process is transparent and there are no hidden surprises. The company is known for its professionalism and dedication to the craft of jewellery making.
2. Ingle & Rhode: Whether you want to shop online or in store, Ingle & Rhode have made it easy to do. They don’t have an open store front, though, so you will have to book an appointment prior to dropping by. The company has an excellent collection of ready made rings on offer, but if you’re after a bespoke ring, they do those too. Overall, the prices are reasonable and customers enjoy the personalized service they receive here.

 

Some Tips to Consider

Whether you’re visiting London or living there, the following tips can help you plan the perfect proposal to surprise your other half.

1.   Plan Ahead

We can’t stress this enough. Plan ahead to avoid running short of time. This is especially the case if you’re after a bespoke engagement ring. Leave enough time to contact the jewellers and make changes to the ring if required.

2.   Share the Moment

While we’re all for surprising your other half, you might also want to consider sharing the planning process with them. Some couples visit engagement ring retailers together and look at possible ring options, so that both parties are on the same page. However, the proposal can still be a surprise.

3.   Choose Your Spot

London is full of stunning locations, laden with history, culture and romance. Choosing where to pop the question can be difficult, with so many options on offer. If you both are after a historical look, proposing with the backdrop of Big Ben and Parliament Houses is always a nice touch. Alternatively, consider more unique places like the hometown of her favourite poet/writer (think Stratford Upon Avon for a Shakespeare lover).

 

1. Make It Memorable

Any proposal is always going to be memorable, but a proposal in London is even more special. At least, we think so! Thoughtful touches, like having someone record the proposal, will go to make it even more memorable and be something you both will never forget.

 

Wrapping Up

There you have it, our guide on how to choose your engagement ring retailer in London, where to buy your engagement ring and how to make that proposal one you never forget! With London as your place of choice,  you’ve got a lot going for you. After all, as someone once said, A bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else!