Buying an engagement ring

[greenkeeper96]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy an engagement ring for my Indonesian girlfriend, soon to be fiancee.

From my experience working and living here (1 year now) I am hesitant to buy a diamond ring in Indonesia without getting some advice on what jewelers here can be trusted and or who certify IGA or equivalent.

I will be spending a decent penny so was considering going to Singapore if no-one could recommend a reputable place in either Surabaya or Jakarta to make some inquiries.

Thanks for your time, this is my first post but this site is a great source of information for us newbies.

P.S. I already have discussed and drafted a pre-nup with a trusted notarus.

[Gratilla]

IMO, an engagement ring is rather quaint, but a very poor investment. The mark-up on jewelry, especially gemstones, is astronomical. If you've done a prenup, you obviously have your head screwed on the right way (and are keeping the hormones under control).

I would suggest a washing machine. This shows that you're serious about her moving in and gives years of useful service. Particularly useful when the (non-disposable) diapers will need taking care of.

<Did I say IMO?>

<BTW, this is one of my more serious posts.>

[greenkeeper96]

Agreed Gratilla but given marriage seems to end up a poor investment itself (I think I talk to many expats in bars) a marked up ring with bugger all resale makes perfect sense to me.

As for a washing machine, why buy another one, the ring gets me one doesn't it :-)

[Alia]

First, congratulations on the engagement that soon to be on the way. Very romantic question you have there. She's lucky lady.

Maybe its just me, but I dont think I need to go to Singapore or other country to look for an engagement ring. Unless if the trip there also need to be done for other purpose. If you are in Surabaya, many high class reputable jewelery stores in big malls that offer varies of them. Designs and quality and customized of diamonds rings ranged in price. Try Sion Jewelery in Tunjungan Plaza. Or those in Galaxy Mall. And couple months ago, in Community Event channel, someone has post something about Jewelry Fair in Surabaya, held in Shangri La. I'm sure he has some contacts of reputable alternatives options for you. Have a look.

Good luck, Greenkeeper.

[Danny Dangler]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy an engagement ring for my Indonesian girlfriend, soon to be fiancee.

From my experience working and living here (1 year now) I am hesitant to buy a diamond ring in Indonesia without getting some advice on what jewelers here can be trusted and or who certify IGA or equivalent.

I will be spending a decent penny so was considering going to Singapore if no-one could recommend a reputable place in either Surabaya or Jakarta to make some inquiries.

Thanks for your time, this is my first post but this site is a great source of information for us newbies.

P.S. I already have discussed and drafted a pre-nup with a trusted notarus.

I would be hesitant about buying jewellery in Singapore, that's one place that really knows how to rip you off big-time.

[stt_cibubur]

Going to Singapore to buy Engagement ring? Are You joking???...Plenty of Diamond shops in Jakarta....every big malls ( Kelapa gading, Senci, PS, GI, Plaza Indonesia, PIM), there is always at least 1 good diamond shop...for good Grade, Colour and clarity you can go to Benteng shop...I bought most of my blink blink from Kelapa Gading Mall ( Myer and Metro jewellery). There is a shop in Plaza Indonesia 1st floor near entrance to Grand Hyatt, not far from Hermes shop..I am sure you can find precious stone there..be ready to spend up.

[exiledgooner]

why buy an engagement ring at all? just helps the jewellry industry, there's no reason why you should just because 'everyone else' does

i never bought the missus one and she seems happy enough... never bought a washing machine either come to that

[K&M]

I agree that new does not represent the best value.
I was looking at something for the wife recently and second hand is much better value if you are careful.
A new 1ct diamond reasonable grade would be about 10kUSD, second hand 5kUSD
If you are looking at designer rings I recently looked at a bulgari second hand 1750 USD, in their shop for the same brand/style new 9800
Another option is to buy just the stone and have the ring made to your own design, that can also save you money, and is a nice personalised touch
there are good shops in jakarta but to get the best you need to understand teh 4 C's ( research the web)

[Gratilla]

Do I give the impression that I'm rather cynical (and unromantic) about engagement rings?

Good.

De Beers has done an absolutely marvelous (and professional) PR job of boosting the market price of crystallized carbon; telling us how many months/years of salary equivalent we should spend on a diamond engagement ring. They also store vast amounts of diamonds in their vaults to keep them out of the supply chain and keep the primary market unrealistically high. I wouldn't be surprised if they were also major lobbyists against blood diamonds to cynically keep these off the market too.

If you think about it, the diamond trade is probably a close second only to religion in producing high levels of corruption, hypocrisy, bloodshed and war. Hardly very romantic that, now is it.

Again, just my humble opinion.

[beebop]

Haha, if i wanted, i could get very rich off indonesian jewelers. My wifes engagement ring which i bought in south africa has a rather large tanzanite and is worth only $500 but one day a jeweler spotted the ring, had a look at it under a magnifying glass and offered us rp20jt for it!! He said it was a saphire lol. Every so often when we pass some jewelry stores we check what they have to say. The answer is 50% of the time saphire and some say they cant figure it out. None have identified it yet as tanzanite which makes sense since it is exclusively only found in africa.