How to Buy an Engagement Ring in the Jewellery Quarter (Without Spiralling)

When I moved to Birmingham in 2024, the plan was simple. Rent for a year. Then buy somewhere sensible.

Reader, I made the mistake of living in the Jewellery Quarter.

I’m not leaving any time soon.

As someone who works in weddings, it’s kind of ridiculous in the best way. People say there are over 400 jewellery businesses here. I don’t know the official number, but I do know I walk past more diamonds on the way to Greggs than feels strictly necessary.

I never got that in Lewisham.

So because I spend a lot of my time talking to people who’ve just got engaged, I thought I’d do something useful. I sat down with Hana, an engagement ring specialist at Astella here in the Jewellery Quarter, and asked her what she wishes people knew before buying a ring.

If you’re feeling nervous about it, this is for you.

“I love being an engagement ring specialist”

One of the first things Hana said really stuck with me.

“What I love about being an engagement ring specialist is you really get to see people at one of the happiest moments in their life. People are coming in buying a ring that’s going to be with them for their whole relationship.”

It’s hopeful. It’s exciting.

And it’s also a bit overwhelming.

She told me that quite a lot of people come in on their own.

“Sometimes you get people coming in by themselves and they might be nervous because they’ve obviously never done this before. Being able to take people from start to finish on that process is really nice.”

I remember buying an engagement ring solo. I was absolutely bricking it. Having someone calm and kind on the other side of the counter makes a huge difference.

“You’re not supposed to be an expert in engagement rings – don’t be intimidated”

I asked her directly about that feeling. The feeling of walking into a jeweller and being slightly overwhelmed by the shiny floors. And the fact you have to actually TALK to someone about your love life.

“I think it can be intimidating for some people if you’ve never done it before. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s going to be really friendly. It’s important to us that you get the ring that you want.”

That’s the bit I like. Just pluck up the courage to talk about your partner. It’ll be fine!

“I like to get to know them really well. What they’re looking for, what their partner’s like, what styles they might love. Whether they’re familiar with rings, diamonds, gold or not, we can meet everybody where they’re at.”

You don’t have to know the terminology or act like you’re an expert in bling. Just turn up, act as nervous as hell, and your jeweller will make sure you’re as right as rain.

Engagement ring budget advice

We talked about budget, because that’s usually the elephant in the room.

“There’s this idea that you have to spend a certain amount,” Hana said. “That’s definitely not true. It’s mostly about what you’re comfortable with, what you’re able to spend, and what you want to spend.”

As with most thing-weddings, it’s so tempting to bow to expectations. I should be doing this. I’m not doing it right, if I don’t do it in this specific way.

As ever on this site – the golden rule is “fuck that, you do you, bab!”

“If you tell us what you’re looking to spend, we can always work within that and find something that keeps well within your budget.”

You cannot mess this up. It’s your ring. Your money. Your decision. 

Advice if you’re surprising someone with an engagement ring

If you’re planning a surprise proposal (like I was), the pressure can ramp up quickly.

Hana’s advice was reassuringly straightforward.

“If you’ve got any kind of information as a starting point, that’s good. Look at whether your partner wears yellow gold or white gold. That’s a really good place to start.”

And if you’re really not sure?

“We can always give you something that’s a timeless classic option that you can’t go wrong with.”

You’re not supposed to know everything. That’s why you’re talking to someone who does this every day.

If you’re really worried about ring shopping on your own, then a proposal ring might be a good idea. These are affordable options, great for surprise proposals – meaning you can do the fun stuff as a couple!

“FFS take the hint!”

I asked her what people get wrong.

She thought for a moment, then smiled, having obviously seen this before.

“If your partner’s given you a hint or an idea of what kind of ring they’re looking for, stick closely to that.”

Yes, I know I said you cannot mess this up – but you know your partner. You’re going to make them very happy no matter what, but keeping an eye on this can turn a great proposal into an epic one.

“Match the engagement ring to the person”

This was my favourite part of the conversation.

“It’s more important to match the ring to the person than the person to the ring.”

That applies to everything wedding-related, honestly.

“If they’re a statement person, maybe they want more bling. If they’re more understated, keep that tone in the ring.”

It should feel like them. Bling’s great, but not for everyone. Match the person to the ring – it’s going to be on the finger for a very long time.

“Don’t leave it till the last minute, Paul!”

We also talked about timelines, because I naively assumed you could just walk in and walk out. Turns out ring shopping isn’t like shoe shopping. You can’t just see something on the shelf, get it in your size and walk out.

“If you’re getting something more complex or custom-made, it can take between four and six weeks.”

And then she looked at me and said, laughing, “Don’t leave it till the last minute, Paul!”

So yes. Give yourself time. This ain’t Clarks.

Buying engagement rings as an LGBTQ+ Couple

Being queer often means you have to explain yourself and your relationship every single day.

So buying an engagement ring can be on the list of conversations that could get awkward.

Hana gets that.

“You might be looking for something slightly different as a gay couple than as a straight couple. Getting someone who wants to get to know you as a couple is what’s most important.”

You deserve to feel completely comfortable. Not like you’re explaining yourselves or like you’re a novelty. It comes back to the point about matching rings to people.

Inclusive by design should just be how it works.

“Natural vs lab. Same cake, different oven”

I was about to finish up, when Hana reminded me I hadn’t asked one of my questions. ‘Definitely ask about the lab-grown thing. It comes up all the time!’ 

Okay then. Lab-grown vs natural. Bring it.

“Chemically and physically, they’re identical. You’d never be able to look at a lab and a natural diamond and see any difference.”

Then she gave me my favourite analogy of the day.

“It’s the same ingredients, it’s the same cake. It’s just made in a different oven.”

Diamonds are cake. Officially.

Why the Jewellery Quarter for your engagement rings?

One of the big advantages here is how local everything is.

“Everything is made in-house. All of our workshops are within a ten-minute radius.”

That closeness matters.

“You keep your prices low and you keep your quality high.”

It’s practical. It’s skilled. It’s all right here. Astella knows this – they have two branches here, nestled within all the expertise this place has to offer.

And if you happen to be down in the Jewellery Quarter looking at rings, and you’ve got wedding planning on the brain, it’s the perfect time to chat photos.

When you buy your rings, book your photographer.

Book in a chat using this link, or visit my contact page and I’ll buy you one of the biggest cakes I can find. Or perhaps an egg coffee. 

You just have to walk past hundred of diamonds to get to the coffee shop. You don’t get that in Lewisham.