Getting Engaged? Your local jeweller's got you covered

Gold or silver? Diamond or gemstone? Princess, solitaire, or round brilliant? Antique or contemporary?

Everyone's ideal engagement ring is different. With so many cuts, mounts, and bands to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed when searching for your future fiancée's perfect ring.

While you might have an idea of the style they prefer, it can be quite tricky to nail down the kind of band, setting, and precious metal that will best suit their hand.

Luckily, there are people who have spent their entire working lives practising the art of jewellery making and ring selection. But how do you know who to trust with the most important jewellery purchase of your life?

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a jeweller:

• What's their service like? Choosing a ring can be equal parts exciting, exhausting, and nerve-wracking. You'll want expert advice from your jeweller, but you'll also need their patience, discretion, and reassurance. Seek out recommendations from people you know, get advice from locals, and pay attention to recent testimonials/reviews.
• What's their aftercare like? Great jewellers will do more than just sell you the ring. Ask yourself: do they offer an aftercare service, which would include things like routine cleanings? Does their refund policy seem reasonable? Would you be able to approach them for repairs in future?
• Are they local? Buying local for your engagement and eternity rings does more than just deepen your connection to the town you've made your home. Most local jewellers are small business owners who rely on your support to keep doing what they love. By purchasing with them, you're investing in your community. 
• Do they have an online presence? When making up your mind, It can be helpful to browse the websites/social media pages of jewellers in your area to get an idea of what they offer. You might not know what you or your partner want until you see it on screen! This comes with the added bonus that, due to the fact that they're local and have a physical store nearby, it's easier to go and inspect the ring that caught your eye in person.

And now, here are some recommendations from locals on where to find the best diamonds in town:

Keanes Jewellers

Keane’s Jewellers is a third generation family business, with stores in Cork, Limerick and Killarney. Established in 1948, Keanes is proud to be celebrating 70 years in business in 2018. In 1948 a young watchmaker named Patrick Keane started out repairing watches and clocks in a premises on Patrick’s Street in Cork. Two years later Patrick and his wife Eileen moved to a small shop on Oliver Plunkett Street. This was the start of the family business that has become synonymous with Cork over the last 70 years, offering outstanding craftsmanship, service and excellent customer care.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny Shop has been at the forefront of promoting the finest Irish craft and design for over 50 years and is home to Ireland’s largest collection of Irish designers. From fashion, knitwear and accessories, to handmade jewellery, dazzling crystal, art, hand-thrown pottery and a wide range of gifts, you can be sure to find some wonderfully designed products at Kilkenny! Choose from an array of top Irish designers such as Orla Kiely, Nicholas Mosse, Fee G, Caroline Kilkenny, Stephen Pearce, Waterford Crystal and John Rocha to name but a few, all internationally renowned for their talented creations and individual design flare.

Adams Jewellers

Adams have stores in both Killarney and in Manor West, Tralee specialising in diamond rings and stocking an array of Jewellery and watch brands to suit all tastes and pockets. Both stores are open 7 days a week with seasonal late opening in Killarney as well as late opening in Manor West on Thursday and Friday's. Their experienced staff look forward to giving you a warm and friendly service.

Seodoiri na Riochta

Based in the centre of Killarney town, Seodoiri Na Riochta is a family owned and well established retail jewellers, which offers their customers an honest and reliable service and caters to all of their jewellery requirements. Stephen and Angela Donnelly combined have over sixty years jewellery experience, working with prestigious jewellers in the United Kingdom and Ireland and offer warm and traditional values whilst serving the public.

Caragh Jewellers

Located on 11 Plunkett street Killarney, Caragh Jewellers stocks amazing silver and gold pieces and also a wonderful variety of unique antique pieces.