Buy Crikey: Take sting out of engagement bling

On Trade Me there were more than 300 engagement rings of which 46 were second-hand. Photo / John Borren

Guys, do you plan to propose to your loved one on Christmas Day? She, or he, might want a Kim Kardashian-style ring.

But you can get much better value for money if you head to Trade Me, or even The Warehouse, to buy fine jewellery. That's no joke.

The jewellery business is highly competitive. Specials abound from well-known names such as Michael Hill, Walker & Hall and Pascoes The Jewellers.

Thanks to Trade Me and high street stores such as Farmers and The Warehouse, the competition is even better. On Trade Me there were 26,000 listings for jewellery and watches this week, including more than 300 engagement rings of which 46 were second-hand.

Buyers should make sure second-hand jewellery has a guarantee of authenticity.

Auction No.673638808, which runs until Wednesday unless bought beforehand, is for a $10,400 ring (with one previous owner) and is being sold for $5000. That's a bargain and a half if you like the ring. The seller is also happy to meet the buyer at an Advanced Gem Laboratory office to prove the ring and valuation are authentic.

Some buyers might be superstitious about second-hand engagement rings, but they get far more bling for their buck that way.

Engagement rings have proved popular sellers at The Warehouse since it started hawking fine jewellery in recent years. I raised an eyebrow at that idea.

I'm told, however, that the Red Shed's fine jewellery counter is reaching a pool of people who otherwise couldn't afford such items. When I posed as a customer at the Birkenhead branch last weekend there were some great specials.

It's worth noting that all diamond jewellery at The Warehouse with an original price of $500 or more comes with an independent appraisal by the Advanced Gem Laboratory.

Farmers also stocks a nice range of jewellery from Pascoes The Jewellers.

Deals:

NZ-made half-carat solitaire set in 18ct gold, from Farmers, now $2299 (was $4599).

1ct diamond and 18ct gold solitaire ring $2399, save $2600, at The Warehouse.

Pandora charms from $1 reserve on Trade Me.