After 8 years of saying we are engaged we decided to make it offical and went to Chandra's opposite the Dona Alcina.

I chose an 18kt gold and diamond ring that needed to be re-sized. When we went back to collect it there were marks on one of the diamonds which the guy said was from polishing. He said they would re polish it and to go back in 1 hr.

When we went back there were gouges and pits on 3 of the diamonds which he denied at first. I could see them with the naked eye and didn't need an eye-glass. We were really disappointed. He said he would make a brand new ring for me - he didn't want to remove the stones as they were channel set.

We went back a few days later to collect the ring and it is absolutely stunning. The craftmanship is excellent, and he put slightly bigger diamonds in at no extra charge. We are so pleased with it, and thank you for the recommendations. We were suspicious at first, but he really came through.

Although we didn't spend thousands of pounds on the ring, he made us feel like it was as important to him as it was to us and it made the hoiliday even more special.