Buying a white gold ring in Florence?

All my rings are 18k gold and I have neve had a problem with them going out of shape. But then again, they are pretty thick. If you wre worried about the stones with 18k prongs, have the stones put in a bezel setting where there is gold all around the stone.

I agree with the last post. I think it's a great idea to buy your rings in Italy but Florence (with I'm sure some exceptions) shopping isn't cheap or easy. Leather is a popular purchase there. We browsed a few shops but didn't see any good deals. We weren't willing to commit the time required to find a good price.

FYI, a lot of the jewlery you can buy in Italy is 18 K. In the USA it is usually 14 K. I love 18 K, but it is softer and the rings I had bought changed shape as I was wearing them. I am not sure if it is my body chemistry of the 18 K. Also if you get stones, the 18 K prongs seem to get looser sooner so keep an eye on the prongs and get them tightened before you lose the stone. Good luck with your purchase and best wishes for you upcoming wedding and honeymoon. Don't forget they like to bargain in Italy. I myself could not recommend a store, but I am sure others on this site can.

I didn't buy my rings in Florence, but my husband and I got our white gold wedding rings five years ago here in Northern Italy and they cost 330 euros for the pair.
Just a word of advice, we had them engraved so it took a few weeks to get them back. Don't know how long it would take in Florence, try looking beyond the Ponte Vecchio though, I found it the opposite of romantic, it was a zoo!

My husband and I were in Florence a few years ago on our 2 year anniversary trip and he bought me a ring on the ponte vecchio. I am sure that I could have gotten a better price somewhere else, but every time I wear it I am reminded of memories of our trip and Florence. To me it is worth it. I found a ring that I liked at the first store that we went to, but it was more than I was wanting to pay. We went to another store down the street and I did not see anything I liked. The salesclerk at the second store told me to wait a minute and left the store. She returned with several other rings, including the one I had liked at the first store we went to. She gave me a slightly lower price than the first store. I think that a lot of the stores share merchandise and you may be able to shop around a bit. I would also be sure to get the paperwork to ge

Jenn, you've gotten some good advice from the previous posters. Here's my 2 cents. I would suggest that you and your fiance decide what you're willing to spend on a ring and then see if you can find one that you "can't live without" in Florence for that amount. If you can't find it on the Ponte Vecchio, shop around Florence, or better yet, do that before hitting the Ponte V, then you'll know if they have decent prices. (I thought they were inflated) My experience with 18K is that it is softer, so if it's a ring, it should probably be thicker and maybe wider so that it doesn't dent as much. Remember, you'll be wearing this ring for a LONG time. I've had mine for 33 years. At the VERY WORST, you and hubby come home and find a ring.Good luck, have fun, and Congratulations!

I bought earrings for my mom on Ponte vecchio. My italian cousins told me not to shop there because it was expensive. i found a modest looking place, and the price was reasonable to me. But, others are right too. It doesn't have to be ponte vechio. There are many fine jewlery shops all across Italy. Sometimes you'd be amazed that small non-descript shops have a nice selection. Walk in and ask to see simple white gold rings. They will bring them out. If it is not elaborate, then it should not be expensive. Good Luck!

I just realized that the rest of my post did not come out. Be sure to get the correct paperwork so that you can get the VAT back since that can save you ~18 or 19%. Have fun on your honeymoon.

And of course, the current exchange rate is going to KILL you if you buy in Italy. Best of luck.

Don't be a spoil sport Michael. This is ROMANCE. Absolute best wishes Jenn, to both of you.

My husband and I are in the jewelry business here in the states (we own a large indepentant retail store). May I please offer you advice on the subject since I know the industry very well. 1st. It is very romantic to purchase something there as even I have purchased and paid full retail even though I'm in the trade, however you need a little education. 18kt gold is great and not too soft for jewelry. The reason 18kt might have bent more than 14 wasn't because of the hardness issue but because it was made light weight. Think of it as pasta...a small piece of dried angel hair will snap much easier than a thick piece of bowtie...capisce?
Ponte Vecchio is crowded with tourist and caters to the tourists. It WILL be your most expensive place and buyer beware. Prices in Italy are NOT less expenive than in the states, not by a longshot. Buy something because you love it and it's a memory. Also, beware of white gold. Much of it isn't made well and will yellow very easily over time.

White gold is just alloyed to be white then Rhodium plated. Many manufacturers use a cheap alloy and when the rhodium wears off your ring will be light yellow color. Just be aware.
I have been to many of the gold manufacturing facilities in Vicenza (where most of it is made) and Arezzo and would love to help with a contact if you would like a name. Don't know for sure if I can find someone but I'm sure I can do my best for a reputable jeweler in the area.