How to Choose an Engagement Ring: A Straightforward Guide
Choosing an engagement ring feels like a big decision because it is one. It is probably the most personal piece of jewellery you will ever buy, and most people are doing it for the first time with no practice run. The good news is that it comes down to a handful of decisions, taken in a sensible order. Here is how we walk people through it in our Bristol showroom.
Start with the setting, not the stone
The setting is the architecture of the ring, and it does more to define the look than almost anything else. Four styles cover most of what you will see.
- Solitaire. One diamond, held on a plain band. Clean, classic and a favourite for good reason. It puts all the attention, and all the budget, on a single stone.
- Side stone. A centre diamond with smaller stones set along the shoulders of the band. It adds width and sparkle without changing the overall shape.
- Trilogy. A centre diamond flanked by two others, also called a three stone ring and often read as past, present and future. It spreads sparkle across the finger and can make a modest centre stone feel far more substantial.
- Pavé. Tiny diamonds set closely along the band so the metal itself appears to glitter. Delicate, detailed and lovely in low light.
Once the setting is decided, you can choose the diamond shape, then the metal. Working in that order stops the options feeling endless.
How to work out their taste without asking
Many proposals are still a surprise, so a little quiet research goes a long way. Start with the jewellery they already wear. Is it yellow gold or white metal? Chunky or fine? Modern or vintage? Borrow the eyes of a sister, brother or best friend. They usually know exactly what your partner has admired. Check whether your partner has ever saved rings on Pinterest or Instagram, because people rarely hide their taste there. And listen when a friend gets engaged. The passing comments about someone else's ring are the most honest reviews you will ever hear.
Our ring size guide explains how to find the size without giving the game away.
Be honest about budget
Forget the old line about spending three months' salary. It started life as diamond advertising, not as a tradition. The right budget is the one you are comfortable with, and a well-chosen stone in a well-made setting will look wonderful at almost any price point. Because we have no high street shop to pay for, the same budget simply goes further.
Our honest guide to engagement ring costs explains what drives the price and how to set a budget. If you want to understand where the money goes in the diamond itself, our plain-English guide to the 4Cs explains which qualities are worth paying for and which are not.
Allow time if you want bespoke
A ready-to-wear ring can be on your finger quickly, but a bespoke ring is designed with you, then cast, set and finished by skilled goldsmiths, and good work takes time. Rings usually take 2 to 4 weeks to make once the design is approved, so ask for a date at the start, and allow longer if you want an unusual stone sourced. If you have a proposal date in mind, start earlier than feels necessary. A ring that is ready ahead of schedule takes a lot of pressure off.
Trust your instinct
After all the research, many people find the decision settles itself. You will see a design and simply know it is the one. Our job is to get you to that moment with honest advice, a clear quote and no pressure.
Ready to start? Design the ring from scratch with our bespoke ring builder. Choose the shape, setting and metal, and we will have it made for you.