A guide to choosing the best engagement ring

So, you’ve finally met the right person and you’ve decided to propose… hardest part done right? Wrong. Finding the perfect engagement ring can be just as difficult as finding the perfect person.   There are so many choices, so many options and styles and the perfect ring doesn’t depend on your preference, but knowing what your special someone likes.  Choosing a ring that is completely not their style can have a detrimental impact on the proposal… after all, you want everything to be perfect.  We completely understand that, so we’ve put together this guide to help you to find a ring that is perfect for your loved one.

Choosing a diamond

Traditionally speaking, engagement rings are diamonds, they might have other stones with them, but the main stone, is typically a diamond.  But again, there are so many diamonds, all varying so much in price.  If you don’t know much about them you might not know what you’re looking for, or which one to choose.

The way diamonds are priced is according to the 4 C’s.

1. Cut
2. Colour
3. Clarity
4. Carat Weight

The better the 4 C’s, the higher priced the diamond.  Another thing to consider when looking at diamonds is the shape. Some are oval, some are pear shaped, others are square, and the shape does impact the overall style.  If you’re able to find out your partners preferred stone shape, this will make your job of finding the perfect ring much easier.

Choosing a metal

Once you know what kind of diamond shape you want and how much you are willing to spend, the next thing you should think about is the metal you’d like the ring band to be made from. Typically, engagement rings are made from one of three types of metal:

1. Platinum: this is the most expensive metal because it resists tarnishing. It is also the most expensive material to repair if it does get damaged.
2. White Gold: these have a silver-like appearance that matches well with other jewellery. Unfortunately, this colour will eventually wear off and need to be replaced.
3. Yellow Gold: available in 14-carat and 18-carat, this is the most popular colour engagement ring. This metal is easy to repair, which is good because over time it will start to show scratches and abrasions.

Choosing a setting

The setting of the stone really makes the style of the ring.  The preferred setting is a personal choice, it needs to reflect the personality of the person wearing the ring. There are endless options of standard settings, and even custom engagement ring settings.   Engagement ring settings:

1. Prong or Solitaire Setting: One of the most popular choices is a prong setting because this makes the centre stone look like it is hanging, it is more prominent, creating an attractive sparkle.
2. Tiffany Setting: a six-prong setting that maximises the light return on the diamond.
3. Bezel Setting: this setting encircles the entire diamond, holding it in place. This is one of the most durable settings as it holds the stone more securely.
4. Tension Setting: a setting that makes the ring look like it is being suspended between two sides of the shank.
5. Tension Style Setting: a setting that looks like the tension style mentioned above, but the stone is actually set into the band.
6. Channel Setting: a way of securing smaller diamonds (or stones) into the band of the ring, flush with the shank.
7. Pave Setting: small diamonds are closely set together so that the band is not visible.
8. Halo Settings: this is the placement of diamonds around the centre stone.
9. Cathedral Setting: arches of metal are used to hold the diamond in place.
10. Bar Setting: like the channel setting, except the stone is visible and exposed on two sides.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring

After you have made all of the above decisions it should be much easier to choose the perfect ring. You’ve narrowed down the search massively.  Of course, you will still have some choices to make, but this should be much easier now.  If you’re still unable to find the perfect ring, then why not have a custom ring made especially for your partner, using the decisions you’ve made above.

If you’re still unsure as to what you’d like, or if you’d like to take a look at a selection of rings to find the perfect one, then contact one of our expert team members now.