You may have found your dream bride, but you’ll have to pick out the perfect engagement ring to make the wedding a reality. Popping the question is a monumental occasion for all involved, but getting the ring right can be stressful when you aren’t sure where to start. From the shape of the diamond to the band, there’s plenty to think about before you head to the jewellers. Kick off your romantic search the right way by following our five steps to choosing an engagement ring she’ll truly love.
1. Personal style
It may be tempting to just buy the biggest diamond you can afford, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. There’s no point buying an extravagant ring if your partner never normally wears jewellery, nor is there much thought in buying a dainty band for someone who prefers lots of bling.
Pay attention to what your other half wears in their everyday life. They’ll soon have to factor a ring into these outfits, so try to avoid choosing a ring that clashes with jewellery they already wear regularly. If they wear silver jewellery, opt for a platinum or white gold band so they can easily incorporate it into their everyday style.
As well as looking at what they wear, think about their personality and how the ring will represent them. An engagement ring is often thought of as a reflection of the wearer, as well as a symbol of eternal love. Someone who loves all things vintage, for example, won’t want a heart shaped ring but would probably adore an emerald cut.
2. Cut
Once you have an idea of your bride-to-be’s style, you’ll find it much easier to pick out the perfect cut.
Most popular engagement ring shapes:
- Round: Classic circle style.
- Princess: Square shape with pointed corners.
- Cushion: Square or rectangular with rounded corners.
- Emerald: Slender square or rectangle shape.
- Pear: Shape is similar to a teardrop with a tapered end.
- Oval: Round oval shape with no pointed edges.
- Radiant: Rectangle or square with trimmed, rounded edging.
- Marquise: Elongated with a pointed top and bottom.
- Heart: Modern heart shape diamond.
If none of these immediately jump out at you, have a look at any current jewellery your partner wears and compare it to photos of these cuts. While you shouldn’t stick with the obvious and pick something exactly the same, it’ll give you an idea into what look she may prefer.
3. Style
It may surprise you, but the style of the ring is a completely different thing than the cut. The cut usually refers to the shape of the diamond itself, whereas the style is the setting or layout of the ring.
Styles of engagement ring:
- Halo: Typically a main diamond framed by a series of smaller stones. Look at the examples of this ring style on Diamond’s Factory.
- Solitaire: A setting using prongs to hold a single stone.
- Side stone: Usually has a centre stone with smaller ones encapsulated in the band surrounding it.
- Trilogy: A ring consisting of three stones, often thought to represent a couple’s past, present and future.
- Bridal set: Matching engagement rings and wedding bands that fit together perfectly.
- Contemporary: Unique designs usually featuring entwined bands.
- Cluster: A series of smaller stones that look like one bigger one.
Have a look at your chosen cut and see how it works using the above styles. You can get a visual of how the choices look together by heading into a shop. You’ll be able to browse a bigger selection without the pressure of buying a ring on the spot.
The style you go for can completely change how you view the cut, too. You may find that you prefer a different cut with your chosen style, which is why it’s so important to see all of your options look together before putting in an order.
4. Band
When it comes to the band, there are a few options available. You can typically choose between white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum, each bring a different character to the ring.
Platinum and white gold are quite similar in appearance, but they couldn’t be more different. From the weight of the band to the creation of the metal itself, there are many pros and cons of both types of metal. It’s worth noting that platinum is more expensive, mainly due to the fact that it is a purer metal, whereas white gold is a mixture of yellow gold and alloys like nickel. The ring is then dipped in palladium to give it a shiny, even coating that will need to be refreshed every few years.
Alternatively, yellow gold is another classic option that is often paired with a matching wedding band. Known for exuding a classic but luxurious look, yellow gold is a great choice for those who want to stick with a more traditional ring.
If you want to pick up a more modern style, consider choosing a rose gold band. Romantic and feminine with a delicate pink hue, rose gold has become incredibly fashionable in the last few years.
5. Ring size
So you’ve found the perfect band to go with your chosen cut and style, it’s time to put in your order. There’s only one thing stopping you now – the ring size.
Obviously, this can be difficult to determine when you’re keeping the engagement a secret, but there are a few ways of going about it.
- Bring a ring your partner wears into a jewellers, even if it isn’t one they wear on their ring finger. You should try and note which finger they do wear it on to get a more accurate reading.
- Trace the ring by placing it on a piece of paper and drawing around the inside of the ring.
- Ask family, friends or anyone else that may have purchased them a ring in the past if they know the size.
- Ask friends to take them for a ring fitting under false pretences, such as buying a gift for someone else – a little white lie won’t hurt in these circumstances.
If you really can’t figure out an accurate size, always go one bigger. It’s a lot easier to get a ring resized if it’s too big, although you should be able to get an accurate size using one of the above methods.
Follow these five steps and choose a ring she’ll love forever more and enjoy that exciting, newly engaged feeling before the real planning comes later for the actual wedding!