The engagement ring is an enduring symbol of eternal love. Whether it's an engagement ring given before marriage or a promise ring worn as commitment to your relationship, choosing an engagement ring is a very special experience, but it can be very hard to pick one out! There are plenty of engagement rings on the market, all with beautiful designs for all tastes and prices to suit all pockets. However, perhaps it is this vast choice that makes the decision so difficult! Are you in doubt as to which engagement ring suits you or your partner best? In this article we will be guiding you through the steps to follow that will make choosing your engagement ring easier!
What Style of Engagement Ring Do You Want?
The first step to deciding which engagement or promise ring you want is of course quite simple. Choose a style or type of engagement ring that you like or have admired. Popular engagement ring styles include solitaire rings with no side stones, halo engagement rings or eternity style bands. Another classic choice is a three-stone ring often called a trilogy ring. The three stones are said to represent the past, the present and the future of a relationship. A good way of settling on an engagement ring you like is to search online for images of rings, or flick through jewellery and bridal and wedding magazines. Keep your eyes open when you are out and about, and look at what types of engagement rings other people are wearing, what catches your eye and whether you like the way the engagement ring looks on the finger. Remember, you will likely choose an engagement ring only once in your life and you may wear your engagement ring or promise ring on a daily basis, so choose carefully!
What Type of Engagement Ring Is Best?
One important thing you will have to think about when buying your engagement ring is whether you want a new engagement ring or a pre-owned engagement ring. There are beautiful antique, vintage and pre-owned rings out there that would make gorgeous engagement rings. An antique engagement ring can be lovely idea as there will be history attached to the ring that carries a certain mystery and romance with it. Vintage engagement rings such as Art Deco rings are very striking and unique in their design, and a pre-owned contemporary engagement ring can be a clever way to keep costs down. Antique, vintage and pre-owned engagement rings may not be for you though, and only a brand-new ring will feel right. You may only be happy with an engagement ring that nobody else has worn and that is a perfectly acceptable choice. You may wish to have your ring designed and made for you, but more about that later! Just remember, as long as you buy your engagement ring or promise ring from a trusted and reputable jeweller to be sure of its quality, your beautiful ring should last a lifetime and beyond.
Which Gemstone is Best for an Engagement Ring?
There are many gemstones available for you to consider when choosing an engagement ring. The most popular and classic choice is, yes you guessed it, diamond! Diamonds are the hardest gemstone known to man and measure 10 on the Mohs Scale making them a durable and wearable gemstone. This hardness makes diamonds perfect for engagement and promise rings that are likely to be worn every day. Other popular choices of gemstone for engagement rings are sapphires and rubies. Sapphire and ruby are precious gemstones that also measure high on the Mohs Scale. Durable and highly prized, not to mention sparkly, this ranks them right up there with diamonds as a great choice for your engagement or promise ring, and don't forget, sapphires aren't just blue! Sapphires are found in other shades including pink, yellow and orange. The fourth precious gemstone, emerald, is a very popular choice for an engagement ring, but just remember that emeralds are a slightly softer gemstone measuring 8 on the Mohs scale. Be careful when wearing emeralds as they can scratch and chip more easily than diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Further to the top four precious gemstones, there is a whole world of semi-precious gemstones to choose from that would look stunning set in an engagement ring. The world of engagement rings really is your oyster!
What Size Gemstone Should I Choose for My Engagement Ring?
Once you have chosen a style you want, it is worth considering the actual size of the gemstones. Typically, engagement rings with smaller designs will be better suited to petite finger sizes and engagement rings with bigger designs are more suitable for larger finger sizes. Also, if you are wearing your engagement ring every day you might not want a very large stone that could get in the way of basic activities. You don't want to be taking it off every five minutes and run the risk of losing your precious engagement ring!
What Cut of Gemstone Should I Choose for My Engagement Ring?
If you have settled on a precious or semi-precious gemstone for your engagement ring, you will have to decide on the cut of the gemstone. There are all sorts of shapes and cuts including round, oval, brilliant, emerald, cushion, pear, asscher and marquise to name but a few! Is your mind blown? Don't worry, it should be easy to narrow down the style of your engagement ring once you view the options for stone shapes. An important factor to remember when choosing an engagement or promise ring is how the ring will sit when worn alongside your wedding band, if you choose to wear one. Some engagement and wedding rings are specially shaped to nestle snugly next to each other on the finger, so you might want to consider choosing your wedding band and engagement ring at the same time. An eternity style band is a popular choice these days as an alternative to the traditional engagement ring. An eternity band can also double up as both a wedding and engagement ring. Or of course you may wish to add an eternity ring to your jewellery collection at a later date. More ring shopping in the future, what's not to love!
Which Style of Ring Looks Good as an Engagement Ring?
Another important aspect to consider when choosing an engagement ring is the engagement ring setting. There are several engagement ring settings to choose from, including prong or claw engagement rings, channel-set engagement rings, tension set, bezel set and so on. Look at online images or in magazines for engagement ring settings to see examples of all the different types of engagement ring settings available on the market! We warn you, there is a vast choice out there! Also consider the type of metal you want for your engagement ring. Popular choices include yellow gold, white gold or platinum. 18 carat gold is a good choice, but if you want to keep costs down slightly you can choose an engagement ring made in 9 carat or 14 carat gold. Consider what other jewellery you wear regularly and whether yellow or white gold will complement your other pieces of jewellery and your sense of style. An antique engagement ring might be stunning but perhaps it won't suit your sense of fashion. Also, what colour metal suits your skin tone? These are all important things to think about then you are looking for an engagement ring or promise ring.
Can I Have My Engagement Ring Made Specially for Me?
The overwhelming choice and style of engagement rings on the market means that some people will find it difficult deciding which engagement ring to buy. Other people will have a definite design of engagement ring in mind and this can make it equally hard to find the engagement ring you are looking for. There may be nothing ready-made and available that is exactly the same as the picture of your engagement ring you have in your mind. Maybe the style of ring you find is right, but the colour of the gold is wrong, for example. If you have scoured the market but still can't find your dream engagement ring, never fear! It is possible to have your engagement ring personally designed and made for you. What a wonderful and personal experience that would that be! Here at Hunters Fine Jewellery we offer a bespoke engagement ring making service as well as bringing you beautiful antique, vintage and pre-owned engagement rings. Get in touch with us and we will be excited and happy to discuss options and ideas with you. Our bespoke jewellery is expertly crafted and hallmarked in the UK.
How Much Money Should I Spend on an Engagement Ring?
It is very important to consider your budget and the quality of engagement rings available to you within your price range. However, the higher the price of an engagement ring does not necessarily mean that it is better! You can find beautiful engagement rings and promise rings within all price ranges, so don't feel pressured into spending a lot of money when searching for your perfect ring! In the end, it will all come down to which engagement ring draws your eye and looks fabulous on! This doesn't mean it will cost the earth. Your perfect engagement ring will be special and precious to you and will be the one you can't take your eyes off - much like your partner!
Should I Propose with an Engagement Ring or Let My Partner Choose?
So you're planning to propose to your partner, how exciting! You might be considering when and where, such as a Valentine's Day proposal, a proposal by the Christmas tree lights, over a candle-lit dinner or perhaps you are going to wait and pop the question during a romantic weekend away. The when, where and how are probably top of your proposal planning list, but when you are considering proposing to your partner, one of the biggest questions - apart from 'will you marry me' and what you will say and do when you go about popping the question - might actually be the one you ask yourself. Do I buy my partner a ring to surprise them with, or will they want to choose their engagement ring themselves? This can be a tough decision but don't worry, there is no right or wrong choice unless your partner has already expressed their wishes.
Maybe you would like to give your beloved a treasured engagement ring that is already special to you, such an heirloom ring that has been passed down through the generations of your family. You won't be alone if this is your plan, many people choose to propose with an heirloom ring. The Duchess of Cambridge famously wears Princes Diana's stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring, and heirloom jewellery is a popular option for many couples. You could always propose with the heirloom engagement ring, but with an understanding that if your partner isn't too keen on the style, it could be remodelled using the stones in a different setting. Even the metal can be reused.
Ultimately, it is your choice whether you propose to your partner with a ring in your hand or not, and remember, there is no right or wrong way to propose, just do what feels right to you! Also, never forget that you absolutely don't need to wait to be in a relationship in order to buy yourself a promise ring. Many people these days take the decision to buy themselves a promise ring. This is a perfect symbol of a promise to love yourself and to celebrate personal successes and positivity in your life. Best of luck to everyone out there and happy engagement ring and promise ring hunting!