Engagement rings
Whether you are planning a surprise proposal or choosing the perfect engagement ring together, we have compiled a simple guide to help you make all the right decisions.
Budget
Ask yourself how much you are willing to spend on an engagement ring. Set yourself a budget, and stick to it. This is a personal decision and the answer will of course be different for everyone.
Our bespoke engagement rings start at £2,000. We will work together, to bring your vision into a unique and personal design.
If you are interested in commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, you can book a personal consultation with Julie to discuss your ideas and inspiration. And to receive recommendation on materials and design, based on your style, personality and budget.
For more info visit our bespoke page.
Choose one of our “made to order “engagement rings, available to order online from £900. The ring will be handmade specially for you within 8 weeks of receiving your order.
Our silver placeholder engagement ring is ideal for a surprise proposal and costs only £95. It is ready to ship and comes beautifully presented in a handcrafted wooden box.
Choosing a stone
Make sure you pick a durable stone, suitable for everyday wear, like a diamond, a ruby or a sapphire.
If you decide to go for a classic white diamond, make sure you familiarise yourself with the 4 value factors of a stone: cut, carat, colour and clarity – known as the 4Cs. Check out our diamond guide for more info.
Diamonds are also found in various colours, called fancy colours. Rare colours include, blue, green, pink and red. But diamonds are more commonly brown or yellow.
Not as rare as white diamonds, but definitely more unique, more affordable and more sustainable, salt & pepper, champagne and cognac diamonds are becoming increasingly popular for engagement rings. The term ‘salt and pepper’ refers to the look of a particular diamond that features a mix of black (pepper) and white (salt) inclusions. No two stones are the same, making them truly individual. 'Champagne' and 'cognac' diamonds refer to brown stones. Champagne diamonds are very pale with a hint of brown or yellow and Cognac is the term given to darker shades.
Sapphires come in almost every colour of the rainbow; pink, yellow, green, blue, orange and purple. Red sapphires are actually called rubies (both are varieties of the mineral corundum). Sapphires and rubies are extremely hard stones making them ideal choices for engagement rings.
See our gemstone guide for more info.
Tips to make the most of your budget when buying a diamond:
- For a white diamond, consider a stone that is just under 1ct, for example 0.99ct or 0.98ct, once you reach 1 carat, you’re entering a different price bracket. People tend to prefer round numbers; therefore, 1 carat stones are in higher demand and fetch higher prices. The same is also right with ½ carat stones, instead of buying a 0.5ct, choose a 0.49ct or 0.48ct diamond. There is a noticeable price difference between 1ct and 0.99ct, while the price difference between 0.99ct and 0.98 is very small.
- If you are on a tight budget, go for several smaller diamonds instead of a large single stone.
- To get a bigger stone for your money, opt for a salt & pepper, champagne or cognac diamond over a traditional white diamond.
Choosing the metal
It is important to choose a durable metal for your ring to guarantee its longevity.
Gold is the most popular choice when it comes to engagement rings, it is available in 3 different colours: yellow, white & red.
Platinum bands are also popular, they are very durable, therefore offer another great option.
Silver is not as durable as gold or platinum; for that reason, we do not recommend this option for your engagement ring. See our metals guide for more info.
The style
There are no rules! Choose a ring that reflects your personality and your lifestyle.
Tips – don’t forget your future wedding ring:
- Choose your engagement ring with your wedding ring in mind. If you are planning on wearing both rings together on the same finger, think of them as one piece. And why not look at an engagement and wedding ring set.
Ring size
Most rings can be resized up to three sizes smaller or larger. But not all rings can be resized! So, it’s crucial to get the size right when buying an engagement ring.
We always encourage you to visit us to have your finger sized in person, so we can get an accurate size measurement for you.
If you are buying an engagement ring as a surprise, we recommend that you do a bit of research to find out your partner’s finger size before you purchase a ring. For help and if you are unable to travel to the studio for a sizing, please refer to our size guide.
Tips to find out your partner’s ring size:
- Ask a friend or family member for help, they might know your partner’s ring size.
- Send us one of your partner’s rings, provided it is worn on the exact finger and hand as the intended new ring, so that we can measure it for you.
- Order a DIY ring sizer and use while your partner is deeply asleep.
Surprise Proposal
Proposing with a placeholder or a loose gemstone will allow you to focus on making the proposal special without having to worry about all the things you should consider before buying an engagement ring.
A bit of history
Egyptians are sometimes credited with inventing the engagement ring. But the history of the engagement ring can only be reliably traced as far back as ancient Rome.
The Roman bride-to-be was given two rings, a gold one which she wore in public, and one made of iron which she wore at home while attending to household duties.
The first use of a diamond ring to signify engagement appeared in the imperial court of Vienna in 1477. This then influenced those of higher social class and of significant wealth to give diamond rings to their loved ones.
During the 16th century the wedding ring replaced the engagement ring as the primary ring associated with marriage.
The tradition of wearing both an engagement ring and a wedding ring dates back to the 1800s.
In South Africa, diamonds were first found in 1866. A few years later, the output of the diamond mines exceeded one million carats per year. But diamond engagement rings were for a long time seen as the domain of the nobility and aristocracy, and tradition often favoured simpler engagement bands.
In 1886, Tiffany & Co. introduced a slim platinum ring set with a single white diamond, this was the first design ever to elevate the stone from the band, enhancing its natural radiance by allowing light to enter and leave at every angle.
After World War I, the popularity of diamond engagement rings declined and the price of diamonds collapsed. And before World War II, only 10% of engagement rings would feature a diamond. In 1947 De Beers introduced the slogan "A diamond is forever", with a marketing campaign that will have a major impact on engagement rings.
In 1981, Princess Diana wore a sapphire ring, upon her engagement to Prince Charles. The coloured stone engagement ring honoured a British royal tradition, and couples worldwide followed their lead.
In recent years, the trend for something unique meant that the diamond market has opened up allowing diamonds that features 'flaws and imperfections' or colours to grow in popularity. Stones such as salt and pepper or champagne diamonds, are a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to the traditional white diamond.
We hope this guide has help answer to some of your questions relating to engagement rings. If you need help choosing a ring, or have any further question, please do get in touch with us.