Top Things To Know Before You Buy An Engagement Ring

The first record of engagement rings dates back to ancient times, when Romans began giving their future brides engagement rings rather than money before marriage. This Roman custom was inspired by an even older tradition originating in ancient Egypt where it was believed that circles were a symbol of eternity and began exchanging rings made of reeds.

Diamond engagement rings became a trend in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned one and this fuelled a popular trend which has lasted for centuries. In the ‘50’s, De Beers group launched a campaign 'Diamonds are forever' which skyrocketed diamond engagement ring sales.

Engagement rings are a must for any proposal, not for their value but rather for their symbolism of eternal love and lifetime devotion.

Engagement ring designs, materials and prices vary greatly and understanding your partners' preferences and knowing what you are looking for is crucial to making your best purchase. We advise narrowing down your engagement ring selection based on your budget and your bride's preferences. Diamond rings are the most popular option - especially Diamond Solitaire engagement rings, which have been a best seller since their creation. The most preferred diamond shape for this setting is the Round Brilliant, also known as the ideal cut. This diamond shape has the most advanced light performance, symmetry, and proportions. Recently, gemstone engagement rings have been increasing in popularity, especially among younger clients who want to add their own symbolism and colour to their proposal.  

Your partner will wear their engagement ring every day for the rest of her life, so it needs to match their fashion sense, any other jewellery they may have and their taste. A survey has shown that 1 in 5 women were disappointed with their marriage proposal, so it’s worth taking the time and perhaps speaking to their friends and family or paying attention to any hints they may be dropping about what they expect. The best way to get inspiration for an engagement ring is your partner’s wardrobe and jewellery box. If their clothing is eye-catching and accessories are bold, the right engagement ring for them would be a stunning eye-catching statement piece. A more subtle and refined piece may suit those who prefer classical outfits and jewellery. Gemstones are a great way to add symbolism to your proposal - rubies have long symbolised passion and power, while blue sapphire engagement rings represent loyalty, fidelity, and friendship. An excellent way of personalising an engagement ring is by adding your partner’s birthstone.

Most proposals are kept a secret and taking your partner to the jewellers to confirm their finger size will spoil the surprise. One way of getting the right finger size is by borrowing one of her rings. Make sure you know which finger she wears the ring on - you wouldn't get the right size if she wears it on her right-hand thumb, for instance. Once you have the right ring, you can check her correct finger size in a several ways. Taking the ring to the jewellers is an option, however a missing ring could definitely raise suspicion. The secret way of getting the finger size using another ring is by outlining the inner diameter of the ring and bringing the outlines to a store. If you believe their friends and family may be trusted with the task of finding the right finger size, share your intentions and let them help you. A good way of succeeding with this task is by taking them jewellery shopping or asking them to try out different rings. On our website, we have an option to select the ring size 'Not Sure' when shopping for an engagement ring - with this option we will happily resize your ring free of charge once you have proposed if this is a service you require.

Your engagement ring setting will significantly influence the style, budget, and choice of centre stone. Halo settings are very suitable for diamonds and gemstones with modest size, where the centre stone is enhanced, thus creating the optical illusion of a bigger diamond. Diamonds with the same carat weight can differ in shape, size and price. It is crucial to understand how the 4Cs affect the diamond price and appearance. The diamond's cut is the stone's most important characteristic and is the only feature not to make a compromise with. To be entirely sure of the grading report, ensure you only purchase a ring from renowned sellers and reputable diamond grading laboratories.