Ring it in
We get expert advice on how to choose that all-important engagement ring, whether it’s for yourself or your partner…
Engagement season (generally defined as December to Valentine’s Day) has just finished for another year, with beaming betrothed couples sharing their happy news on social media.
If you’re planning on popping the question in 2023 or have talked about tying the knot with your partner, you may soon be on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring and wondering where to start.
Is a gold or silver band best? Does it have to be a diamond? And how much should you really spend on this once-in-a-lifetime purchase?
In a bid to find the answer to these common questions, we asked jewellery experts for their advice…
Choose your metal
Whether the ring is for you or your partner, the first decision you need to make is what metal it will be made from.
“The most popular precious metals for engagement rings are platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold,” says Claire Beatson, general manager of ethical jeweller Nightingale.
“Your choice of precious metal will affect your ring’s style and how much upkeep it may need.”
Pick a gemstone
Colourless diamonds are seen as the classic engagement ring choice, because they’re so hard-wearing.
“When choosing a gemstone, make sure it’s at least an eight on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning that it is durable for everyday wear,” Beatson says.
“Some popular gemstone choices, such as emeralds, rank lower at 7 to 7.25, and if you or your partner really want an emerald, your jeweller will be able to advise on choosing a robust setting to give extra support.”
To get the best of both worlds, you could opt for coloured diamonds instead.
“Brides looking for a standout, heirloomworthy ring that’s one-of-a-kind often gravitate toward coloured diamonds,” says Nicole Fraenkel, CEO of Or & Elle.
“It’s a way of staying timeless while also completely unique, because few really highquality coloured diamonds exist.”
Don’t believe budget myths
“Set a budget beforehand that you’re comfortable with and don’t feel pressured by the age-old myth that you need to spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring,” says Beatson.
“It’s completely up to you how much or how little you want to spend, and you may want to discuss this with your partner.”
Size matters
Not sure what size the ring should be because you’re buying it secretly? “The most accurate way is to use a metal ring size gauge or size a ring that has been worn on the correct (or similar-sized) finger,” Kasun Ekanayake, creative director of Kasun London says.
“Or you can use the Ring Sizer app,” available for both Apple and Android phones. “A lot of the time, we have to resize rings — for jewellers, this is a very standard practice.”