Types Of Engagement
Rings: A Buying Guide
Buying the perfect engagement ring for the one you love can feel daunting but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Learn everything you need to know about what to consider when buying an engagement ring so you can find the ideal engagement ring for your partner with our expert advice.
Shop all engagement ringsHow to choose the perfect engagement ring
There are many different factors to consider when choosing an engagement ring - especially if you’re planning a surprise proposal for your partner. Here are some tips to think about when making that all-important decision.
1. Calculate the budget
The first thing to take into consideration is your budget and work out how much to spend on an engagement ring. Traditionally it has been said that you should spend 2-3 months' salary on a ring, however, nowadays it’s much more flexible with people spending anything from a few hundred Euros to a few thousand depending on their budget.
Rather than trying to save a full 3 months worth of salaries before you’re able to propose, make use of our engagement ring calculator to work out how much you can reasonably afford to spend.
2. Choose the ideal style
Choosing “the ring” should be a truly personal experience, where style is carefully considered to create the design of your partner’s dreams. Take their style and hobbies into consideration when choosing their ring. For example, are they very active or play a lot of sports? This may affect the size of the stone or ring that you end up choosing. Likewise if they work in a hospital setting, they may not be able to wear their ring underneath gloves if the stone is large so you maybe want to consider an alternative.
It is also a good idea to take note of what jewellery your partner already wears (if any). For those who like to swap and change accessories based on trends, opt for a more traditional engagement ring such as the classic solitaire setting or princess cut stone. These will work with every look they pull together. For those who like to stick to staple pieces every day or prefer to keep a carefully curated capsule wardrobe, a more creative, stand out design may fit with the styles they are already used to wearing.
Women's engagement rings
If you’re choosing an engagement ring for the woman in your life (or someone who would appreciate a bit of sparkle before the wedding), there are many different styles, shapes and gem types to choose from.
Shop women's engagement rings
Men's engagement rings
Women aren’t the only ones who can wear engagement rings and there are plenty of options for men as well. Flush settings feature diamonds set into the band itself, channel settings see the jewels set into a track between two strips of metal, while a prong setting holds the diamond in place away from the band.
Shop men's engagement rings3. Get the ring size right
Making sure the ring fits is a very important step but we know that not everyone knows their ring size – and that’s ok! Here are some ways you can find the perfect ring size for you or your partner
Get it sized professionally
The best way to find out your or your partners’ ring size is to either get professionally measured at a jeweller or request one of our free ring sizers to get a clear measurement. Book a consultation either in any of our stores or in an online video appointment to speak with a professional.
Book a consultation
Do it in secret
If you are planning a surprise proposal, it can be tricky to find your partner’s ring size in secret but there are plenty of ways to find it out without them finding out.
1. Borrow a ring they already wear on their ring finger and place in on a piece of paper. Trace the inside of the band and take it to a jeweller – they can measure the ring size from this.
2. While they’re sleeping, take a thing strip of paper, ribbon, or piece of string and wrap it around their ring finger once – mark this measurement and sneak away without waking them up to find the right size.
3. Enlist the help of a friend to take them engagement ring shopping “for fun” and have them take note of the size that fits best.
And if the ring is still the wrong size, don’t worry. Diamonds Factory offers free resizing of our rings within 30 days of purchase for your peace of mind.
Use a ring sizer
If you’re not able to book a consultation with us or visit our stores, you can use one of our ring sizers to help you find the perfect fit. Order a Free Ring Sizer today to ensure a comfortable fit.
Once you’ve worked out your budget and size of the ring you’re looking for, the next step is to consider the finer details of the ring itself.
4. Choose the ring setting
There are many different types of engagement ring settings. The term “setting” refers to how the gemstones are mounted into the metal band that goes around the finger. The ring setting is dependant on personal preference but certain types will help to highlight the beauty of the diamond or gemstone you’ve chosen.
Solitaire
solitaire setting features a single stone (typically a diamond) on a simple band. While a round cut diamond is the most popular stone for solitaire engagement rings, any shape and type of gem makes for a beautiful centrepiece in this minimalistic-style setting.
Shop Solitaire Engagement Rings
Halo
The halo setting is a really vintage style ring that has been popular since the 1940s. This setting has a large, centre stone surrounded by a circle of smaller ones, really maximising the impact of the central stone. Round and pear cut stones work particularly well for this setting.
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3-Stone
The 3-stone engagement ring setting showcases a trio of beautiful stones that gives a lovely balanced look. The middle stone is usually slightly larger than the two side stones with all three representing your past, present, and future together as a couple.
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Cluster
Cluster setting rings are really unique – a few small stones are set closely together to resemble one larger stone. Cluster rings can include a large centre gem with smaller ones situated around it or they consist of small stones all equal in size. Either way, a cluster ring will catch the light with every turn.
Shop Cluster Engagement Rings5. Choose the diamond shape
The next detail to think about is the shape of the stone you want on the ring. The shape of the stone takes into account how well the diamond has been cut. Well-cut, properly proportioned diamonds have the best amount of sparkle.
Diamond shapes are categorised into two groups: round diamonds and fancy shape diamonds. Round diamonds are the most traditional diamond shape while fancy shape diamonds refer to any diamond that isn't round. Diamonds Factory offers princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, heart, Asscher, and radiant fancy shaped stones so it's worth browsing through them all to find something your partner will love.
Oval
An oval-shaped diamond is a really elegant stone. This cut features lots of shimmering facets that make the light dance and can create the illusion of longer, slender fingers. Bold and sophisticated, the oval diamond is a unique shape for anyone who likes to express their individuality.
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Emerald
Emerald-cut stones are sought after for their vintage-style glamour and eye-catching depth. The octagonal step cut features parallel, rectangular facets, and the large, open table (top face) highlights the stone’s colour and clarity. The emerald cut is a great choice for those seeking an Art Deco-inspired ring style.
Shop Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
Princess
The princess shape is one of the most popular diamonds shapes, loved for decades for its contemporary look and gorgeous sparkle. Princess-cut diamonds are square-cut stones with pointed corners so are perfect for those who love a more modern style of ring.
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Pear
A pear shape stone features a round shape that is tapered into a teardrop. Just like oval and marquise diamonds, the flattering pear shape helps to elongate the finger – especially when worn with the point facing towards the nail – and offers unrivalled sparkle..
Shop Pear Cut Engagement Rings
6. Choose a precious metal
Aside from the gem itself, the metal of the ring band is another important detail to consider when shopping for engagement rings.
When buying for a loved one, it's best to ask them what they prefer or what suits them as different metals suit different skin undertones. Alternatively, pay attention to the colour of metal they wear on a regular basis as it will match their favourite jewellery that way.
Platinum
Platinum is a hard wearing and durable silver-coloured metal that pairs perfectly with diamonds and coloured gems alike. It is quite a rare metal so can come at a premium price but it’s worth it for the durability it offers.
Shop our Platinum Rings
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is a traditional precious metal. It’s non-reactive so is great for those who tend to wear gold jewellery every day and it can be the best option for those who enjoy vintage-inspired jewellery.
Shop our Yellow Gold Rings
Learn about the differences between each of our precious metals in our metal guide.
7. Choose a precious stone
Arguably the most important part of the ring, next, you’ll need to decide on the gemstone that will take centre stange on the engagement ring. Diamonds are thought to be the most traditional stones for an engagement ring but if your beloved leans towards less-than-traditional tastes, there’s a plethora of alternatives for you to choose from.
Diamond
For many years, engagement rings have featured beautiful, sparkling diamonds. They are the top choice for proposals as they are hardy, durable, and as long-lasting as your love for eachother. They offer beautiful sparkle and depth and you can even find them in a rainbow of different colours so can suitanyone’s individual tastes and style.
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Emerald
Emeralds have been used in jewellery as a symbol of fertility and truth for centuries. These deep green gems make for a really unique engagement ring as they have exquisite depth and are thought to bring the wearer luck and good health.
Shop emerald engagement rings
Sapphire
Giving a sapphire engagement ring to your loved one is a wonderful choice for those who love to show off their individuality. These unique stones are almost as hard as diamonds, are considered to be rarer, so are just as precious and durable as your love, and the perfect alternative to diamonds.
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Ruby
If you’re looking for the perfect non-traditional ring to represent your unique wedding and marriage, rubies are the perfect choice. Although not as durable as diamonds or sapphires, rubies are still one of the most hard-wearing gemstones, so your beloved can wear it for many years.
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8. How to buy
So you’ve worked out how you want the ring to look, you’ve found out the correct size (either by asking or by being sneaky,) and you’ve decided on the right stone, setting, and metal. How do you purchase this perfect ring? There are a number of different options for you to choose from.
Ready-to-buy
Ready-to-buy rings are like buying clothes from a shop – they’re easy to find and you know exactly what you’re getting. However, they don’t offer any kind of customisation or personalisation so if you have a specific combination of features you’re looking for, you might not be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. But ready-to-buy rings boast the quickest delivery times as they’re already made and ready to be shipped out to you.
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Custom made
Custom-made rings are created using existing elements that are brought together for a personalised result. With our custom made rings you can choose from a number of mix-and-match details including, the size of the ring band, the quality of the stone, whether the diamonds are natural or lab grown, the size of the stone, and a host of other details to make the ring perfect. Almost all Diamonds Factory rings are made this way to your specifications.
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Bespoke
If you’re looking for a ring that is truly unique – or you have a great idea in mind that you can’[t find elsewhere – you can get exactly what you want by using our bespoke engagement ring service. Our jewellers will talk you through your vision, draw up a design, and craft your ring to your exact specifications. This option offers the most individuality and creativity but does have a higher price point so many sure you take that into account when planning your budget.
Create your own Bespoke Engagement RingsOnce you’ve worked out whether bespoke, custom-made, or ready-to-buy is right for you, decide where you’d prefer to purchase the ring. Choosing whether you buy your ring online or in-store comes down to personal preference.
Buy online
Our online service is fast (depending on the ring you choose) and reliable with expert customer support available around the clock. It’s the stress-free way to buy a ring and perfect for those who know exactly what they want.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
Buy in-store
If you prefer a more personalised service with an expert consultant, we have a variety of stores across the UK – perfect for a more intimate service and the ability to try on our rings in person.
BOOK A VIEWING AT ONE OF OUR STORESEngagement ring FAQs
Here’s a selection of carefully curated FAQ’s to get you through picking an engagement ring for your partner:
Engagement ring inspiration
Looking for more? Continue reading to find inspiration on choosing other rings to pair with their engagement ring as well as what to do once they’ve said ‘yes!’
