How to choose an engagement ring — a step-by-step guide for first-time buyers
Buying an engagement ring is often the first time someone buys fine jewellery — and it can feel overwhelming. It needn't. Taken in the right order, every decision narrows the next.
Start with the budget, not the stone
The old rule about spending a fixed number of months' salary is marketing, not guidance. Decide a comfortable figure first; it quietly shapes every choice that follows — metal, stone type, and carat — without you having to compromise on the things that matter most.
A clear budget is also the fastest way to make the process enjoyable rather than anxious. It turns an open-ended search into a focused one.
Choose the stone type
Natural diamonds carry rarity and tradition. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and optically identical, certified the same way, and cost meaningfully less — which often means a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget. Moissanite offers even more fire at a fraction of the price.
There is no wrong answer here, only the one that fits your values and budget. Many of our customers choose lab-grown for exactly this reason.
Then the setting, then the metal
A solitaire flatters almost any hand and lets the stone speak. A halo makes a centre stone look larger. A three-stone setting tells a past-present-future story. Pick the silhouette first, then choose the metal — white gold for a cool, contemporary look; yellow or rose gold for warmth.
Finally, size. If the proposal is a surprise, borrow a ring she already wears and bring it to us, or order slightly larger — we resize once, free, within 60 days.