It is more common than ever to get engaged with a placeholder ring (or no ring at all) and then choose an engagement ring as a couple. Here are some tips on where to start the search…
It is a good idea to go into some jewellery stores to see what actually suits you/your partner’s hand. We all have our fantasy rings but sometimes they just don’t hit the mark when trying them on.
Different shapes of stones suit different hands, often people with long fingers prefer a diamond with a larger surface area like a marquise for example, so it's great to go into a few shops where you can try on some different designs and shapes to start building an idea of what you’d like.
Ring by Rachel Boston
Make sure you explore all options, for example an engagement ring doesn’t just have to be diamond - think about if you want a pop of colour. Sapphires are a great choice as they are still hard wearing and come in a huge range of colours to suit any taste.
Ring by Minka Jewels
It is also important to consider budget, you will quickly find out this is one of the first questions you’ll get asked either in store or working with a designer, and is a good idea to be sure of how much you want to spend.
When you go in as a couple it’s harder to keep this a secret and may be worth having an open discussion with your partner beforehand but alternatively you can write the budget on a note or let the designer know before the meeting to keep it a mystery.
Ring by Hattie Rickards
Once you’ve got an idea of what sort of design you’d like, both in diamond shape and general design it's important to do lots of research. The market can be overwhelming so the main things to keep in mind are:
Design - does the company/designer create pieces in a style you really love
Cost - are the pieces within your budget and do they seem like a fair price
Brand - if you go to places like Tiffany you are paying a premium for the brand name, if this isn’t so important then you will find you get more for your budget at smaller independent designers
Ring by Shimell and Madden
From there it’s up to you if you choose a ready-to-ship, a made-to-order or a fully bespoke ring (read all about this here)
You can also email Kate for some personal engagement ring buying advice…
Good luck!