6 min
Choosing an engagement ring involves several decisions. Budget is one of them, but you also need to choose the diamond, its shape and characteristics, as well as consider the setting, how the diamond is set and the ring size.
There is no single right choice. Understanding what each element brings to the ring can help you decide where to allocate your budget and which characteristics to prioritise.
How much should you spend on an engagement ring?
There is no right amount to spend on an engagement ring. The well-known rule of spending three months’ salary was popularised by a De Beers advertising campaign in the 1930s and is not an objective way to set a budget today.
What matters is setting a budget you are comfortable with and deciding how to allocate it. The diamond is often the centrepiece, but the final price also depends on the metal, the ring design, the setting style and any other elements included in the ring.
Setting a budget from the outset helps narrow down the options and decide which characteristics to prioritise.
Choose the diamond: start with the 4Cs
The 4Cs are the standard system used to describe the main characteristics of a diamond. Each one refers to a different characteristic:
- Cut: determines how a diamond interacts with light and has a direct impact on its brilliance.
- Color: indicates the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
- Clarity: assesses the presence of inclusions (internal imperfections) and external blemishes.
- Carat: measures the weight of a diamond.
All four influence the price of a diamond, but they do not have to be equally important to everyone. Within a given budget, you can prioritise some characteristics over others. For example, if you want a higher carat weight, you can choose lower color or clarity grades.
Our guide to the 4Cs of diamonds explains in more detail what each one means and how it is assessed.
Choose the diamond shape
Diamond shape is one of the first things you notice when looking at a diamond: round, oval, pear, heart… It should not be confused with cut, one of the 4Cs, which refers to how the diamond’s facets have been cut and arranged and influences both its appearance and price.
Shape can also affect your budget. Round brilliant diamonds tend to be more expensive than other options, partly because of their popularity and because a greater proportion of the rough diamond is lost during the cutting process. Other shapes, such as oval, can be more affordable.
Think about the style of the person who will wear the ring
An engagement ring is something you will wear for many years, so it is worth considering the wearer’s style. If you are choosing it for your partner, look at the jewellery they usually wear: whether they prefer understated or more striking designs, which metals they tend to wear, and whether they favour classic or contemporary styles.
Their day-to-day life matters too. A ring worn every day should be comfortable and suit their lifestyle. These preferences will help you choose the most suitable ring design and setting style later on.
Choose the ring design and setting
Once you have chosen the diamond, you need to decide what the ring itself will look like. When choosing the ring design, you need to consider its style, proportions and metal.
The colour of the metal can also affect how the diamond looks. White gold or platinum can highlight the absence of colour in colourless or near-colourless diamonds, while warmer metals, such as yellow or rose gold, can complement certain diamond colours.
The setting determines how the diamond is held in place. It also affects the appearance of the ring, but has a practical purpose too: it determines how much of the diamond is exposed and how much protection it receives.
Two common options are:
- Prong setting: small metal prongs hold the diamond in place, leaving more of its surface visible.
- Bezel setting: metal surrounds the edge of the diamond, providing greater protection.
Find out the ring size
If the ring is a surprise, getting the size right can be one of the hardest parts. Measuring the finger is the safest option, but this is not always possible without revealing your intentions.
Another option is to use a ring that the person regularly wears on the same finger as a reference. Keep in mind that finger size can vary from one hand to the other, so a ring worn on a different finger will only give you an approximate indication.
If you still do not get the exact size right, many rings can be resized later. How easy this is will depend on the design and setting.
What if you choose the diamond first?
You do not have to decide on every detail of the ring from the start. Another option is to choose the diamond first and decide on the ring design and setting later.
This can be a good option if you want to keep the surprise but are not sure about the style, metal, setting or ring size. The diamond itself can be the surprise, and the couple can then choose the ring together.
A diamond with a personal origin
In addition to its quality, its 4Cs and its shape, a diamond can have another characteristic that is not reflected in a certificate: its origin.
At Brilianto, we use the term Bespoke for the possibility of creating a diamond from carbon sourced from organic materials with personal meaning. These can be of human or animal origin, such as a lock of hair, or botanical, such as a plant or flowers associated with an important moment. The choice depends on the story we want to preserve in the diamond.
We extract carbon from the material and use it to create the diamond. In the Bespoke configurator, you can choose the diamond shape and carat weight, and add a personal inscription. You can also have a bespoke piece of jewellery designed and choose aspects such as the metal, ring design and setting.
There is also the option we have just seen: surprising your partner with the diamond and then choosing the ring together.