The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide for First-Time Shoppers

So, you’re on the hunt for the ring. The one they’ll wear every day, show off to everyone (and we mean everyone), and that’ll turn any story into your love story. No pressure, right? But before you break into a cold sweat picturing a jewellery store full of sparkly choices, don’t worry—you’ve got this! And we’ve got your back.

From diamonds to alternative gems, shapes to settings, and a few industry secrets sprinkled in, this engagement ring guide is here to make ring shopping as fun and easy as possible. We’ll dive into the bling basics, clarify the mysterious “4 Cs,” and help you choose something that’ll make your partner’s heart skip a beat. We asked Taylor & Hart for their expert advice! Ready to become a ring-picking pro? Let’s go find the one! 

How to choose your engagement ring: the ultimate engagement ring shopping guide

The 4 Cs - How much should you spend on an engagement ring? 

The first step to take before choosing an engagement ring is deciding on your budget. Those diamonds don’t come cheap! The best thing to do is go in with realistic expectations about what you can and can’t afford. Kate Earlam-Charnley, Design Director at Taylor & Hart says, “Make sure to assign a sensible budget suited to you and your lifestyle and opt to land somewhere that aligns with your ethical values as well. Doing your own research is great and it’s always easier and much more helpful to speak directly with an expert to answer all your questions either by visiting a showroom in person or jumping on a call.” The easiest way to do this is to think about the 4 Cs! The 4 Cs include all the ways diamonds are graded. 
 

Carat

This is the weight of the diamond and the larger the weight, the higher the price. Consider if your partner wants a statement ring or something more dainty. 

Cut

The cut of a diamond is what gives it that captivating sparkle and brilliance. A well-cut diamond can make even a smaller carat weight look stunningly impressive! Choosing a slightly lower carat weight with an excellent cut is a smart way to maximise beauty and value. Plus some cuts are more expensive than others, a round or princess shape ring is usually the most expensive due to their brilliance from the cut. 
 

Colour

Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The closer your diamond is to colourless, the more valuable it is. Some of the differences on these scales though aren’t noticeable to the naked eye. Truly colourless diamonds are rare, so diamonds within the D-F range are considered very high quality. Near-colourless diamonds (G-J) can offer a great balance of quality and value.

Clarity 

Clarity refers to the presence of internal flaws (inclusions) and surface imperfections (blemishes). Diamonds are graded on a clarity scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3). While flawless diamonds are rare and expensive, diamonds with minor inclusions can still be stunning and budget-friendly.

Besides the 4 C’s you need to keep in mind, there’s also the three-month salary rule to consider. Head to our how much to spend on an engagement ring article for more including tips for shopping smart!

What factors affect the pricing of an engagement ring the most?

According to Kate Earlam-Charnley, Design Director at Taylor & Hart, "The centre diamond or coloured gemstone is where the bulk of the budget is allocated because it can range so much in carat weight or quality characteristics, and there’s also the choice between natural or lab-grown if you’re opting for diamonds." Naturally, the choice of metal comes with its own costs, so selecting a particularly heavy ring will further influence the price. Additionally, the craftsmanship involved in setting, hand-finishing, and polishing your piece contributes to the overall cost.

How to find your engagement ring size? 

Finding your partner’s engagement ring size without them knowing seems like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple to do while still being discreet! Here are our methods for finding out your partner’s ring size. 

1. Look through their jewellery box 
2. Take one of their other rings to a jewellery store to be sized 
3. Create a ring sketch and take it to your jeweller 
4. Use a piece of string to measure the finger
5. Ask friends or family members
6. Take them shopping for another reason 
7. Compare with someone else who has similar-sized fingers 
8. Try a proposal ring instead

You could also try our ring-measuring apps and more! For all the details on these methods and top tips from actual jeweller, Fenton, head to our article on how to find your engagement ring size!

Luckily, for most couples nowadays, engagement ring shopping is actually a joint thing! Most people now like to have input into what they want their engagement ring to look like, so you’ll hopefully already know your partner’s ring size anyway! 

How to choose your engagement ring shape? 

Now, this is when it gets a bit more specific regarding the actual ring design. There are a few options to consider when it comes to the shape of an engagement ring. The most popular ring shape right now is an oval engagement ring after years of round cuts being the most popular inspired by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Vanessa Hudgens. According to Taylor & Hart, 40% of their engagement sales feature an oval centre diamond or gemstone. The oval shape is closely followed by the classic round diamond at around 33% of their sales. These shapes are then followed by emerald and pear shaped diamond rings at around 6% each.

Although the words ‘cut’ and ‘shape’ are used interchangeably when describing the shape of the diamond. In technical terms, the cut actually refers to the symmetry of the diamond.  

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring shape, you should consider your partner’s hand and fingers. Is there something about their hands that they wish to emphasise or camouflage with their ring shape? For example, a marquise-shaped ring can create the appearance of elongated fingers! The marquise shape has an elongated, oval-like form with pointed ends, which draws the eye along the length of the stone. This visual effect makes the finger appear longer and slimmer, and when paired with a slender, tapered band and an east-west setting, this is exacerbated more! 

Engagement ring guide to ring settings and bands 

The setting of the diamond is what makes the engagement ring truly unique. Each setting brings out different features of the diamond and can help create a personalised, meaningful design. Try something more modern with a tension setting on a bypass shank or something more vintage with a halo setting on a tapered band. 

Prong Setting

Features metal prongs that hold the diamond in place, usually with four or six prongs. This classic style maximises the diamond’s exposure to light, enhancing brilliance.

Tiffany Setting

A specific type of prong setting, designed by Tiffany & Co., which lifts the diamond high above the band, allowing maximum light reflection. It typically has six prongs.

Bezel Setting

A metal rim surrounds the diamond completely or partially, offering a sleek, modern look and providing excellent protection for the stone. Great for active wearers.

Halo Setting

Encircles the centre stone with a “halo” of smaller diamonds or gemstones, enhancing the overall sparkle and making the centre diamond appear larger.

Pavé Setting

Tiny diamonds are set closely together along the band, held in place by small prongs or beads, creating a continuous sparkle. It works well with other settings like the solitaire or halo.

Channel Setting

Diamonds are set in a groove between two metal channels, creating a smooth and secure look. This setting is often used for side stones along the band.

Bar Setting

Similar to the channel setting but with vertical metal bars between each stone, allowing more light and making the diamonds stand out individually.

Cathedral Setting

The band arches up to lift the centre stone, resembling the arches of a cathedral. It gives a vintage, elegant appearance while adding height to the diamond.

Three-Stone Setting

Features a larger centre diamond flanked by two side stones, symbolising the past, present, and future. It offers a balanced, timeless style.

Cluster Setting

Small diamonds are grouped together to create the look of a larger stone, maximising sparkle and visual impact.

Tension Setting

The diamond appears to float between two open ends of the band. The pressure holds the diamond in place, creating a modern, minimalist look.

Flush Setting

The diamond is set level with the surface of the band, ideal for those who prefer subtle, durable designs. Often used for wedding bands.

Split Shank Setting

The band splits into two or more strands near the centre stone, adding width and visual interest. Often paired with a solitaire or halo setting.

Vintage/Antique Setting

Features intricate designs, like filigree or milgrain, for a vintage look. Often used in Art Deco-inspired rings.

East-West Setting

The stone is set horizontally rather than vertically, typically with shapes like oval, marquise, or emerald cuts, creating a unique, contemporary style.

Engagement ring guide to choosing your engagement ring metal 

Each metal has its own set of benefits, from platinum’s durability and hypoallergenic properties to rose gold’s romantic colour. The choice of metal can impact the overall appearance, durability, and feel of an engagement ring. Plus, you should keep in mind, when purchasing an engagement ring, what your partner might want their wedding band to look like. The wedding ring will need to complement the engagement ring so keep that in mind when choosing the ring metal! According to Taylor & Hart, the most popular metals are yellow gold at 41% and platinum is 44%. 

White gold 

Has a sleek, silver-like finish thanks to a mix of gold and other metals, plus a coating of rhodium for that bright, modern look. It pairs beautifully with diamonds and gives a contemporary vibe.

Yellow Gold

This is the classic, warm gold colour we all know and love! Yellow gold has a timeless appeal and works especially well for a vintage or traditional feel.

Rose Gold

A mix of gold and copper gives rose gold its soft, pink hue, adding a romantic and trendy touch. It’s a unique choice that warms up any style with a lovely blush tone.

Platinum

Platinum is a super-durable, naturally white metal that’s hypoallergenic and doesn’t tarnish easily. Its weight and rarity make it a luxurious choice if you’re after something truly special.

Palladium

Palladium looks similar to platinum but is lighter and often more budget-friendly. It’s also hypoallergenic and keeps its white colour naturally, no extra plating is needed!

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a popular, affordable option with a bright, shiny look. It can tarnish more easily and needs a little extra care, but it’s a beautiful choice, especially if you’re on a budget.

Titanium

Lightweight, strong, and scratch-resistant, titanium is a great hypoallergenic option with a cool, modern grey colour. It’s less traditional, but perfect if you’re looking for something different.

Tungsten

Known for being super tough and scratch-proof, tungsten has a slightly darker metallic colour. It’s especially popular for men’s rings but is also making its way into engagement ring styles.

Cobalt

Cobalt is bright, white, and looks a lot like platinum but without the platinum price tag! It’s durable, hypoallergenic, and a fresh choice for modern rings.

Mixed Metals (Two-Tone)

Mixing metals like white and yellow gold or rose and white gold gives a ring a unique, two-tone look that’s both stylish and versatile—perfect for something a little different!

Alternative engagement rings 

Did you know that there are plenty of other options out there besides having an actual engagement ring? Take a look at the history of engagement rings for more info on what humans did back in Ancient Rome if you’re interested! But actually, nowadays we’ve seen people planting trees, opting for birthstone rings, lab-grown rings and more. Head to our alternative engagement rings article for more inspiration if you want a unique touch. 

Engagement rings resizing, upgrades & more 

Are there policies around resizing, returns and trade-in programs for later potential engagement ring upgrades?

While every jeweller will have different policies for this, it’s likely that they will have policies in place for resizing and trade-in programs too. For example, Taylor & Hart are always there to accommodate their customers in whatever they need. Their policy involves offering “a complimentary resize on one size up or down within six months of receiving your ring. Our team is filled with superheroes at guessing ring size and they usually ask customers to send a picture of the soon-to-be ring-wearer that features their hands, and they’re usually pretty spot on.” They also offer a 90-day returns policy on rings for total peace of mind as well as a diamond upgrade policy if you decide to do a Justin and Hailey Bieber move! 

The ultimate engagement ring guide including unique and alternative engagement ring shapes and settings 

Despite common belief, the engagement ring you buy now doesn’t have to or need to be the ring your partner will wear forever. Have you ever heard about upgrading your engagement ring? Now, don’t jump the gun, this isn’t all about just replacing one ring with a shinier, bigger ring. Oh no, upgrading your engagement ring can include adding stones, changing the setting and other personal and sentimental details to represent milestones in your marriage. This is a beautiful way to celebrate your love if you can’t afford that initial dream ring when it comes to wanting to pop the questions. Here’s everything you need to know about upgrading an engagement ring. As we said, it’s also important to keep the wedding ring in the back of your mind when shopping for an engagement ring. It’s highly likely that your partner will want the wedding band to complement the engagement ring. So, take a look at our guide to wedding ring stacking!