HOW TO CHOOSE AN ENGAGEMENT RING

CHOOSE A METAL COLOUR FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

• Gone are the days when yellow gold was the only option – there is now white and rose gold too, as well as platinum. Palladium, titanium and silver would be more unusual for engagement rings but are also possibilities.

• People are always amazed by the important role that skin tone plays when it comes to jewellery.  It’s good to keep an open mind in relation to metal colours until you try a few different options on. White gold and platinum can look cool and crisp, suiting sallow skin tones, while yellow and rose gold have warmer hues (particularly in the case of rose gold) which can look wonderful on pale skin.  What suits one person may not work so well on someone else – isn’t it great that we’re all so different?!

• Ignore what metal colours are currently popular. Fashion comes and goes, but your skin tone will generally remain the same, so focus on what looks really well on you and your hand as well as what you really love!

SETTING SHAPES AND YOUR STYLE

The setting and the centre stone are what your engagement ring is all about, so it’s important to get these key aspects right.  This is where the difference between traditional and contemporary design is more noticeable.  Pared back, minimalist lines and curves allow the stone to do all the talking, making for a truly striking piece, no matter how simple the design.

Many engagement rings have round centre stones, which are beautiful, but there are other alternatives. Try rings on to see what works well on your hands – for example:

• Princess cut (square)
• Emerald cut (rectangular)
• Cushion shape
• Oval

Different hands and fingers lend themselves to different rings – trying various samples on will help with decision making.

A ring can be more than just a straight band – a curved piece can look wonderfully different and very interesting on the hand.  It is important to bear in mind that if you opt for a shaped engagement ring, depending on how the centre setting is designed, you may need to have a shaped wedding band too.  These can work perfectly together, but it is important to consider both rings as standalone pieces as well.

Know your style. Opt for a ring that makes your heart sing, not for a piece that fits certain criteria to make it socially acceptable as an engagement ring.

DIAMOND OR COLOURED GEMSTONE

Diamonds are incredible and can be a girl’s best friend. That said, they are not the only option. The bright world of gemstones opens up unlimited colour opportunities. It’s a very personal choice as to what the right centre stone for you might be. Click here to read more about diamonds and coloured gemstones….

WEDDING RING CHOICES

Ideally, a wedding ring will be worn with the engagement ring for the majority of the time.  As a result, it is important that the engagement ring is designed with this in mind.  Many vintage engagement rings sit very close to the finger, making it tricky for a wedding band to be worn comfortably, while a well-designed contemporary ring will allow the wedding band to sit perfectly flush to the band on the engagement ring.  Here are a few points to consider:

• Stick with your metal choice – a platinum engagement ring means that you will have to choose a platinum wedding ring – as white gold is a softer metal it would wear down over time if worn next to a platinum ring. This also ensures that the colours will match perfectly.
• Try wedding rings when you are choosing your engagement ring – the two bands need to work seamlessly together.
• Will you always wear both rings together? Try them individually too – they need to work independently as well.

TAKE YOUR TIME

There are lots of things to consider when choosing your engagement ring but don’t let it stress you.  Above all, it should be an enjoyable experience – you’re choosing one of the most important pieces of jewellery that you will ever own.  Take your time make sure you find the ring that is the perfect fit for you!

BROWSE ENGAGEMENT RINGS