Choosing the perfect engagement ring is an exciting experience but can also be a very daunting prospect. With so many styles, designs and ring settings to choose from, selecting the best diamond ring can appear overwhelming.
Let us simplify the process of selecting the perfect diamond engagement ring. Our engagement ring buying guide provides you with all the information along with the best advice for helping you choose the best quality diamond, setting and ring design for you.
Our buyers guide to purchasing the perfect diamond engagement ring covers how to select the perfect diamond ring style, with popular styles including diamond solitaires, three stone trilogy rings, and diamond set halo ring designs. We also cover how to choose the ideal diamond cut, with such a wide selection of diamond cuts available including round brilliant cut diamonds, princess cut, emerald cut, oval cut, heart cut, marquise cut, asscher cut, radiant cut and fancy cut diamonds, along with helpful advice on how to navigate the 4 Cs used to grade and assess diamonds.
Diamond 4 Cs
If you are considering purchasing a diamond engagement ring, chances are that you will have heard of the 4 Cs of diamond grading, cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. We carefully grade and assess each diamond using the 4 Cs, international grading scale, before the stone is finally set into the chosen ring setting. It is recommended that you research each of these key factors and how they each influence and impact the overall appearance of a diamond. Our online guide to the 4 Cs can be found by clicking each of the individual links. Colour, Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight.
Selecting a diamond is always a compromise between the 4 Cs, and the buying process is much easier if you are aware which of the Cs you will more readily concede. We would always recommend buying the best cut, clarity and colour for your budget, regardless of carat weight. This is because the cut, clarity and colour are the factors that dictate the diamond’s unique optical properties. Read more in our own 4 C's, Order of importance here.
Our diamond experts are happy to help you find a balance between the 4 Cs when choosing a diamond.
Selecting Your Diamond
Round Brilliant Cut - The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular choice of diamond cut for engagement rings. The modern round brilliant cut, also known as the ideal cut diamond, consists of 57 individual facets, a result of years of research into the optimum proportions and facets for a diamond to maximise the brilliance, fire, and scintillation of a diamond.
If you are after a classic, traditional and above all sparkling diamond, the round brilliant cut is the perfect choice. There are so many positives to this diamond cut. The rounded edges ensure that it is a hardwearing and durable stone, as there are no edges or points that could be vulnerable to chips or knocks. The round brilliant cut diamond looks simply sensational in a solitaire setting, but is also a highly versatile cut that can be paired with round or geometric accompanying stones in the ring setting.
Round brilliant cut diamonds have such sparkle and fire, that they can mask some clarity and colour imperfections. For example, an inclusion under the crown facets in a round brilliant cut diamond is masked by the fire and brilliance that is emitted from the stone. The round brilliant cut diamond is bound to be a sensational choice for an engagement ring, there is no other cut in existence that surpasses the brilliance, sparkle, and style of this particular cut.
Fancy Cut Diamonds - Fancy cut is a term for any diamond cut that is not a round brilliant cut. These cuts are a great choice for a lady who wants a diamond ring that will stand out. Popular fancy cuts for diamond engagement rings include the princess cut, emerald cut, oval cut, pear cut, marquise cut, asscher cut, radiant cut, trillion cut, and heart cut diamonds. We have grouped the fancy cuts into the following categories: geometric, rounded, and vintage.
- Geometric: The geometric fancy cuts include the princess cut, asscher cut, emerald cut, radiant cut and trillion cut. These cuts are effortlessly elegant and flattering to the wearer. They exude an undeniable Art Deco glamour, with simple, clean lines that are timelessly fashionable. If a geometric fancy cut diamond is for you, ensure that you opt for a diamond with a clarity grading of SI1 or above, as these wonderful cuts are often said to be ‘windows’ into the heart of the stone.
- Rounded: The rounded fancy cut diamonds are a nod to the round brilliant cut, with a distinctive flair. The rounded fancy cuts include the pear cut, marquise cut, oval cut and heart cut. These cuts are feminine and unique. They are also highly flattering and appear larger per carat than a round brilliant cut as most of the weight in these stones is in the upper facets.
- Vintage: Perhaps your love would appreciate a diamond with a vintage cut. These vintage diamond cuts have undeniable character and are beautiful alternatives to the modern round brilliant cut. Vintage cuts include the rose cut, old mine cut, old European cut, transition cut, and the cushion cut. Each of the cuts exudes a warm glow that is hard to replicate in more modern cuts.
Ring Design
When thinking about the design of the ring, consider your partner’s personal style. Are they modern or traditional? Are they minimalist and sleek, or vivacious and bold? Also consider the jewellery that she already wears on a daily basis, is it delicate or chunky? All of these factors will help you when considering the ring setting, the colour of the metal, and the width of the band.
Also, think about how they have reacted to their friends or celebrity engagement rings, as this should provide an insight into the designs that she finds particularly appealing.
As well as this, consider her lifestyle. If she is particularly active, a diamond set in either a bezel setting or in a lower profile will protect the stone from being knocked or caught on things. If she is more glamorous, a statement ring with a higher stone setting may be more appealing to her. Here are a few of the most popular diamond engagement ring settings:
Solitaire Diamond Ring - The solitaire ring setting is the most popular choice for an engagement ring with our customers. The solitaire is a single stone ring, within a bezel, or a four to six prong setting. This design places all of the emphasis upon the diamond itself, therefore showing off the stunning optical properties of the stone off to their best effects. The solitaire setting is the traditional choice, and the image that conjures to many people’s heads when thinking of diamond engagement rings. This setting is also easy to pair with a wedding band, and wear alongside other jewellery.
Trilogy Ring - The three stone ring setting which often features a principal diamond flanked by two diamonds, also known as a trilogy ring, or may consist of a central coloured gemstone with cut diamonds set each side. This ring style can be highly personalised, with the choice of the side stones, their shape and size all decided by you. Some of our customers opt for their beloved’s birthstone, favourite gemstone, or a different diamond cut for the side stones which can look truly spectacular when worn.
Halo Setting - The halo ring settings comprises a principal diamond surrounded by a border or borders of smaller diamonds. This stylish setting adds a lot of sparkle to the ring, and also gives the appearance of a larger centre stone. Halo settings can come as a single surround, but also as double or triple halos. This setting is ideal for a glamorous and fashionable lady, and is one of our most popular ring styles.
Selecting Your Setting
When deciding upon what metal for an engagement ring, consider the jewellery and accessories that your partner typically wears. Chances are, the colour metal she favours will be evident from her current jewellery box.
The metal colour can influence the perceived shade of the diamond as setting is reflected through the diamond itself. Tinted to fancy yellow diamonds are usually always set in yellow gold settings, to enhance the rich and warm hue of the stones. On the other hand, white metal settings are typically favoured for displaying colourless diamonds. With this in mind, we can also create bi-colour settings, so that the diamond itself is encased in a white setting and the band is yellow. Therefore, this bi-colour design encapsulates the best of both worlds.
We offer a choice of precious metals across all of our engagement ring styles. Discover exclusive designs and settings, ranging from traditional yellow gold ring mounts, to contemporary white gold and platinum engagement rings.
Bespoke Diamond Engagement Rings
Adding details to a diamond engagement ring can really make it a personalised and sentimental piece of jewellery. We can engrave the inside of the ring band with significant details such as dates, initials, messages and symbols. We can also create bespoke touches such as setting additional diamonds and gemstones, bespoke designs and fitted wedding rings.
Contact us today on 01335 453 453 or email sales@britishdiamondcompany.com to speak with our dedicated team of jewellery specialists for help and advice selecting the perfect diamond engagement ring. Find a beautiful selection of diamond set engagement rings available to order today with 0% interest free finance and free delivery.