Shopping for an engagement ring can feel overwhelming. With countless styles, stones, and settings to choose from, it's easy to get lost in the options. At Harmony Jewellers, we believe that being informed is the first step to finding the perfect ring. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before you start shopping, so you can approach this special purchase with confidence and excitement.
Solitaire: The most classic design featuring a single center stone on a simple band. This timeless style puts all the focus on the diamond and works with any stone shape. Perfect for those who appreciate minimalist elegance.
Halo: Features a center stone surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating the illusion of a larger center stone. This style offers extra sparkle and a vintage-inspired look that's become increasingly popular in recent years.
Three-Stone: Symbolizes your past, present, and future together. The center stone is typically larger, flanked by two smaller stones. This style offers versatility in stone combinations and significant symbolism.
Vintage: Inspired by different eras like Art Deco or Victorian designs, vintage rings often feature intricate details, milgrain (tiny beaded details), and unique stone arrangements. Perfect for those seeking something with character and history.
Pavé: Features tiny diamonds set closely together along the band, creating a continuous sparkle. This style adds extra brilliance without overwhelming the center stone.
Round: The most popular and classic choice, offering maximum brilliance due to its ideal light reflection. Suits any hand shape and never goes out of style.
Princess: Square-shaped with sharp corners, offering excellent brilliance similar to round diamonds but with a more contemporary look. Works wonderfully on longer fingers.
Cushion: Square or rectangular with rounded corners, resembling a pillow. Offers a romantic, soft appearance with vintage appeal and beautiful light dispersion.
Oval: Elongates the finger and offers a unique take on the classic round. Currently trending and provides excellent brilliance with its modified round cut.
Emerald: Rectangular with stepped facets, known for its elegant "hall of mirrors" effect rather than sparkle. Showcases clarity beautifully and has a sophisticated, understated appeal.
Pear: Teardrop-shaped, combining the brilliance of round and marquise cuts. Creates a slenderizing effect on the finger and offers a distinctive, elegant look.
Cut: The most important factor affecting a diamond's brilliance. Cut refers to how well the diamond has been shaped to reflect light, not its shape. Grades typically range from Excellent to Poor. Prioritize cut for maximum sparkle—even a smaller, well-cut diamond will outshine a larger poorly-cut one.
Color: Diamonds are graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Most engagement rings fall in the near-colorless range (G-J), offering excellent value without noticeable color to the untrained eye. The setting material can affect how color appears—yellow gold can make a slightly yellow diamond appear whiter by contrast.
Clarity: Measures the presence of internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections. The scale ranges from Flawless to Included (I). Many inclusions are invisible to the naked eye—aim for "eye-clean" diamonds (typically VS1-SI1) for the best value without sacrificing appearance.
Carat: Refers to the diamond's weight, not size. While carat weight significantly impacts price, visual size depends on cut quality and proportions. Consider slightly below whole-carat weights (e.g., 0.9ct instead of 1.0ct) for substantial savings with minimal visual difference.
Platinum: The premium choice—naturally white, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable. Though more expensive, it's ideal for everyday wear as it develops a patina rather than wearing down. Best for those with sensitive skin or active lifestyles.
White Gold: Gold mixed with white metals and plated with rhodium for a bright appearance. More affordable than platinum but requires periodic replating (every 1-2 years) to maintain its white shine. Excellent value option with a nearly identical look to platinum.
Yellow Gold: Traditional and timeless, available in different purities (14k and 18k being most common for rings). Complements warmer skin tones beautifully and showcases diamonds with higher color grades (H and above).
Rose Gold: A trendy choice with romantic pink hues, created by mixing gold with copper. More durable than white gold, doesn't require replating, and offers a distinctive vintage appeal that complements all skin tones.
Sapphires: Available in nearly every color (not just blue), sapphires offer excellent durability (9 on the Mohs scale) for everyday wear. They provide unique color options with rich symbolism of loyalty and wisdom.
Moissanite: A lab-created stone with comparable brilliance to diamonds at a fraction of the cost. Nearly as hard as diamond (9.25 vs. 10 on the Mohs scale) with more fire (rainbow flashes) than diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Chemically identical to mined diamonds but created in controlled environments. These offer significant savings (30-40%) and are environmentally conscious while maintaining all the properties of natural diamonds.
Morganite: A peachy-pink beryl mineral that's become increasingly popular. While softer than diamonds (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale), it offers a romantic color at an accessible price point.
Ignoring the setting: The setting can dramatically change a diamond's appearance and security.
Shopping without a budget: Determine your comfortable spending range before beginning your search to avoid disappointment.
Rushing the process: Take time to compare options and revisit favorites before deciding.
Forgetting about lifestyle: Consider work, hobbies, and daily activities when choosing a style that will work for everyday wear.
What is your return and exchange policy?
Do you offer free cleanings and inspections?
What warranty is included, and what maintenance will the ring require?
Can you explain how the ring is constructed and secured?
Whether you're ready to shop or just beginning your research, our team at Harmony Jewellers is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a stress-free, enjoyable experience as you select the perfect symbol of your commitment.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles
Understanding different ring styles will help you narrow down your preferences:Solitaire: The most classic design featuring a single center stone on a simple band. This timeless style puts all the focus on the diamond and works with any stone shape. Perfect for those who appreciate minimalist elegance.
Halo: Features a center stone surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating the illusion of a larger center stone. This style offers extra sparkle and a vintage-inspired look that's become increasingly popular in recent years.
Three-Stone: Symbolizes your past, present, and future together. The center stone is typically larger, flanked by two smaller stones. This style offers versatility in stone combinations and significant symbolism.
Vintage: Inspired by different eras like Art Deco or Victorian designs, vintage rings often feature intricate details, milgrain (tiny beaded details), and unique stone arrangements. Perfect for those seeking something with character and history.
Pavé: Features tiny diamonds set closely together along the band, creating a continuous sparkle. This style adds extra brilliance without overwhelming the center stone.
Diamond Shapes Explained
The shape of your center stone dramatically impacts the ring's overall look:Round: The most popular and classic choice, offering maximum brilliance due to its ideal light reflection. Suits any hand shape and never goes out of style.
Princess: Square-shaped with sharp corners, offering excellent brilliance similar to round diamonds but with a more contemporary look. Works wonderfully on longer fingers.
Cushion: Square or rectangular with rounded corners, resembling a pillow. Offers a romantic, soft appearance with vintage appeal and beautiful light dispersion.
Oval: Elongates the finger and offers a unique take on the classic round. Currently trending and provides excellent brilliance with its modified round cut.
Emerald: Rectangular with stepped facets, known for its elegant "hall of mirrors" effect rather than sparkle. Showcases clarity beautifully and has a sophisticated, understated appeal.
Pear: Teardrop-shaped, combining the brilliance of round and marquise cuts. Creates a slenderizing effect on the finger and offers a distinctive, elegant look.
Understanding the 4Cs
The 4Cs determine a diamond's quality and price:Cut: The most important factor affecting a diamond's brilliance. Cut refers to how well the diamond has been shaped to reflect light, not its shape. Grades typically range from Excellent to Poor. Prioritize cut for maximum sparkle—even a smaller, well-cut diamond will outshine a larger poorly-cut one.
Color: Diamonds are graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Most engagement rings fall in the near-colorless range (G-J), offering excellent value without noticeable color to the untrained eye. The setting material can affect how color appears—yellow gold can make a slightly yellow diamond appear whiter by contrast.
Clarity: Measures the presence of internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfections. The scale ranges from Flawless to Included (I). Many inclusions are invisible to the naked eye—aim for "eye-clean" diamonds (typically VS1-SI1) for the best value without sacrificing appearance.
Carat: Refers to the diamond's weight, not size. While carat weight significantly impacts price, visual size depends on cut quality and proportions. Consider slightly below whole-carat weights (e.g., 0.9ct instead of 1.0ct) for substantial savings with minimal visual difference.
Metal Options
Your choice of metal affects both aesthetics and durability:Platinum: The premium choice—naturally white, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable. Though more expensive, it's ideal for everyday wear as it develops a patina rather than wearing down. Best for those with sensitive skin or active lifestyles.
White Gold: Gold mixed with white metals and plated with rhodium for a bright appearance. More affordable than platinum but requires periodic replating (every 1-2 years) to maintain its white shine. Excellent value option with a nearly identical look to platinum.
Yellow Gold: Traditional and timeless, available in different purities (14k and 18k being most common for rings). Complements warmer skin tones beautifully and showcases diamonds with higher color grades (H and above).
Rose Gold: A trendy choice with romantic pink hues, created by mixing gold with copper. More durable than white gold, doesn't require replating, and offers a distinctive vintage appeal that complements all skin tones.
Beyond Diamonds: Alternative Gemstones
While diamonds remain the traditional choice, many couples now consider alternatives:Sapphires: Available in nearly every color (not just blue), sapphires offer excellent durability (9 on the Mohs scale) for everyday wear. They provide unique color options with rich symbolism of loyalty and wisdom.
Moissanite: A lab-created stone with comparable brilliance to diamonds at a fraction of the cost. Nearly as hard as diamond (9.25 vs. 10 on the Mohs scale) with more fire (rainbow flashes) than diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Chemically identical to mined diamonds but created in controlled environments. These offer significant savings (30-40%) and are environmentally conscious while maintaining all the properties of natural diamonds.
Morganite: A peachy-pink beryl mineral that's become increasingly popular. While softer than diamonds (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale), it offers a romantic color at an accessible price point.
Ring Sizing Basics
Getting the right size is crucial—too tight is uncomfortable, too loose risks loss:- Have your finger sized at the end of the day when it's at its largest
- Consider getting sized in different weather conditions as fingers swell in heat
- Remember that wider bands fit more snugly than narrow ones
- If purchasing as a surprise, borrow an existing ring or consult with friends and family
- Most rings can be resized within 1-2 sizes, but some designs (especially those with stones around the entire band) may be difficult or impossible to resize.
Common Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
Focusing solely on carat weight: A smaller, higher-quality stone often looks better than a larger, lower-quality one.Ignoring the setting: The setting can dramatically change a diamond's appearance and security.
Shopping without a budget: Determine your comfortable spending range before beginning your search to avoid disappointment.
Rushing the process: Take time to compare options and revisit favorites before deciding.
Forgetting about lifestyle: Consider work, hobbies, and daily activities when choosing a style that will work for everyday wear.
Questions to Ask Your Jeweler
What certification comes with the diamond? (GIA and AGS are the most respected)What is your return and exchange policy?
Do you offer free cleanings and inspections?
What warranty is included, and what maintenance will the ring require?
Can you explain how the ring is constructed and secured?
Final Thoughts
Remember that an engagement ring is both a symbol of love and a significant investment. Take your time, do your research, and choose a jeweler you trust. At Harmony Jewellers, we believe in educating our customers so they can make confident, informed decisions that result in a ring they'll cherish forever.Whether you're ready to shop or just beginning your research, our team at Harmony Jewellers is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a stress-free, enjoyable experience as you select the perfect symbol of your commitment.