Engagement Ring Guide

Oliver Diamonds strive to give all their customers a ‘stress-free’ shopping experience.

This is our advice for buying the perfect ring. We cover all aspects from establishing your budget, educating yourself about diamonds and selecting your dream ring. We believe that diamonds have been and always will be the most romantic gift in the world, they sparkle like no other gemstone, they offer glamour, prestige and a lifetimes worth of happiness.

A brief history

The tradition of presenting a Diamond Engagement Ring as a promise of marriage began in 1477 with Archduke Maximillian of Austriaand Mary of Burgundy.  This tradition now spans all over the world. An Engagement Ring is traditionally worn on the third finger of your left hand. Ancient Egyptian myths explain that the “wedding ring finger” follows the vena amoris or vein of love that run directly to our heart.

Budget

The first stage to consider with an engagement ring purchase is the budget.It is essential you have a budget that you can afford and that you’re a comfortable with, it is important to stick to it. Some people base their budget on a traditional 1 or 2 months salary, others spend whatever makes sense to them. With your budget in mind, set your standards based on what’s important to you, some people prefer diamond size over quality, others prefer quality over anything else, most people settle with a happy medium based on all factors. Once you feel comfortable with your budget, selecting the diamond becomes easier as you have options based on that price guideline.

The Diamond

In most cases, the diamond will be the most expensive part of the ring. The properties of the diamond are measured using the 4C’s. (Cut, Carat, Clarity & Colour). These 4C’s relate to the shape, weight, purity and whiteness of each diamond giving every diamond it’s own unique ‘finger print’. By understanding these qualities you can determine which traits are most important to you, and you can find a balance between them that best suits your needs.

For  further  information about diamonds, please take a look at our Diamond Educationpages where we go into more specific details.

The Setting

There are many different types of engagement ring settings available to suit a wide variety of tastes. The setting is what most would consider as the actual ring. Including details such as the diamond enclosure, the band, side stones and the type of metal. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles suiting a wide variety of tastes from classic, vintage to contemporary.

Diamond enclosures

Claw Settings: The claw setting allows the optimal amount of light to pass through the stone thereby giving the diamond maximum brilliance and radiance.
There are usually four or six “claws” of metal that reach around the diamond’s girdle to hold it in place.

Bezel Settings: A bezel setting has a rim of metal completely surrounding the diamond which holds it in place. Bezels can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be moulded into any shape to accommodate the stone. The backs can be opened to emit light or closed to your preference. The bezel setting helps protect the stone from damage. Bezel settings are popular for clients interested in a classic or vintage style.

Contemporary Settings: As with any design based creations there are many wonderful ideas that are brought forward, in this sense the opportunities are endless and often suited to bespoke commissions. Here are 2 examples of a modern take on a classic 4 claw setting.

The Metal

Most Engagement Rings are made from either Platinum or White or Yellow Gold. It is important to note that Platinum is the most expensive and hard wearing metal. White gold is not a natural white colour it is an alloy and offers a more afordable option other than platinum.

Some settings are also available in two tone white and yellow. In which case the diamond is set into a white gold setting (enhancing the whiteness of the diamond) leading to a yellow gold band.

Advice

The Ring: Before buying an Engagement Ring, we advise that you learn about the 4C’s of diamond quality: Cut, Carat, Clarity, & Colour. We believe that this will help you determine which quality is the most important trait to you and thus will help you make a successful purchase.

The Bride: Most women have been dreaming about their Engagement Rings since they were little girls so they tend to have definite preferences for diamond shape, metal choice, and general ring appearance. If you prefer to surprise her with an Engagement ring, pay attention when she admires someone else's engagement ring.  Noticing the types of jewellery your fiancée’s wear can also help lead you in the right direction. If your fiancée only owns white gold jewellery then she may  prefer the look of white gold or platinum. It is also possible to ask her close friends and family about her preferences if they can be trusted with the impending secret.

Budget: There is no set price tag for an Engagement Ring. The general guideline appears to be that a man should spend roughly two months' salary on a diamond engagement ring. We recommend that you don't commit yourself to such a guideline but that your budget should reflect how much you can afford.

Trust Your Jeweller: We are here to help, no question is too big or too small. At Oliver Diamonds we understand that buying an Engagement Ring or any diamond purchase is a large expense and we are here to make the process as simple and reliable as possible for you.

Feel free to contact us on 0871 288 1750