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How to Choose an Engagement Ring

Use this guide when you are trying to choose an engagement ring and want a clear order to work through, starting with the budget and the centre stone and moving on to shape, setting, metal and any custom details.

A ring can look completely different without the stone changing at all. Band width, claw style, setting height, accent diamonds and metal colour all change how the design sits on the hand, so this guide keeps those choices together in one place.

How to choose an engagement ring

If you already know the stone, start by comparing settings and styles. If the stone is still up in the air, work through the diamond and metal guides first and come back to the ring design once that is settled.

How to choose an engagement ring

  1. #01

    Start with the budget and ring type

    Settle the total budget first, then weigh up ready-to-order styles against a custom engagement ring brief.

  2. #02

    Choose the centre stone

    Compare lab-grown diamonds, moissanite and coloured stones, and read up on certification and the 4Cs, before you settle on the stone.

  3. #03

    Pick the diamond shape

    Use the shape guides to compare round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear, marquise and the other silhouettes on the hand.

  4. #04

    Compare the setting style

    Once the stone direction is clear, compare solitaire, halo, three-stone, bezel and vintage-style settings.

  5. #05

    Choose the metal and daily-wear details

    Compare yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum, and think about band width, setting height and how a wedding band will sit alongside.

Custom engagement rings

  1. #01

    Custom engagement ring design

    How the design process works, what to bring to a first conversation, and the points where custom choices start to affect cost.

Engagement ring styles

  1. #01

    Solitaire ring guide

    What a solitaire is, and how proportion, band width and stone shape do most of the work in such a simple setting.

  2. #02

    Toi et moi ring guide

    What a toi et moi ring means, and the choices that keep two stones balanced in shape, colour and scale.

  3. #03

    Halo ring guide

    How the size of the halo and the scale of its diamonds change the way the centre stone reads on the hand.

  4. #04

    Three-stone ring guide

    How centre and side stones are matched and proportioned, what the three stones are said to mean, and how the ring wears day to day.

  5. #05

    Vintage ring guide

    Old-world details like milgrain and engraving, and the difference between a vintage-style ring and a genuine antique.

  6. #06

    Art Deco ring guide

    The geometry, step cuts and baguettes that give Art Deco rings their structure, and where the style came from.

Engagement ring settings

  1. #01

    Bezel setting guide

    How a rim of metal around the stone protects it, lowers the profile and gives the ring a clean edge.

  2. #02

    Pave setting guide

    How small diamonds set along the band add sparkle, and what that means for upkeep and everyday wear.

  3. #03

    Hidden halo setting guide

    A ring of small diamonds tucked under the centre stone, which changes the side profile far more than the view from above.

  4. #04

    Cathedral setting guide

    How raised shoulders sweep up to support the centre stone and lift the whole profile of the ring.

  5. #05

    Channel setting guide

    How diamonds set between two metal walls give a smooth band with more protection around each stone.

  6. #06

    Bar setting guide

    How slim metal bars hold stones apart, a setting often chosen for bands where even spacing matters.

Diamond shapes for engagement rings

  1. #01

    Round brilliant cut

    A bright, familiar shape that is easier to compare across stones.

  2. #02

    Oval cut

    A lengthening shape where ratio, bow tie and shoulder shape matter.

  3. #03

    Emerald cut

    A step cut with long facets that show clarity and colour more clearly.

  4. #04

    Cushion cut

    A soft-edged shape that can look antique, modern, crushed ice or broad flash.

  5. #05

    Marquise cut

    An elongated pointed shape that spreads wide for its carat weight.

  6. #06

    Pear shaped

    A teardrop shape that needs a balanced point, shoulder and rounded end.

  7. #07

    Princess cut

    A square brilliant cut with crisp corners and a structured look.

  8. #08

    Radiant cut

    A brilliant square or rectangular shape with stronger sparkle than most step cuts.

  9. #09

    Asscher cut

    A square step cut with cropped corners and a deep, mirrored hall of mirrors look.

  10. #10

    Old mine cut

    An antique cushion-shaped cut with a soft, candlelit glow and genuine history.

Shop engagement rings by style

  1. #01

    Solitaire engagement rings

    Browse solitaire engagement rings ready to order or to customise.

  2. #02

    Halo engagement rings

    Browse halo engagement rings, where small diamonds frame the centre stone.

  3. #03

    Three-stone engagement rings

    Browse three-stone engagement rings across lab-grown diamond and moissanite.

  4. #04

    Bezel engagement rings

    Browse bezel engagement rings, with the centre stone framed in metal.

  5. #05

    Pave engagement rings

    Browse pave engagement rings, with small diamonds set along the band.

  6. #06

    Hidden halo engagement rings

    Browse hidden halo engagement rings, with a halo tucked under the stone.

  7. #07

    Cathedral engagement rings

    Browse cathedral engagement rings, with raised shoulders lifting the stone.