Round Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring Collection

In 2025, Australian couples spend an average of $5,000 to $6,000 on engagement rings, though this varies widely based on personal circumstances. The old "two-month salary" rule is just outdated marketing from De Beers—what matters is choosing a budget that fits your financial situation and doesn't strain your future together.

• Realistic Australian budgets: Most couples spend between $3,000-$10,000, with many beautiful options available under $5,000 through lab-grown diamonds and moissanite alternatives.
• What affects pricing: Stone type (natural vs lab-grown vs moissanite), carat weight, cut quality, metal choice, and setting complexity all impact final cost.
• Smart budget strategies: Consider a 0.9-carat stone instead of 1.0-carat for significant savings, choose lab-grown diamonds for 60-80% cost reduction, or explore moissanite for maximum value.
• Custom vs ready-made: Custom engagement rings in Melbourne start around $7,500 but offer complete personalisation and often better value than retail markup.
• Lifetime value: Focus on quality craftsmanship and ethical sourcing over size—these ensure your ring maintains beauty and meaning for decades.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring style is about understanding both timeless classics and modern trends. In 2025, Australian couples are embracing everything from minimalist solitaires to statement halo designs, with personalisation and ethical sourcing driving many decisions.

• Solitaire engagement rings: The timeless choice featuring a single centre stone. Classic 6-prong settings maximise light exposure, while 4-prong designs offer a more modern, clean look that shows more of the diamond.
• Halo engagement rings: Surrounding the centre stone with smaller diamonds creates 1.5-2mm of additional visual size and dramatic sparkle. Perfect for maximising impact within budget constraints.
• Vintage engagement rings: Art deco and Victorian-inspired designs featuring intricate details, milgrain edges, and romantic flourishes that never go out of style.
• Bezel set engagement rings: The fastest-growing style (900% year-on-year growth) offers modern sophistication with a metal rim surrounding the diamond for maximum protection and sleek appeal.
• Three-stone engagement rings: Symbolising past, present, and future, these designs are gaining popularity with modern twists like fancy-shaped side stones (pears, baguettes, trapezoids).

Both moissanite and diamonds create stunning engagement rings, but they offer different benefits. Understanding their unique characteristics helps you choose the perfect stone for your priorities, budget, and style preferences.

• Brilliance and sparkle: Moissanite has a higher refractive index (2.65 vs 2.42) creating more "fire" and rainbow sparkles, while diamonds offer classic white brilliance with understated elegance.
• Durability for daily wear: Diamonds score 10 on the Mohs scale, moissanite scores 9.25—both are exceptionally durable for everyday wear. The difference is negligible for practical purposes.
• Value and pricing: Moissanite costs 80-90% less than diamonds of similar size, allowing larger stones within the same budget. Lab-grown diamonds offer middle-ground pricing at 60-80% savings.
• Ethical considerations: Both lab-created moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are 100% conflict-free with guaranteed ethical sourcing and minimal environmental impact compared to mining.
• Personal preference: Choose diamonds for traditional elegance and cultural significance, or moissanite for maximum sparkle and value. Both create beautiful, lasting symbols of love.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring involves understanding your partner's style, setting a realistic budget, and knowing the key factors that affect quality and appearance. Focus on what matters most to your relationship rather than following outdated "rules" about spending.

• Know your partner's style: Observe their current jewellery preferences—do they prefer classic elegance (solitaire rings) or statement pieces (halo designs)? Modern or vintage-inspired? Simple or ornate details?
• Choose the right stone shape: Round brilliant offers maximum sparkle and timeless appeal, oval creates an elongated elegant look, princess and emerald cuts suit modern tastes, while cushion and vintage cuts offer romantic charm.
• Understand the 4 C's: Cut affects brilliance (most important), colour ranges from D (colourless) to Z, clarity shows inclusions, and carat determines size. Balance these based on your priorities and budget.
• Select the setting style: Solitaire showcases the stone, halo adds sparkle and apparent size, three-stone represents past/present/future, bezel offers modern protection, and vintage settings provide unique character.
• Consider your lifestyle together: Active lifestyles suit lower profiles and protective settings, while office workers can choose higher settings. Think about wedding band pairing and long-term wearability.