How to Choose an Engagement Ring
Updated 10 August 2026 · 5 min read
To choose an engagement ring, set a budget, decide between a lab grown diamond and moissanite, pick a stone shape and a metal, choose a setting style, and get the ring size right. Buying made-to-order lets you tailor each of these rather than settling for stock.
1. Set a budget
Decide what you are comfortable spending before you start, it narrows every other choice. Because lab grown diamonds and moissanite cost far less than mined diamonds, a modern engagement ring budget goes much further than the old "months of salary" rules of thumb suggest.
2. Choose the stone: lab grown diamond or moissanite
A lab grown diamond is a real diamond at a lower price than mined; moissanite is a durable, brilliant diamond alternative at the best value. Both are ethical and conflict-free. If having an actual diamond matters, choose lab grown; if maximum sparkle and stretching the budget matter more, choose moissanite. Our lab grown vs moissanite guide compares them in detail.
3. Pick a shape
Round brilliant is the classic, maximum-sparkle choice. Oval and marquise look larger for their carat weight and elongate the finger; emerald and Asscher give a clean, art-deco look; cushion, pear, princess and heart each have their own character. If you are buying as a surprise, notice the shapes they already wear.
4. Choose the metal and setting
Pick a metal, 10K, 14K or 18K gold in yellow, white or rose, or platinum, ideally matching any jewellery they already wear. Then choose a setting: a solitaire keeps the focus on the stone, a halo adds sparkle and apparent size, three-stone and pavé settings add detail. The setting affects both the look and everyday practicality.
5. Get the size right
Every ring here is made to order, so it is crafted to the finger size you give us rather than adjusted from stock. If you are unsure, our ring size guide explains how to measure at home, and complimentary resizing is available within the first year for standard sizes.
6. Consider a custom design
If the exact ring you are picturing is not in the collection, a custom design lets you build it from a sketch, photo or description, we send CAD renders for approval before anything is made, so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Spend what you are comfortable with. Lab grown diamonds and moissanite make it possible to get a beautiful, larger ring for far less than a mined diamond, so old salary-based rules no longer apply.
How do I choose a ring as a surprise?
Note the metal colour and stone shapes they already wear, borrow a ring from the correct finger for sizing, and choose a timeless setting like a solitaire. Complimentary resizing covers small fit differences.
What if I cannot find the exact ring I want?
Use our custom design service, send a sketch, photo or description and we will produce CAD renders for your approval before crafting the ring.
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