Engagement Rings

Buying a designer engagement ring is a big undertaking. Not only will you be parting with the equivalent of three month wages but you will have many things to consider: the diamonds or stones, the type of precious metal, and the design to name just a few. The ring will represent the most important relationship of your life and although personal taste is a large factor, we want to give you the following advice to help you get it right.

We will start with what is perceived as the most important feature of an engagement ring, the stone.

The Stone

The first question to ask is “How many?”

For those who want to keep things simple, a solitaire such as the Box Ring, would be an ideal choice. The uncomplicated form allows the stone to be displayed in all its glory.

The more adventurous might consider unusual engagement rings such as the Triumph three stone ring.

For more luxurious detail the main diamond can be surrounded by a series of dazzling smaller stones, or the shoulders can be highlighted with a stunning line of brilliant cuts.

The Fission Cluster and Fission Highlight display these choices perfectly however the jewels in the AG crown have to be the Reveal and Embrace. The subtle pave diamonds behind the main stone add a rare and ingenious quality to the ring and are one of the reasons why these are (and will be) best sellers in the AG range

Colour

White diamond is the classic, timeless option but gone are the days when they make up all engagement rings.

For those who desire colour; deep red ruby, a spectrum of sapphire hues, yellow diamond, chocolate diamonds, sumptuous tanzanite and aquamarine are all firm favorites.

Shape and Cut

A selection of stone cuts are illustrated in this article below. Each have their own inimitable charm.

The brilliant and princess cuts have long been favorites, due to their affordability, brilliance, availability and symmetry. Some, however, prefer the understated elegance of an emerald or asscher cut.

For the more daring there are flamboyant cuts like the marquis and oval but always be aware that the ring will need an accompanying wedding band to fit.

Metal

With the stones taken care of it is the turn of metal. (For the science on precious metal properties see the facts further on in this article.)

The metal colour needs some thought. If platinum, the most durable, rarest and purest precious metal is preferred then there is no option. However, if some form of gold is the preferred choice, then there's white gold engagement rings, or yellow and rose gold to choose from.

18ct gold offers richer colours than the less pure 9ct alternative. The colours can be combined in a ring to create some playful contrast such as the Unity Brilliant. Be careful, however, if coloured stones are involved too much contrast may spoil the design.

Form and Style

As with stones there are a wide range of styles to choose from; angular, organic or curvaceous; abstract or traditional. It’s important that the ring design is not too heavily based on fashion or trends but on balance, aesthetics, and wearability. Ensuring the ring you choose today will be admired through the generations of your family, to become a treasured future heirloom.

The form of the ring also has implications on matching wedding and eternity rings. If a simple flat edged wedding and eternity ring is preferred then the engagement ring should also have a flat edge, such as the Aqueous and Kiss.

Bear in mind that more prominent settings or larger stones in an engagement ring generally necessitates a more dramatic sweep or curve in the wedding and eternity rings, such as the Octo or Lattice.

Take a look at our extensive selection of unusual engagement rings.