Some people know what kind of engagement ring they want before they’ve even met the person they’re going to marry. This makes knowing how to buy an engagement ring much easier. However, some people prefer to leave it to their other half to surprise them, which isn’t quite so simple.

If you don’t already have strict instructions from your spouse-to-be about what engagement ring they’d like or if you’re looking for inspiration for yourself, keep reading to explore our helpful engagement ring guide.

We’ll take you through your metal, diamond cut and stone-setting options to help you find ‘the one’ here at Sarah Layton or to make you more confident as you continue your search.

  

How to choose an engagement ring

The most important thing to remember when buying an engagement ring is that it’s got to feel right for whoever is wearing it. It should feel like it was made just for them and be an extension of their style and personality.

So, when it comes to our top engagement ring tips, these are three key things we recommend you consider first:

• The metal you would like the ring band to be made from.

• The type of diamond cut you want.

• The style of stone setting you like.

There are some other important things to keep in mind too but let’s explore these three key things in more detail first.

 

Decide which metal you’d like

One of the first things to consider when choosing an engagement ring is what kind of metal you or your loved one would like.

There is a whole array of options on the jewellery market for you to choose from, including more contemporary choices like rose gold. But below are some of the more classic, timeless choices.

Platinum - to the naked eye, platinum looks just like white gold or silver. However, it’s one of the strongest, most durable and scratch-proof metals. This makes it one of the most expensive but also low-maintenance options. Being hypoallergenic, platinum is also great for anybody with sensitive skin.
White gold - again, to the naked eye, white gold looks silver in colour. It can be coated with rhodium to add to its shine and give it an extra boost of lustre. It’s a fantastic option if you like the look of platinum but want something more affordable.
Yellow gold - the classic warm-gold-coloured metal. Gold comes in a range of different karats, which influences the cost and provides options for different budgets. It’s important to note that yellow gold is softer and more likely to scratch or dent than white gold (or other options).
Palladium - Palladium is very similar to platinum in that it’s a cool-toned metal that is super strong and hypoallergenic. It’s also extremely tarnish-proof. Palladium is lighter than platinum, which makes it the least expensive of the two.
Sterling silver - for those looking for the most affordable option, sterling silver is a great choice. It is a soft metal though so it will require more regular maintenance than other metals.

 

Pick your perfect diamond cut

One of the simplest ways to categorise engagement rings is by the ‘cut’ of the diamond, which is just a fancy way of describing what shape the diamond is. It’s one of the main elements that will influence the overall look and feel of the ring.

Some of the most classic diamond cuts are:

• Round - a classic, circular diamond with maximum light reflection and sparkle; an extremely popular and timeless choice.

• Princess - a square or rectangular cut that provides a more modern alternative to a round cut diamond with the same level of light reflection and sparkle.

• Oval - an oval-shaped stone, which provides a more unique alternative to the classic round cut diamond. Popular with those looking for something with a modern-vintage feel.

• Pear - also known as a ‘teardrop’, the pear cut is like a combination of a round cut diamond and a marquise diamond; more unique but still timeless.

• Emerald - a rectangular cut diamond that focuses on the clarity of the stone rather than its sparkle. It has a luxurious, antique vibe with long, symmetrical lines.

• Cushion - a square or rectangular diamond with soft edges and round corners that resemble a cushion or pillow (hence the name).

• Asscher - this cut is often likened to a hall of mirrors as it features a stack of square-shaped diamonds of different sizes. It has a glamorous, Art Deco look and feel.

• Marquise - also known as navette cut, a marquise diamond is similar to an oval shape but more elongated and with pointed tips. A popular choice for those looking to make a statement.

• Radiant - a radiant cut diamond is like a hybrid of an emerald cut shape and the sparkle of a round, brilliant cut diamond. It typically has trimmed corners.

Consider the person who is going to be wearing the ring and think about their personal style, the kind of aesthetic they lean toward and the type of diamond cut that will most flatter their hand.

Choose how you’d like the stone to be set

When you know what metal you want to go for and you’ve got a good idea about the type of diamond cuts you love most, the next thing to think about is how you want the stone—or stones—to be set.

‘Setting’ simply means how the diamond—or multiple diamonds—are arranged on the ring, either with even more diamonds or with other types of stones. Again, this impacts the overall look and feel of the ring and can be the difference between understated and subtle or making a dramatic statement, whichever metal or cut you choose.

Below are the classic stone-setting styles you’ll find here at Sarah Layton.

 

Cluster

Cluster setting is traditionally when a collection of smaller stones is arranged in a way that creates the illusion of a much bigger diamond. It’s a more cost-effective way to create a real statement piece. However, cluster setting can also be the combination of one big diamond and a series of smaller stones around it.

Halo

Halo-style stone setting is where the main, show-stopping stone sits in the middle and is surrounded by a frame of smaller stones. You could have a central cushion diamond, for example, surrounded by an intricate halo of tiny stones—this could also classify as a cluster-style engagement ring.

Solitaire

The solitaire style is when there is just one, single stone set on the ring band by itself. It’s one of the most classic and elegant types of engagement ring and is a consistently popular choice for its timelessness and flexibility in terms of cost.

Trilogy

As the name suggests, trilogy stone setting is the arrangement of three stones together to create one cohesive design. You can get as creative as you like or stay as classic as you prefer with trilogy styling as you can experiment with the size and shape of the stones within the design.

 

Some other things to consider when buying an engagement ring:

As well as visual elements like the metal of the band, the type of diamond cut and how the stones are set, below are some other pretty important things to keep in mind when it comes to buying an engagement ring.

Your budget

There’s an old wives’ tale that says you should spend at least three months’ salary on an engagement ring. While you can use this as a guide if you like, it is worth noting that this was actually just a clever marketing campaign released by De Beers in the 1980s to get people to spend more money on jewellery.

Figure out what your personal budget is and then shop within those boundaries as strictly as possible. Our collection of engagement rings has a super wide scope of prices, so there’s something to suit everyone.

 

How the ring will be worn

Engagement rings aren’t just for popping the question and getting hitched—engagement rings are going to be loved for life. That’s why it’s so important to consider how it is going to be worn and treated day-to-day.

If somebody has a job that requires them to use their hands a lot, for example, but they want to wear their ring every day, you could consider a smaller stone or a cluster set close to the band to reduce the risk of damage. You could also opt for a diamond cut with smooth edges and soft corners, like an oval or cushion, to prevent it from getting caught.

 

Type of diamond

All diamonds are spectacular but they’re not all created in the same way. For example, we have a selection of natural diamonds as well as laboratory-grown diamonds (also known as created diamonds, man-made diamonds, engineered diamonds & cultured diamonds).

Both types of diamonds have their unique set of benefits. Lab-grown diamonds, for instance, are typically more budget-sensitive and eco-friendly, while natural diamonds have a more romantic story, formed for many years by natural processes. It’s all about doing your research and finding the right one for you.

 

 

How to buy an engagement ring from Sarah Layton

All of our engagement rings are available in a variety of styles and diamond cuts, in your metal of choice, from platinum, white gold, or yellow gold - so there really is something for every love story. Each one has been carefully curated and beautifully crafted by our expert goldsmiths and diamond setters.

If any of the stunning engagement rings you’ve seen on our website have caught your eye, you can shop online and get it delivered straight to your door. If you’d prefer to reserve your ring to pick up in-store, we can arrange that for you too. Simply let us know or select ‘Reserve in store’ on the product page.

We offer 0% finance options and free delivery on all orders over £75 to make purchasing your dream ring as smooth and stress-free as possible.

If you’d like some more engagement ring advice or have any particular questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch - we’ll be more than happy to help.