Buying guide for the perfect proposal

Proposing is most probably the biggest romantic gesture that you will ever make, but with so many types of rings available, it can feel hard to find the one that’s perfect for your loved one… But it doesn’t have to stressful, here are six of our top tips to keep in mind when selecting an engagement ring:

1. Consider your loved one’s personal style: Think about their tastes and preferences when it comes to jewellery. Do they prefer classic, timeless pieces or more trendy, modern styles? Do they wear mostly gold or silver jewellery? Lately we are seeing a come-back to yellow-gold- which we absolutely love. But platinum or white gold is still very popular for engagement rings. It’s best to take note of their existing collection to get an idea of their style.

2. Choose a meaningful stone - Consider whether or not your partner would want a diamond or another type of gemstone. Diamonds are still the most popular for engagements, but they are not everybody’s choice. Some people prefer a coloured gemstone, such as a ruby, or sapphire. We’ve seen emeralds or morganite become more popular in the last couple of years- which we personally love. You could also consider choosing a stone that has special meaning such as a birthstone or a stone that represents your relationship.

Our Engagement Ring Collection

3. Set a budget: It's an investment and so it’s important to get right, but it’s also important to set a budget and stick to it. Engagement rings can really range in price from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands of pounds, so decide what you can comfortably afford and look for options within that range. The cost of a ring will vary depending on the type of metal, the style, and the quality of the diamonds or other gemstones. 

4. Get the right size: Make sure you know their ring size. Most rings can be re-sized easily but it's good to know their size at the beginning so you can factor this into your planning. You can discreetly borrow a ring from their jewellery box or ask a close friend or family member for help.

5. For diamonds, consider the 4Cs: If you're buying a diamond engagement ring, familiarize yourself with the 4Cs (cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight) to ensure you're getting a quality stone for your budget. It’s worth saying that the size of the diamond doesn’t necessarily dictate the price. A smaller, more delicate ring can be more expensive than a larger one because of the amount of work that has gone into crafting it and the quality of the stone.

Our Diamond Collection

6. Choose a setting that suits them: The setting is another key factor to consider. The most popular setting is the solitaire, which is a single diamond or gemstone in the centre of the ring. However, there are lots of others as well, such as the halo setting, which features a small diamond or gemstone surrounded by a larger one- this style is really popular in America. The bezel setting is another option, which encircles the stone with a thin band of metal. 

The setting you choose will depend on your partner’s style, the shape of the stone, and the overall design of the ring. Later on, the wedding band and eternity ring will be chosen to complement the engagement ring - so choosing a setting is an important decision. 

Our Eternity Ring Collection

Helping our customers find their perfect engagement ring is our favourite thing to do. So please let us know if you need any help! Email us at HELLO@WILLOWFINEJEWELLERY.CO.UK 

Also Congratulations to the lovely Rachel from Roobarb creative, pictured on her hen do in Paris. Check out her page here

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