ENGAGEMENT RING GUIDES

The Ultimate Guide To Buying The Perfect Diamond Engagement Ring

As a Jeweler and Master Diamond Setter, I've helped thousands of couples design and create their dream engagement ring. Do you want to know the real secret to finding the most amazing, perfect engagement ring she'll love?

Just show her that you thought it through. What women really want is to know that you went above and beyond to create a moment they've dreamed of their entire lives.

The fact that you are reading this shows that you are doing your research and taking the process seriously, so you're halfway there!

With all the overwhelming options available, we've put together an engagement ring guide to help you through the process of finding the ring of her dreams.

How To Buy An Engagement Ring She'll Love

I've worked with hundreds of men and couples to design and create the perfect engagement ring of their dreams.

Many men I've worked with have a general idea of what they want, whereas some don't know where to start. Whether you're overwhelmed and confused with options or want every detail to be perfect, I'll walk you through a process for buying a ring she'll love.

If you want a shortcut to bypass engagement ring shopping, consider contacting my studio to create a custom engagement ring. We have a 100% Happiness Guarantee. You can read customer reviews here, learn how it works, or book a call here.

Step 1: Establish a budget

Before you start engagement ring shopping, start by setting a budget. Why? Because let’s face it—there’s no shortage of ways to spend a huge fortune on a diamond! Without a clear price point in mind, it’s easy to get swept away by all the sparkle.

Setting a budget helps you focus on what truly matters and prioritize the factors that are most important to you, whether that’s size, aspects of quality, or personal touches.

How Much Should You Spend on An Engagement Ring? The Two-Month’s Salary Rule: Why It’s Irrelevant

You’ve probably heard that you should spend two months’ salary on an engagement ring, but this “rule” is actually a marketing ploy from a 1930s De Beers ad campaign designed to sell diamonds. It’s not a guideline you need to follow. What truly matters is setting a budget that makes sense for you—based on your financial situation and what feels right for your relationship, not some outdated notion.

If you're not sure how much your budget will stretch, continue reading to learn about the factors that determine the price of an engagement ring.

Step 2: Understand the 4Cs of Diamonds

The four Cs —**Carat**, Cut, Clarity, and Color—are the key factors defined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) that determine a diamond’s quality and value. Carat refers to the size, Cut affects how well the diamond sparkles, Clarity measures any internal or external flaws, and the Color grades the stone’s whiteness.

These elements work together to define a diamond’s overall beauty and price.

Most diamonds come with a diamond grading report. It's an expert assessment of the diamond in the four Cs. It ensures your diamond is accurately evaluated and certified for authenticity and quality. You can have a GIA-certified jeweler conduct an assessment and provide a report.

For more information, check out our full guide on the 4Cs of diamonds.

Step 3: Decide On A Diamond Shape

One of the most important decisions when choosing the perfect engagement ring is selecting the shape of your center diamond. The shape, often referred to as the diamond cut, differs from the “cut” you see in the 4Cs, which relates to the angles of a diamond's facets that have been cut for maximum brilliance. The diamond shape refers to the outline and style of the stone and reflects personal taste and style.

Some of the most popular diamond shapes or cuts include round brilliant, princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, radiant, and marquis.

Each shape has its own characteristics—like the round brilliant, which is prized for its sparkle, while the emerald cut is more subtle, with long lines and an elegant, understated look. Ultimately, choosing the right shape is all about personal preference and finding the style that best suits your partner.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab diamonds have been gaining in popularity. Lab-grown diamonds offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to mined diamonds, with the same physical and chemical properties. To the naked eye, a lab diamond looks identical to a natural one, whether it’s a 1-carat diamond or larger. A lab diamond is a real diamond, the main difference lies in their origin, not their beauty or quality.

For a deeper comparison between lab-grown and natural diamonds, check out our full article.

4. Choose the Right Metal

The next step is deciding on the metal type and color for the ring's setting. The main metal types are platinum and gold.

Platinum is a white or silver toned metal. It is slightly stronger than gold. It pairs well with diamonds because it doesn't reflect any coloring and brings out the brightness of a colorless stone. However, platinum is more expensive than gold.

Gold is available in various shades, including white gold, yellow, or rose gold. Yellow gold adds a nice contrast to a diamond's whiteness, and rose gold has a unique, antique look, as it was popular in the Victorian era.

Women often have a preference for the type of jewelry metal they wear. One tone may flatter her skin tone more than another. Notice if she wears mostly gold or silver metal jewelry, as she may have a strong preference for one over the other.

Read our in-depth guide on metals here.

5. Identify The Ring Style

The style of ring should reflect your significant other's personality, lifestyle and taste.

Some styles include simple, modern, unique, antique, art deco, or glamorous. How would you describe her wardrobe and fashion choices? This will give you a good indicator of her personal style.

6. Select A Ring Setting

A ring setting is the design and structure that holds the center stone in place. It shapes the overall look and enhances the style, security, and brilliance of the ring.

Here's a video covering the anatomy of a diamond engagement ring.

There are several standard types of ring settings, but there are many variations or design options within each setting that can be tailored to fit the style of ring you want.

Prong, basket, cathedral, trellis, bezel, channel, tension, three-stone ring and halo settings are among the most common.

There are many design elements that can be added to enhance each setting style to reflect the overall ring style you want to achieve. For instance, settings can have features like side stones or smaller diamonds set into the band of the ring. A popular choice is pavé or micro-pavé diamonds set around the band to add extra sparkle and glamour.

For example, a prong setting in solitaire rings showcases the diamond prominently, offering a classic and simple look, while a bezel setting gives a more contemporary, minimalist style with its clean lines.

On the other hand, halo rings add extra sparkle, creating a glamorous and eye-catching effect that can evoke both modern and vintage-inspired designs and make the diamond look larger.

There are endless options for adding embellishments to settings, like adding side stones or smaller diamonds in the band for extra sparkle.

The right setting enhances the overall aesthetic, helping you achieve the exact style you’re envisioning.

Read our Ring Settings Guide for an explanation on each type of setting.

Personalization Options

Personalization options allow you to create a truly unique engagement ring by adding custom touches such as engraving, choosing colored gemstones or a hidden gemstone for special meaning, or designing a unique setting.

Meaningful details make the ring one-of-a-kind and a perfect reflection of your partner's style and your love story.

7. Work with a Reputable Jeweler

A local jeweler can help guide you and simplify this process and locate rings in their jewelry store that fit your vision.

Another option is to work with a jeweler to create your own engagement ring. It's an opportunity to design something truly meaningful and unique. By working with a custom engagement ring jeweler, you can transform your ideas into reality, crafting a ring that reflects your partner’s style and your love story.

Another benefit of having a ring custom made is the care and quality that goes into your ring vs a mass-produced ring. An experienced craftsperson will look after each detail that often goes overlooked with store bought rings. They'll ensure every surface is polished, the ring is formed so it sits comfortably on her ring finger, and smooth out prongs and edges that may catch and snag clothing.

Here's a video to help you decide whether a custom or store bought ring is the best option for you.

8. Present The Ring

When it’s time to present the ring, it’s natural to feel nervous or anxious if she’ll love it. But in my experience, what most women care about isn’t just the ring itself—it’s the thought, care, and effort you put into choosing something truly special for her. It’s this personal touch that makes the moment unforgettable.

Plan a moment to express your love and commitment to her. Tell her how much she means to you. She'll remember this moment forever. Good luck, you got this!

Vanessa Nicole is an award-winning designer, master diamond setter and author of the bestselling book, 'The Perfect Custom Engagement Ring'. She creates stunning custom diamond rings for clients all over the world.