Guide To Buying Your Engagement Ring in The Jewellery Quarter or Online
When it comes to purchasing an engagement ring, we appreciate how difficult it may be to understand why certain engagement rings although visually appear to be similar have a a not so similar price. The aim of this guide is to help you fully understand in more depth what it is you are purchasing. We have carefully put together the ultimate guide to help purchase or build your engagement ring online or in our store based in the Jewellery Quarter.
What we will cover
Setting Styles
Solitaire
Cluster
Halo
Three Stone
Fancy something special to you?
Why not build your own ring with out online ring builder. You can also choose lab grown diamonds!
Click HereBook AppointmentWhich Metal Should I Pick For My Engagement Ring
Choosing the perfect metal for your engagement ring can be a lot of pressure to make the right decision for you. There are pros and cons to all metals depending on your lifestyle and budget!
The metals we offer are:
| Precious Metal | Description | Pro's | Con's |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Gold |
in its natural colour |
It's traditional in its form and looks |
The more pure the gold is, the softer the metal becomes. |
|
White Gold |
Gold mixed with metals, alloys & rhodium |
resembles platinum in appearance but is less expensive. |
Rhodium plating can fade and may need to be reapplied. |
|
Rose Gold |
gold alloyed with copper |
A reddish pink hue can make for a vintage look. |
Over time, the color may deteriorate, and the metal is more likely to sustain scratches. Not suitable for those allergic to Copper. |
|
Platinum |
Strongest metal and hard wearing. |
Natural appearance and durable. |
Can be more expensive. |
What is 9ct Gold?
9ct Gold is available in three colours: Yellow, White, Rose 9ct gold is made up of 375 parts or 37.5% pure gold the other metals we use to alloy the ring allow the metal to change colour for example for us to create white gold we alloy pure gold with approximately 45% silver and then 17.5% other metals. White gold naturally has nearly a pure white tint it will always have a yellowish hue we then cover the ring in a rhodium plate to give the ring a bright white finish. 9ct Rose Gold is made up of 37.5% Pure yellow gold the remaining parts of the ring is consisted of copper this will give the ring the reddish pink hue. Copper will oxidise with time due to this the longer you have your ring the brighter and warmer tone the red will be.
What is 18ct Gold?
18ct gold holds many of the same characteristics as 9ct gold the biggest difference is the metal is made up from 750 parts or 75% pure gold this will give 18ct yellow gold a much brighter yellow tone in comparison to 9ct yellow gold. 18ct White gold is alloyed with Platinum this will make the ring much more durable to 9ct white gold.
What is Platinum?
Platinum is a naturally white metal because of this your ring will never tarnish or discolour, Platinum is a 95% pure metal. Due to this the ring itself will not contain nickel this will make the hypoallergenic this means it would be impossible to allergic to Platinum. Platinum has many benefits making it the most popular choice of metal for our customers. It also is incredibly strong surpassing any of the other choices. Over time platinum may appear to have a dull patina this is because the surface layer will oxidise. To give your ring the appearance as when you first collected it you will only need a slight polish on the ring because platinum is a naturally white metal you will not ever need to plate your ring.
To summarise the precious metal you choose for your engagement ring is mostly down to your preference and budget. If we was to rank these metals in terms of popularity and overall quality we would have them in this order below.
Let us help you decide
Book an appointment with one of our friendly and experience members of staff to help you make a choice.
Book Now1. Platinum.
If it is within your budget, platinum is the best choice of precious metal for your engagement ring. It is luxurious to the feel, natural in colour and very long lasting and gives the wearer a modern look.
2. Yellow Gold.
Yellow gold is one of the oldest precious metals with its beautiful distinct colour that won’t fade. Finding a yellow gold engagement ring within budget is a lot easier due to gold varying in purities.
3. White Gold.
White gold is an excellent budget friendly alternative to platinum and because it is gold, you have a choice of 18ct and 9ct purity.
4. Rose Gold.
Rose gold is a preferred choice for those who are looking for a vintage style or the beautiful rose sheen.
Diamond Quality Can Be Explained by The 4 C's
The 4 c’s are considered the four majority characteristics of a diamond you should look for when purchasing your diamond. The 4 c’s are.
Colour
The Colour of a diamond is graded of the brilliance of the white colour the diamond radiates, Diamond colour is grades alphabetically starting at D for diamond the whole way up to Z, GIA grades any diamond up to letter H as a naturally white diamond as the letters go past H towards Z to yellowish hue the diamond has will get greater. A D colour diamond will give the brightest white colour to your diamond. A D Colour diamond will always have the highest price this is why some people may compromise to a slightly lower colour such a F.
Clarity
The Clarity of a Diamond determines the sparkle of a diamond the more inclusions a Diamond has the more dull or cloudy the diamond will be it is Graded from
- FL (Flawless)
- IF (Internally Flawless)
- VVS1 (Very Very Small inclusions)
- VVS2 (Very Very Small Inclusions to the second degree)
- VS1 (Very small inclusions)
- VS2 (very small inclusions to the second degree)
- SI1 (Small inclusions)
- SI2 (Small inclusions to the second degree)
- I1 (Included)
- I2 (Included to the second degree)
- I3 (Included to the third degree)
A Diamond graded up to VS2 will be classed as eye clean this means you will not be able to see any visible inclusions to the naked eye you would need at least 15x magnification to see the inclusion within the diamond.
FL
Flawless
IF
Internally flawless
VVS1 VVS2
Very very slightly included
VS1 VS2
Very slightly included
SI1 SI2
Slightly included
I1 I2 I3
Flawless
Cut
The quality of a diamonds cut is determined by how well the diamond interacts with light to create the most desirable effects, such as:
- Brightness
The light reflected from the diamond internally and externally. - Fire
The dispersion of white light into all of the rainbow’s colours. - Scintillation
The quantity of sparkle produced by a diamond, as well as the pattern of light and dark areas induced by internal reflections.
Carat
In simple terms, a diamonds carat weight is how much the diamond weighs.
Carats are defined as 200 milligrams in metric units. There are 100 points in each carat, which allows precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweller may refer to a diamond’s weight by its “points” alone when the diamond is less than one carat. In the case of a diamond weighing 0.25 carats, the jeweller may refer to it as a “twenty-five pointer.” Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. It would be appropriate to describe a 1.08 carat stone as ‘one point eight carats’.
In general, a diamond’s price increases with its carat weight since larger diamonds are rarer and more valuable. In contrast, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values (and prices) depending on colour, clarity, and cut.
Remember that a diamond’s value is determined not just by its carat weight, but by the combination of all 4Cs.
We can help you chose your perfect diamond
The 4 C's can be a little daunting at first, however, our team of experts can help make
it a pleasant experience and ease you through the journey.
Book NowDiamond Shapes
- Round Cut
- Princess Cut
- Emerald Cut
- Oval Cut
- Marquise Cut
Diamond Terms
An imperfection on a diamond’s surface that may or may not be recognizable.
The amount of white light reflected from the diamond's surface is known as the diamond's brilliance.
A 58-faceted round diamond.
Measurement used for spanning the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to one fifth of a gram.
A graded scale that measures the quantum of defects within a diamond. The ranges from flawless( FL) to severely included( I3).
A diamond with a minor inclusion.
Diamond colour tones are rated on a scale of D (colourless) to Z. (yellow brown).
The diamond's bottom point, which may or may not have a facet.
Angle and geometric shape proportion that includes both shape and percentage of stone. Determines the stone's sparkle and radiance.
Hearts and Arrows are reflected in a round diamond that is perfectly proportioned.
Hearts and Arrows are reflected in a round diamond that is perfectly proportioned.
An acceptable, more affordable cut with good proportions.
This cut is designed to optimise the diamond's carat weight while still catching some sparkle.
A visibly dull and lifeless diamond that lacks proportion and quality.
The distance between the culet and the table of a diamond.
The brilliance and sparkle of a diamond are determined by its height divided by its width.
A diamond that has no visible flaws or blemishes when viewed with the naked eye.
The polished, flat surfaces of a diamond.
Color light that is reflected and emanates from the inside out.
When exposed to UV light, the diamond surface glows with an illuminating bluish colour, which normally has no effect on look or quality.
The narrow band that encompasses the width of a diamond.
A flaw in a diamond that usually appears in the crystal. It may or may not be apparent to the naked eye, but it is noticeable when magnified.
The proportions of the diamond's cut. The finer the craftsmanship, the better the diamond.
The bottom part of a diamond.
One hundredth of a carat.
A stone's exterior finish, ranging from excellent to poor.
The amount of light reflected from a diamond's surface that combines fire and brilliance.
The overall proportion and unity of a stone's cut. The degree of symmetry varies from poor to excellent.
the portion of a diamond that is at the top and has the largest facet.
The diamond's overall diameter, which splits the table's width, is important for determining the stone's sparkle.
Which Engagement Ring Style Should I Choose?
It may sound overly detailed to select a diamond engagement ring based on the type of hand, but doing so is an essential step in reducing the number of possibilities. These variables can’t afford to be overlooked when purchasing an engagement ring online since your fiancé is likely to have an understanding of what ring styles don’t suit their hand type.
Finding a ring style that will flatter and complement the individual nature of each hand is essential. The chart below serves as a starting point, however keep in mind that each person has a different personal style. If that’s the case, you might need to seek a second perspective because your partner’s taste might not reflect the most attractive ring selection.
| Finger or Hand Type | Most Attractive Ring Styles |
|---|---|
|
Small Hands |
Round, Princess and Heart cuts are an excellent choice. |
|
Short Fingers |
Narrow band, oval, pear, and marquise cut. |
|
Large Hands |
A wider band is more appropriate. Multi-stone and coloured stones are also excellent choices. |
|
Long Fingers |
You're in luck because most sizes and cuts will work for you. A wide band will help to lengthen the ring. |
|
Wide Fingers |
A larger surface area can be covered with wide bands and split shanks. Diamonds that are long are good picks. |
|
Slender Fingers |
Smaller stones are typically preferred, but you can also go for medium or thick bands. |
|
Large Knuckles |
A wider band will give the ring greater prominence; multistone and/or coloured stones are also options. |
