Tips for buying an engagement ring in 2024

Posted on: 28/03/2024

Proposing to someone can be a daunting task in itself – and working out how to buy an engagement ring is a whole other ball game. While some partners give clear briefings in advance, others might not be sure about what they want. Although we can't advise you on whether they'd appreciate a public proposal, we can certainly help you with securing a beautiful ring.

So, how do you go about buying an engagement ring for the person you love? Here are some hints and tips to help you get started.

 

Get to know your partner's preferences

You'll get off to a good start if you pay attention to the type of jewellery your partner wears before you buy an engagement ring. Do they keep things more minimal and understated? Or do they love bold colours and quirky designs?

If you feel comfortable digging a little deeper, you can chat candidly about trend round-ups and celebrity engagement rings to get a better idea of what they like and – perhaps more importantly – what they dislike. Remember, you can always call on close friends and family members for more insight.

Get advice from a professional

More often than not, it's beneficial to enlist the help of a professional when buying an engagement ring and there's absolutely no shame in doing this. Head to a jewellery store and find an in-store expert who can help.

You might want to get clued up on different cuts, settings and metals or need a full run-down of the process from start to finish. You'll be in safe hands regardless. The jewellery expert will also be happy to pick out options based on the criteria you've set. Using your newfound knowledge, you'll feel 10 times more confident when choosing and buying an engagement ring.

Decide on a stone

If you're set on a diamond, it's worth understanding how you can make a good investment for your budget. One of the best engagement ring tips is to research the 4 Cs – colour, cut, clarity and carat – as a starting point and ask an expert in-store to show you their offering, taking into account your budget. Alternatively, you might have a coloured stone in mind, such as a sapphire, ruby or emerald.

Choosing the type of stone is only the start, though; you'll need to decide on the cut. These range from cushion to oval styles and there's plenty to choose from. Again, ask an expert to show you some examples of each if you're unsure.

Choose the ring style and metal

Identifying the right ring style and metal is an important part of knowing how to buy an engagement ring. Once you've decided on the stone, it's all about bringing it to life in a way that your partner will love. One of the most popular styles is the single stone (also known as solitaire), which is a classic staple that will never get old. However, you might be more drawn to halo, trilogy or cluster styles instead.

Then for the metal, usually you'll choose between white gold, yellow gold and platinum – however, more jewellers now offer rose-gold rings. Seeing examples in person will help you make a more accurate judgement of each. This can't be underestimated when buying an engagement ring.

Consider an accredited jeweller

Knowing how to buy an engagement ring goes beyond choosing the right design. It also comes down to buying from a reputable jeweller you can trust. If you want to ensure that you're getting quality diamonds for a fair price, you can look out for associations and accreditations to confirm this.

The best jewellers will also go above and beyond, with engagement ring tips, including how to care for it, how to find your partner's ring size and more. 

 

Get expert advice from F.Hinds

When you feel ready, F.Hinds will be ready to assist you every step of the way on your engagement ring-buying journey. We recommend having an initial look at our selection online before heading in-store to get advice from our expert team. They will also be able to tell you about our additional services, including ring size adjustments, product guarantees and more.

We're members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). This means that we meet the industry's ethical and socially responsible standards, so you can buy from us with confidence.