How to buy the perfect engagement ring

Solitaire, halo, or trilogy? Round, pear, or oval? Diamond or coloured gemstone?

The options are seemingly endless when it comes to choosing an engagement ring. Luckily, Nikolay Piriankov, founder and CEO of bespoke jeweller Taylor & Hart, has some top tips to help you make the right choice:

1. Do your homework

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Nobody knows your partner better than you. The easiest inspiration of all is to look at what style of jewellery and clothing your partner already wears.

Take into account what will suit their skin tone and daily lifestyle. For example, if your partner works with their hands, the metal and setting should reflect this, to avoid unnecessary damage to the ring.

Also, avoid going with a theme, it’s wiser to choose something tasteful and classic that will stand the test of time.

2. Work within your budget

Sticking to a budget won’t compromise the quality of your ring. Instead, it forces you to prioritise which elements of the ring are most important to you.

Consumers get better value by learning about diamonds, gemstones and engagement rings before making a purchase.

In fact, couples often undertake the purchase together, as this kind of expense is considered a household decision.

3. Choose the right stone

Before choosing your diamond, you must consider the 4 Cs of diamond quality – cut, clarity, colour and carat weight.

While all of the 4 Cs are important, we suggest that clarity, cut and colour suit your preferences first, before considering carat weight, based on your remaining budget.

Of course, for lovers of the bold and bright, gemstone engagement rings featuring sapphires, rubies, emeralds or tourmalines are on-trend, offering a vibrant splash of colour, and a unique take on an otherwise traditional gift.

4. Choose the right metal

We recommend 18ct white, yellow or rose gold, and platinum for rings designed to be worn every day as they’re durable metals, boasting glorious shine and depth of colour.

5. Be creative and customise

Today, everybody is looking for ways to express themselves. Using a bespoke service empowers you to take creative control of your engagement ring design.

The spectrum of bespoke ranges from a small inscription or gemstone set on the inside of your band, to having an entirely customised engraved pattern along the ring - it’s totally up to you.

Little touches can add a hugely personal and unique finish. Don’t be afraid to consider customisation - push the boundaries of what you thought was possible. We have had customers come to us asking for help designing rings that incorporate the wild and the wonderful from unicorn horns to dragons and lobster claws. The options are truly limitless when designing such a special piece of jewellery.

For more, visit taylorandhart.com