A1) In the UK an engagement ring is worn on the finger next to the pinky finger on the left hand. This is actually known as ‘the ring finger’.
Q2) What style of ring is an engagement ring?
A2) The most popular style of engagement ring is a solitaire. This simply means one, single Diamond. The shape of Diamond can vary. Many engagement rings have tiny accent Diamonds on the shoulders, but the main rule of thumb is that there is one large stone. Some people do choose 2 or even 3 stone Diamond engagement rings but these designs are far less popular. The important thing though is choosing a design you or your partner loves so really, it’s up to you!
Q3) How do I find out my partners finger size?
A3) Don’t worry too much about this because the only true way to tell is measure your partner’s finger with a sizer but this somewhat spoils the surprise! Many tricks like borrowing a ring from a jewellery box or drawing around a ring are very inaccurate, so the easiest way is to take a guess (with advice from a jeweller on popular sizes) & then get the ring altered after you have presented it.
Q4) Can an engagement ring be made bigger?
A4) Yes. A well-made engagement ring can be made bigger or smaller by quite a few sizes. A goldmsith can add or remove precious metal to ensure a ring is resized neatly & safely. The only times a resizing can be problematic is if the ring has small Diamonds going a long way around the shank & the ring is going up/down by quite a few sizes. Another time might be if the ring is a little thin in depth or has hollow shoulders. We should point out that RING jewellers do not take on re-sizings of rings that we have not made because our workshops are always very busy making bespoke engagement & wedding rings.
Q5) Can an engagement ring be Silver?
A5) Although an engagement ring can be Silver coloured (ie Platinum, Palladium or White Gold) we do not recommend actual Silver. This is because Silver is a very soft metal & is not ideal for everyday wear. Silver engagement rings are fine as a temporary or ‘place holder’ ring if you have a tight budget but they do sadly damage easily over time. Also, Silver rings are usually set with very fragile gemstones like cubic zirconias or ‘C.Z.’s’. These stones are prone to cracking & falling out of jewellery. When it comes to the colour of the precious metal of an engagement ring this can be yellow (Gold), white (Platinum, Palladium or White Gold), or rose (Rose Gold). There are no rules or traditions for this because it is a matter of personal taste.
Q6) Are engagement rings returnable?
A6) This is down to the policy of the individual jewellery store so it is best to check with them. What most jewellers say is that if a ring is bespoke it is not returnable. At RING jewellers though, we have a unique ‘satisfaction guarantee’. This means that if an engagement ring is not well received. By the recipient we will either alter, or even totally remake it free of charge. This means there is zero chance of you or your partner not absolutely loving the new ring even if is a bespoke piece!
Q7) Why are engagement rings worn on the left hand?
A7) In Ancient Rome it was believed that there was a vein (the Vena Amoris) that ran directly from the ring finger on the left hand straight to the heart.
Q8) How much should I spend on a Diamond engagement ring?
A8) You may not know that all of the traditions when it comes to how much to spend on an engagement ring are nothing more than a clever marketing ploy by a company called De Beer who coincidentally sell Diamonds! Originally the tradition created was marketed to U.S. customers as one months salary but this soon changed to 2 months salary. Then, De Beers set out to conquer the Japanese market & made the tradition 3 months salary! The best advice is to spend what you are comfortable with. Yes, the ring will hopefully be worn for life, but we are sure your partner will not want to start you new life together with you in massive debt!
Q9) Does an engagement ring have to be a Diamond?
A9) Although it is by far the most popular choice the answer is no. Many customers choose a coloured stone like a Sapphire or Ruby. If a tight budget or ethical reasons are putting you off of choosing Diamond there is also the choice of laboratory grown Diamonds nowadays. These stones cost much less, have less of an environmental impact & are practically indistinguishable from natural Diamonds.
Q10) What size of Diamond should I choose for an engagement ring?
A10) The most important thing to remember is that bigger is not always better! The quality of a Diamond is just as important as the size or carat weight. The colour & clarity of a Diamond affect how a Diamond looks from a beautiful colourless & fiery Diamond down to a very yellowy included stone that barely looks like a Diamond. The grade also affects the price of the Diamond. The worst thing you can possibly do is ask for ‘The biggest rock for my budget please’. This will give you a large stone that looks awful. Instead, you should ask a jeweller about different grades of Diamond & then choose a stone that is the perfect balance between quality & your budget. There’s no need to choose a ‘D’ flawless Diamond (the perfect grade), but on the other hand you shouldn’t go for a ‘flash for cash’ very low grade. You can take a look in our guides section to find out more about Diamond grading.
