How to Choose an Engagement Ring: A Simple Guide

The ring box will sit in a jacket pocket for weeks. It will be checked a dozen times a day, moved from drawer to coat and back again. Before any of that, someone has to choose the ring, and that part feels the heaviest.

Quick answer: to choose an engagement ring, start with the style she already wears, then decide three things in order: the stone shape (round, princess or cushion), the setting (solitaire, halo or split shank) and the metal (white or yellow gold). Set a budget you are comfortable with, confirm her ring size, and leave time for the ring to be made. You can see all six styles side by side in our engagement rings collection, or start with the round solitaire, the ring most people picture first.

Below is how to choose an engagement ring step by step, from the people who make them by hand in Yerevan.

Step 1: Start with her style, not the shop window

The best ring is not the most popular one. It is the one that looks like it already belongs on her hand. So before you look at diamonds, look at her.

• What does she wear every day? Fine, delicate pieces point to a slim band. Bold pieces point to a halo or a wider pavé band.
• Which metal does she reach for? Her favourite necklace or watch usually answers the gold question for you.
• Ask quietly. A close friend or sister often knows exactly what she has saved or pointed at.
• Think about her hands at work. If she types, cooks or trains every day, a lower setting snags less than a tall one.

Write down three words for her style: classic, modern, sparkly, minimal, vintage. Keep them in your phone. They will make every next decision easier.

Step 2: Choose the stone shape

The shape of the centre stone sets the whole mood of the ring. Three shapes cover most engagement rings:

Round. The classic. A round brilliant has the most sparkle of any shape and looks the same from every angle. Our round solitaire engagement ring holds a natural 0.50 ct round diamond, about 5 mm across.

Princess. A square stone with sharp corners and brilliant-style facets. It sparkles almost like a round, but the outline is crisper and more modern. See it on our princess cut engagement ring, where four claws protect the corners.

Cushion. A square with softly rounded corners, like a pillow. Romantic and a little vintage, and it looks beautiful framed by a halo, as on our double halo cushion cut engagement ring.

Step 3: Pick the setting

The setting is everything around the stone: how it is held and what sits beside it. This is where an engagement ring gets its personality.

• Solitaire: one stone, nothing competing with it. Timeless, and the easiest to pair with any wedding band.
• Halo: a ring of small diamonds around the centre stone. It makes the centre look noticeably bigger than its carat weight. A double halo adds a second ring for even more sparkle.
• Hidden halo: the small diamonds sit tucked under or tight around the stone, so the ring looks clean from above and sparkles from the side. Our hidden halo engagement ring is a good example.
• Split shank: the band divides into two strands as it rises toward the stone. It makes the centre look wider and the ring feel airy. See our split shank engagement ring.
• Pavé band: tiny diamonds set along the band, so the sparkle doesn't stop at the stone.

Not sure? A solitaire is the safest surprise. A halo is the best choice if she loves sparkle and you want the centre stone to look larger on a real budget.

Step 4: White gold engagement ring or yellow gold?

A white gold engagement ring is cool and bright. The metal and the diamonds blend into one clean line of light, which is why most of our engagement rings come in white gold. It suits silver-toned jewellery and modern styles.

Yellow gold is warm and classic, and the white diamond stands out against it. It suits warm skin tones and anyone who already wears gold every day. Our round solitaire comes in both white gold and yellow gold, if you want to compare.

All our engagement rings are 14K (585) gold: strong enough for a ring worn every day, with a rich colour. For the full comparison, read white gold vs yellow gold and 14K vs 18K gold.

Step 5: The 4Cs in plain words

Diamonds are described by four qualities, known as the 4Cs. You don't need to become an expert, just know what each one means:

• Cut: how well the stone is shaped and polished. This drives the sparkle more than anything else.
• Colour: how white the diamond is. Small differences are very hard to see once the stone is set.
• Clarity: tiny natural marks inside the stone. Most are invisible without magnification.
• Carat: the weight of the diamond, not its size. A halo or a split shank can make a smaller stone look bigger.

The Gemological Institute of America explains each one in more detail in its guide to the 4Cs. Our honest advice: put your budget into a well-made setting and a stone that looks bright to your own eye, rather than chasing a grade on paper. Every product page lists the carat weight of the diamonds in that ring.

Step 6: How much should an engagement ring cost?

There is no rule. The old "two or three months' salary" line started as an advertising slogan, not a tradition. The right amount is the one you can pay without stress, so the ring stays a happy memory.

For a reference point on the average engagement ring cost, The Knot's 2024 Jewelry and Engagement Study put the US average at about $5,200, and most couples in that study spent less than the average (source). Treat it as a guide, not a target.

Three ways to make your budget go further:

• Choose a halo or split shank to make the centre stone look larger.
• Buy from the maker. A workshop that makes the ring itself has no showroom or middleman to pay for.
• Consider a coloured stone. If she likes something different, a ring like our London blue topaz ring set is a striking alternative to a diamond centre.

Current prices are always shown on each product page.

Step 7: Get the ring size right

A ring that spins or pinches is the one thing that can take the shine off the moment. Our sizes are the inside diameter in millimetres, from 16 to 20. As a rough guide, 16 mm is about EU 50 / US 5.5 and 18 mm is about EU 56.5 / US 8.

• Borrow a ring she wears on that finger and measure the inside, edge to edge.
• Between two sizes? Go up. Fingers swell in warm weather.
• Size matters more with pavé. A band set with diamonds is harder to resize than a plain one, so it is worth getting right the first time.

Made to order in Yerevan, delivered to you

We have been making jewellery in our Yerevan workshop since 2010, and every engagement ring is handmade to order in your size. It takes about 3–4 days to make, then 1–2 weeks to reach you. Our gold is checked at the assay office, so the 585 stamp means what it says. You order online through our store, and we ship worldwide.

Planning a proposal on a date that matters? Order early and leave some buffer. If you have an idea that isn't on the site, we take custom orders: send us a photo of the ring you have in mind and we will make it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular engagement ring style?
The round solitaire is still the most chosen style, because it suits almost every hand and every wedding band. Halo rings come close, especially for people who want the centre stone to look bigger.

Should I choose the engagement ring together or keep it a surprise?
Both work. A surprise is romantic; choosing together removes the guesswork on style and size. Some people propose with a simple ring and then pick the final one together.

Are your diamonds real?
Yes. All our engagement rings are set with real diamonds in 14K gold. The carat weight for each ring is listed on its product page.

Is white gold good for an engagement ring?
Yes. A white gold engagement ring is strong in 14K, makes diamonds look bright and white, and suits most skin tones. Over the years it can be re-polished to keep its shine.

How long does it take to receive the ring?
Rings are made to order: about 3–4 days to make, then roughly 1–2 weeks for delivery. For a proposal, order a few weeks ahead.

Can I exchange the ring if the size is wrong?
Yes. Within 7 days of delivery you can exchange an unworn ring for a different size or colour of the same ring. We don't offer refunds, and exchange shipping is paid by the customer. See our refund and exchange policy.

Back to that box in the pocket

Weeks of checking the pocket, one question, a few seconds of silence. The ring you choose is the thing she will look at when she remembers that moment. Choose it for her style, give it time to be made, and the rest takes care of itself.

See all engagement rings Shop the double halo ring

Handmade in Yerevan since 2010 · 14K gold · real diamonds