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How to choose an engagement ring?
Are you about to buy an engagement ring but unsure where to start? What style, metal or gemstone should you choose for such a meaningful piece of jewellery? At Celinni, specialists in certified natural diamonds since 1967, our diamond experts are here to help you find the perfect engagement ring for your partner at the best price.
Many people dream of a marriage proposal where their loved one gets down on one knee with a ring that symbolises their commitment. But how can you be sure you are choosing an engagement ring that will meet your partner’s expectations—a piece of jewellery that will make this special moment unforgettable and stay with them for a lifetime?
Choosing an engagement ring should be an enjoyable experience, even if it can seem intimidating at first. After all, you are choosing a piece of jewellery designed to last a lifetime. Maison Celinni guides you through every step of this important decision. With the right knowledge and the excitement of planning your proposal, finding the right ring can become a truly enjoyable part of the experience. Here is everything you need to know about how to choose the perfect engagement ring.
Get Familiar with Jewellery Terminology
Understanding a few key jewellery terms will give you greater confidence and make it easier to discuss your options with jewellers and diamond specialists. Here is the essential vocabulary to know before you start looking for an engagement ring.
The Engagement Ring Band
The ring band, also known as the shank, is the circular part of the engagement ring that wraps around the finger. It is generally crafted from 18K gold (750/1000) or 950 platinum, although other metal combinations can also be used.
Gold is naturally yellow and is usually alloyed with other metals to improve its strength and durability. Some people prefer the lighter yellow tone of lower-purity gold, such as 14K or 10K gold. White gold, meanwhile, is yellow gold alloyed with white metals to create a paler colour. It is then coated with rhodium to achieve its bright, silvery-white finish.
This rhodium plating generally wears away over approximately three years. At Maison Celinni, we offer a complimentary jewellery refurbishment service every 18 months to help maintain the beauty and brilliance of your piece.
Platinum, on the other hand, is durable, strong and naturally silvery-white. Over time and with regular wear, its mirror-like finish may become slightly more matte. This is not necessarily a drawback: many people appreciate the distinctive natural patina that platinum develops with age.
The Engagement Ring Setting
The setting is the part of the ring that holds the centre stone securely in place and is attached to the band. Some engagement rings combine a yellow gold band with a platinum setting, creating an elegant contrast that highlights the centre stone.
There are several types of settings, but the most common remains the 4-prong or 6-prong setting. This type of setting beautifully showcases the diamond while keeping it securely in place.
Gemstone or Diamond?
The centre stone is the focal point of an engagement ring. Most often, it is a diamond, the quintessential precious stone for this type of jewellery. However, you can also have your engagement ring crafted with another centre stone, such as an emerald, sapphire or ruby.
If you choose a diamond, it is essential to understand its main characteristics: the 4Cs — carat, colour, clarity and cut. However, these four criteria do not always tell the whole story. A fifth C is often added: Confidence.
Choosing a reputable diamond expert is one of the most important factors when making an informed purchase. Your diamond specialist should have extensive expertise and be able to guide you through this important investment. They should also emphasise the importance of choosing a diamond certified by an independent gemmological laboratory. A trusted professional will always be happy to provide the corresponding diamond certificate.
Why Choose an Independent Gemmological Laboratory?
Certification by an independent gemmological laboratory ensures that your diamond receives an objective assessment. There is an inherent conflict of interest when the person selling a diamond is also responsible for grading and certifying it.
At Celinni, certification is automatically provided for all centre diamonds weighing more than 0.50 carat, and certified diamonds can be offered from 0.15 carat. For more information about diamond quality, grading and certification, you can consult our diamond guide or contact our experts directly.
A reputable gemmological laboratory uses state-of-the-art equipment. Certain characteristics, including treatments or artificial enhancements applied to a stone, can only be identified using advanced technology. Put simply, a diamond certificate provides an independent expert assessment of the stone. Diamond certification therefore offers an important guarantee when purchasing a diamond, while the certificate itself also carries its own value.
How to Choose Your Engagement Ring Style
This is not just any ring: it is a piece of jewellery your partner may cherish for a lifetime and wear almost every day. Maison Celinni solitaire engagement rings draw inspiration from both contemporary trends and timeless jewellery designs.
You can choose a simple solitaire engagement ring featuring a single centre diamond, or a diamond-set engagement ring, where smaller diamonds along the sides enhance the brilliance of the centre stone. The colour of the metal can also be chosen to complement the wearer’s skin tone, with options including white gold, yellow gold and rose gold.
An engagement ring can be worn alone or alongside a wedding band, depending on the setting, the thickness of the ring and the arrangement of its diamonds. There are countless engagement ring styles to choose from, but timeless designs are particularly appealing because they can be enjoyed for generations. Popular examples include:
Solitaire engagement ring: the quintessential engagement ring, combining elegance, simplicity and refinement.
Diamond shoulder-set solitaire: a centre diamond complemented by smaller diamonds along the shoulders of the band for additional brilliance.
There is no single engagement ring style that is right for everyone. Above all, your choice should be based on a design you truly love. An engagement ring is intended to be worn and cherished for a lifetime, so choosing a style with lasting appeal is essential. These two designs are simply examples—the final choice is entirely yours.
Choose an Engagement Ring Based on Your Partner’s Taste
Today, more and more people prefer to be involved in choosing their own engagement ring. However, if you want to keep the proposal a surprise, there are several subtle ways to discover what your partner likes without raising suspicion:
Pay attention to their tastes. If you walk past a jewellery shop, pretend to be interested in the watches, then casually comment on a few engagement ring styles and ask what they think.
Ask their family for advice, provided you are comfortable letting them in on the secret.
Ask close friends for help. They could take your partner jewellery shopping and discreetly find out which styles they prefer—provided you can trust them to keep the surprise.
Look at their wardrobe and existing jewellery. You are often best placed to identify their preferences when it comes to style, metal colour and finishes.
Choose the Right Metal for an Engagement Ring
When choosing the metal for an engagement ring, we recommend considering yellow gold, white gold or platinum. These precious metals combine elegance, durability and lasting beauty, while requiring relatively little maintenance to preserve their original brilliance.
Platinum is generally the most premium and expensive of the three. It is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it an excellent option if your partner has sensitive skin. Rose gold is another possibility if you are looking for a more distinctive engagement ring. However, if you prefer a timeless choice, yellow gold, white gold and platinum remain among the most classic metals for an engagement ring.
Choose the Right Stone for an Engagement Ring
For the centre stone of an engagement ring, we particularly recommend a diamond. A symbol of purity, eternity and love, diamond suits virtually every jewellery style and is exceptionally durable. It remains the stone most frequently chosen by our clients for engagement rings and is the quintessential traditional choice.
Choosing the right diamond will largely depend on your budget, but the quality of the stone is essential. To assess a diamond, consider the 4Cs of diamond quality — carat, colour, clarity and cut — as well as its certificate. Read our complete diamond guide to learn more about the 4Cs and how to identify an authentic diamond. All four characteristics are important, although depending on your budget and preferences, you may decide to prioritise colour or clarity.
If your partner does not want a diamond and has expressed a preference for another gemstone, you can choose a different precious stone. Emeralds, sapphires and rubies are all excellent choices for an engagement ring.
It is important not to confuse a diamond’s carat weight with its shape, which refers to its geometric appearance. Choosing the right diamond shape is another important decision: round, heart, cushion and many other shapes are available, and the choice usually comes down to personal taste.
The round brilliant-cut diamond is a particularly popular choice thanks to its exceptional brilliance, created by its 57 facets. For a slightly more distinctive engagement ring, cushion-cut or pear-shaped diamonds are excellent alternatives.
Choose the Right Engagement Ring Size
Ring size may not be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing an engagement ring, but it is one of the most important details to consider if you want the ring to fit properly when you propose.
To determine the correct engagement ring size, discreetly measure a ring your partner already owns using a ring sizer, or take it directly to a jeweller or diamond specialist. Ideally, choose a ring that your partner wears on the same finger. This is one of the most reliable ways to estimate the correct size without spoiling the surprise.
If the ring does not fit perfectly when the time comes, there is no need to worry: in many cases, an engagement ring can be resized afterwards to achieve a more comfortable and secure fit.
Which Engagement Ring Should You Choose for a Man?
Traditionally, engagement proposals have often involved a man proposing to a woman, but there is no reason why a woman cannot propose to her partner and choose an engagement ring for him. Other couples prefer both partners to wear an engagement ring. There are no strict rules—the most important thing is to choose what feels right for you as a couple.
An engagement ring is therefore not exclusively a women’s piece of jewellery. Although many men traditionally wear only a wedding band, both partners can choose to wear engagement rings before their wedding for their symbolic meaning.
Similarly, while tradition may suggest that the man offers the engagement ring, a woman can just as easily take the initiative and give one to her future husband. The same applies to same-sex couples, where either partner may choose to give an engagement ring to the other, particularly if they already enjoy wearing jewellery.
If your partner rarely or never wears jewellery, however, it is worth considering whether an engagement ring is the right choice for them. A beautiful ring should be something they genuinely enjoy wearing rather than a piece that remains tucked away in a drawer.
How to Choose the Perfect Men’s Engagement Ring
When choosing the ideal men’s engagement ring, the most important factor is finding a design that suits the personal style of the person who will wear it. Men often favour understated, minimalist designs rather than more elaborate engagement ring styles.
Instead of a traditional diamond solitaire, you could consider a platinum or white gold signet ring, or a classic gold band. A diamond-set men’s ring is another option, combining understated elegance with a more luxurious finish.
The ring can also feature a personalised engraved design. If you are looking for this type of personalisation, choosing a bespoke engagement ring crafted in our workshops is an excellent option. At Celinni, you can personalise your chosen design to create a piece tailored to your preferences.
A man’s engagement ring can also be coordinated with his partner’s ring, much like matching wedding bands. Some couples enjoy wearing similar or complementary jewellery as a symbol of their relationship.
You can also coordinate your wedding band with your engagement ring if you intend to wear both at the same time, including on the same finger. If you choose to stack the two rings, make sure their style, shape, metal and colour work well together. If both rings are particularly wide or substantial, wearing them on separate fingers may be more comfortable—for example, the engagement ring on the right ring finger and the wedding band on the left.
Which Metal Should You Choose for a Men’s Engagement Ring?
Choosing the right metal is particularly important for men’s engagement rings. Because these designs are often more minimalist, the metal itself tends to be one of the ring’s most visible features. Several options are available:
Platinum: an exceptionally durable precious metal that withstands everyday wear very well and retains its naturally white appearance.
Yellow gold: one of the most traditional and widely used precious metals in jewellery, appreciated for its warm colour and timeless appeal.
White gold: a popular contemporary choice for men, offering an elegant silvery-white appearance. 18K white gold is created by alloying pure gold with other metals to achieve its characteristic colour and improve its durability.
Choose the Ring According to Your Partner’s Lifestyle
Your partner’s lifestyle should be taken into account when choosing an engagement ring. If they regularly perform intensive manual work or take part in activities that put their hands under greater strain, it is best to choose a ring designed to withstand everyday wear.
The higher the setting of the centre stone, the more likely it is to catch on clothing, accessories or hair, and the greater the risk of accidental knocks. For an active lifestyle, consider a low-profile setting that keeps the stone closer to the finger. A higher-set diamond may be better suited to someone whose daily activities expose their ring to fewer impacts.
Check the Durability of the Metal Alloy
The durability of an engagement ring is essential, as it is a piece of jewellery designed to last a lifetime. Over the years, the metal alloy can gradually wear due to repeated friction and everyday activities.
If your budget allows, platinum remains a preferred choice for wedding and engagement jewellery because of its excellent durability. A more affordable yet high-quality alternative is 800/1000 palladium-alloyed gold, which combines durability with an elegant finish.
How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?
There is no single budget that applies to everyone, although purchasing a diamond engagement ring naturally requires a certain investment. At Celinni, we offer solitaire engagement rings for a range of budgets without compromising on quality.
Engagement rings can vary considerably in price depending on the design, metal, gemstones and craftsmanship. Prices can generally range from around €100 to €10,000 or more. Diamonds and other precious gemstones can significantly increase the price of a ring, while men’s engagement rings may sometimes require a lower budget when they do not feature a centre stone.
There is no universal rule for how much to spend on an engagement ring. An old tradition suggests spending the equivalent of two months’ salary, but this is simply a custom and by no means a requirement. What matters most is choosing a ring that you genuinely like while remaining within a budget you can comfortably afford.
It is possible to find engagement rings for under €100, particularly designs crafted from silver or 9K gold and set with cubic zirconia. At the other end of the spectrum, a high-end bespoke engagement ring can cost between €5,000 and €10,000 or more.
At Celinni, our engagement rings start at approximately €700 for a gold and diamond design, while our clients typically spend between €750 and €4,500. You can also speak with one of our diamond experts to refine your choice and find an engagement ring suited to your budget.
Whatever your budget, try not to lose sight of the style you originally wanted simply because of price. The aim is to choose an engagement ring that genuinely reflects the tastes and personality of your future spouse. Since this ring is intended to be worn for many years, if you are deciding between two similar designs, it can be worthwhile prioritising the option with the better overall quality.
If you want to give your partner a truly unique ring, you can also design a custom engagement ring with the experts in our Celinni workshops.
Do not hesitate to share your budget with your trusted jeweller or diamond specialist. This allows them to suggest designs that realistically match what you want to spend. Sharing your budget does not mean you will receive a less competitive offer, especially today when prices and specifications can easily be compared online.
Bear in mind that a fully bespoke engagement ring will generally cost more than an existing jewellery design because it requires a dedicated design and manufacturing process. At Celinni, both options are available. Discuss your budget, desired timescale and preferred styles with your jeweller to determine which solution is best suited to your project.
Where to Buy an Engagement Ring
There are three main options when deciding where to buy an engagement ring: visiting a jewellery store, buying directly from a diamond specialist, or purchasing online from a jeweller such as Celinni.com.
Buying an Engagement Ring in a Showroom or Jewellery Store
Buying your engagement ring in a showroom allows you to see, touch and try on different rings before making your decision, while benefiting from personalised advice from a diamond expert.
It is also an ideal opportunity to have your partner’s ring size measured accurately and, if necessary, discuss the possibility of creating a bespoke engagement ring.
You can make an appointment at one of our Celinni jewellery stores and showrooms, including Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Nice and Lyon, to receive personalised guidance from our experts.
Buying an Engagement Ring Online for a Better Price
Buying an engagement ring online can offer attractive prices and a wider choice, although you may have slightly less immediate control over the purchasing process.
Whenever possible, choose a website that ships its jewellery from France and operates its own workshops in the country. This makes order tracking much easier and, if your engagement ring needs resizing, adjusting or repairing, the process can generally be handled more quickly and securely.
Many international websites display prices excluding taxes. When completing your purchase, you may therefore need to add French VAT, which is approximately 20%. If you import jewellery from abroad, additional customs or forwarding fees may also apply on top of VAT, potentially making the final cost significantly higher than expected.
At Celinni, our jewellery is shipped from France and we have our own workshops in Paris, making it easier to follow your order throughout the process and benefit from our dedicated delivery service.
There is no single jeweller that is perfect for everyone. The most important thing is to choose a professional you trust. Whenever possible, check whether the jeweller or diamond specialist belongs to a recognised professional association or industry organisation.
For example, Maison Celinni is a member of the Antwerpsche Diamantkring, Antwerp’s rough diamond exchange, where only five French companies are represented.
Have a Unique Bespoke Engagement Ring Made
For couples looking for a truly unique piece of jewellery, a bespoke engagement ring is an ideal solution. In our Celinni workshops, you can personalise every detail of your ring, from the shape of the setting and the type of stone setting to the choice of precious metal, centre stone and even a personalised engraving.
Creating a custom engagement ring requires a little more production time, but it allows you to create a piece that genuinely reflects the personality and preferences of the person who will wear it for a lifetime.
Bespoke jewellery is also an excellent solution if you want to reuse a family gemstone, transform an existing piece of jewellery or simply create an engagement ring that cannot be found in any existing collection.
Our diamond experts guide you through every stage of the process, from the initial design and sketches through to the final creation and delivery of your custom-made engagement ring.
Finalising Your Engagement Ring Purchase
The final step is purchasing your engagement ring. At Celinni, you can pay for your order in 10 interest-free instalments, allowing you to spread the cost of this important purchase over time.
Before completing your purchase, there are a few important points to check:
Check your home insurance policy to find out whether your jewellery is already covered and what steps you need to take if additional protection is required.
Ask for an insurance-approved valuation report. Diamond certificates provide valuable information about the origin and quality of the stone. International laboratory certificates are generally issued for diamonds above 0.50 carat, as below this weight the cost of certification can sometimes be disproportionate to the value of the stone.
Consider insuring the engagement ring. It may be one of the most valuable pieces of jewellery your partner will ever wear. Having the necessary valuation completed before giving them the ring means they will not need to part with it later for insurance purposes.
Finally, every eligible online purchase from Celinni is covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the opportunity to try the engagement ring with greater peace of mind before making your final decision.
Why Buy Your Engagement Ring from Celinni?
Since 1967, Maison Celinni has been helping clients choose diamonds and fine jewellery for life’s most meaningful moments. Here are some of the reasons why many couples trust us when choosing their engagement ring:
Recognised diamond expertise and access to certified diamonds graded by independent gemmological laboratories such as GIA, HRD and IGI
A wide selection of engagement rings and matching wedding bands, making it easier to find complementary designs in one place
The possibility of creating a unique bespoke engagement ring tailored precisely to your preferences
Payment in 10 interest-free instalments, allowing you to spread the cost of your purchase
A 30-day money-back guarantee on eligible online purchases
Celinni showrooms in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Nice and Lyon, where you can receive personalised guidance
The possibility of benefiting from VAT-free shopping if you reside outside the European Union and meet the applicable eligibility requirements
Did You Know?
- Engagement rings and wedding bands are traditionally worn on the left ring finger in many countries. According to an ancient belief, this finger was thought to contain the vena amoris, or “vein of love”, connecting the hand directly to the heart.
- Although weddings frequently take place during the summer, December is traditionally a popular month for marriage proposals.
- According to an old tradition, the bride-to-be may also give her future husband an engagement gift, traditionally a watch.
Advice from Our Diamond Experts
To conclude this guide, here are some of the recommendations our diamond experts most frequently share with clients choosing an engagement ring:
- Be realistic about your budget. Decide how much you are comfortable spending before comparing diamonds and ring designs. This will make it easier to focus on options that genuinely suit your needs.
- Think about the wedding band in advance. When buying an engagement ring, remember that it may later be worn alongside a wedding band. Ask your jeweller whether a matching wedding ring can be created or selected for your chosen design. This can save considerable time later. At Celinni, we offer a wide selection of coordinated engagement rings and wedding bands.
- Consider a temporary proposal ring if you are unsure. If you find it difficult to identify your partner’s preferred style, you can propose with a temporary ring and then choose the final engagement ring together.
Congratulations—you now have the essential information you need to choose your ring with confidence. All that remains is to plan your proposal with the engagement ring you have carefully selected.
Our Engagement Ring Collections
Discover our selection of engagement rings and diamond solitaire rings, or have the ring of your dreams custom-made:
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