LearnHow to Choose & Buy Women’s Engagement Ring: A Guide by Kimaï
1. Set Your Budget
It’s important to start your engagement ring search with a clear picture of what you’re looking to spend. There are options for all price levels, and having an idea of budget from the start will help you narrow your search. Opting for lab-grown diamonds, instead of mined stones, is a more affordable way to get the best quality diamond ring. That’s because lab-made diamonds are more cost effective to produce, but are physically equal in every way to traditional earth diamonds
2. Choose Your Diamond
Of course, there are plenty of precious stones to pick from for your engagement ring such as ruby, emerald or sapphire. But, and we may be biased, nothing beats a diamond engagement ring. If you are set on picking a diamond, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before you select your stone.
Carat
Not sure what the word carat actually means? It’s simply the measurement of the weight of your diamond. In the UK, the average engagement ring diamond weighs between 0.5-1 carats. At Kimai, we offer diamonds in weight ranges up to 3 carats – so you can get the size you’re looking for.
Shape
When it comes to diamond shapes, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some offer a more traditional take on an engagement ring, while are bolder and feel more contemporary in nature. There are no rules, and it’s up to you to decide what shape appeals to you and your partner’s tastes the most.
Style and Setting
As well as shape, there are different styles of engagement rings based on the number of diamonds on your ring and the type of setting your diamonds sit on. For example, a halo ring has a central diamond surrounded by a halo effect of smaller stones in a cluster. A solitaire ring, by contract, is a ring with one diamond at its heart. A pavé, or eternity style ring, features rows of diamonds along the band itself. The combination of diamond shape and ring style will give each engagement ring a classic, vintage or contemporary feel.
Lab-grown vs Natural Diamonds
You probably don’t want your symbol of love tarnished by murky manufacturing practices, which is why you should always do your research when shopping for a diamond ring. Be sure you’re buying from a jeweler who only sources conflict-free diamonds and is confident in where their stones come from. The easiest way to do this is by shopping for lab-grown diamonds, which have the exact same chemical composition as mined diamonds but without the potentially negative environmental and social impacts.
You can learn more about this in our lab grown diamond vs mined diamonds guide.
3. Choose a Metal
Now you’ve picked your diamond, you can choose your metal band. If you’re looking to make your diamond really pop, you can choose a platinum or white gold setting that will let your stone shine. If you prefer a band with colour and character of its own, opt for a white or rose gold setting instead. All Kimai engagement rings come in an 18k recycled gold setting, which means they are even more environmentally friendly.
4. Get The Right Ring Size
It’s important to get the right ring size from the start. Although rings can be resized, some styles might be more difficult to do so. And if you’re not sure your partner’s ring size, don’t worry. You can figure it out by measuring the inner circumference of an existing ring and comparing it to a ring guide, or we can send you a free ring sizer before you complete your order. That way you can secure your perfect ring, but confirm the size a little later, once you’re sure.
5. Personalize Your Piece
Once you’ve decided on diamond, style and setting, the last thing to do is to personalise your piece. Many people choose to get their engagement rings engraved with initials, a name, a significant date or even a short quote. Whatever will make the ring personal and symbolic for you two, now’s the time to make it yours. At Kimai, you can personalise your ring before you add it to your basket.
Now you’ve read our guide, you’re ready to pick out your forever piece.
Shop all engagement rings for her.
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Lab Grown Diamonds
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