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Our Guide To Putting A Ring On It

Our Guide To Putting A Ring On It

Choosing An Engagement Ring

Once the decision has been made to draw a line under the single life and make a commitment to another, the first and most important thing is choosing the perfect engagement ring that will guarantee a ‘YES!’.

Easy you might think, but quickly it becomes obvious that with a long and rich history as that of an engagement ring means the options are considerable: Diamond or Gemstone, Brilliant Round Cut or Fancy Cut, Gold or Platinum, Traditional or Contemporary, Ready-to-wear or Bespoke, Discreet or Eye-Catching? Overwhelming, is an understatement.

Fortunately, our legacy as a jeweller of choice for many notable couples, we are well versed in guiding our clients through the process of marking this lifetime commitment. Here are some of our tips and considerations that will arm you for that one kneed drop.

How Much Should I Spend On An Engagement Ring?

So convincing was the marketing campaign devised by De Beers in the 1930’s, as a ploy to sell more Diamonds during the Great Depression, it recommended that an engagement rings worth should mirror three months’ salary. Decades later, people still believe it to be the definitive guide.

Stephen’s Advice: "Start with a budget you feel comfortable with, whilst keeping in mind that this ring will be worn everyday by your other half and be admired by everyone currently in your life as well as all of those about to be."

Does Size Matter?

We’re all human. Everybody wants to show off their engagement ring (be that the wearer or proposer), and if the ring has a feature stone, then yes, size can matter.

That said, size matters to a point. The colour of the stone should just as much be a consideration. It’s a balance of the two.

Stephen’s Advice: "Find the biggest stone that matches your budget and that does not compromise on the colour."

What Should Be Considered When Selecting A Stone?

Let’s start with the most popular choice, the Diamond.

Like a human fingerprint, every Diamond is unique, and the 4C’s are a global standard for assessing the quality of a Diamond.

In terms of colour, D is the top colour grade and therefore the most expensive. If you are looking to strike a balance between a good quality stone and value, we recommend choosing a Diamond between a grade of F – H.

It’s important however, to look beyond the specifications of the stone, and choose the stone that ‘speaks to you’ on an emotional level.

For more information on grading considerations across the 4C’s - colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.

“When I sit with clients who are choosing a Diamond as a feature stone, I always show them a spectrum of stones within their budget. I then ask (without letting them know the grading) “which one do you think is the most beautiful?”. For such an emotive purchase, it’s important that the stone connects with you - rather than purely basing the decision around the description.”

- Stephen Webster, Founder & Creative Director

read more about our diamonds

White Diamonds

While Diamonds remain a classic choice for engagement rings, they are certainly not the only option for a feature stone. Coloured Gemstones can offer a captivating alternative.

A true gem enthusiast at heart, Stephen Webster sources an extensive range of gemstones and has long championed the incorporation of a wide variety of coloured gemstones including Emeralds, Spinels, multi-coloured Sapphires and Rubies across our Bridal range.

Coloured Gemstones

When choosing coloured gemstone as your feature stone, it really comes down to the preference of colour. The selection of the stone is therefore completely different than that of a Diamond. The choice of colour becomes more direct.

As a jeweller we can advise on what makes a stone ‘classically fine’, but inclinations can lie anywhere on a colour spectrum. For example, a Royal Blue Sapphire is considered the most desirable of hues, but it may be a lighter or darker shade that catches your eye.

Discover our Gemstone Guide, outlining the unique qualities across our broad spectrum of gemstones.

What Cut Should I Choose?

The most popular cut for an engagement ring is a Brillant Round Cut for a Diamond, and an Oval for a coloured gemstone. However, clients who come to Stephen Webster, often look for a piece that is more creative, opting for a fancy cut such as a Marquise or Pear.

Once you have established the cut, you are one step further to defining the design for your engagement ring.

How Important Is The Setting?

The setting of a stone is extremely important and should not be overlooked. With a bad setting, even a good stone can get buried by poor craftsmanship.

Our Jewellers have undergone classic Goldsmith training and have the finesse to enhance and maximise the lustre of the stone, rather than deplete it.

At Stephen Webster, we have always believed that the back of a piece is just as important as the front. If a piece has not been beautifully made, and the back is enclosed, light is unable to enter the stone and enhance its sparkle.

Gold or Platinum?

Gold and Platinum have long been popular choices for engagement rings. So, which one should you choose?

Firstly, consider your partner’s style. Do they wear White or Yellow Gold jewellery? Is their style traditional or are they more fashion led?

Yellow Gold has become increasing popular, favoured for its contemporary aesthetic and warm hues that compliment any skin tone. Yellow Gold can look incredible when set with a coloured stone, but also creates an eye-catching contrast when paired with Diamonds.

If a White metal is your preferred choice, then we would recommend choosing Platinum.

White Gold is essentially grey in colour. To achieve a ‘bright White’ finish, the metal requires to be Rhodium plated, whereas Platinum does not require to be plated. For a ring that is likely to be worn daily, it is a consideration that a White Gold engagement ring will need to be re-plated at some stage.

The only time we would recommend White Gold instead of Platinum, is when a design has volume to it. This is due to Platinum weighing a third more than Gold.

Ready-To-Wear or Bespoke?

Our No Regrets Chapel, Shotgun collections, have been designed to be anything but ordinary. The range is edgy, inspired, and individual, capturing the spirit of Webster’s bespoke pieces, for which he has become renowned.

Comprising engagement rings, wedding bands, couples’ bands and party jackets; we pride ourselves for being inclusive to all. If a piece does catch your eye, we will do our best to tailor to your individual budget, allowing for you to choose from a range of stones.

For those looking for a piece that is truly unique and personalised; our Bespoke Service is where we really shine. Commission a piece and be involved throughout the design process with the design team directly.

For those seeking to embark on a Bespoke commission, as a guide, we recommend a starting budget of £10,000 and upwards.

Mined Diamond or Lab-Grown?

We are proudly associated with Skydiamond, the world’s first carbon-negative, British-crafted Diamond, mined from the sky. Skydiamond’s unique carbon-capture process, goes beyond conventional lab-grown Diamonds. The difference lies in the energy and carbon supplies required to feed and drive the Skydiamond British-crafted process. As a brand who is committed to future proofing our planet, Stephen Webster actively supports innovation that aims to reduce or eliminate environmental impact.

When looking at alternative lab-grown Diamonds, outside of Skydiamond, currently there is a lot less visibility surrounding the process of the stones. Not all lab-grown Diamonds come with amazing stories, as is the same with mined Diamonds. Stephen Webster only sources from reputable suppliers, and for mined Diamonds suppliers certificated by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

The choice when choosing a mined or lab-grown Diamond is very subjective. Traditionalists will likely favour a mined Diamond, while there is an emerging generation who are championing lab-grown Diamonds. Like all our planet’s natural resources, mined Diamonds are finite, with the industry not discovering a significant find of Diamonds anywhere in the world for over twenty years. Whereas lab-grown Diamonds are limitless.

Consider: What is your intended’s perception of a mined Diamond vs lab-grown Diamond? Does the size of the stone matter? What is your budget? Are they a traditionalist or a progressive thinker?

How To Find Out Their Ring Size?

If you are trying to keep the proposal under wraps, here some tips to finding their ring size.

Do they wear a ring on their right ring finger? If yes, download our printable ring size guide to find the perfect fit. Simply place their ring on the printout and find the appropriate size.

If you are unable to obtain a finger size, we would estimate based on the UK average sizing. For a female this is a size 6 and for a male size 9. Should the ring not fit perfectly, do not worry, our Master craftsmen can re-size the ring post-proposal.

Questions To Consider Ahead Of Your Bridal Appointment

1. Come with a budget in mind - this will set the scope of the engagement ring.

2. Have an idea of whether you would like a Diamond or a Coloured Gemstone as the central stone – this will define the quality and carat size available within your budget.

3. Do you have a stone Cut in mind?

4. Consider your partners style do they wear White or Yellow Gold jewellery?

5. With the above information, our expert team can guide and showcase designs that may appeal to you, as well as source a range of stones ahead of your appointment to view.

6. If you are looking for a piece that is totally unique, we invite you to explore our Bespoke Service.