Diamond Engagement Rings: A Complete Buying Guide

The process of buying an engagement ring is built upon education; from understanding certification to navigating the 4C’s of diamond quality, it is understandable that buyers can feel overwhelmed when they first begin their journey. Shape, size, quality and budget make up the key factors of choosing an engagement ring, but they are not the only considerations.

Engagement rings can be as classic as a fairy-tale or as unique as your own love story. Anything is possible! Fortunately, we have used our decades of experience in helping customers to create our complete guide to buying an engagement ring.

The Four C's

Carat weight, Clarity, Color and Cut. These words are going to come up a lot during the diamond engagement ring buying process. An understanding of these qualities will ensure you select a beautiful, sparkling diamond within your assigned budget.

Remember why we choose diamonds for engagement rings: durability, brilliance and endurance. These properties are best showcased with an exceptional cut and a balance of color, clarity and carat weight. Together, they define what makes a diamond so precious. Find out more in Diamond Education.

The Fifth C

At Washington Diamonds, we only sell natural, untreated, ethical diamonds that carry GIA certifications. The GIA is an internationally renowned grading lab, offering consistent and reliable grades. The GIA represents the gold standard of diamond certification, offering peace of mind to our customers. Learn more about diamond certification here.

Loose Diamonds VS Preset Diamonds

Selecting a diamond separately from the settings has a 3 key benefits:

• Choosing a loose diamond gives you total control over the quality. You can refine and select the specific characteristics you want your diamond to have and work comfortably within your budget.

• You can decide how much of your budget to allocate to the diamond and how much to the setting.

• It offers flexibility in budget but also in the style and appearance of the ring.

For some, the process of buying a loose diamond and selecting a setting can seem too much. Buying pre-set offers can offer an ‘in and out’ experience for those who need a ring quickly, but also, some customers simply fall in love with a pre-set ring! There are no wrong answers.

Our Diamond Price Calculator can help you learn more about diamond pricing.

Choosing a Diamond Shape

The classic round brilliant is a shape that continues to be the first choice for brides to be. Durable and with exceptional sparkle, it is a timeless shape that suits any wearer and works beautifully with contemporary and vintage styles.

There is no denying the alluring sparkle of a round brilliant, but you should not feel tied to this shape. Each shape has unique properties and benefits, bringing a distinct style to your beloved’s ring. We have listed some of the most popular shapes below so that you can review the qualities that each has to offer.

Choosing a shape for your partner will be a marriage of practicality and personal style. For a girl on the go with an active lifestyle, round brilliants and oval shapes might be more suitable – but this is only a guideline. 

Round

Fantastic sparkle and a highly versatile shape. Structured grading system for cut quality. Durable and timeless.

Princess

A sparkle that is second only to the round brilliant. The corners of a princess cut need to be protected by the setting to avoid chipping.

Oval

An oval is an elongated shape that is extremely flattering on the hand. Similar in design to the round brilliant, it gives a distinct sparkle while appearing larger that rounds of equivalent carat weight.

Step Cuts

Step cut diamonds are defined by their minimal facets that are parallel to each other. Some of the most popular step cuts are Emerald, Asscher and Baguette. Step cuts do not sparkle like a brilliant, rather they are cut to display a hypnotic depth and clarity. They are perfect for antique and art deco styles, echoing the aesthetics of the era. They have also made a spectacular comeback and are perfect for clean, contemporary style engagement rings.

Marquise

An elongated shape with two pointed ends. A marquise diamond will give a bigger appearance VS other brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight. The pointed ends of a marquise make it more vulnerable to chipping so a suitable setting must be chosen to protect the extremities. Our experienced team can advise you on choosing secure settings for your diamond.

Heart

A sparkling symbol of love. Heart shaped diamonds are in the ‘brilliant’ family, with twinkling facets and intimate symbolism.

How to Choose an Engagement Ring Setting

There are three key factors to consider when choosing an engagement ring setting:

• Metal Type

Diamonds need to be set in a precious metal. Platinum and gold are traditional and the most suitable for engagement ring. Karat expresses the purity of the metal (not to be confused with carat, the weight of a diamond). Different karats will have different properties and appearances; for example, 22k yellow gold has a higher purity than 9k gold. 22k gold has a brighter yellow color but is much softer, while 9k gold gives less ‘gold’ color but is a harder metal. The most popular purities for engagement rings are 14k and 18k. Platinum is more expensive than gold, but is harder wearing and has a natural, bright white sheen. It is low maintenance and develops a unique patina over the years, but can just as easily be polished up to a high shine finish. It does not thin or wear at the same rate as gold.

• Mounting Styles & Settings

There are lots of different styles of engagement rings. The setting is the basic style that defines how the diamond is held in place. Each of these settings can have a number of embellishments and creative flourishes that make them unique. From intricate galleries (the section below the central diamond) to engraved bands, these little touches elevate the design to echo the unique personality of the wearer. 


• Practicality

A hard wearing, precious metal will allow your partner’s engagement ring to be worn every day, but this is only the first step towards ensuring the ring is practical. If you chosen diamond shape has vulnerabilities, it is important to select a setting which offers protection. Bezel settings offer maximum security, but a well-made prong-setting can also do the job.

Spoilt for Choice?

These three points are an excellent starting point to guide you through your setting choices. So much of this decision will be based on your partner’s personal style.

If you are unsure what kind of ring to buy for your partner or have decided to choose together, the best way to make a decision is to try on some rings! Immerse yourself in a world of diamonds at our store and let our experts guide you through the process.

Mark this moment in your journey together with a glass of bubbles and walk out with the ring of your dreams!

When Should I Buy an Engagement Ring?

We generally advise ordering your ring at least three months ahead of your planned proposal to allow for resizing, personalization etc. The process can be as leisurely or as speedy as you decide.

How Do I Look After My Engagement Ring?

Settings can wear out over time. We recommend periodically asking one of our jewelers to check for any damage to prongs or bezels.

Diamonds can be cleaned in any household cleaners like window cleaners and dishwashing liquid. The best results Give the diamonds a clean with an old toothbrush and then rinse well and pat dry with a cloth.

For a truly sparkling finish, take advantage of our cleaning and inspection service to keep your ring dazzling like new.

How Can I Keep the Proposal a Surprise?

A popular question is how to keep the element of surprise while planning a proposal. Here are a few top tips:

1. You can buy cheap ring sizers online which can be used to measure any rings your partner wears to ascertain her size. Remember that full eternity bands cannot be re-sized so these carry a little more risk when bought for a surprise proposal.

2. Another benefit of choosing a loose diamond is it gives you the option to propose just with the diamond and let your partner select her own setting afterwards. This is an excellent option for those who are truly stuck choosing.

3. Try it on! An in-store experience allows yourself or your partner to get a feel for the style as well as find the perfect size.

4. Consider her personal style before choosing a setting. If she is a traditional and tailored girl go for a classic like a prong setting or a subtle cluster. Does she like a bold statement? Go for a bezel setting or add a dash of color with side gemstones like sapphires or rubies. Does she love to sparkle? Try a pave setting.

5. Be confident. It is a big decision but we are here to help!