Inspiration

Otherwise Engaged

By Amanda Evans 5 Minute Read

You’ve found the perfect partner for a lifetime of happiness – now to find the perfect engagement ring.

Without doubt, getting engaged to your loved one is one of life’s most precious milestones. It’s an unforgettable moment of joy and happiness as you make a profound commitment to love and cherish your chosen partner for life. Everything about the day you seal your love will become part of your treasured memories – from the time, the place, the laughter you shared, the tears of joy and the air of excitement that ensued. Becoming otherwise engaged is a momentous occasion.

Sometimes an engagement is almost written in the stars, it becomes the unsaid as you know that you have both chosen one another, it’s just a matter of when you make things ‘official.’ Some engagements are accompanied by a ring chosen by your partner, others may come with some form of proposal ring as a temporary measure of marking the occasion until you can choose a ring together. Whichever is the case, it’s always valuable to be able to offer your partner some direction, and to understand the following key guidelines that will help you choose the perfect engagement ring for you.

Choosing a precious metal to suit you

You may already be accustomed to wearing yellow gold, or perhaps white gold or platinum jewellery has been your go-to over the years. However, if you’re seeking an engagement ring you need to think long term. Think timeless, not trend-led, and consider your skin tone. Yellow and rose golds tend to suit those with warmer skin tones, and those with cooler skin tones will gravitate toward platinum and white gold. The lucky few who have a neutral or olive skin tone tend to suit any precious metal. It’s all about how each metal flatters your skin colouring and factoring in personal preference.

Goldsmiths

18ct Yellow Gold Oval 1.06ct Diamond Halo Solitaire Engagement Ring - Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond

£10,500.00

Jenny Packham

18ct White Gold 0.75cttw Oval Halo Engagement Ring

£3,750.00

Understanding the 4 c’s

If you’re looking for the perfect ring then understanding the 4 C’s and what it all means to you is key. It’s a term that is referenced a lot in the jewellery industry, amongst various other jewellery jargon terminology.

Colour

Diamonds are graded on a scale of D – Z according to their colour with the highest quality diamonds being colourless. These highly sought-after stones are quite a rarity and consequently this is reflected in the cost of the diamond ring. Most diamonds have a slight hue of colour, almost invisible to the naked eye, and are still classed as excellent quality gemstones.

Clarity

Clarity distinguishes flaws and imperfections that naturally occur within diamonds – some more than others. Most are invisible to the naked eye and here at Goldsmiths we aim to showcase diamonds with minimal inclusions.

Cut

The cut of a diamond represents the shape, as meticulously crafted by specialist diamond cutters. There is round brilliant, princess cut, oval cut, emerald cut, cushion cut, marquise cut and more. Cut will largely be down to personal preference or the shape of your hands. For example, marquise cuts will give the illusion of elongating the fingers.

Goldsmiths

Platinum 0.50ct Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond Ring

£3,000.00

Goldsmiths

Platinum 1.00cttw Diamond Pear Cut Halo Ring

£7,000.00

Goldsmiths

Platinum 0.60ct Diamond Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Ring

£3,250.00

Jenny Packham

18ct White Gold Emerald Cut 0.90cttw Halo Diamond Ring

£4,000.00

Carat

Carat determines the weight of the diamond, and the saying “the bigger the better” is not factually correct when it comes down to gemstones. For example, a large diamond with a poor colour grade and multiple inclusions, will not harness as much fire and brilliance that gives it that scintillating sparkle as a smaller, almost flawless, diamond with minimal inclusions. That said, we only source high quality diamonds here at Goldsmiths and thus the carat weight is as much or as little as is in the budget.

How Do You Measure Up?

Obtaining a ring with the perfect fit is crucial and we will work with you to help you find the perfect fit. Our handy ring size guide details how to measure your ring size if you’re unable to get to a showroom, and except for some eternity rings which can be a little tricky to resize, our expert craftsmen will be able to resize the ring for you. However, to gauge your size, the best time of day to measure your ring finger is in the evening when your fingers are at their largest. Avoid measuring when your fingers are cold as this can result in almost half a size difference.

The Shape of things to come

The silhouette of the ring is determined by both the style of the ring and the cut of the diamond, as previously mentioned in the 4 Cs. The style reflects your personality and will take into account your style icons, everyday fashion, lifestyle, and type of bride-to-be you gravitate towards; classic, modern, contemporary, or romantic. There are four main categories of ring: solitaire, multi-stone, cluster, and halo. The setting of the diamond is often dictated by the style with solitaire’s typically designed in a claw setting to maximise light.

Goldsmiths

Platinum Brilliant Cut 1.00 Carat 88 Facet Diamond Ring

£6,000.00£10,000.00

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 1.00 Carat Three Stone 88 Facet Diamond Ring

£4,500.00

Goldsmiths

18ct Yellow Gold 0.70cttw Diamond Oval Cut Scatter Ring

£3,500.00

Jenny Packham

18ct Yellow Gold 1.25cttw Pear Halo Engagement Ring

£5,000.00

Goldsmiths

Platinum 1.20cttw Diamond 3 Stone Oval Cut Ring

£8,000.00

Consider the Final Package

Understandably the focus will be on your engagement ring but take into consideration who it will look against your wedding band when the big day arrives. Engagement rings with large or unusual settings may require a shaped wedding band, and if you have your heart set on wearing your grandmother’s white gold wedding band, remember that a platinum engagement ring will rub against the white gold wedding band due to its high density, so this may not be the wisest of choices. If in doubt, Goldsmiths bridal sets simplify your choices, paired as an engagement ring and wedding band in one, you can be confident in your selection.

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold Triple Halo Pear Diamond Bridal Set Ring

£2,250.00£3,750.00

Goldsmiths

Platinum Halo Pear Diamond Bridal Set Ring

£3,250.00

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold Princess Cut 1.00cttw Diamond Bridal Set

£3,000.00

Most importantly - choose what you love.

Discover the perfect engagement ring here at Goldsmiths online or visit us in store at one of our showrooms where our jewellery experts will be delighted to help you.

Goldsmiths is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

*Next day delivery available on most items. See product pages for more information.

Otherwise Engaged

Choosing a precious metal to suit you

Understanding the 4 c’s

Colour

Clarity

Cut

Carat

How Do You Measure Up?

The Shape of things to come

Consider the Final Package

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