Engagement Ring Buying Guide UK
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Buying an engagement ring comes down to seven decisions. Work through them in this order and the choice gets much easier.
1. Set your budget
There's no rule you have to follow. Decide what's comfortable, then spend it on the features that matter most to the person wearing it. See how much to spend on an engagement ring.
2. Lab-grown or natural
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and optically the same as mined diamonds, at a lower price, which usually buys a larger or better-quality stone for the same money. Read lab-grown vs natural diamonds.
3. Choose a shape
Round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear, Asscher, marquise and radiant all look different on the hand. Elongated shapes such as oval and emerald look larger for their carat weight. See the diamond shape guide, or browse by shape: oval, round, emerald, cushion and Asscher.
4. Understand the 4Cs
Cut affects sparkle most, so don't compromise there. Colour and clarity can often be traded down a grade or two with no visible difference to the eye. Carat is weight rather than size, and shape affects how large a stone looks. See carat vs size.
5. Pick a setting
Solitaire, halo, hidden halo, three-stone, toi et moi or bezel. Each changes how large the centre stone looks and how much upkeep the ring needs. See the settings guide, or browse three-stone and toi et moi rings.
6. Choose a metal
Noir Flare rings are made in 9ct, 14ct or 18ct gold, in yellow, white or rose. See the metals guide.
7. Get the size right
Every Noir Flare ring is made in any UK size from F to Z, including half sizes. Use our UK ring size guide to measure at home, or get sized at our Birmingham studio. If it's a surprise, choose “Not sure of my size” and we'll confirm it with you before your ring is made. If the ring doesn't fit, we resize it free of charge when you tell us within 3 days of receiving it.
Certification
Every Noir Flare lab-grown diamond comes with an IGI certificate, and every natural diamond with a GIA certificate. The certificate is the independent record of the stone's cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, so always read it rather than relying on a description alone.
Your checklist
- Budget agreed
- Lab-grown or natural decided
- Shape and setting chosen
- Metal and carat chosen
- Ring size measured, or “Not sure” selected
- Certificate checked