Whether you're looking to pop the big question or upgrade your partner's engagement ring, you want to make sure you do it right. Thinking about the style and price are an important part of the process.

So, if you're out on the hunt for rings. either together or as a solo mission in secret, here’s an extensive guide to finding the perfect engagement ring, including the 5C's of choosing an engagement ring.

What are the 5C's of engagement rings?

There's no better way to say 'I love you' other gifting your partner a diamond ring – as you know, diamonds are a girl's (and everyone else's) best friend! Pledge your love and celebrate the years of commitment and love to come by gifting a gorgeous gem.

Before taking a trip to the jewellers, we recommend you try to gain as much knowledge as possible – knowing what you’re looking for and what your partner wants is a great start. And remember, choose wisely, as this is a forever thing (no pressure).

Before you take that memorable trip, have the 5C's of engagement rings in mind: colour, cut, clarity, carat weight, and certification.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the 5C’s so you can get ready to choose the perfect ring.

Colour

In simple terms, the less colour a diamond has, the more value it has. The diamond colour scale is an alphabetical grading scale beginning with the letter D (colourless), moving down the alphabet the more colour a diamond has. The deeper the colour becomes to the naked eye, the less expensive it is. You’ll naturally see yellow, brown or grey tints.

 

 

Cut

The diamond's cut determines how well the stone can pick up light. A round-cut diamond will allow light into the top of the rock and around the inside, forming bright rainbow colours. However, poorly cut diamonds will reflect barely any light and have no sparkle.

Depending on your budget, there are other types of diamond cuts for you to try. For example, a good-cut diamond is very similar to a round cut but attracts a little less light, attracting a lower price. At the same time, a good-cut diamond attracts a substantial amount of light. This compromises on the brilliance slightly, compared to a very good cut but makes it a much more affordable choice.

 

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is evaluated by natural inclusions such as size, colour and the location of the inclusion within the diamond. In order to determine the clarity of a diamond, the scale is set across six categories. 

• Flawless – no inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification
• Internally Flawless – no inclusions under 10x magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS) – slight inclusions, usually visible to skilled graders
• Slightly Included – inclusions visible under 10x magnification
• Included – inclusions visible under 10x magnification – can affect transparency and brilliance

 

Carat Weight

The carat weight of a diamond helps decipher the size of the stone. It’s a unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds. One carat is approximately 0.200 grams and is subdivided into 100 points. However, if you’re planning to buy diamonds in the US, a one carat diamond is equivalent to 0.0007 ounces.

Certification

A diamond certification is a report issued by a diamond laboratory that evaluates the diamond for its quality, which helps to determine its value. The certificate will cover the points in this list, alongside other characteristics such as shape, measurements, and a diamond plot, which is a guide to the features of the exact diamond it relates to.

 

What different styles of engagement rings are there?

Whether your partner prefers a more refined, contemporary or vintage engagement ring, there are many different designs to choose from. The four most iconic ring styles are solitaire, halo, trilogy and diamond band.

A solitaire ring is simpler and more refined in effortless charm. It’s an engagement ring with one centre gemstone, usually a diamond. This is a popular choice for engagement rings and is loved by many minimalist diamond lovers.

Meanwhile, the diamond band engagement ring is the opposite of a solitaire ring. This diamond ring is set with micro diamonds across the band with one larger gemstone in the middle. The diamond band is often considered to be an upgrade from the solitaire ring, as it adds a little extra sparkle – perfect for those who want to renew their vows!

 

 

If you want to opt for the whole shebang, we recommend you look at halo engagement rings. The halo ring consists of small micro diamonds set across the centre stone circumference. The extra detail enhances the look, size and sparkle of your ring. Each diamond is specifically chosen to stay consistent in the centrepiece diamond's quality, colour and clarity. 

Finally, a trilogy ring is exactly as it says – it’s a series of three precious gems. Typically, you'll find trilogy rings with a large centre diamond complimented by two smaller stones which are half the weight of the centre stone.

You can find engagement rings that are similar in style and make them your own by customising the style – create something unique by adding a little extra colour or changing the shape of the side stones.

Discover our in-house design range of lab-grown diamond rings, which will always sit at the top of each scale of the 5C's—the most beautiful and lustrous collection handcrafted from 92.5% pure recycled 925 Sterling Silver.