Choose an engagement ring by considering diamond shape, setting, metal, diamond origin and budget. Start with the jewellery your partner already wears, then explore the details that matter most. Our guides and showroom teams can help you compare your options.
Diamond shape describes the outline of the stone. Oval and pear diamonds have elongated silhouettes, round diamonds have a circular outline, and emerald cuts offer rectangular lines. Princess cuts are typically square, while cushion cuts have rounded corners. Compare different shapes on the hand to see which proportions appeal to you. Explore each shape in our collections, or read our diamond shapes guide for a closer look at the differences.
The setting shapes the overall appearance of your engagement ring. A solitaire places one centre stone in focus, a halo surrounds it with smaller diamonds, and a three-stone ring brings three stones together. Cluster settings group several stones into one design. Consider the height of the setting, comfort and how it sits beside a wedding band. Our engagement ring settings guide explains the details to compare before choosing your ring.
Platinum, white gold and yellow gold offer different colours and care considerations. Platinum is naturally white, white gold may need rhodium replating over time, and yellow gold has a warm tone. Think about the jewellery you already wear and the wedding band you plan to choose. Trying both rings together can help you compare their colour, fit and overall appearance.
Earth-grown and lab-grown diamonds share the same basic chemical composition and crystal structure, but have different origins. Earth-grown diamonds form naturally underground; lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment. Lab-grown options generally cost less than comparable earth-grown stones. Explore our lab-grown engagement rings and compare individual diamonds by cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Our diamond origins guide explains these differences to help you choose what matters to you.
Start with an amount you feel comfortable spending. Diamond origin, carat weight, quality, metal and setting all influence the price of an engagement ring. Decide which details matter most, then compare options within your budget. There is no fixed salary rule to follow. Read our guide to how much to spend for help balancing your priorities before making a decision.
Visit a Fraser Hart showroom to compare engagement rings on your hand and discuss your preferences with our team. Book an appointment for help with shapes, settings and sizing, or use our store finder to plan a visit near you.