Engagement Ring Buying Guide

Buying an engagement ring is exciting, but the choices can feel overwhelming. This guide takes you through each decision in the order most people make it: budget, size, setting, diamond shape, diamond quality, metal and certificate. Every Zarna Jewels engagement ring is set with a laboratory-grown diamond and made to order in our Surat workshop, so you can also adjust most designs to suit you.

Ready to look? Browse all engagement rings.

1. Set your budget

There is no rule for how much to spend. The old “two or three months’ salary” idea started as advertising; the right budget is the one you are comfortable with. Decide on a range before you start, then use it to balance diamond size, quality and metal.

• Use our engagement ring calculator to turn your monthly pay and savings into a budget.
• A laboratory-grown diamond costs much less than a natural diamond of the same size and grade, so the same budget buys a larger or finer stone.
• If you would like to spread the cost, EMI may be available on your card at checkout. See payment options.

2. Find out the ring size

Getting the size right means your partner can wear the ring from the moment they say yes.

• Measure a ring they already wear on the right finger with our digital ring sizer, or compare its inside diameter with our ring size chart.
• Ask a friend or family member who may know their size.
• Not sure? Choose your best estimate. We resize once free of charge within 30 days, by up to two sizes, on most designs. See free ring resizing.

3. Choose the setting

The setting is how the diamond is held and how the band is designed. It shapes the ring’s whole look:

• Solitaire: a single diamond on a plain or diamond band. Timeless and lets the diamond shine.
• Halo: a frame of small diamonds around the centre stone, which makes it look larger and adds sparkle.
• Trilogy (three-stone): three diamonds side by side, often said to stand for past, present and future.
• Side-stone: small diamonds set along the shoulders of the band.
• Toi et moi: two diamonds side by side, a design for two people.
• Cluster and vintage: several stones grouped together, or detailed, heritage-inspired designs.

Think about lifestyle too: a low-set solitaire or a bezel setting is easier to live with for hands-on work than a tall, delicate design.

4. Choose the diamond shape

Shape is the outline of the diamond, and it has the biggest effect on the ring’s style:

• Round brilliant: the most popular shape and the most sparkle.
• Oval: elegant, and its length makes the finger look longer and the stone look larger for its weight.
• Princess: a modern square with lots of sparkle.
• Emerald: a rectangular step cut with a clear, “hall of mirrors” look.
• Pear, marquise, cushion, radiant and heart: distinctive shapes for a ring that stands out.

Our diamond cuts guide explains how each shape is cut and how it sparkles.

5. Choose the diamond quality: the 4Cs

Every diamond is graded on the 4Cs. Knowing which ones matter most helps your budget go further:

• Cut: how well the diamond returns light. It matters most for sparkle, so choose the best cut you can.
• Colour: graded from D (colourless) down the alphabet. D–F look icy white; G–H look white in most settings, especially in yellow or rose gold.
• Clarity: how free the diamond is from tiny internal marks. VS clarity looks clean to the eye for most people.
• Carat: the diamond’s weight. A slightly smaller stone with a better cut often looks brighter than a larger, poorly cut one.

Read the full diamond guide for the grading scales.

6. Choose the metal

We make our engagement rings in 9K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, white or rose, and in 925 sterling silver:

• 18K gold (75% gold) has the richest colour and is a classic choice for fine jewellery.
• 14K gold (58.3% gold) is harder wearing and a popular choice for a ring worn every day.
• 9K gold (37.5% gold, marked 375) is the hardest and most affordable gold, the traditional choice in the UK and Australia.
• 925 sterling silver is the most affordable option, but softer and needs more care than gold.

Compare them in our metal guide. If the wedding band will sit next to the engagement ring, choose the same metal and colour for both.

7. Decide on a certificate

An independent grading report confirms your diamond’s 4Cs and its laboratory-grown origin. You can add an IGI report for your diamond at checkout; its fee is shown before you pay, and each report has a number you can check on IGI’s website.

8. Ready-made, made to order or bespoke?

• Ready to ship: dispatched within 3–5 working days.
• Made to order: most of our rings, ready in 2–3 working weeks in the metal, diamond and size you choose.
• Design your own: build a ring step by step in our ring builder, or create something one of a kind with our bespoke service (3–4 working weeks).

9. Buy online or with a specialist

You can order online at any time, or book an appointment for a video call or a visit to our Surat showroom, where a specialist can show you rings and diamonds up close. Every order is insured and tracked to your door; see delivery and our 30-day returns.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Whatever you are comfortable with. Many people spend between one and three months of income, but a budget that fits your plans together is more important than any rule.

Which diamond shape looks biggest?

Elongated shapes such as oval, pear and marquise look larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight, because more of their surface faces up.

Which metal is best for an engagement ring worn every day?

14K gold is a good balance of colour and durability. 18K has a richer colour, while 9K is harder still and the most affordable gold.

What if I get the size wrong?

We resize once free of charge within 30 days by up to two sizes, where the design allows. Full eternity rings cannot be resized.

Is a laboratory-grown diamond a good choice for an engagement ring?

Yes. It has the same hardness, brilliance and fire as a natural diamond, so it is just as suitable for everyday wear, and it costs less for the same size and grade. Learn more in our laboratory-grown diamond guide.