Jewelry House KIMBERLI

How to Choose an Engagement Ring: A Step-by-Step Guide

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17.09.2026

A proposal is one of the most significant moments in a person's life. The ring you choose for that moment deserves the same level of thought as the proposal itself. But where do you begin? Which parameters actually matter, and which are marketing mythology? This guide will help you make the right choice — without the stress.

Step 1 — Set Your Budget First

The old rule of "two months' salary" is a myth invented by a jewellery company in the 1930s. There is no correct budget. An engagement ring should cost exactly what you can spend comfortably — without loans, without anxiety and without pressure.

Your budget shapes not just the stone size but the metal, the cut and the design. At equal diamond quality, a white gold 14k ring will be more accessible than platinum. An oval cut looks larger than a round stone of identical carat weight. Once you know your budget, a skilled jeweller can find the best possible combination of parameters within it.

Step 2 — Find Out Your Partner's Ring Size

This is the most practical step and the one most often skipped. A ring can always be resized afterwards, but that takes time and adds cost. The simplest approaches: quietly borrow a ring your partner already wears and measure the inner diameter, or ask a mutual friend or family member who might know.

If finding out the size isn't possible — go slightly larger. Sizing a ring down is simpler and less expensive than sizing it up.

Step 3 — Choose the Stone

The diamond remains the most popular choice for engagement rings. But a sapphire, emerald or ruby is an equally valid — and increasingly fashionable — option, particularly if your partner loves colour and appreciates something unexpected.

If you're choosing a diamond, focus on four parameters: carat (weight), cut (the most important factor for brilliance), colour (from D — colourless — to Z — noticeably yellow) and clarity (the presence of internal inclusions). For a budget-conscious choice: a smaller diamond with an excellent cut will always outshine a larger stone with a mediocre one. Cut determines brilliance — and brilliance is what people notice first.

The most popular cuts for engagement rings: round brilliant (maximum sparkle), oval (elongates the finger), princess (modern and striking), cushion (romantic with a vintage quality).

Step 4 — Choose the Ring Style

Solitaire — one stone in an open setting, nothing else. The classic that never goes out of fashion. Perfect for those who value simplicity and quiet elegance.

Ring with side stones — a centre diamond flanked by smaller stones on either side. Creates a more elaborate, luxurious look, and allows the centre stone to be smaller while maintaining visual impact.

Eternity or half-eternity band — a continuous or partial line of equally sized stones with no single focal point. A modern, understated choice.

Vintage style — rings featuring filigree, milgrain edges or Art Deco-inspired detailing. For those who want their ring to have character and history.

Step 5 — Choose the Metal

White gold 14k — the most popular choice. Contemporary look, accessible price point, and it enhances the cool brilliance of a diamond beautifully.

Yellow gold 14k — making a strong return in trend. Warm, classic and particularly beautiful with coloured stones.

Rose gold 14k — romantic and feminine. Especially striking with smaller diamonds where the warmth of the metal and the brilliance of the stone complement each other.

18k gold — softer and richer in colour. Used in premium pieces where the depth of the metal is part of the design.

Step 6 — Check for a Certificate

Any diamond in an engagement ring should come with a certificate from an internationally recognised laboratory — GIA, IGI or HRD. The certificate independently confirms the stone's parameters: weight, cut, colour and clarity. Without a certificate, you are buying on trust alone — and comparing the price against the market becomes impossible.


The perfect engagement ring isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the ring that suits your partner's style, fits their hand as though it was made for it, and carries with it the moment you want to remember forever. Everything else is detail.

Explore the engagement ring collection →

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