Choosing an Engagement Ring: Step by Step
Set your budget
Decide what you're comfortable spending, not what the industry tells you to spend. We'll get into this more below, but forget the "3 months salary" rule. It's marketing, not financial advice.
Learn their style
Pay attention to the jewelry they already wear. Do they lean minimal or statement? Gold or silver tones? Classic or modern? If in doubt, ask a close friend or family member.
Pick a diamond shape
Round is the most popular, but oval and cushion are surging. Each shape has a different personality. See our shape guide below to find the right match.
Choose the setting style
Solitaire for timeless elegance, halo for maximum sparkle, three stone for symbolism. The setting frames the diamond and defines the ring's character.
Select the metal
14K white gold for a modern look, yellow gold for warmth, rose gold for romance, platinum for ultimate durability. Every setting in our ring builder comes in 14K gold or platinum.
Get the right size
Borrow a ring they already wear, ask a friend, or visit a local jeweler for a free sizing. Resizing is available on most styles after purchase, contact us for a quote.
Review and buy
Our ring builder shows your shape, diamond, setting and metal together, with the price as you go. Review it, then buy, or ask the concierge first.
Ring Styles Explained
Gabriella Amoura's Ring Builder offers six styles. Here's what makes each one unique:
Solitaire
A single diamond on a clean band. Timeless, elegant, and lets the stone do the talking. The most popular choice for a reason: it works with every hand shape and never goes out of style.
Shop solitaire engagement ringsHalo
A center stone encircled by smaller diamonds. Creates the appearance of a larger diamond and adds extra sparkle. Romantic and eye-catching without going over the top.
Shop halo engagement ringsHidden Halo
Small diamonds set beneath the center stone, visible only from the side. All the extra brilliance of a halo with the clean look of a solitaire from above. The best of both worlds.
Shop hidden halo engagement ringsThree Stone
A center diamond flanked by two side stones. Symbolizes past, present, and future. Offers more visual weight and a distinctive look that stands out.
Shop three stone engagement ringsPavé
Tiny diamonds set into the band itself, creating a continuous ribbon of sparkle. Adds brilliance from every angle. Pairs beautifully with any center stone shape.
Shop pavé engagement ringsVintage
Intricate detailing inspired by Art Deco and Edwardian eras: milgrain edges, filigree patterns, and unique settings. For those who want a ring with character and history.
Planning the wedding band too? See our lab-grown diamond wedding and stacking bands, made to sit next to an engagement ring.
Diamond Shapes
Shape is the first thing people notice. Each has its own personality and plays with light differently:
Round
The most popular and brilliant cut. 58 facets engineered for maximum light return. Works in every style setting. Shop round engagement rings
Princess
Square shape with sharp corners. Modern and geometric. Second most popular for engagement rings.
Oval
Elongated shape that makes fingers appear longer and slimmer. Same brilliance as round with a more unique presence. Shop oval engagement rings
Cushion
Soft rounded corners with a pillow-like shape. Vintage feel with excellent fire. Very flattering in halo settings. Shop cushion engagement rings
Pear
A teardrop combining round and marquise. Unique and elegant. Looks especially striking in pendant necklaces too. Shop pear engagement rings
Emerald
Rectangular step-cut with a hall-of-mirrors effect. Favors clarity over brilliance. Sophisticated and architectural. Shop emerald engagement rings
Marquise
Elongated with pointed ends. Maximizes perceived carat weight. Creates an elongating effect on the finger. Shop marquise engagement rings
Radiant
A rectangle or square with cut corners like an emerald cut, but faceted as a brilliant, so it sparkles like a round. Shop radiant engagement rings
Metal Options
14K White Gold
Clean, modern, and versatile. The most popular choice for engagement rings. White gold complements every skin tone and pairs naturally with the brilliance of a diamond. Rhodium-plated for extra shine.
14K Yellow Gold
Warm, classic, and deeply romantic. Yellow gold is making a major comeback and looks particularly stunning with round and oval diamonds. A timeless choice with vintage appeal.
14K Rose Gold
Blush-toned and distinctive. Rose gold offers a warm, romantic aesthetic that's uniquely modern. Flatters all skin tones and pairs beautifully with cushion and pear shapes.
Platinum
The ultimate in durability and purity. Platinum is hypoallergenic, naturally white (no rhodium needed), and develops a beautiful patina over time. Our premium option for those who want the best.
We use 14K gold (not 18K or 24K) because it offers the ideal balance of purity and durability for everyday wear. 14K is 58.3% pure gold, strong enough to protect your setting while maintaining the warmth and luster of real gold.
How to Find Their Ring Size
Getting the right size is easier than you think. Here are the most reliable methods:
Borrow a ring they already wear: Grab one from their jewelry box (from the correct finger) and bring it to a local jeweler, or trace the inside on paper and measure the diameter.
Ask their friends or family: Someone close to them likely knows, or can find out discreetly. This is the most common approach for surprise proposals.
Visit a jeweler together: If the proposal is collaborative (many are!), this is the most accurate method. Takes 30 seconds.
Use the string method: Wrap a piece of string around their finger while they sleep (carefully), mark where it overlaps, then measure the length in millimeters.
Don't stress about getting it exactly right. Resizing is available on most styles after purchase, contact us for a quote. It's better to guess slightly larger, sizing down is easier than sizing up. (Custom Ring Builder pieces are made to your exact size and are final sale.)
Budgeting for an Engagement Ring (Honestly)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the "three months salary" rule. It was invented by De Beers in the 1930s as a marketing campaign. It is not financial advice. It is not a tradition. It's advertising.
Here's our honest advice: spend what makes you comfortable. A ring should be a joyful purchase, not a financial burden. The best engagement ring is one that makes your partner smile without making your bank account cry.
What Your Budget Gets with Lab-Grown
With lab-grown diamonds, your budget goes further than it would with mined stones. How much further depends on the stone, so our ring builder shows the price as you choose.
Why Lab-Grown for Your Engagement Ring
Your engagement ring is the most important piece of jewelry you'll ever buy. Here's why lab-grown makes it better:
Get a bigger diamond for your budget: The same budget usually buys a larger lab-grown diamond than a mined one, at the same grade.
Identical in every way that matters: Same hardness, same brilliance, same fire. Certified by the same labs. Your ring will look exactly as stunning 50 years from now.
Start your future on your terms: Spend less on the ring, more on the wedding, the honeymoon, or the down payment. Smart financial decisions make great foundations.
Know where your stone comes from: A lab-grown center stone is grown in a lab, not mined, so it is not part of the mined-diamond supply chain.
A report for your center stone: A center stone you choose in our ring builder comes with its own grading report: IGI for lab-grown, GIA for natural.
Want to dive deeper? Read our complete lab-grown diamond guide.
Proposal Tips
The ring is important, but the moment matters more. A few tips from couples who've been through it:
Make it personal: the best proposals reflect your relationship, not a Pinterest board.
Keep it simple: elaborate plans create more anxiety than joy. Choose a place that means something to both of you.
Have someone nearby (secretly) to capture the moment. You'll want photos.
There's no wrong way to propose. Nervous is normal. They're going to be thrilled.
Consider the ring box: we ship in elegant packaging designed for the moment.