How to Choose an Engagement Ring

A practical order to make the decisions in, so the ring comes together without second-guessing.

Reviewed by Adnan Ali, Graduate, GIA Diamond Grading · Updated 2026-10-24

An engagement ring is a handful of decisions — the stone, its shape, the setting, the metal and the size. Taken in the right order they are straightforward. Taken all at once they are overwhelming. This is the order we suggest.

1. Settle the budget first

Almost every other choice moves the price, so decide the figure you are comfortable with before you fall for a particular stone. Then use the choices below to get the most from it. On our product pages the price updates as you change the stone, quality and metal, so you can see the effect of each decision before you commit.

2. The centre diamond

On an engagement ring the centre diamond is your choice, lab-grown or natural. A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, with the same chemistry, hardness and optical behaviour as a mined one, at a price that lets the same budget buy a larger or cleaner stone; that is the one you can configure on the page, choosing its carat, colour and clarity, and individual certificates apply to centre diamonds 1.00 ct and above. For a natural centre stone, tell us the specification you want and we will price it.

3. Shape

Shape changes how big a stone looks for its weight. Elongated shapes such as oval, pear and marquise spread their weight over a longer outline and tend to look larger than a round stone of the same carat weight, and they lengthen the look of the finger. Round brilliants return the most sparkle. Step-cut emerald shapes trade sparkle for long, clean flashes of light and show inclusions more readily, so they reward a higher clarity. Each of our designs is made for one shape, so choose the design that holds the shape you want.

One ring in each shape

All engagement rings →

Xclusive Diamonds

Marsham Diamond Ring (Oval)

from£1,371.79· Incl. VAT

Xclusive Diamonds

Marsham Diamond Ring (Emerald)

from£1,362.35· Incl. VAT

Xclusive Diamonds

Marsham Diamond Ring (Cushion)

from£1,360.20· Incl. VAT

Xclusive Diamonds

Marsham Diamond Ring (Marquise)

from£1,360.20· Incl. VAT

Xclusive Diamonds

Marsham Diamond Ring (Radiant)

from£1,364.23· Incl. VAT

Xclusive Diamonds

Portman Diamond Ring (Round)

from£1,350.10· Incl. VAT

4. Setting

• Solitaire: a single stone, nothing competing with it. Timeless, and the easiest to pair with a wedding band.
• Halo: a ring of small diamonds around the centre stone, which makes it look larger and adds sparkle.
• Three-stone: a centre stone flanked by two smaller ones.

Think about the wedding band too. Some settings sit high or flare out and need a shaped band to sit flush beside them.

5. Metal

Gold purity is measured in karats: 9K is 37.5% gold, 14K is 58.5% and 18K is 75%, with the rest alloy metals that add strength and set the colour — yellow, white or rose. Higher karat means richer colour and a higher price; lower karat is harder-wearing and more affordable. White gold is usually rhodium-plated for its bright white finish, and that plating wears over time and can be renewed. Platinum is naturally white and dense. The metals available differ from design to design and are shown on each product page.

6. Size

Every ring we make is built at the finger size you order. Measuring is covered in our ring size guide. Resizing after purchase is free, except on full-eternity rings and designs with stones set into the shank, where there is no plain metal to work with.

7. Allow for the timing

Your jewellery is made to order in 2–3 weeks, then delivered to you. Delivery is insured and signed for. Production begins once the 24-hour cancellation window closes. If you are planning around a date, allow for both, and a little in hand.

How much should a 1-carat diamond cost?

There is no single price for a 1-carat diamond. Natural or lab-grown origin, shape and quality affect the cost, and a loose-diamond price is different from the price of a complete ring. On our engagement-ring pages, the displayed price covers the complete ring in your selected specification. Choose your design, metal, size and diamond options to see the current price. For a natural centre diamond, contact us for a quotation.

What engagement ring can I buy for £1,500?

A £1,500 budget can cover a complete lab-grown diamond engagement ring. For example, the Portman Round is currently £1,349.46 with a 1.00 ct E-colour, VS1-clarity lab-grown diamond in 9K yellow gold, in size F½. Your chosen size, metal and diamond specification determine the final price.

What engagement ring can I buy for £2,000?

A £2,000 budget can give you room for a larger centre diamond or a different metal specification. For example, the Aurelia Cushion is currently £1,894.50 with a 2.00 ct D-colour, VS2-clarity lab-grown diamond in 18K yellow gold, in size F½. Compare the available options on your chosen design to see what fits your budget.

What changes the price?

The design, metal, ring size and centre diamond’s shape, carat weight, colour and clarity all affect the price. Accent diamonds also contribute where included. Compare complete-ring specifications rather than a loose diamond’s price alone.

Examples checked on 24 October 2026. Both prices include VAT and the currently listed free UK delivery. These solitaire examples have no accent diamonds. Prices and availability may change; check the current price for your chosen specification before ordering.

Keep reading

• Engagement rings
• Ring size guide
• The 4Cs of diamonds
• Bespoke design
• Portman Round — check current price
• Aurelia Cushion — check current price