How to Choose an Antique Engagement Ring

As a romantic, you’re springing ‘the surprise proposal’.  You’ve picked the perfect location to pose the question, but what engagement ring do you choose? As a symbol of your commitment to the most important relationship in your life, it’s a decision you want to get right.  

To help, we’ve answered the most important questions you need to ask yourself before picking the perfect ring.

Which style should I choose?

To answer this question, first you'll need to put yourself in your would-be fiancee's shoes. Consider:

What type of jewellery does she usually wear?
Does she like traditional or modern style jewellery?
Does she usually wear silver, gold or platinum rings?

Paying close attention is the best way to gain an understanding of what type of engagement ring she will like. Have a look at her jewellery collection; make a mental note of whether she likes any rings she's seen on TV, in magazines or worn by her friends. if you're still not sure, don't be afraid to ask her family and friends for advice (while swearing them to secrecy, obviously!)

Will the ring fit?

After finding a ring she'll like, you don't want to run the risk of it not fitting. Luckily, there are a few creative ways to find out her ring size without giving the game away:

1. Find a ring she wears on her ring finger on her right hand (the opposite one to her wedding hand). This will be a close fit, but bear in mind that fingers on the dominant hand are usually half a size bigger.
2. Find a ring she wears on her middle finger. After you've taken this down by one size, it should be close to the size of her ring finger.
3. Find a ring she wears on the engagement finger. Then, slip it on your finger and draw a line where it stops, or trace around it on a piece of paper. From there, a jeweller will be able to tell you what you need.

Take the ring to a jeweller and ask them to size it for you, or grab a ruler, a strip of paper or some string and get measuring. Here's a handy guide as to what UK ring size you'll need.

Which diamond type should I choose?

Every girl is different when it comes to their new best friend. In our experience, old cut diamonds make for the most popular engagement rings as they typically have the most sparkle. However, others might prefer a different cut of diamond such as heart or pear-shaped, emerald, oval or marquise. (You can find out more about the different cuts of diamonds here).

Once you've decided what shape diamond you want, you'll need to consider your budget. Ultimately, the best quality diamond you can afford all comes down to the four Cs:

Cut – A diamond's cut effects how much it sparkles
Colour – Clear, colourless diamonds are the most prized
Clarity – Diamonds with fewer flaws are more valuable
Carat weight – Larger diamonds are typically worth more than smaller diamonds

For more information about the four Cs, check out comprehensive diamond buyer guide.

Now that you know how to choose the ideal ring, take a look at our selection of rare and distinctive antique engagement rings. Or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, we're always happy to help.