How to Choose an Engagement Ring | Tips from a Jeweller
Tips for Choosing an Engagement Ring
Figuring out how to choose an engagement ring can be a daunting process - there’s endless advice on where to shop, what to buy, and how much to spend. But don’t worry, I’m here to simplify the process, debunk common myths, and help you make a confident, informed decision.
1.5ct Lab diamond bezel set 18ct yellow gold engagement ring
Things to Consider when Choosing an Engagement Ring
Below is a list of topics to think about when going down the path of engagement ring shopping, these topics cover common questions asked by clients.
Deciding how you are going to propose |
A Complete Surprise – Pros and cons, how to gather hints
With Some Guidance – When your partner gives subtle (or not-so-subtle) hints
Engagement Ring Shopping Together – The keeper ring approach for a surprise proposal
Should You Buy an Engagement Ring ‘Off the Shelf’?
The misconception of saving money
When a custom-made ring may be a better option
How Much Should I Spend on an Engagement Ring?
The outdated ‘two-month salary’ myth
What real couples spend on their engagement ring
How age and lifestyle influence engagement ring spending
Choosing an Engagement Ring Style
Breaking down engagement ring styles into categories
Finding the style that suits your partner
Selecting the Perfect Center Stone
Understanding diamond shapes and sparkle
Considering a coloured gemstone (sapphire or ruby)
Final Thoughts
The best approach is the one that feels right for you
How much of a secret will the proposal be?
Once you know you are ready to pop the question, start at the end; How you are going to propose. What I mean by that, is; is it going to be a complete secret? Or perhaps the conversation has come up a number of times about marriage.
Proposing as a complete secret is less common these days, most couples who are getting married and engaged already live together and at times have also started a family together.
A Complete Surprise Proposal with the Engagement Ring
If you want to keep the proposal a total secret, you’ll need to do some detective work. Here are a few ideas to gather clues:
Check their social media | Have a look through pinterest boards saved to their account, if you don’t have Pinterest, ask a trusted friend for help. Instagram is another platform you can have a look through to find accounts they follow to get an idea of what kind of style engagement ring they may like.
Ask their close friends or family | Turn to a close friend of your partner to see if they have ever discussed engagement ring styles - As long as your trust them not to spill the beans!
Look at their existing jewellery – Do they wear simple, minimal pieces, or do they love bold, vintage designs? Also take note of what colour metal their current jewellery is.
All the info you can gather about the jewellery style of your partner will help with finding or designing the perfect engagement ring for them.
An engagement ring with guidance & ring shopping together
Most proposals aren’t a complete surprise, many partners drop hints about what engagement rings they love.
A great way to ensure your partner will love their ring is to go engagement ring widow shopping together. Your partner can point out all their favorite rings and from their, you can decide which style to get and when to buy the ring.
If you love the idea of a surprise proposal but also want their input, consider buying a keeper ring—a simple silver ring used for the proposal. Afterward, you can custom design the perfect engagement ring together.
Buying an engagement ring off the shelf vs custom-made
Should you buy an engagement ring off the shelf? If you fall in love with an engagement ring in a jewellery store, absolutely go for it! But if you're assuming that ready-made engagement rings are more affordable, that’s not necessarily true.
Sometimes, a custom engagement ring can be more cost-effective than an off-the-shelf design. Retail jewellery stores tend to have high running costs due to expensive leases, multiple staff as well as their branding and marketing costs.
A well-crafted, custom-made engagement ring generally offers better value for money than mass-produced options due to the cost cutting practices listed above.
Designing a custom engagement ring also allows you to choose the exact gemstone, setting, and style.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Deciding how much to spend on an engagement ring is highly personal, each budget is determined by age, income, stage of relationship and stage of life. The traditional "two-month salary" rule is outdated—there are no fixed rules for how much to spend. Instead, consider:
Realistic Engagement Ring Budget Ranges
The starting point for a good quality engagement ring is 5,000AUD (updated 2026). That will get you an 18ct solid yellow gold ring with a decent sized sapphrie or diamond as the center stone.
The most common price range for an engagement ring as of 2026 is 8,000 to 9,000AUD. The higher end budget for an engagement ring is from 15,000 - 20,000AUD. The clients who opt to spend these higher amounts are working professionals with higher incomes and business owners.
How Age and Lifestyle Influence Engagement Ring Spending
Young couples 19–23: $5,000–$8,000 AUD
Mid 20s to early 30s: $7,000–$14,000 AUD
Couples in their mid-30s+ : More likely to spend $15,000+
The stage of life a couple are at will dictate how much to spend on an engagement ring. Young couples are most likely saving to travel or to buy a home, which mean less is spent on an engagement ring. Later in life when you are more established with a good job prospects and a higher income, the engagement ring budget usually goes up.
See our engagement ring pricing guide here
Finding the right category of engagement ring
Half the battle in finding the right kind of engagement ring is knowing the terminology of the styles. Because engagement rings are available in countless designs, to simplify the process, I’ll split the ring style options into two groups; engagement ring types, this is the broader title given to a ring. The engagement ring style; this represents the personality of the ring.
Engagement Ring Types
Solitaire – A single stone.
Trilogy – Three stone rings, one large center stone with matching smaller diamonds on the side.
Halo or Cluster – Small diamonds surrounding a center stone.
Toi Et Moi - Two stone rings.
Engagement Ring Styles
Art Deco – Geometric, 1920’s era, straight lines
Modern – Sleek, contemporary, bold
Antique – Fine and intricate detailing
Classic – Traditional settings
Abstract – Unique, asymmetrical
An engagement ring type is paired with an engagement ring style, marrying the two options gives a perspective into the terminology to search for to find the perfect engagement ring for you and your partner. For example a ‘three stone - art deco style ring’ or a modern - solitaire ring’
Choosing a center stone for your engagement ring
The center stone is the focal point of an engagement ring and the first thing noticed. Because engagement rings designed to be worn everyday the central gemstone must be strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. Different varieties of gemstones have different chemical compositions and toughness and hardness specs. Some gems are too soft and brittle to with stand everyday wear and tear. Here which the best center stone options are:
Natural Diamond
Lab Diamond
Sapphire
Ruby
Diamond Shapes and Sparkle
Each diamond shape reflects light differently, below is a brief rundown of a few different shape options and how much they sparkle.
Round Brilliant – The most sparkly due to its kite-shaped and triangular shaped facets
Emerald Cut – Less sparkle because they have less facets but emerald cuts are elegant and understated.
Oval, Cushion, or Pear – Alternatives to the classic round, while maintaining plenty of brilliance and sparkle.
I’ll cover diamond shapes in more detail in a future blog post, as it’s a vast topic!
Its also important to know the basics of diamond grading and the 4 C’s.
Considering Coloured Gemstones
If your partner loves colour, sapphires or rubies (Red) are a great choice. They are:
Extremely durable (perfect for daily wear)
Sapphires are available in various colours—blue, pink, yellow, green, and more
Often more affordable than diamonds for the same size
Choosing an engagement ring summary
You have made a great start by researching the subject a little, you’ll be miles ahead of the average to make an informed decision about how to choose the right engagement ring.
Whether it’s a surprise, a joint decision, or something in between, the best approach is the one that feels right for you and your partner.
If you want to know more about the process to get a custom engagement ring, follow this link.
