How to Choose an Engagement Ring

Choosing a ring feels overwhelming mainly because the decisions are usually presented all at once. Taken in order, each choice narrows the next. The engagement ring buying guide goes deeper on the technical side; this page is the short route.

1. Find the ring size

Everything else can be adjusted later more easily than a badly wrong size, especially on bands with stones all the way around. Measure the right finger on the right hand, at the end of the day when fingers are slightly larger.

2. Set one total budget

Decide the whole number first, then split it. People who want a larger stone put most of the budget there. People who care more about design put more into the setting.

3. Decide on the stone type

Natural diamond, lab-grown diamond, moissanite or a colored gemstone. This single choice changes how far your budget goes more than any other. See lab-grown vs natural diamonds and moissanite vs diamond.

4. Match the setting to daily life

Consider work, sport and hobbies. Nurses, climbers and gardeners often prefer low settings and bezels. People who rarely use their hands roughly can choose high cathedral settings, pavé bands and delicate vine work.

5. Choose the shape

Round maximizes sparkle. Oval, pear and marquise look larger per carat and lengthen the finger. Emerald and Asscher cuts are sleek and architectural. Our diamond shapes guide compares them.

6. Choose the metal

Yellow, white or rose gold, or platinum. Think about skin tone and the color of other jewelry, but also upkeep: white gold is usually rhodium plated and needs periodic replating. See engagement ring metals.

7. Check the paperwork and the policy

For a diamond center stone, ask for the laboratory report. For other stones, ask for a written description including any treatments. Read the return, resizing and warranty terms, and note how they apply to custom or engraved rings.