7 Tips for choosing an engagement ring

What's sweeter than chocolate and more romantic than a bouquet of red roses when it comes to wowing your loved one on Valentine's Day? A well-planned marriage proposal, of course, sealed with a stunning engagement ring!

Romance is still very much in the air as we get nearer to Valentine's -- one of the top five most popular times for popping the question, after Christmas and New Year. But how do you choose the perfect piece of jewellery for your leading lady? Whether you're planning to whisk your future fiancee on a romantic getaway or cooking a surprise dinner menu, you need to read these top tips for getting the ring right from Ruth Donaldson of Heirloom London first.  

1. Stick to the first 'one' you like

On average, finding the engagement ring takes three months. This is because you’ll go online, talk to everyone, go in store, go back online, go to other store, etc. To save you time and hassle, stick to the first ring that you love rather than waste weeks comparing and debating over several different ones. 

2. Take safety measures

As soon as that ring passes into your hands – it's your responsibility! So look after it and make sure that you have it insured. 

3. Be romantic, yet practical

The location of your intended proposal may influence what you do with the ring and whether it's recommended to bring it with you:

• A winter sun beach holiday: If you are in a hotel or apartment with a safe, then you’ll have somewhere safe to keep the ring. But if you are in a beach hut this may not be a safe bet. Also think about what you are going to present your ring in. The elegant wooden box may not look as romantic full of sand.

• A city break: Care should be taken in romantic locations where pickpockets are known to operate. Also take care, if you are presenting a ring on a balcony, bridge, or anywhere else it could be dropped.

4. Consider the surprise element

If your beloved tends to react physically to surprises, you may want to propose first, and then present the ring once she has finished waving her arms around or punching the air triumphantly. 

5. Keep it safe

A large ring box looks very nice and romantic in the store, but if you are going overseas, it is not something that wants to be placed in the hold, with the ring inside it!  How do the professionals move rings? Often wrapped in tissue paper, in a discreet little plastic bag. Not the most romantic, but it protects the ring in your wallet, which is a good safe place to keep it secure while you are moving through the airport.

6. If the ring fits

It is always better with a proposal that the ring is too big, rather than too small.  An organised store should be able to provide a ring insert, to ensure that it will at least stay on.  If the ring is loose, then it may be too risky to wear until it has been re-sized.  

7. Cherish the moment

Never confuse fashion with style when choosing an engagement ring. Your buying decision should focus around the latter, rather than former. This is probably one of the longest discussions I have with my clients, but also the most rewarding, as I can then present eight designs to choose from. Following that, some men may choose a bespoke style to create a ring highly personal to her.

                     

Finally, don’t imagine that getting professional help will be expensive or result in you spending tens of thousands of pounds on the ring. A jewellery concierge can take the pressure off, save you hours of time and angst, and ensure your budget (whatever it is) goes as far as possible – meaning you get more ring for your money. With the right help, choosing the perfect ring for your partner does not need to be stressful – in fact it should fun!

With an added day to February, 2016 brings along an exciting tradition for couples, meaning that ladies can pop the question for a change. Now the only question remaining is which one of you will be asking the question first. 

Don't forget to check out Ruth Donaldson's advice feature on spotting  the difference between real diamonds and synthetics here.

Details
Heirloom London 
W: www.heirloomlondon.co.uk

How can you tell real diamonds from synthetics?

Do you know the difference between genuine diamonds and synthetics? And can you spot a fake when looking at engagement ring or wedding bands? If not, then you need to read this practical advice from Ruth Donaldson, jewellery concierge at Heirloom London, on what to look for when you go diamond shopping.

Lucky Loop platinum earrings by Atelier Helene Apitzsch, £480

Here are the key things to consider when diamond shopping, along with some of her favourite pieces from the Heirloom London collections:


1. The Cut 

The facets cut on the stone are often a give-away; a diamond can only be polished by another diamond, and therefore its facets usually have much sharper edges than a synthetic.  In addition, there is much more fire reflected from a diamond.  A cubic zirconia doesn't have a brilliance of its own, but this is often more apparent when light is shone on it.  A good diamond will still have a fire to it, even when not in direct light.

2. The Characteristics
A cubic zirconia will look more perfect.  Naturally occurring cubic zirconias are not large enough to be used in jewellery.  As a result, all stones are synthetic, and they are formed to be perfect.  A diamond is like a snowflake, each one with its own individual cut and personality generated through the microscopic inclusions which makes it unique.

3.The Clarity 

While a cubic zirconia will wear away and in time the stone will look dull, a diamond does not wear and will stay sparkly for the lifetime of the ring.  You’ll quite often see with cubic zirconia jewellery, that after a few years the stones have lost a bit of their original sparkle.

Snowdrop platinum ring by Rachel Galley, £665

4. The Certificate
If you really aren't sure, the majority of good diamonds carry certification which you can ask to see.  Any reputable retailer is going to offer you a genuine diamond, the cost to their business reputation would be fatal otherwise.

5. The Cost
Finally, if the price seems too good to be true, it may be that the diamond you are buying is not as good as its marketing hype.

Lily Pendant by Heirloom Classics, £950 for platinum set with quarter carat diamond

But what are the alternatives if you simply can't afford a diamond this time? 

Lab-grown stones
Cubic Zirconia - a clear stone, it has a brilliance sometimes higher than that of a diamond, but they don’t have the same fire. It is mass-produced and a one carat cubic zirconia should not be more than a few pounds! 

Moissanite - promoted as a diamond alternative in many countries and like all gem quality stones, it is synthetically produced. Much harder than cubic zirconia, they also cost a lot more to produce and most stones will have some colour to them.

Fei Liu cascade earrings in silver plate with rose gold vermeil, £395

Natural stones 

Zircon - similar in brilliance and fire to a diamond, although colourless, these stones are more rare. Not recommended for everyday rings as they are quite a soft stone.

Dementoid Garnet - bright green stones, which are very rare, and seldom found in larger sizes than one carat.  They have higher brilliance and fire than diamonds, but again are unfortunately very soft and can blunt the edges of their facets.

Enaki Sun sterling silver ring set with white sapphires by Rachel Galley, £280

Heirloom London is a personalised jewellery buying service which combines the convenience of a concierge, with the support of a personal shopper and the buying advantage of an industry insider. 

Details

Heirloom London

W: http://www.heirloomlondon.co.uk/

For more inspiration when looking to buy your wedding rings, read our previous features with beautiful designs from Laings and Aurus here and top tips from Vashi Dominguez here.

Fashion Friday: Wedding Rings Guide

We're delighted to bring you a special jewellery Fashion Friday focus this week: wedding bands! They may be the smallest accessories on your wedding list, but you'll be wearing them for a very long  and happy time - and they carry an enormous sentimental value - so careful consideration is needed. The precious metal bands symbolise a union of commitment and love between two people; wearing them acts as a reminder of the promises of love and devotion the bride and groom have made for each other on their wedding day. 

To guide you on your planning journey, we talked to diamond expert Vashi Dominguez, owner of www.Vashi.com - here are the four main things you need to know before hitting the shops: 

Style

Style is down to individual taste and there is no right or  wrong way to encapsulate this in your wedding ring. With that in mind, consider a style that you’ll love for a very long time – your taste is likely to evolve and change, just like you. In tone with tradition, plain wedding bands and diamond encrusted rings are a much better choice than the latest trends with over-the-top embellishments. That doesn’t mean you can’t have bespoke design that matches your engagement ring.    

Shape

Choosing the shape of your wedding band can often leave you spoilt for choice as there are various things to consider i.e. the band width (thick or thin), curved or straight, mixing metals and having a tiered, paved or plain setting. Fancy designed shapes (tiered and paved settings) are a perfect choice for a glitzier styled ring. These settings are ideal for diamond encrusted or gemstone wedding rings. For a more sleek and elegant wedding ring, I would strongly recommend a slim and/or twisted wedding band. It’s important to try on a few different styles to decide which shape suits you best.

Budget
Like every other detail of your wedding, you decide how much you want to spend – it has to feel right for you and fit within your budget. Plain wedding bands tend to be cheaper than fancy styled rings i.e. diamond encrusted or gemstone rings. Another point to consider is your wedding band setting. Wedding bands range from white gold and platinum, to yellow gold and silver. Gold, whether white or yellow, is the most popular and enduring choice. Platinum is the strongest jewelry metal, resistant to damage and tarnishing, making it a great choice if you can afford it. Prices tend to be cheaper for online purchases compared to retail stores – just make sure you buy from a recognised brand, as they can offer additional services for the future.

Matching rings

If opting for matching designs, you must be able to combine both of the partners' style and personal taste. There are many ways to do this: his and her sets, engraving or choosing the same metals. Should you prefer to have individual bands but still like the idea of coupling your rings, why not choose a bespoke service, which allows you to create a ring that combines matching ideas? 

For more information about the rings featured above and a list of prices, visit the website. You should also check out our article about grooms rocking the ring and those who prefer to give it a miss in our summer issue of West Weddings. If our guide got you thinking, come on over to our Twitter and Facebook pages and show us your engagement and wedding ring pictures!