BUYING THE PERFECT ENGAGEMENT RING

1. Know Her Style

If you’re not feeling confident when it comes to making a call on what she’ll like, ask her friends, her mum or sister (but only if you can trust them to keep it under wraps). They should be able to tell you what style of jewellery she favours, or - better yet - if she’s dropped any hints. Pay attention to the type of accessories she wears; does she prefer minimalist, vintage-inspired or avant-garde pieces? Chances are she’ll want her engagement ring to match her favourite jewellery, so bear that in mind.

2. Find out her ring size

Figuring out her ring size without asking directly can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Size M is the most common women’s ring size, and it’s generally safer to err on the large side. If you’re feeling sneaky, take a ring that she wears on her ring finger from her jewellery box, or trace its inner diameter on a piece of paper, and have it sized by us.

It's not the end of the world if you do get the size wrong, as you can get it resized. We’ll do this free of charge.

3. Familiarise yourself with the 5Cs

Once you start browsing, you'll be faced with a whole host of decisions about the cut and colour of the diamond, choice of precious metal, and setting style. It’s worth doing a bit of research into the fundamentals that decide a diamond's value - the 5Cs: cut, colour, clarity, carat weight and certification.

4. Be prepared to pay a little extra

The traditional notion of forking out one to three months’ salary on a ring feels outdated today - so how much should you spend? There are no hard and fast rules here, but make sure you’re being realistic about what you can comfortably afford. If you have the money, it may be worth spending a little bit extra on your top choice - after all, engagement rings are for life. You could consider buying with interest-free credit to spread the cost of payment, instead of paying the lump sum up front.

5. Plan the Perfect Proposal

Ready for the big moment, but not sure how to make it extra special? Whether you’re aiming to sweep her off her feet with epic romance, or thrill her with a surprise adventure, try to make sure your proposal suits your partner's taste and personality. If your lady’s a bit of a thrill-seeker, an extreme sport activity could present the perfect opportunity. If, on the other hand, she’s scared of heights, popping the question mid-bungee jump might not be the best plan.

If you want to do something really spectacular, but you’re struggling for time and ideas, you could hire a proposal planning service to help you out. There are companies out there that specialise in 'proposal planning' and can organise anything from themed proposals and flash mobs, to setting you up on Tower Bridge, Edinburgh Castle or in a French chateau.