10 Tips For Choosing a Diamond Ring

One important tip for choosing a diamond ring is to know the 4Cs. These are Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight and are the global standard for assessing the quality of the diamonds on your piece of jewellery. This allows you to find the best quality and compare one diamond ring to another.

The colour of a diamond is graded on a D-Z scale, with D meaning colourless and Z meaning that the diamond omits a light yellow or brown colour. Diamonds with less colour are rarer and, therefore, more sought after and have higher price points.

Clarity refers to how free of blemishes or surface irregularities and internal features, called inclusions. Essentially how clear the diamond is – this is graded on a scale from Flawless to Included.

Cut is all about how the diamond interacts with light. As its name suggests, the diamond can be cut into different shapes, altering its look but also the proportions, symmetry and polish. The cut determines its brightness, sparkle and flashes of colour.

And finally, the greater the carat weight, the larger, rarer and more valuable the diamond. Essentially the size of the diamond on the ring.

Knowing the 4Cs can help you decide what is the most important factor for your diamond ring, and it can also work out your budget. For more information, check out our helpful guide on Understanding The 4Cs.

Here at Ramsdens Jewellery, we have a range of GIA certified diamonds, so you know that you are buying a genuine and truly exceptional diamond.

2. Diamond Shapes and Cut Styles

Choosing a diamond ring mostly lies with the way it looks, so knowing the different diamond shapes and cut styles that you can find is helpful. A diamond’s shape describes the outline when viewed face up, whereas the cut style refers to how a diamond’s surfaces are arranged.

The most popular diamond shape is circular, also known as round. A circular diamond ring is traditional and tends to cost the most. However, there are other shapes which include pear, oval, rectangular, square and heart. These are called fancy diamond ring cuts and can be a good way to find more affordable and unique stones or ring designs.

Related: Diamond Shapes: What Does Your Diamond Say About You?

The cutting style can be seen in a range of shapes, from round, oval, square and more. Round brilliant cut, princess cut, and step cut are among the most popular. Round brilliant cuts are the traditional style you might see, symmetrical clipped corners with 57 or 58 surfaces. Princess cut diamonds are square with pointed corners. Step cuts come in a range of styles and have long, sleek lines, which give them a sophisticated shine – these come in square shapes such as emerald cuts with parallel rows of facets and bevelled corners or radiant cuts which have clipped corners.

In terms of the 4Cs, step cuts show their colour and clarity more, whereas brilliant cuts like princess or round are better at hiding colour and imperfections.

3. Picking A Metal Colour

Another great tip for buying a diamond ring is knowing which metal colour you want. There are a few different types to choose from, including yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and platinum. Let’s cover the basics of each to help you pick the right one for you:

• Yellow Gold: This is a classic choice and omits the typical golden yellow colour. Made by blending pure gold with copper, silver and zinc, yellow gold doesn’t rust, tarnish or lose its colour over time.
• Rose Gold: Giving a pink hue, rose gold is the happy medium between yellow and white gold. It’s made from a combination of pure gold and copper, which gives it its warm tone. These metals are very durable and give a unique colour.
• White Gold: Another classic colour, white gold is made by blending pure gold with nickel or palladium and is usually coated with rhodium to give it a whiter, silver finish. This metal type is durable, but the coating can wear away over time, meaning it usually requires replating, so the white colour doesn’t fade.
• Platinum: This metal type is the purest precious metal to choose for your diamond ring. It’s made from 95% platinum and 5% cobalt or palladium, is highly durable, and the beautiful silver tone doesn’t fade or change over time.

Metal colour also affects the gemstone colour, as it can reflect throughout the diamond. White gold and platinum are great choices for diamonds scaled in the colourless ranges, whereas yellow gold and rose gold go better with lower colour-graded diamonds. This is because tinted diamonds might contrast with a silver-coloured ring, whereas colourless diamonds against yellow metals can cause it to look more yellowish.

At the end of the day, which metal colour you choose just depends on how you like the look of the ring and which colour you prefer wearing. A great tip for choosing a diamond ring metal type is cooler skin tones work best with white gold or platinum, where yellow gold complements warmer skin tones.

Once you buy your diamond ring, you’ll want to make sure it lasts. We’ve got a helpful guide on How To Clean And Care For Your Rings with tips for gold, silver and platinum metal types.

4. Setting Types

A setting in a diamond ring is the prongs that hold the diamond in place and protect it from damage. When buying a diamond ring, it’s good to know about the types of settings, as different types offer various levels of protection. Two popular types of setting include prong and bezel.

Prong setting is where the diamond is held by four to six narrow metal supports. They can be rounded on top, giving a classic look, or shaper on top, called claw prongs, which give an edgy appearance. Six prongs on round diamond shapes give it a more circular look and holds the stone securely. Four prongs can give a squarer look and cover up less of the diamond’s area if it’s a rounded shape.

Bezel settings are more protective, with a thin metal strip that is pushed or hammered all around the diamond. This holds the diamond in place and means the stone can’t be viewed from the side, but it’s more secure as prongs can snag on clothing or gloves. Furthermore, it protects diamonds with sharp points, such as princess cuts, from chipping.

5. Choosing A Ring Style

With diamond rings, there are a lot of different styles and designs to choose from. You thought the variety was just in the diamond shapes, cuts or the metal colours? The ring style is how many diamonds are there, how they are set onto the ring, and more. There are a range of styles of diamond rings which all contribute to the overall design aesthetic that the ring creates.

The most popular diamond ring styles are:

• Diamond Solitaire Rings: The classic diamond solitaire ring features one central diamond on the ring. Great for weddings and engagements, these rings are available in a range of sizes, carats, cuts and metal colours.


• Diamond Cluster Rings: As the name suggests, diamond cluster rings feature a collection of numerous diamonds set in a cluster. These rings sparkle greatly at every angle, with each diamond reflecting on the surrounding ones.


• Diamond Eternity Rings: Featuring a continuous line of diamonds, diamond Eternity rings are a timeless expression of enduring love and are used to mark important milestones. Read more about this ring type in our article What is an eternity ring?.


• Diamond Trilogy Rings: Diamond trilogy rings consist of three diamonds and symbolise the past, present and future. These rings showcase the beauty of the diamonds in a range of cuts.


• Diamond Halo Rings: A diamond halo ring is a band with a centre diamond surrounded by a ring of smaller round diamonds. These draw attention to the central stone, making the diamonds look bigger than they are.

For more types of diamond rings, take a look at our A to Z of Ladies Ring Styles.

6. Keep On Top Of Trends

From style to trends – knowing what sort of look you want will help you decide what type of diamond ring to buy. You don’t have to go with the trend, but keeping on top of them and knowing the time periods will help. From the timeless styles covered before to vintage, romantic, and even bohemian – the choice is yours.

Vintage and modern vintage ring styles are making a comeback; everyone loves a vintage style ring. From Edwardian styles to late Renaissance styles, you can find stunning intricate designs inspired by time periods like the Art Deco, or even find vintage motifs such as scrollwork and engraving. For a vintage-looking ring, consider diamonds with older cut styles such as rose cut. For the perfect vintage ring, try buying second-hand diamond rings, as you’re more likely to find unique styles.

Romantic ring styles such as diamond heart rings are the perfect symbol for love. Heart motifs have been popular since medieval times, and having a heart-shaped diamond is a unique option and is typically more affordable than round diamonds.

Diamond rings in the bohemian style play with unexpected gemstone shapes, setting styles and ring designs. This trend offers a unique and different style, such as geometric, black diamonds, open and abstract ring shapes and more. Some are edgy, and others give a more romantic tone.

Another trend is stacked rings, especially for weddings or engagements. If you’re after this trend, you need to make sure that the diamond rings fit together and their silhouettes match. Read our article on 5 Steps To Stylishly Stacking Your Rings for more information.

For more trends around diamond rings, take a look at our Engagement Ring Trends To Look Out For.

7. Consider Adding A Coloured Stone

Coloured stones are a great way to add a unique touch to your diamond ring, it also adds contrast to the diamond and can really make the centre pop. You can add a touch of your favourite colour or even your birthstone. From diamond rings with a central colour stone to just a touch of colour on the outer gemstones – the choices are endless.

The most popular coloured stones to add to a diamond ring are:

• Sapphire: Offering a blue colour, sapphire diamond rings are September’s birthstone and have been seen as a symbol of the heavens, a promoter of good health and is believed to bring gifts of joy.


• Emerald: Emerald diamond rings omit a beautiful green colour. The birthstone for May, emeralds are a symbol of rebirth and are believed to bring good fortune, truth and love.


• Ruby: July’s birthstone, ruby diamond rings are represented by deep red stones which symbolises nobility, purity and passion.


• Amethyst: The birthstone for February and omitting a purple to purple-reddish tone, amethyst diamond rings symbolise peace, trust, grace and bring calming energy.


• Topaz: Topaz diamond rings contain November’s birthstone which is a symbol of love and affection. Usually given in celebration of the 4th and 19th anniversaries, topaz has been said to aid one’s health and disposition.

8. Measure Ring Size

Maybe it’s an obvious tip for buying a diamond ring, but measuring and knowing the wearer’s ring size is important. The best way to do this is by using a plastic or metal ring sizer to put on the wearer’s finger or a printable ring size guide which you can use by measuring against a ring that fits you and find the size that way. The latter way is great for if you want the ring to be a surprise.

Don’t stress too much with the ring sizes, as most rings can easily be resized up or down a size or two, but at least knowing the size you need makes buying a diamond ring easier. It also makes it easy to choose a diamond ring – as some may only come in one size.

9. Communicate About Style And Budget

Communication is important in any decision; if you’re buying a diamond ring for someone else and can talk to them, do so. This can make finding the right diamond ring a lot easier, as they might already have an idea of what their ideal diamond ring looks and feels like. It can also help to find out any deal-breakers and rings not to go for. If you can’t talk to them directly, look at what sort of ring styles they gravitate towards now. In both scenarios, it might also help to talk to a professional in stores.

And don’t forget to think about your budget. Communicate clearly about the budget in mind; this will also help narrow down the choices you may have. A great tip for buying a diamond ring is to maybe look for lab-made diamonds. These have the same durability and beauty as mined diamonds but cost less. For more about lab diamonds, check out our What Is A Diamond Guide.

10. See Before You Buy

Since buying a diamond ring is a significant investment, you’ll want to buy it from a jeweller you can trust – and you’ll want to see the ring before you buy it. This is so you can see the diamond ring yourself, look at it in different lighting and see the diamond shape, cut, how it reflects in light, and more. Visiting stores also means you can seek help from professional jewellers on what is best for you. Jewellers are armed with expert training, so they will be able to point you in the right direction.

At Ramdsens Jewellery, you can find your nearest branch and come take a look at the diamond rings available. Or, if you’re interested in one online, you can have it shipped to your local store to look at it in person. And our jewellery experts would be at an arm’s length to help you with any questions you may have.

How To Buy A Diamond Engagement Ring

If you are buying a diamond ring for engagement, the whole idea of it is to be a surprise for the recipient. Make sure you have an idea for size, budget and style in your head before you buy, and speaking to professionals is key here. Our tips for choosing a diamond ring may help you decide the best ring for you, but for more information, why not check out our Engagement Ring Guide for help on how to choose an engagement ring. Or our Engagement Ring Price Guide for knowing how much you should spend.

We offer a wide range of engagement rings which are perfect for popping the question. Full of beautiful diamond ring styles and designs, you’ll be sure to find one you love.

And why not match your engagement ring with a diamond wedding ring, stacking your rings is a trend after all.

Buying A Diamond Ring

Diamonds are precious stones and diamond rings can be expensive, so making sure you make the right decision when buying one is important. The best tip for choosing your diamond ring is not to rush; take your time. Find out what is the best compromise between the 4Cs, ring style, design, and budget.

Here at Ramsdens, we have a range of diamond rings for you to choose from, from different styles to diamond rings for men and women alike. If you need any further advice on choosing a diamond ring, you can visit us in-store or feel free to contact us, we’d love to help!