Choosing the right engagement ring is one of the most meaningful decisions you'll make, and it’s important to find a ring that reflects both your partner’s style and your shared love story. At Wm. Harold & Sons, we’ve been helping couples in Newport Beach find their perfect ring for generations. Whether you’re looking for something classic or more unique, there are a few key factors that can help guide your decision. In this blog, we’ll break down what to consider when choosing an engagement ring to make the process simpler and more enjoyable.
Start with Your Partner’s Style
The first step in selecting an engagement ring is understanding your partner’s personal style. Their everyday jewelry and fashion preferences can offer valuable insights into what type of ring will suit them best.
Classic and Elegant
If your partner gravitates toward timeless, understated looks, consider a solitaire diamond ring. This design emphasizes simplicity and sophistication, allowing the diamond to take center stage.
Modern and Minimalist
For those who prefer clean lines and sleek designs, a bezel setting or tension setting might be the ideal choice. These settings have a contemporary feel and showcase the diamond in a stylish, yet subtle way.
Vintage and Romantic
If your partner loves vintage-inspired jewelry or romantic details, a ring with intricate filigree, milgrain detailing, or a halo setting can provide a nostalgic charm while adding a layer of uniqueness.
Bold and Unique
For someone who likes to stand out, consider a custom-designed ring with a colored gemstone like sapphire or morganite. These non-traditional stones offer a splash of color and individuality, making the ring truly personal.
At Wm. Harold & Sons, we have a wide range of engagement ring styles that cater to every taste. Our team can help guide you in finding the right ring to match your partner’s unique style.
Choosing the Right Diamond Shape
Once you have an idea of your partner’s style, the next step is choosing the diamond shape. Each shape has its own distinct appearance and will affect the overall design of the ring.
- Round: Known for its brilliance, the round-cut diamond is the most popular choice for engagement rings. Its classic shape and excellent light reflection make it a timeless favorite.
- Princess: The princess-cut diamond has a square shape and offers a modern, geometric look. It’s perfect for those who want a contemporary style while still enjoying brilliant sparkle.
- Cushion: With its soft, rounded edges, the cushion-cut diamond gives off a vintage feel. This shape offers a romantic and antique charm, especially when paired with intricate settings.
- Oval: Oval-shaped diamonds elongate the finger and appear larger than their carat weight, making them a great choice for those who want something elegant and unique.
- Emerald: The emerald cut is rectangular with step-cut facets, offering a sleek and sophisticated look. This shape emphasizes the clarity of the diamond, giving it an understated yet luxurious appeal.
- Marquise: The marquise-cut diamond is an elongated shape with pointed ends, giving the illusion of a larger stone. Its elongated form makes fingers appear longer and more slender, ideal for a dramatic look.
- Radiant: A hybrid between a princess and cushion cut, the radiant-cut diamond offers the brilliance of round diamonds with the shape versatility of square or rectangular cuts. Its many facets create extra sparkle, making it a dazzling choice.
- Asscher: The asscher cut is a square shape with step-cut facets, similar to the emerald cut, but with a more dramatic appearance. This cut offers vintage charm and reflects light in a unique, hall-of-mirrors effect.
- Pear: Shaped like a teardrop, the pear-cut diamond blends the brilliance of a round cut with the uniqueness of a marquise. It’s a striking choice for those who want something bold and elegant, especially in a halo or solitaire setting.
- Heart: The heart-shaped diamond is a romantic option that symbolizes love and affection. Its distinctive shape makes it a standout choice for someone who desires a meaningful and unique design.
Each diamond shape brings its own personality and character to the ring, so choosing the one that resonates with your partner's style will ensure the engagement ring is a perfect reflection of them.
Finger Shape and Hand Size
The way a ring looks on the hand is just as important as its overall design. The diamond shape, band width, and setting style can all impact how the ring looks when worn. Some shapes and designs can elongate the finger, while others can add width or balance to the hand's natural proportions. To ensure the ring looks as flattering as possible, consider how the shape of the diamond and the style of the setting will complement your partner's hand.
- For shorter or wider fingers: A key consideration for shorter or wider fingers is elongating the appearance of the hand. Oval, marquise, or pear-shaped diamonds work beautifully in this case, as their elongated shapes create a slimming, lengthening effect. Choosing a high-set prong setting can further accentuate the vertical dimension of the ring. The band width also matters here—selecting a thin, delicate band will avoid adding extra bulk, ensuring the ring doesn't overwhelm the finger. Platinum or white gold works well to keep the design light and airy, while yellow gold can provide a warmer, more traditional feel without overpowering the finger.
- For longer or slender fingers: Slender fingers have the versatility to wear both simple and intricate designs. Round, cushion, and princess-cut diamonds are excellent choices for adding width and depth to slender fingers. For more elaborate designs, you could opt for a three-stone setting, which not only adds extra sparkle but also gives the illusion of added width. Pairing a medium-width band with a pavé setting or split-shank setting—where the band splits into two or more strands—adds texture without overwhelming the hand. Rose gold and yellow gold bring a soft, romantic feel, while white gold and platinum keep the look sleek and modern.
- For larger hands: Larger hands have the ability to carry more substantial designs. Bold diamond shapes like emerald, cushion, or asscher cuts can provide the visual impact needed to balance the proportions of the hand. Additionally, a wide band or a split-shank setting offers added presence, creating a balanced, harmonious look. Double halo settings or three-stone rings are also excellent choices, adding both size and sparkle without being overwhelmed by the size of the hand. Platinum provides a cool, modern look, while yellow gold adds a rich, traditional feel.
By considering the hand and finger shape, you can ensure the engagement ring not only looks stunning but also feels well-proportioned and comfortable on the hand.
Light Reflection and Brilliance
One of the most captivating aspects of a diamond is its ability to reflect light and create stunning sparkle. The brilliance of a diamond is influenced by its shape, cut quality, and the setting that holds it in place. However, the choice of metal also plays a role in how light interacts with the diamond, enhancing or toning down its brilliance.
- Maximizing Sparkle: If your goal is to maximize brilliance and light reflection, look for diamond cuts that are known for their high sparkle, such as round, princess, or radiant cuts. These shapes have numerous facets that reflect light from every angle, creating a dazzling display of brilliance. A prong setting is ideal for maximizing sparkle, as it exposes the diamond to the most light. You can further enhance the brilliance by choosing a halo setting, where smaller diamonds surround the center stone, amplifying the sparkle. White gold and platinum are perfect metals for brightening the overall look, reflecting light back into the diamond and enhancing its brilliance.
- Subtle Elegance: If your partner prefers a more understated glow, cuts like emerald, asscher, or oval may be a better fit. These cuts emphasize clarity and elegance over intense sparkle, offering a refined, sophisticated look. For these shapes, a bezel setting—where the diamond is encased in a rim of metal—can add an additional layer of sleekness while protecting the stone. Pairing these diamond shapes with rose gold or yellow gold adds warmth, creating a subtle yet luxurious glow. If you still want a touch of sparkle, consider adding a pavé band or small accent stones along the shank.
- Effect of Metal on Brilliance: The metal you choose for the ring’s setting can have a significant impact on how the diamond interacts with light. Platinum and white gold are known for their ability to reflect light back into the diamond, making them ideal for bright, brilliant stones. Yellow gold and rose gold, on the other hand, provide a soft contrast to the diamond, creating a unique visual balance between warmth and brilliance. These warmer metals can soften the diamond’s sparkle, adding a vintage or romantic feel.
By understanding how diamond shape, setting, and metal work together to reflect light, you can create a ring that sparkles with the intensity or subtlety your partner prefers.
Compatibility with Settings
The setting of an engagement ring isn’t just about aesthetics—it also affects the durability, comfort, and functionality of the ring. The right setting not only secures the diamond but also enhances the overall design, giving the ring its unique character. Certain settings pair better with specific diamond shapes, and each setting brings its own advantages depending on your partner's lifestyle.
- Solitaires: The solitaire setting is a classic choice for someone who wants the focus to be entirely on the diamond. It works well with shapes like round, princess, and oval, as the simplicity of the setting allows the diamond’s brilliance to shine. Solitaire settings are versatile and can be paired with a wide range of metals, from platinum for a sleek, modern look, to yellow gold for a more traditional feel. One of the main advantages of a solitaire is that it is easy to pair with wedding bands, offering flexibility in future jewelry choices.
- Halo and Pavé Settings: If your partner loves extra sparkle, a halo setting or pavé setting is an excellent choice. A halo setting surrounds the center stone with a ring of smaller diamonds, making the center stone appear larger while adding extra brilliance. This setting works particularly well with round, cushion, or princess-cut diamonds. A pavé setting, where small diamonds are embedded along the band, adds even more sparkle. Both settings look stunning in white gold or platinum, but for a warmer, vintage-inspired look, rose gold or yellow gold are beautiful alternatives.
- Bezel and Tension Settings: For someone with an active lifestyle or who prefers a more modern design, bezel and tension settings are excellent options. A bezel setting encases the diamond in a rim of metal, offering superior protection while creating a sleek, contemporary look. Tension settings hold the diamond in place through pressure, creating a striking, minimalist design where the diamond appears to float. These settings work well with emerald, asscher, and princess-cut diamonds. Platinum is a great choice for these modern settings, as it offers durability and a high-end finish, while white gold provides a similar look at a lower cost.
By choosing a setting that complements both the diamond and your partner’s lifestyle, you’ll create a ring that’s both beautiful and practical for everyday wear.
Budget Considerations
While choosing the perfect engagement ring can feel overwhelming, understanding how to work within your budget while still achieving a stunning design is key. Knowing how to prioritize the right factors can help you make the most out of your investment without sacrificing quality or beauty.
- Prioritize Diamond Cut: One of the most important factors in determining a diamond’s beauty is its cut. A well-cut diamond, even if it’s smaller, will have more brilliance and sparkle than a larger diamond with a poor cut. If you’re working within a budget, it’s better to prioritize the cut of the diamond over carat size. For example, a smaller round or princess-cut diamond with an excellent cut grade will offer stunning brilliance, even at a lower carat weight.
- Setting and Metal Choices: The setting and metal you choose can also impact the overall cost. A halo setting or pavé band can make a smaller center stone appear larger and more impressive, providing visual impact without the high cost of a large carat diamond. Additionally, white gold is a more affordable alternative to platinum, offering a similar appearance without the premium price tag. Yellow gold and rose gold can also be cost-effective options while adding a unique aesthetic.
- Alternative Gemstones: If budget is a concern, consider alternative gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, or emeralds. These gemstones provide vibrant color and individuality at a lower price than diamonds. You can still incorporate diamonds in the form of a halo or pavé accents, giving the ring a touch of sparkle without the full cost of a diamond center stone.
By carefully balancing your budget with your partner’s preferences, you can create a ring that feels both luxurious and meaningful without going beyond your financial limits.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect engagement ring requires a thoughtful balance of personal style, hand shape, brilliance, setting compatibility, and budget considerations. By considering all of these factors, you can create a ring that not only reflects your partner’s personality but also delivers lasting beauty and value. At Wm. Harold & Sons, our team is dedicated to helping you find or design a ring that will be cherished for a lifetime. Visit our Newport Beach location or schedule an appointment today to explore our exquisite selection and receive expert guidance throughout your ring-buying journey.
