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What to take into account when buying an engagement ring

It’s an utmost magical step in life: buying an engagement ring for the love of your life. A symbol that forever encapsulates the commitment and love shared between you and your loved one. But what exactly should you take into account when buying an engagement ring? Find out BAUNAT’s complete guide to finding your perfect piece. 

 

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What should you consider when purchasing an engagement ring?

When buying an engagement ring, consider various styles like solitaire or halo, and choose your gemstone wisely, be it a diamond or alternatives like sapphire. Pay attention to the 4 Cs—carat, colour, clarity, and cut—to assess diamond quality. Set a realistic budget to manage costs, and ensure you know the correct ring size. Custom engagement rings and current trends, such as vintage designs, also offer unique options.

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Different engagement ring styles: which one do I choose? 

If you are trying to decide which engagement ring style to buy, most advice will be about solitaire rings that draw all the attention to a single diamond. However, there are plenty other options: You can have a look at the different engagement ring styles here: 

 

 

A classic diamond engagement ring

Diamond engagement rings, a universal love symbol

When having chosen your desired engagement ring style, you can now begin to look for different gemstone options. Most people go for diamond engagement rings when choosing a gemstone as it enhances almost every outfit and carries a timeless elegance. A diamond engagement ring is still a universal symbol for love and commitment, and strongly ignites the confidence of the ring wearer. 
If you want to buy an engagement ring with diamonds, you should pay attention to the 4 Cs when buying: carat, colour, clarity and cut. The 4 Cs are quality features that should always be listed on the certificate of your diamond. It is important that you always opt for a diamond graded by GIA, IGI or HRD, as these three apply high quality standards in their certification process. 

However, it’s important to notice that an engagement ring doesn’t necessarily have to be a diamond ring, as there are other subtler engagement rings on the rise such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, yellow diamond and black diamond rings. These other gemstones also have their beauty and are widely preferred as other worthy options. 

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The carat weight of the diamond

The carat size of a diamond is much debated, but worldwide, the average is between 1.00 and 1.09 carats. The higher the carats, the higher the price of the engagement ring. According to unwritten rules, the husband to be spends about 2 to 3 months' wages on the price of an engagement ring.

Considerations for very large diamonds (3+ carat)

Very large diamonds behave differently from smaller stones in appearance, wearability and engineering. If you are looking at a 3 carat or larger stone, keep these practical points in mind.

Face-up diameter by shape: as carat weight rises, the visible millimetre diameter depends on cut and shape. Typical face-up ranges are: a 3.5 carat round sits around 9.6–10.0 mm; an oval or marquise of the same weight shows a longer, more elongated face-up and often looks larger; cushions at this weight generally measure about 9.5–9.9 mm but can appear deeper; emerald cuts usually have a smaller face-up for the same carat because of their stepped facets and greater depth. These ranges are approximate  

How a large stone reads on the finger: a 3.5 carat round will attract attention on most hands, covering a substantial part of the finger top. On slender fingers the stone can look especially elegant, while on broader fingers it reads as bold and substantial. Elongated shapes such as oval, marquise and pear tend to maximise perceived surface area, so they often appear larger face-up than a round of equal weight. If you prefer a more discreet profile, stepped cuts and deeper cushions reduce apparent spread while keeping carat weight high.

Secure, wearable settings and engineering: large stones need sturdy mountings to stay secure and comfortable. For round brilliants, six prongs distribute stress more evenly and add redundancy compared with four-prong mounts. Bezel settings and low-profile baskets protect the girdle and reduce snagging, which helps with daily wear. Reinforced shoulders, thicker shanks and hidden gallery support help the setting resist deformation and keep the diamond stable. When choosing a setting, balance protection with the look you want: full bezels are very protective but give a different aesthetic than classic prongs.

Cut priority for very large stones: at this size, cut quality matters more. An excellent or ideal cut preserves brilliance and sparkle across a larger surface; poor proportions in a large stone are more visible than in smaller stones. Prioritising cut over small gains in colour or clarity usually delivers a more impressive visual result.

Price factors that move the market: prices for very large natural diamonds vary widely by shape, cut, clarity and colour,. Factors that raise a price include top colourless grades, high clarity without visible inclusions, and excellent/ideal cuts, while lower colour/clarity tiers reduce price. Rarity of a specific shape and fluorescence can also affect value.

Practical callouts

  • Transport and security: large stones attract attention; consider discreet packaging, insured transit and appropriate security arrangements when collecting.
  • Insurance and documentation: keep the diamond’s certificate and purchase documentation safe and arrange suitable insurance for a high-value piece.
  • Resizing and long-term wear: larger settings can often be resized, but complex designs or full-eternity styles are more difficult; discuss sizing t options with your jeweller before finalising the design.

These points help ensure a very large diamond is both spectacular and suitable for daily wear.

Buying a 1-carat engagement ring: what to expect

A one-carat diamond is a classic choice because it balances presence with wearability. Below is a compact guide to what you can reasonably expect when searching for a 1.0 carat stone and ring.

Typical quality tiers: prices depend on shape, cut, colour and clarity. As a practical framework, entry-level 1.0 carat stones are found in more modest colour and clarity bands; mid-tier stones prioritise a better cut and balance of colour/clarity; premium 1.0 carat diamonds combine excellent/ideal cuts with top colour and clarity grades. Use these tiers to set your budget, and compare stones on certificate details rather than on price alone.

Aftercare and service expectations: for a 1-carat ring expect routine professional cleaning,, and a clear resizing policy. Confirm that the diamond comes with a recognised certificate and that post-purchase services such as check-ups are described up front. It is also wise to obtain insurance for the ring once purchased and to keep certificate information handy for claims.

Practical quick facts

  • Average ring weight and feel: a typical 1-carat solitaire feels balanced on the finger; settings with heavy side stones or thick shanks add noticeable weight.
  • Common settings and their look: a classic four- or six-prong solitaire maximises face-up, a halo increases perceived size, and bezel or low-profile mounts add protection while subtly changing the ring’s silhouette.


This guidance helps you weigh price against visual impact, and understand the aftercare you should expect for a one-carat engagement ring.

The colour of the diamond and the precious metal

Most engagement rings have a colourless diamond, with a certain colour grading from D to Z. A colour D diamond is the purest white and is extremely rare. Are you looking for a diamond engagement ring on a slightly lower budget? Choose a colour G or H diamond. The diamond is still virtually colourless, but it is a lot cheaper.  

Instead of a colourless diamond, you can also opt for a naturally coloured diamond or a coloured precious stone. Naturally coloured diamonds are even rarer and therefore more expensive than colourless ones.  

And then you also have choices in the precious metal. For an engagement ring, people often opt for white gold because it has a classic, timeless look. However, you can also opt for an engagement ring in yellow gold, platinum or even red gold. A combination of both is also possible, these engagement rings are described as ‘bicolour’ or ‘two tone’ in the collection. When combining multiple colours, you should choose a more sober design. 

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a clear diamond close-up

The clarity of the diamond

Always choose a diamond that scores at least VS2 or SI1 on the clarity scale and are rated G or H on the colour scale, to ensure the diamond doesn't have any yellow appearance and no large impurities that are noticeable to the naked eye. Find more about rating a diamond’s clarity here. 

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The cut of the diamond as an indication of its brilliance

The brilliance of a diamond is largely determined by the cut and the quality of the cut. For example, a round brilliant diamond has the greatest brilliance because it was cut with 57 facets reflecting the light. The princess cut is also known for its brilliance, although this cut is usually less pricey. The price of old cut diamonds with fewer facets is also considerably lower, although they do lack some fire. But we have noticed that these cuts have increased in popularity since the vintage revival. Vintage is a trend that brings back into fashion old pieces of clothing and jewellery. 

The quality of the cut is indicated by the terms “excellent”, “very good”, “good”, “fair” and “poor”. You can always find this on the diamond certificate. 

Engagement ring trends you should be aware of

Vintage is not the only trend to have revived the old cut. Romantic and nostalgic souls are increasingly going for red gold, a precious metal that was popular during the Victorian era. To turn an engagement ring into a truly vintage engagement ring, different precious stones are often chosen instead of diamonds. These might include a splendid red ruby, blue sapphire, or green emerald. 
eternity ring covered by small diamonds
Eternity rings are another trend. Here, the ring is covered in small diamonds or other precious stones. The ultimate symbol of love! It is very important to know her exact ring measurement when buying an eternity ring as it cannot be made larger or smaller due to the stones going all the way around the band.

Finding the right engagement ring size for your partner

The perfect proposal comes totally unexpected, which also means that it’s up to you to find the right engagement ring size for your partner’s finger. One of the simplest ways to determine your partner's ring size is to borrow a ring they already wear on the same finger. Make sure it's a ring they wear on the correct hand and finger, as sizes can vary between left and right hands.

You can take the ring to a jeweller for an accurate measurement or use a ring size chart at home. If that's not possible, you can sometimes find the size through friends or acquaintances. An engagement ring can however still be made bigger or smaller afterwards. At BAUNAT you can order a ring sizer for free, so you can be sure of the size without having to worry about the ring not fitting correctly. 

Custom engagement rings as a one-of-a-kind gift

Sometimes the perfect engagement ring is a custom made one. A custom engagement ring that’s one of a kind, might be something to consider to capture the personal style and sentiment of your loved one. It often goes from selecting the perfect gemstone to designing the intricate setting of the ring, where you have complete control over the final product.  

Choosing a custom engagement ring doesn’t necessarily mean it will be more expensive. You have the flexibility to work within your budget, making informed choices about materials and design elements. This ensures that you get the best value for your money without compromising on style or quality.