How to choose an engagement ring?

An engagement ring is a ring traditionally given to the person you love as a sign of commitment. It's a piece of jewelry given out of love. Most of the time, it's a solitaire: a stone, often a diamond, is set on a gold band. It differs from thewedding ring given at the wedding ceremony. Find all our advice on choosing the engagement ring that's right for you in terms of style, color, size and budget.

a little history

The tradition dates back to antiquity, when the circle was the symbol oféternité. The groom gave the bride an iron ring to wear at home and a gold ring to wear in public. In the Middle Ages, tradition evolved: wealthier brides and grooms gave each other rings engraved with love poems. The diamond-set engagement ring first appeared around 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond-set ring forming the letter M in reference to their shared initiale . At that time, engagement rings took on a strong symbolic meaning, that of a pact of marriage to come, as the wait was long for aristocrats and members of the nobility. In the 19th century, the engagement ring became an almost obligatory part of the bride and groom's attire, a promise of eternal love. Today, the supply and demand for engagement rings is diversifying, with precious stones such as sapphire and emerald, as well as gemstones, now adorning many engagement rings, although the symbolism remains the same.

On which finger is the engagement ring worn?

Traditionally, the engagement ring is worn on the left ring finger, as is thewedding band, which joins it on the wedding day. Why the left ring finger? In ancient times, it was thought that a vein connected the ring finger to the heart: the Vena Amoris, and this tradition of wearing the engagement ring has remained. Should it not be possible to wear both rings on the left ring finger, or should the wearer feel uncomfortable doing so, the engagement ring can be switched to the right ring finger, while the wedding band remains on the left.

Which material to choose?

We highly recommend18K gold or palladium-plated white gold for your engagement ring and all jewelry you plan to wear long and often. 18K gold is composed of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy. This is the gold used by the major French jewelry houses, as it is the purest percentage of gold that can be obtained while maintaining the high strength and resistance of the jewels. 18Kgold, also known as 750/1000 gold, is used for jewelry that can be worn daily and that will last for generations.

Do not risk choosing a silver ring, a material that oxidizes over time. The ring will blacken and will not be wearable after several years. It is also a material that is less resistant and more malleable than gold, leading to the risk of scratches, breakage, or loss of a stone. If you want a white gold ring, we advise you to opt for a ring in palladium white gold which is 18K white gold mixed with platinum. This concentration in platinum allows you to obtain a jewel that will not yellow over time. Platinum is a precious metal that can also be used for an engagement ring because it is a solid metal that does not yellow over time. However, it is a rather expensive metal and difficult to work with, so we advise you to turn to palladium-plated white gold.

what color of gold?

Although it is not the gold of choice in all categories,white gold is 50% chosen for engagement rings. L'rose gold is the second most chosen gold color for engagement rings, with 25%, whileyellow gold is only 10%.

The first piece of advice we can give you is to observe whether or not your fiancée usually wears only one color of gold. If so, don't risk changing colors. If she wears more than one, listen to her and target her desires. You can also choose the gold color according to the color of the stone you wish to set on your jewel. Blue sapphire, for example, is best worn on 18K white gold, while emerald is more often associated with 18K yellow or pink gold. 

what style?

How to choose an engagement ring? We advise you not to go for originality, and to keep it simple for a ring she'll wear for many years. It's wiser to opt for a ring that's timeless, that she won't tire of, with no frills, which is why the solitaire is the typical and most popular engagement ring.

As for the stone to be set on the ring, observe the colors she likes to wear: are they bright or neutral? Are the stones in her jewelry colored or white? 

Diamonds are the most popular stone for an engagement ring. It is the hardest, strongest and most brilliant of all stones. It carries a strong symbolism: that of eternal love, invisibility and strength.

Blue sapphire is a stone of freedom, anchorage and fidelity, enabling wearers to overcome difficulties and trials. It also has a sacred significance: sapphire, once worn by members of the clergy, was known as the mirror of heaven.

Emerald symbolizes rebirth, fertility and wisdom in the sense of discernment and truth. It requires greater care than other gemstones, as it is more fragile, scoring 7.5/10 on the Mohs scale. It fears temperature variations and knocks. 

Ruby is the stone of courage, divine love and loyalty. In the past, it was also considered a talisman that protected travelers from danger and was reputed to bring serenity and security to their journeys. 

Which ring size?

Borrow a ring that she wears on her left ring finger and whose size you're sure will suit her. Be careful to get a ring that she wears on her ring finger and left hand, as different fingers and hands have different finger sizes. Then go to a jewelry store or print out a virtual ring gauge to find out her finger size and therefore the metric of her ring finger.

You can also use our ring sizing guide. Make sure that resizing is possible if the ring size doesn't fit.

What engraving?

An engraving on the inside of the ring is the little extra that will make all the difference and ensure that your commitment is recorded forever. Generally, a symbolic date, your first name or a message is engraved in the gold ring. Personalization will finish off the 18K gold jewel and add a sentimental dimension not to be underestimated for an engagement ring.

What budget for an engagement ring?

There's no set rule for how much you should spend on an engagement ring, but here are a few figures to give you an idea of what it might cost. According to American custom, an engagement ring should cost around 3 months' salary, but recent studies have shown that future brides and grooms are investing less and less in their engagement rings. Most engagement rings cost between €1,000 and €10,000, but they can cost much more for exceptional pieces of jewelry, with high-quality gemstones and meticulous craftsmanship. 

Our advice: focus on what she likes, on the style of the ring in the first place, visit several jewelry boutiques with different ranges, take photos, and then make your choice. Budget isn't the first criterion to look at when choosing an engagement ring; a ring costing less than your initial budget can be just as appealing for its history, sentimental value and aesthetics. 

If you have an engagement project in mind, browse through our creations and bespoke designs to get some ideas. Do you need personalized advice, or would you like to meet us without a clear idea of what you want? We invite you to make an appointment at our showroom in Lille or Paris to discuss your project.