Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and many people choose this day of love to get down on one knee and propose to their other half.
This means there’s only a few weeks left to choose the perfect piece of jewellery to pop the question with. Here are some tips on what to look for when picking an engagement ring that your partner will not be able to say ‘no’ to.
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Suits their lifestyle
There are so many different types of shapes, settings, and styles when it comes to engagement rings, but the first thing you should think about is what will suit their lifestyle.
If your future spouse is really active, then you might need to avoid getting one with a really proud stone, as this could easily get caught on things.
It is worth having a look at their jewellery box to see what rings they already have. If there are a few with stones that have smoother cuts, look for something similar for an engagement ring.
On the other hand, if they are not particularly active or have a job they need to use their hands for, a vintage ring with a setting where the stone is positioned higher could be perfect for them.
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Ring shapes
If you’ve never had to buy a ring before, you might feel overwhelmed by the choice of ring shapes. That’s why we’re going to break it down for you.
Round cut
Round engagement rings are probably what you had in mind when you pictured opening the ring box. A solitaire round diamond is timeless and classic, so it’s definitely a safe bet if you aren’t sure what your partner will like.
It is also the fourth most searched for engagement ring style in the UK, with 1,145 searches a month for this traditional cut.
Emerald cut
However, the winner of the most searched for style goes to the emerald cut, with 4,013 searches per month. This is a rectangular shape that has a glamorous vintage edge to it.
This art deco-inspired ring has step-cut facets, and requires a higher clarity stone, so you can be sure this one will always catch the light.
It is likely this style has grown in popularity over the last few years, thanks to world famous celebrities like Jay Z choosing an emerald cut when he put a ring on Beyonce.
Princess cut
The princess cut is the second most popular style, which is similar to the round cut but with angular edges. Instead of six claws like the round, it only has four, due to its simple square shape.
Many people love the princess cut for their practicality, as the claws are less likely to break and catch on things, in addition to their elegant design.
Pear cut
In third place is the pear cut, with 1,246 searches for this style a month. A pear cut engagement ring is just as you’d imagine, with the diamond in the shape of a pear or a teardrop, as it is also known.
The stone can be on the band by itself or surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds; either way it is a beautiful setting that looks a little bit different to the more traditional rings.
Victoria Beckham and Elizabeth Taylor have had pear cut engagement rings - though their experience of marriage couldn’t be more different, with Posh Spice having been married to David Beckham for 25 years and Elizabeth Taylor getting married an impressive eight times!
Marquise cut
A cut that is set to grow in popularity this year is the marquise diamond, which has recently been seen on Selena Gomez following her engagement to Benny Blanco.
The cut is similar to an oval but with sharper, longer edges, and takes its name from the ring commissioned for King Louis XV’s mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour.
Other stars who like the marquise cut include Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Jennifer Lopez, as the shape, while having a long history, remains quite unique and untraditional.
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Size
You should also consider the size of the stone when picking it, as you don’t want it to be too small, or even too big. Though celebrities walk around with huge diamonds on their fingers, this is out of reach for most people.
However, diamonds don’t have to be large to look spectacular. According to Brides magazine, the average diamond size in the UK is 0.6 carats, though this may be bigger for older couples who have more disposable income.
Someone with a small, dainty hand though may suit smaller carats better, while a larger hand might need a bigger carat.
If you want your diamond to look large without having to spend lots more, you can simply opt for a different cut. For instance, an oval, pear or marquise cut will make a stone appear much bigger than a square cut. You could also choose a higher setting, so it stands prouder on the band, making it look more impressive.
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What type of stone?
Don’t forget that not all engagement rings are diamond either, and many people prefer a different type of stone. In fact, emerald engagement rings were the most searched for last year, with sapphire coming in third place, ruby in fourth and opal in fifth.
Other popular options were yellow diamond, black diamond, amethyst, pink diamond and morganite.
Emeralds have become popular thanks to their meaning, as they represent new beginnings, which is ideal when it comes to getting married. Their deep green colour certainly is eye-catching, which is why the likes of Halle Berry, Rita Ora and Victoria Beckham have all been seen with emerald rings.