How to choose your engagement ring

The ultimate guide to help you choose the perfect engagement ring

At The Hamilton Gold Company, we understand that choosing the perfect engagement ring is a momentous decision that encapsulates the depth of love and commitment. Our ultimate guide to engagement rings is designed to be your trusted companion on this exciting journey. From exploring the myriad of metal options to delving into the dazzling world of diamonds and gemstones, we're here to provide you with expert insights and practical tips. As a reputable jeweler based in Surbiton and Kingston, Surrey, UK, we take pride in offering not only exquisite rings but also a wealth of knowledge to empower you in making an informed and cherished choice.

We create engagement rings for customers all over the UK and our friendly team can help you design it over the phone or by email to meet your exact needs. We also offer a 30% discount for those in the military, veterans and blue lights workers to show our appreciation.

What metal should you choose for your engagement ring?

The choice of metal for your engagement ring is a crucial element that sets the tone for its overall aesthetic and durability. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we offer a range of exquisite metal options, each with its unique attributes and charm.

Classic Elegance with Gold

A classic and timeless choice, gold engagement rings come in various hues, including traditional yellow gold, elegant white gold, and romantic rose gold. Gold's versatility allows it to complement a variety of styles and gemstones.

Timeless Luxury of Platinum

Renowned for its exceptional durability and luxurious appearance, platinum offers a lustrous, silvery-white hue that perfectly showcases the brilliance of diamonds and gemstones. Its hypoallergenic properties make it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

Affordable Charm of Silver

For a more budget-friendly yet equally charming option, silver is a popular choice. Its cool, white shine pairs well with various gemstones and styles. Keep in mind that silver may require more maintenance over time.

Uniqueness of Mixed Metals

Embrace the trend of mixing metals to create a distinctive and personalised engagement ring. Combining different metals adds visual interest and allows you to tailor the ring to your unique style.

When selecting the metal for your engagement ring, consider factors such as personal preference, skin tone, and lifestyle. Our expert team at The Hamilton Gold Company is dedicated to guiding you through this decision, ensuring that your chosen metal not only enhances the beauty of your ring but also resonates with your individual love story.

Diamond and Gemstone Selection for Your Engagement Ring

The centerpiece of your engagement ring is undoubtedly the diamond or gemstone. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we offer an exquisite array of options, allowing you to create a ring that reflects your unique style and love story.

Diamonds

When it comes to crafting your perfect engagement ring at The Hamilton Gold Company, diamonds take center stage, radiating eternal beauty and symbolism. Understanding the 4Cs – Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat Weight – empowers you to select a diamond that speaks to your love story.

Cut

The cut of a diamond determines its captivating sparkle. Explore classic round, elegant princess, or vintage-inspired emerald cuts. Each cut interacts with light in its unique way, showcasing the diamond’s brilliance and fire. A well-cut diamond reflects your love’s radiance, ensuring a timeless and dazzling presence.

Colour

Diamonds come in a spectrum of colors, from icy whites to enchanting yellows and pinks. The GIA color grading scale helps you choose your desired shade. Opt for a colorless diamond for a traditional look or embrace a fancy color diamond to express your individuality and creativity.

Clarity

Clarity speaks to a diamond’s internal purity. Our selection ranges from Flawless to Included, allowing you to strike a balance between brilliance and budget. Embrace the unique birthmarks within the diamond, known as inclusions, as they make each stone a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Carat Weight

Carat weight measures a diamond’s size, not its quality. Select a carat weight that resonates with your sentiments and budget. A larger diamond makes a bold statement, while a smaller one exudes delicate charm. Whichever you choose, it signifies the depth of your love. Follow this link for how carat weight roughly corresponds to diamond sizes.

Our expert team at The Hamilton Gold Company is committed to guiding you through the enchanting world of diamonds. Whether you prefer a classic, colourless diamond or a fancy-coloured beauty, our extensive collection ensures that your engagement ring is a true reflection of your unique connection.

Certified Diamonds: A Testament of Quality and Ethical Sourcing

At The Hamilton Gold Company, we uphold the highest standards for diamond quality and ethical sourcing. Every diamond in our collection is certified by renowned gemological laboratories, ensuring you receive a genuine masterpiece of enduring beauty.

All of our diamonds are certified either by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (American Gem Society), IGI (International Gemological Institute), and HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant). These certifications ensure transparency, giving you the confidence to choose a diamond that meets your desires.

Sustainable Sourcing: A Commitment to Ethical Practices

Beyond the assurance of certification, our diamonds are sourced sustainably and responsibly. We prioritise conflict-free origins and adhere to ethical mining practices, supporting communities and the environment. This commitment aligns with our values and guarantees that your engagement ring symbolises love not only for each other but also for the world we share.

When you choose a certified diamond from The Hamilton Gold Company, you're not only investing in a symbol of your love but also in the principles of quality, transparency, and sustainability. Each certified diamond comes with a detailed certificate, an everlasting testament to its authenticity, beauty, and ethical journey.

Exploring Diamond Alternatives: Lab Grown Diamonds, CZ, and Moissanite

While diamonds are timeless and exquisite, modern couples have a plethora of options when it comes to choosing the perfect gemstone for their engagement ring. Lab grown diamonds, Cubic Zirconia (CZ), and Moissanite are three popular alternatives to traditional mined diamonds, each offering unique qualities that cater to different preferences.

Lab Grown Diamonds: Ethical Elegance

Lab grown diamonds are a sustainable and ethical choice that mirror the brilliance and beauty of mined diamonds. They are created in controlled environments using advanced technology, ensuring that each stone is of the highest quality. With the same chemical composition and physical characteristics as natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds offer a stunning and responsible option for your engagement ring.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ): Affordable Brilliance

CZ is a synthetic gemstone known for its impressive brilliance and affordability. While it may not possess the same hardness as a diamond, CZ offers remarkable sparkle that can easily mimic the appearance of a genuine diamond. This option allows you to achieve a stunning look without compromising your budget.

Moissanite: Fire and Brilliance

Moissanite, a lab-grown gemstone, is cherished for its exceptional fire and brilliance. With a higher refractive index than diamonds, moissanite reflects light beautifully, creating mesmerizing flashes of color. Its ethical and sustainable production makes it an attractive choice for environmentally-conscious individuals seeking an eco-friendly alternative.

Choosing between these diamond alternatives ultimately depends on your personal style, values, and preferences. Whether you opt for the classic allure of lab grown or mined diamonds, the affordability of CZ, or the captivating charm of moissanite, The Hamilton Gold Company is here to guide you in making a choice that perfectly reflects your love story. Each gemstone tells a unique tale, and we're dedicated to helping you find the ideal chapter for your engagement ring.

Exploring Other Precious Gems and Unique Alternatives

While diamonds may be the traditional choice for engagement rings, there exists a captivating world of other precious gems and unique alternatives that can add a touch of individuality and vibrancy to your ring. These stunning gemstones come in an array of colors and properties, allowing you to create a ring that is as distinctive as your love story.

Sapphires: A Symphony of Colours

Sapphires, with their rich and varied hues, have captivated hearts for centuries. They are second in hardness only to diamonds, making them a durable and practical choice for an engagement ring. From deep blues to vibrant pinks and everything in between, sapphires offer a colorful twist on the traditional diamond ring.

Emeralds: Timeless Elegance

Emeralds, known for their lush green color, exude timeless elegance and regal allure. As a symbol of rebirth and renewal, an emerald engagement ring can carry deep meaning for your relationship. While emeralds may be slightly softer than diamonds, choosing a setting that protects the gem can ensure its longevity and beauty.

Rubies: Passionate Red

Rubies are a passionate and fiery choice, representing love and vitality. Their striking red hue adds a bold and distinctive touch to any engagement ring. Rubies are a durable option, and their exceptional hardness ensures that they can withstand the test of time.

Moss Agate: Nature's Artistry

For those seeking a more unique and affordable option, moss agate offers a stunning display of nature's artistry. With its green and earthy tones and captivating inclusions resembling moss or ferns, moss agate evokes a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world.

Whether you're drawn to the timeless elegance of sapphires and emeralds, the passionate allure of rubies, or the distinctive beauty of moss agate and labradorite, The Hamilton Gold Company is dedicated to helping you find the perfect gemstone that reflects your style and story. Our collection of precious gems and unique alternatives ensures that your engagement ring will be a true reflection of your individuality and love.

Stone Setting Styles: Elevate Your Expression

When it comes to choosing the main stone setting style for your engagement ring, you have a world of captivating options to consider. The setting style not only enhances the beauty of your chosen diamond or gemstone but also showcases your personal taste and flair. Here are the main stone setting styles that can elevate the allure of your engagement ring:

Solitaire: Timeless Brilliance

The solitaire setting is a timeless favorite that exudes elegance and simplicity. This classic design places the spotlight squarely on your chosen diamond or gemstone, allowing its exquisite beauty to shine without distraction. If you appreciate understated allure and wish to emphasize the center stone's brilliance, the solitaire setting is a perfect choice.

Halo: Radiant Glamour

For those seeking an extra touch of sparkle and allure, the halo setting is a dazzling option. A halo of smaller diamonds or gemstones encircles the center stone, magnifying its radiance and creating an enchanting halo effect. This setting not only enhances the center stone's brilliance but also lends a larger and more captivating appearance.

Three-Stone: Symbolic Sentiment

The three-stone setting (also known as a trilogy setting) carries profound symbolism, representing the past, present, and future of your relationship. This style features a central stone flanked by two smaller stones, symbolizing your enduring journey together. The three-stone setting is a beautiful way to encapsulate your unique love story within the design of your engagement ring.

Main Stone Setting: Showcasing Your Centerpiece with Distinctive Claws

The main stone setting plays a pivotal role in highlighting the centrepiece of your engagement ring. The claws that securely hold the main stone are not only functional but also contribute to the overall aesthetic of the ring. Each claw style, from the classic four-prong to the modern tension setting, offers a unique way to accentuate the beauty and brilliance of your chosen gemstone. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we provide an array of claw options, allowing you to tailor your ring's appearance to your personal taste and desired level of sophistication. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of a six-prong setting, the sleekness of a bezel, or the distinctive allure of a tulip design, our expert craftsmanship ensures that your main stone will be showcased in a way that resonates with your individual style.

Shoulder Mounted Diamonds

Shoulder-mounted diamonds refer to the smaller diamonds or gemstones set along the band of the engagement ring. This intricate detailing adds an extra layer of elegance and visual interest to your ring. By choosing the right shoulder-mounted diamond style, you can complement the centre stone and create a harmonious, captivating design.

At The Hamilton Gold Company, we offer a variety of shoulder-mounted diamond settings, each designed to bring out the brilliance of your ring. From classic to modern styles, our collection provides options that cater to different tastes and sensibilities. Our skilled artisans ensure that each setting is expertly crafted, ensuring not only a stunning appearance but also lasting durability.

Engraving and Personalisation: Making Your Mark

Engraving your engagement ring adds a personal and sentimental touch, turning a beautiful piece of jewellery into a cherished heirloom. Whether it's your initials, a special date, or a meaningful phrase, engraving allows you to express your unique love story. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we offer a range of engraving options to help you create a ring that is as distinct as your relationship. Our skilled artisans can meticulously engrave your chosen design, transforming your ring into a symbol of your enduring bond.

Ring Size and Fit: A Perfect Circle of Comfort

Ensuring your engagement ring fits comfortably is essential for both style and practicality. Whether you're measuring your finger at home or seeking professional assistance, getting the size right is crucial. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we understand the importance of a well-fitting ring and offer expert advice to ensure your ring feels like a natural extension of your finger, promising both comfort and elegance.

Budget Considerations: Striking the Right Balance

Setting a budget for your engagement ring is an important step in the selection process. At The Hamilton Gold Company, we offer a diverse range of options, allowing you to find the perfect balance between quality, style, and budget. Our experienced team is here to assist you in making a choice that aligns with your financial preferences without compromising on craftsmanship or beauty.

Matching Wedding Bands: A Harmonious Pairing

Choosing a wedding band that complements your engagement ring is an art in itself. Whether you prefer a classic match or a unique contrast, The Hamilton Gold Company offers a selection of wedding bands that beautifully complement your engagement ring, symbolising the unity of your love and commitment.

Caring for Your Engagement Ring: Ensuring a Lasting Sparkle

Your engagement ring is a precious keepsake that deserves proper care to maintain its beauty and brilliance. From cleaning and storage tips to avoiding activities that could cause damage, The Hamilton Gold Company offers practical advice to ensure your ring retains its sparkle and radiance for years to come.

Proposal Ideas: Creating Unforgettable Moments

Presenting your engagement ring is a moment that will forever be etched in your memory. Whether it's a romantic getaway, an intimate dinner, or a meaningful location, The Hamilton Gold Company is here to inspire you with thoughtful proposal ideas that perfectly encapsulate your unique love story.

Local Services: Your Trusted Partner in Surbiton and Kingston

Located in Surbiton and Kingston, Surrey, The Hamilton Gold Company offers a local and personalised experience for choosing your engagement ring. Our expert team is dedicated to providing guidance, customisation, and top prices, ensuring you find the perfect ring to mark this significant milestone. With a strong presence in the community, we take pride in being your trusted partner on your engagement ring journey.

For personalised assistance, inquiries, and orders, The Hamilton Gold Company is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us so our expert team can help you embark on your engagement ring journey. Whether you're seeking advice on customisation, exploring options, or ready to select your dream ring, we are dedicated to ensuring your experience is seamless, enjoyable, and memorable.