If you’re not feeling confident when it comes to making a call on what she’ll like, ask her friends, her mum or sister (but only if you can trust them to keep it a secret!). They should be able to tell you what style of jewellery she favours, or - better yet - if she’s dropped any hints. Pay attention to the type of accessories she wears; does she prefer white or yellow gold, minimalist or vintage? Chances are she’ll want her engagement ring to match her favourite jewellery, so bear that in mind. It can also be helpful to have to hand photos to hand of her wearing jewellery so our expert team can help guide you in your choice. For a truly unique ring, we offer a bespoke design service.

Finding out her ring size without asking directly can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Size M is the most common women’s ring size, and it’s generally safer to err on the large side. If you can, borrow a ring from her jewellery box and make note of the finger on which she wear it. Or trace its inner diameter on a piece of paper, and have it sized by us. If it’s a middle finger ring we can ‘best guess’ her ring finger will be 1 size smaller.

It's not the end of the world if you do get the size wrong, as you can get it resized. We’ll do this free of charge. 

Once you start browsing, you'll be faced with a whole host of decisions about the cut and colour of the diamond, choice of precious metal, and setting style. It’s worth doing a bit of research into the fundamentals that decide a diamond's value - the 5Cs: cut, colour, clarity, carat weight and certification. Though that being said, uncertified diamonds usually offer much better value for money. Don’t worry if this all seems a bit overwhelming, we have an expert team on hand to guide you to an informed decision. See our gemstone guide for more details.

The traditional notion of spending two months’ salary on a ring feels outdated today - so how much should you spend? There are no hard and fast rules, but make sure you’re being realistic about what you can comfortably afford. If you have the money, it may be worth spending a little bit extra on your top choice - after all, engagement rings are for life. You could consider buying with our interest free pay-up service to spread the cost of purchase for up to 6 months, instead of paying the lump sum up front. Ask us in store or call us for more details. 

Ready for the big moment, but not sure how to make it extra special? Whether you’re aiming to sweep her off her feet with epic romance, or thrill her with a surprise adventure, try to make sure your proposal suits your partner's taste and personality