The 4 questions for choosing your diamond engagement ring

There are four questions that you can use as a great starting point when choosing your diamond engagement ring.

If you answer each of these four questions, you will take a big step forward towards finding the right diamond engagement ring for you.

• Do you prefer round (brilliant cut), square (princess cut), rectangular (emerald cut) , marquise or heart shaped diamonds in diamond engagement rings?
• Do you prefer prong or bezel set diamond engagement rings?
• Would you prefer one diamond, one main diamond with smaller diamonds or multiple diamonds of similar proportions in diamond engagement rings?
• Do you prefer yellow gold, white gold or platinum diamond engagement rings?

You will find information to help you answer each of these questions below.

Diamond engagement rings diamond shapes

What shape of diamond would you like in your diamond engagement ring?

You can choose the shape of your diamond in your diamond engagement ring. Brilliant cut, princess cut, emerald cut, marquise cut and heart cut are the diamond shapes normally chosen in diamond engagement rings.

Brilliant cut diamonds

The brilliant cut diamond has a round shape.

The brilliant cut diamond is traditionally the most popular diamond shape in diamond engagement rings.

The brilliant cut diamond, when it is cut to the best ideal proportions, will give a stunning sparkle. The brilliant cut diamond reflects the most light of all of the diamond cut shapes.

Princess cut diamonds

Princess cut diamonds have a square shape. They offer a high sparkle factor which is comparable to the sparkle of a brilliant cut diamond.

Princess cut diamonds are becoming increasing popular, so much so that princess cut diamond engagement rings are now almost as popular as brilliant cut diamond engagement rings.

Princess cut diamond engagement rings are often made in the prong setting style. A bezel setting and bar settings are also possible.

Emerald cut diamonds

Emerald cut diamonds have a rectangular shape.

An emerald cut diamond has a lovely radiance that can be described as elegant. The emerald cut diamond does not reflect as much light as a princess cut diamond due to the way that the diamond facets are cut.

Emerald cut diamonds are normally set vertically along the finger. A prong setting style is most popular for this diamond cut. A bezel setting is also possible with an emerald cut diamond engagement ring. An emerald cut diamond is classified as a type of fancy cut diamond.

Marquise cut diamonds

Marquise cut diamonds have a beautiful shape.

A marquise cut diamond has a curved shape which meets at two points at either end of the diamond. The proportions of a marquise cut diamond can vary from diamond to diamond, with some marquise cut diamonds being wider across the middle than others.

Marquise cut diamonds are usually set vertically along the finger, though they can also be set in a horizontal position across the finger. An end setting is normally used with a marquise diamond engagement ring. A prong setting is generally not recommend. A bezel setting is possible though less common.

A marquise cut diamond is classified as a type of fancy cut diamond.

Heart cut diamonds

A heart cut diamond is the romantic choice. A heart shaped diamond is normally set in a prong setting.

A heart cut diamond is classified as a type of fancy cut diamond.

 

Diamond engagement rings diamond settings

What type of diamond setting would you like in your diamond engagement ring?

The diamond setting styles that you will most often see in diamond engagement rings are prong settings and bezel settings. Bar settings and end settings are also available.

 

Prong setting

Prong settings usually have six or four prongs. Six prongs are the most secure, though a well constructed four prong setting should also securely hold your diamond. Prong settings can also be called claw settings.

The rings pictured show a six prong setting and a four prong setting. Both rings have a well constructed band with secure prong settings.

Bezel setting

A bezel setting is a setting style where the diamond is set with a metal rim around the top edges of the diamond to hold it in place. Bezel settings can also be called rub over settings.

A bezel setting can be a full bezel, or a part bezel. A part bezel setting is a bezel setting around part of the diamond, rather than around the full diameter or the top of the diamond.

End setting

An end setting is a setting style where the diamond/gemstone is held in place with settings that are across between a prong and a small bezel on the end of the diamond.

 

The number of diamonds in your diamond engagement ring

How many diamonds would you like in your diamond engagement ring?

You can choose the number of diamonds for your diamond engagement ring.

You can choose a single diamond, called a solitaire diamond engagement ring. Solitaire means that the engagement ring has one diamond.

Prong set solitaire diamond engagement rings are the traditional classic diamond engagement ring choice. Bezel settings are also popular.

You can choose a diamond engagement ring with multiple diamonds.

The diamonds in a multi-stone diamond engagement ring can be of equal or proportional size. You can also choose to have one or a few larger diamonds together with with smaller diamonds in the shoulders of your diamond engagement ring.

 

Some of the most popular multi-stone diamond engagement rings feature channel set diamonds in the shoulders of the engagement ring band. Princess cut diamonds in the shoulders are particularly popular. Brilliant cut diamonds and baguette cut (small rectangular shaped) diamonds are also a good choice.

 

Multi-stone diamond engagement rings can have several diamonds of similar proportions.

Multi-stone diamond engagement rings can have a combination of several diamonds of different sizes, different shapes and different setting styles.

Diamond engagement rings metal types

What type of metal would you like your diamond engagement ring to be made in?

Diamond engagement rings are most commonly made using one of three metals - 18kt white gold, 18kt yellow gold or platinum.

14kt can also be used for diamond engagement rings, though 18kt is more popular and is preferable whenever possible.

18kt yellow gold is the traditional choice for a diamond engagement ring, though 18kt white gold is now selected as often, or perhaps more often, than yellow gold diamond engagement rings. Platinum is also a popular choice, though platinum is a more expensive metal than 18kt white and yellow gold which may place platinum out of the budget range of some couples looking for a diamond engagement ring.

See the three rings to the right, the first is an 18kt yellow gold engagement ring, the 2nd is an 18kt white gold engagement ring and the 3rd is a platinum engagement ring.

For more information about 18kt yellow gold, 18kt white gold and platinum, see the jewelry metal advice page. You can also see information about the differences between 18kt white gold and platinum.

Choosing your diamond engagement rings design

So now that you know more about the diamond engagement ring design options let's revisit those 4 questions again.

1. Would you live a round (brilliant cut), square (princess cut), rectangular (emerald cut) , marquise or heart shaped diamond in your diamond engagement ring?
2. Do you prefer a prong or bezel setting?
3. Would you prefer to have one diamond, one main diamond with smaller diamonds or multiple diamonds of similar proportions in your diamond engagement ring?
4. Do you prefer yellow gold, white gold or platinum diamond engagement rings?

Once you answer each of these questions, you will be able to narrow down the types of diamond engagement rings that you like, which will make your job of finding the diamond engagement ring design a lot easier.

Using this general framework, you will be able to start looking at the different diamond engagement ring designs that suit your tastes and preferences.

We hope this information has helped you in your quest for finding your diamond engagement ring.