Engagement Rings

How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Traditionally, you should be looking to spend about three months' wages on an engagement ring. However, we believe that engagement rings are a personal choice, and you shouldn't stress about the price tag. Instead, find a style that your intended will love, that matches their style and preferences, and is affordable for you.

For more on the price of engagement rings, read our engagement ring price guide.

If you have a low budget, you can still get a stunning engagement ring that your beloved will cherish. One way to get a bargain is to buy a second-hand engagement ring. As the making cost goes into the initial sale of jewellery, high-end engagement rings can be found at a much more affordable price if you buy second-hand. Choose from a range of styles, such as stunning traditional choices to rare and unique engagement rings. We assess the quality of all our second-hand products, including metal and any gemstones, so you can be sure you're choosing a genuine piece of jewellery with us.

Our Collection of Engagement Rings

At Ramsdens, we have a huge collection of rings that are suitable for a proposal. Within our range, we include classic and timeless styles, as well as some contemporary and unique options. Everyone is different, and what your loved one will want from an engagement ring will depend on their style and preferences.

When it comes to colours, there are several metals to choose from. Gold is a popular choice for an engagement ring, as it is ubiquitous with wealth and abundance. Yellow gold engagement rings are the traditional choice, with their rich yellow colour making diamonds and other gemstones pop. For a silvery colour that is more hardwearing than silver, but also affordable, white gold engagement rings are a great choice. For something in between, browse our rose gold engagement rings, which have a romantic rosy sheen; these are often considered a vintage style.

Another metal choice is platinum, which is an exceedingly hard-wearing and durable metal. Platinum engagement rings will last a lifetime and are a rare metal. They give the look of silver but are much more hard-wearing. However, this metal is more expensive than others, due to its rarity.

Popular Engagement Ring Designs

Proposal rings come in many different styles, and it's important to choose one that suits your loved one's style.

Solitaire engagement rings are the style that comes to mind when many think of proposing. This style has one gemstone (usually a diamond) that catches the eye with its sparkle. Another traditional choice is a trilogy engagement ring, which features three stones, representing the past, present and future. You can also find modern and classic designs in our cluster engagement rings collection. This style is certainly a showstopper, with a centrepiece of smaller stones; these can feature a large coloured stone surrounded by smaller diamonds or can have a cluster that has a flower or heart shape.

When it comes to the gemstone, a diamond engagement ring is the traditional choice. Diamonds symbolise love and commitment, so it makes perfect sense that these are the most popular stones within an engagement ring. However, you don't have to stick to tradition; there are other gemstones that are perfect for engagement rings too. These are great for a personal touch, as you can get an engagement ring with your beloveds birthstone or one with significant meaning. For example, emerald engagement rings are a good choice. Known as the "jewel of Kings", it is a luxurious stone that signifies abundance and growth, perfect for an engagement ring.

You also need to consider the cut of the gemstone in the engagement ring. Traditionally, an oval cut is preferred, as this is a classic cut that is flattering on a finger due to being narrower than round. Emerald cuts are also popular, as this is bold and opulent. Instead of being cut for sparkle, an emerald cut focuses on clarity and shine, making it an eye-catching piece. For a more modern cut, the princess cut is a popular choice. With a geometric shape and pointed corners, a princess-cut stone looks great on its own or surrounded by other stones. For more information about gemstone cuts, have a read of our diamond shapes guide.

If you want something a little different to propose with, check out our blog on unusual engagement rings.

Buying an Engagement Ring with Ramsdens

Buying an engagement ring is a big decision, and you want to get it right, so we're here to help you every step of the way. For help on choosing the perfect ring for popping the question, check out our engagement ring guide or contact our team who will be happy to help.

We also understand that engagement rings are very personal, so choosing when you only see the engagement ring online can be difficult. That's why we offer free click-and-collect to any of our jewellery stores, simply find your nearest Ramsdens Jewellers and have your ring of choice delivered there for you to see.

Remember, our range of engagement rings includes those rings that traditionally fit this milestone ring, but you don't have to stick with tradition. In fact, any ring can be used as an engagement ring. The most important thing when choosing is that you find a ring to match your loved one's style. So, if nothing seems to fit, head over to our full range of women's rings and men's rings to find something to suit. And once they've said yes, don't forget to come back for your wedding rings.