Chupi EducationEverything you need to know about buying an engagement ring

Imbued with precious meaning, your engagement ring is more than a piece of jewellery, it’s a culmination of all the chapters in your love story so far. The moment you met. The moment you knew they were the one. Every moment in between and every moment after. Given how much meaning they hold, we know that picking the perfect ring can feel daunting; we’ve drawn up a guide to cater to everyone looking for an engagement ring, whether you’re considering a piece from Chupi or elsewhere. Read on for expert advice on selecting a stone, ring styles, what to consider concerning the Four Cs, and more.

Setting a budget

A price tag doesn’t make a precious moment. It's easy to get caught up in old traditions when buying an engagement ring, but in truth, the ‘three months’ salary’ rule is not a guarantee that you’ll find the perfect ring. There is no rule on how much you should spend on an engagement ring other than that you should spend what feels comfortable for you. Set your own budget for your ring and stick by it.

Choosing a style

Your partner may fall in love with a coloured gemstone, or a ring which features multiple stones just as much as a classic solitaire ring. While the solitaire ring (a piece which features a single beautiful stone) is without a doubt the most iconic style of engagement ring, there are many other silhouettes to choose from which may be a better showcase of your loved one’s personality. We offer a range of solitaire designs, trilogy rings and pieces with multiple stones, with an option to choose a simple polished band or our unique hawthorn twig design. For guidance, we recommend looking at the style of jewellery your partner usually wears – it’ll give you a good indication of what metal and style to look for when choosing their engagement ring. If you’re totally unsure, speak to one of our jewellery experts, who can assist you in choosing a ring.

Considering the Four Cs

When it comes to choosing a diamond, there are four factors which can determine the beauty, brilliance and overall visual impact of a stone. These categories are known as the Four Cs: cut, carat, clarity and colour. But being faced with decoding these characteristics can be off-putting. To demystify the Four Cs, we’ve outlined them simply below, so you can ensure you select a stone which speaks to you.

Cut in simple terms, refers to a diamond's shape, such as round, oval or pear. Most people tend to make their choice based on the silhouette of the stone they prefer, rather than the symmetry and craftsmanship of the cut itself, which can be evaluated by an expert. Each cut catches the light in its own unique way.

Carat is a measurement of weight, not love. It is simply what the precious stone weighs in metric carats which are a unit of measurement like kilos or pounds. The importance of carat weight is subjective to each individual, but has no bearing over the visual quality of a stone.

Clarity refers to the number of inclusions or 'blemishes' in a gemstone. With white or classic diamonds little to no inclusions are preferable, but when it comes to our greys, we look for the most striking constellations and characteristics, reminiscent of beautiful starry skies.

Colour refers to the shade of the stone. With grey diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, you want a colourful stone, while the most highly prized white or classic diamonds appear as close to colourless as possible.

“Picking a piece that's imbued with precious meaning is more important than stone size or the Four Cs could ever be.” Chupi Sweetman Founder & CEO

It’s important to note that while the Four Cs can help you find a harmony between beauty and value when looking at a diamond, they are not the be-all and end-all of choosing an engagement ring. They are simply a grading system and guideline. Picking a piece that's imbued with precious meaning, and which allows your partner's personality and style to shine through, is more important than stone size or the Four Cs could ever be.

Selecting a stone

While the classic ‘white’ diamond remains a favoured choice for engagement rings, we have seen a notable rise in desire for coloured gemstones, particularly emeralds and sapphires. Offered in limited releases, we regularly source rare and beautiful rainbow-hued gems which are cut just for us, including glossy black diamonds and vivid blue tourmalines.

At Chupi, our speciality lies in grey diamonds. Like a fingerprint, no two are alike, featuring their own special patterns of inclusions which make for a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. These singular stones are also becoming the gem of choice among modern couples, who are increasingly searching for more distinctive and unique symbols of everlasting love.

Finding the ring size

Once you’ve found the right ring, the final step is determining your partner’s ring size. To take the guesswork out of finding the right band size (particularly if you’re measuring up for a surprise proposal) we’ve listed a few different options below:

1. We have developed a Digital Ring Sizer which helps find your ring size using an existing ring in seconds.
2. ‘Borrow’ a ring that they wear on their ring finger and bring it to our store, a local jeweller, or send it to us to be sized.
3. Trace the inside of a ring they wear on their ring finger on a piece of paper and bring it to our store, a local jeweller, or send it to us to be sized.
4. You can request a ring sizer from us at chupi.com. These are completely complimentary and fully compostable.

For instances where a ring has been mismeasured, at Chupi we offer complimentary engagement ring resizing. Simply book an aftercare appointment with us if your ring needs any adjustments – you’ll speak to one of our team members, who will happily arrange a resize service to ensure your partner’s ring fits perfectly.

If you’re looking for your forever ring but are unsure where to start, or have any questions regarding selecting a stone, style, the Four Cs or anything else engagement ring related, book an online or in-store appointment with one of our experts. Our talented team is on hand to answer any questions you may have, and make sure the process of finding your ring is as comfortable and joyful as possible.