Question 1

Should I surprise my Fiance with a ring, or talk to her about the design first?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your preferences.

When you’re about to make a big investment, it helps to ask an expert. You wouldn’t buy your dream house without having it looked over by a contractor, right? So should you keep the proposal a surprise or ask her for help?

Chances are, you’ve already talked to your fiancée about your future together. Fewer people are keeping the engagement ring a surprise, so she’s probably aware that ring shopping is on your agenda. If this is the case, you have some flexibility when it comes to how involved you want her to be.

For some people, getting general suggestions from their partner about their desired cut and color is enough to set them on the right path. Other couples prefer to shop together but keep the final choice a surprise, while others might collaborate closely on a custom ring design.

Try to balance your own needs against what would make the proposal most special for her, and trust your gut.

The vast majority of brides-to-be say they are happy with their engagement ring – the important thing is that you are thoughtful about your choice.

Question 2

How do I discreetly find my girlfriend's ring size?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your answer to the previous question, this one could be a challenge. Here are some suggestions for how to discreetly find out your fiancée’s ring size, ranked from least to most risky.

 	Look at her rings 

This is by far the easiest way to get the job done. Simply take out one of your fiancée’s rings while she’s out – preferably one she wears a lot – and measure its diameter with a ruler.

Alternatively, you can trace its shape (inside and outside) onto a piece of paper – or if she won’t notice it’s gone, take the ring to a jeweler to get it sized.

 	Try one of her rings on yourself and compare 

If you’re short on time or don’t want to leave any evidence lying around, try on one of her rings yourself. Make a mental note of how well it fits you and on which finger.

 	Ask her friends to help you

A close friend of your fiancées will be able to ask a question like this without automatically arousing suspicion, so choose your confidant wisely! Not everyone can keep a straight face in a situation like this, and the worst-case scenario could see the surprise blown entirely.

If you get her measurements on your own, it’s easy to convert them into a ring size using the following table:

 



Ring diameter
Ring size (US)


15.6mm
5


16.0mm
5 ½


16.5mm
6


16.9mm
6 ½


17.3mm
7


17.7mm
7 ½

Question 3

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

One, Two, or Three Month’s Salary…?
Once you’ve covered the basics, it’s time to think about an important aspect of your engagement ring design: the budget.

The received wisdom is that you should spend two months’ salary on an engagement ring – but did you know this comes from a savvy marketing campaign thought up by De Beers diamonds?

In reality, there’s no fixed sum that’s “right” to spend on an engagement ring, and the average range for most couples is between $2,000 and $10,000, though if are looking for something truly amazing, $10,000 should be viewed as a good starting point.

Where you fall, whether it’s in or out of this range, will depend on a number of factors, including:

 	Your income, minus taxes and insurance
 	Your monthly expenses, including rent and utilities
 	Your savings and any money you’ve set aside for this purchase
 	Your upcoming spending, including debts and other routine payments

Knowing these basic numbers will help you understand how the ring fits into your finances and put together a payment plan.

Question 4

Should an engagement ring always feature a diamond?

Accepted Answer

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but engagement rings mean diamonds, right?

Diamonds are the go-to engagement stone, and we won’t pretend that’s not for good reason. They come in a range of colors but are generally neutral-toned; they’re hard-wearing, and they have a ton of sparkle.

With that said, diamonds aren’t the only option for how to make an engagement ring special, and many couples are now opting for less traditional gems.

Sapphires and rubies are examples of stones that make for striking alternatives to diamond engagement rings, and depending on the symbolism of the stone you choose, it can make your engagement ring design extra special.

However, you need to keep an eye on durability.

If all goes well, your beloved will have this ring for the rest of her life. It takes a hard-wearing gemstone to weather this kind of wear, and not all stones are this durable.

Diamonds rank as a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning they’re unlikely to be scratched by regular wear, but the same cannot be said for lower-scoring stones like moonstone or opal.

We’re not saying you should abandon your vision for a unique custom engagement ring, but you should ask your jeweler’s advice on how to make it a reality. How can you achieve the look you want with the durability necessary to suit your fiancée’s lifestyle?  This question should be front-of-mind when creating a custom engagement ring.

Question 5

Should I choose an ethically-mined or lab-grown diamond for my engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

Choosing conflict-free diamonds is an important part of your engagement ring design journey, and you have two basic options available to you: ethically mined or lab-grown.

What’s the difference between ethically mined and lab-grown diamonds? In terms of the end result, nothing. Even experts can’t tell them apart without specialized equipment! However, they do have different considerations attached to them.

Ethically mined diamonds are conflict-free: in other words, your token of undying love won’t be used to finance civil unrest.
They’re naturally grown, which makes each one a miracle of nature’s invention, and therefore, more rare. Also, when the mines are run ethically they can be a boon to the economies they come from.

Lab-grown diamonds (so their creation is always ethical) are a newer alternative and have a few pros and cons of their own:

The Pros and Cons of Lab-grown Diamonds



Pros
Cons


Always conflict-free, as they are grown in a lab setting
Not as highly-sought-after as natural diamonds, because they are not considered as luxurious


More environmentally friendly, as they don’t have the carbon footprint associated with mining



Cheaper due to the reduced cost of production



Available in the same quality as natural diamonds




With a bespoke jeweler as your guide, you can choose ethically sourced diamonds, mined or lab-grown, suitable for your style and budget.

At Peter Norman, we offer only ethically sourced diamonds at wholesale prices straight from the cutter, with certifications and ethical guarantees for every stone.

Question 6

What is the best band style for an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

The gemstone you choose may be the flashy frontman of the piece, but just like in rock’n’roll, a lot of the real work is done by the band. The same stone can look wildly different in different settings, and choosing the right band is key to getting the overall look juuust right.

Back in the Victorian era, it was common for engagement rings to have thicker bands, more like what we would expect from wedding bands today.  Around the turn of the 20th century, the Tiffany’s-style setting took over, seeing brides favor slimmer bands with a diamond set proudly up off the finger.

Thinner bands are fashionable and stack well with wedding rings – however, the thinner they are, the higher the likelihood of warping and even cracks occurring over time.

To compensate, you would have to set the ring in a harder metal, such as platinum.

It’s also worth noting that a straight band isn’t your only option.

Different shapes can add interest and support to your central stone, and you might consider any of these options:

Question 7

Should I add diamond pave to my engagement ring band?

Accepted Answer

You’ve decided on your center stone and the shape of the band – now it’s time to ask yourself the question: how much bling is too much bling? Including inlaid diamonds on your engagement ring’s band can be a master stroke for the right bride.

It adds sparkle and dimension, but it’s not right for everybody, and there are a few questions you should ask yourself if you’re considering bedazzling your band.
1. Does it suit your budget?
As you would expect, adding diamonds to a ring is expensive. You might need to compromise on your center stone in order to afford the extra sparkle, but this would be worth it if it delivered the overall look that you’re hoping for.
2. Does it suit your fiancée’s style?
Every bride is different, and some might prefer the sleeker look of a smooth band to one with inlaid diamonds. Think about the other jeweler your partner wears. Does she like a lot of sparkle, or does she prefer more minimal pieces?
3. Does it suit how high or low maintenance you want this ring to be?
Smaller-set diamonds are prime real estate for built-up residue that can cause stones to loosen over time. This needn’t be a problem, as any good jeweler will offer lifetime aftercare for your engagement ring, cleaning and tightening stone settings as necessary.

However, it’s worth thinking about your fiancée’s lifestyle and if a higher-maintenance ring would fit into that. Would she want to take her ring for regular checkups? If not, consider fewer inlaid diamonds or none at all.

Question 8

Is a classic solitaire or multiple stones better for an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

Even once you’ve decided what main stone you want, and what band you want it in, and whether you want extra stones added to it, you still have to choose between a single center stone or multiple gems.

There are countless ways to incorporate multiple stones, but here are some classic examples of single and multiple stone rings to get you started:

The Solitaire
The solitaire is the Tiffany-style classic – probably what everyone pictures when they think of an engagement ring. It features a single diamond, lifted off the finger on delicate prongs.

Three Stones
This is a good option if you want to introduce color to your ring by flanking your central diamond with colored gemstones. Or you could simply triple down on your diamonds! This is also a great option for those who want multiple stone shapes.

Halo
Circling the center stone with smaller diamonds adds protection to the main setting while adding more overall sparkle. Princess Diana’s engagement ring is probably the most famous example of this style.
As with any detail of your custom engagement ring, a bespoke jeweler can help you make an informed choice about which option best suits your future fiancée’s style and your budget.

Question 9

What color metal is best in an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most obvious questions when it comes to engagement ring design, but many grooms find it the hardest to answer – partly because there are so many options!

Here’s what you need to know about each of them:

 	 Platinum

The purest choice, but also the most expensive. Platinum’s rarity and density put it at a higher price point than gold, but its hue makes it attractive and wearable, and its strength gives you more options when it comes to design.

 	 Yellow gold

Long-lasting and non-tarnishing, you might associate yellow gold with your mother’s jewelry box, but recent engagement ring trends have seen it come back in a big way.

 	 White gold 

White gold’s silvery hue provides the wearability of platinum at a lower price point, but it also comes with more maintenance. It requires regular rhodium plating to keep it white and bright, and will periodically yellow with wear. It is also not hypoallergenic.

 	 Rose gold

Complementary to a range of skin tones, rose gold is less traditional but still very attractive and has a soft, feminine feel. Like any variation of gold, it can cause allergic reactions in some wearers.

 	 Silver

The least hard-wearing of these metals, silver’s main attraction is its classic beauty and its comparatively low price point. Tarnishing will be a big problem with a silver engagement ring, which is why most couples opt for a similar hue in another metal.

Question 10

Can I remodel a family heirloom into an engagement ring?

Accepted Answer

Heirloom rings are a beautiful thing. They represent generations of your family’s love as well as stories passed down through time.

But, let’s face it: designs become dated over time, and yesterday’s premiere style might not be in fashion today. Using old stones is a wonderful way to take a piece of your family history and redesign it into a stunning and modern piece.

Redesigning a family ring is one of the most ethical and sustainable ways to create a custom engagement ring, and many bespoke jewelers – including Peter Norman – are experts in modernizing and personalizing family jewels.

In addition to resetting your ring, we also offer bespoke additions, such as designing wedding bands to match the heirloom piece, allowing you to blend the traditions of the past with the romance of your modern love story.

Question 11

Where can I buy moissanite engagement rings near me?

Accepted Answer

At Peter Norman! Moissanite is actually silicon carbide, an incredibly rare, and therefore expensive, mineral. But the moissanite you’ll find in engagement rings is created in a lab. 

Because lab-made moissanite is affordable and is a close approximation of a diamond, it’s a popular alternative. It almost begs the question: why buy synthetic moissanite to masquerade as a diamond when lab-grown diamonds are also affordable, and they’re exactly the same as the real deal?

Question 12

What does a 10-carat diamond look like?

Accepted Answer

Big and sparkly! Carat is a unit of weight that’s used to measure diamonds and other precious gems, and a 10-carat diamond is a large stone.A 10-carat diamond’s exact appearance will depend on how the diamond has been cut and the number of facets (faces) it has.

Question 13

How big is a 10-carat diamond?

Accepted Answer

It depends, but around 14 mm in diameter for a round-cut brilliant diamond, a classic shape. If you want a diamond to appear larger, cut is a major factor. Oval, pear, and marquise cuts can help achieve this, as can a hidden halo, this ring by Peter Norman custom jewelers features both.

Question 14

How much is a 10-carat ring?

Accepted Answer

Expect to pay more than $167,000 for a 10-carat diamond engagement ring. This price is based on the lower end of the scale according to a diamond’s quality and grade. Stones with a higher grade command a higher price per carat.

You can save money on a 10-carat ring by choosing a lab-grown diamond. Although chemically and visually identical to mined diamonds, the price of these stones does not increase exponentially with weight.

Question 15

How much is a 10-carat diamond?

Accepted Answer

Prices begin around $167,000, but that’s for a lower quality stone that may be graded I for ‘included.’ For better clarity and quality, you can expect to pay much more. 

Exceptional quality 10-carat diamonds and engagement rings with gems of this caliber can cost millions of dollars.

Peter Norman
Blog

The Complete Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring

Lab Grown Diamonds Los Angeles

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Designing a 10 Carat Yellow Diamond 10th Anniversary Ring

The Jewelry Care Guide

How to Buy a Diamond

Why Go Custom?

October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline

The Hottest Women’s Wedding Band Trends

Peter Norman Blog

Want Some News?

Wait! before you go...

Join our newsletter, and receive our free
"Complete Guide to buying an engagement ring."

Peter Norman Blog

Want Some News?

Wait! before you go...

Join our newsletter, and receive our free "Complete Guide to buying an engagement ring."

Join our newsletter, and receive our free
"Complete Guide to buying an engagement ring."