Planning a surprise proposal? Forget the moment of getting down on one knee – the most stressful part is buying the ring. How can you be sure of getting a piece they’ll love forever? Never fear; it’s more straightforward than you think. With a few careful considerations – and perhaps a little bit of outside help – you’ll be able to choose the right engagement ring for your partner with total confidence.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

1. Set your budget

The idea that you should spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring is an outdated marketing ploy. You should spend only what you can afford, bearing in mind other upcoming financial commitments – like your wedding!

There are beautiful options in every price range, with the precious metal, intricacy of the design and quality and size of any gemstones influencing the cost. You can save money without compromising on quality by opting for a second-hand engagement ring or choosing lab-grown rather than mined gemstones. 

2. Understand your partner’s style

Before you start browsing options in your price range, take note of how your partner usually dresses and the kind of jewellery they wear. Do they have chic, sophisticated outfits, vintage flair or a relaxed and colourful style? Do they wear sleek rings and bracelets or statement pieces in bold designs? 

Understanding your partner’s personal style will help guide you to an engagement ring they will actively enjoy wearing every day as the natural crowning piece for the rest of their look. If in doubt, ask trusted friends for some advice on what they’d like.

3. Consider their lifestyle

As it will be worn daily, the ring should also coordinate with your partner’s lifestyle. People who use their hands a lot are better off with durable designs featuring hard, scratch-resistant metals and gemstones in secure settings to help minimise damage over time. Recently, stars like Miley Cyrus are setting a trend for chunky gold bands with inset stones, a hardwearing alternative to the delicate halo designs that were previously dominating fashion. 

Does your partner have sensitive skin? Look at rings in hypoallergenic metals like platinum, 18k yellow gold and palladium.

4. Prioritise the look

It sounds obvious, but the look is so much more important than the value. Diamonds are a great example. The carat (weight) will significantly influence the price but the cut dictates how it interacts with light to create fire and sparkle, and minor differences in colour and clarity are often invisible to the naked eye. A smaller, slightly included diamond is relatively affordable but will dazzle just as brightly as a bigger, clearer stone in an identical round brilliant cut. 

When browsing options, don’t be tempted by the idea that bigger or more expensive means better. You know what your partner will like most between a simple, clean solitaire style and a glamorous halo ring.

5. Make it personal  

It’s fine to take inspiration from the latest engagement ring trends, but personalisation is key to choosing the right design, especially as this is a piece that needs to be timeless rather than fashionable. Tailor the colour of the precious metal and gemstone to your partner’s tastes, exploring the option of sapphires, emeralds and other colourful stones as alternatives to white diamonds.

Small touches like hidden halos and inscriptions can add much meaning at little cost but be aware that you won’t be able to get the band resized unless it’s plain. If you’re not completely sure of the size, hold off on the little extras until after popping the question.