Engagement rings are set in stone, quite literally, so buying one is one of the most essential decisions a couple can make. Choosing what style and look to commit to can be difficult, but the finest places to buy engagement rings—including our top pick, Blue Nile—have streamlined the process and made it less scary. Now you may find a choice of rates and ring styles, as well as services and assurances to give you peace of mind. The first step: Ask a lot of questions.
“When it comes choosing engagement rings, there is no such thing as a foolish question,” says New York-based jewelry expert Mirta de Gisbert. Many retailers provide online consultations, where you can discuss about ring styles, your budget and return policies. To ensure each item satisfied our requirements for quality, craftsmanship and overall value, our selections were vetted by deputy fashion editor, Kari Molvar, who holds a diploma in jewelry basics from the Gemological Institute of America. Ahead, the nine finest locations to buy engagement rings, whether you’re seeking for lab-grown diamonds, personalised styles or economical selections.
Blue Nile Petite Solitaire Engagement Ring
Pros:
- Thousands of diamonds available
- User-friendly shopping experience
- Wide range of prices
Cons:
- No at-home try-on
Vrai The Knife-Edge Round Brilliant Engagement Ring
Blue Nile was one of the first luxury jewelry companies to embrace online purchasing. It, too, offers several options to shop for engagement rings, including a personalised option. Between those, its own collection, and partnerships with designers (such as Zac Posen), the site provides a large choice of engagement rings. The business focuses on ethically-sourced diamonds and also offers a price-match guarantee as well as a diamond upgrade program—great for individuals who anticipate on investing in the ring’s quality over time.
Pros:
- Sustainable lab-grown diamonds
- Wide variety of styles and custom options
- Appointments available online or at showrooms
Cons:
- No at-home try-on
Since Vrai uses only lab-grown diamonds from its own foundry, there isn’t a single middleman involved in the stone’s creation. The diamonds are confirmed for quality by gemologists and are grown sustainably in America using only hydropower during the production process, which reduces carbon emissions. In addition, Vrai provides a large selection of styles, ranging from classic solitaire rings to three-stone rings with pavé bands.
James Allen Petite Pavé Cathedral Engagement Ring
Pros:
- Wide range of styles to pick from
- Several price points for a variety of budgets
- Interactive preview lets you view ring from any angle
Cons:
- No at-home try-on
For individuals who are unsure about their preferred style, James Allen’s wide selection of engagement rings is perfect. The company offers both intricate, vintage-inspired pieces and minimalist, contemporary designs. You can also choose to add personal touches to your ring, like a lab-grown or natural diamond. With the interactive 360-degree preview function on the James Allen website, you can view each ring from every perspective.
With Clarity 1/4 CTW Arc Hidden Halo Engagement Ring
Pros:
- Multiple custom options
- Wide range of prices
- At-home try-on
Cons:
- Limited preset design options
There are several methods to purchase engagement rings at this renowned internet merchant. The first is a selection of pre-made styles that are available for instant ordering. Use the custom ring tool, which offers numerous customisation options such as changing the metal, shape, diamond type (lab-grown or natural), setting, and so forth. However, the best feature is the try-at-home program, which allows you to select two pre-made, complimentary 3D-printed replica rings to wear. This helps you determine your preferred styles before making your own order.
Clean Origin Quiet Beauty Oval Ring
Pros:
- Ethically created lab-grown diamonds
- Easy return process
- Assortment of unique and classic styles
Cons:
- Lifetime warranty costs an extra fee
- No at-home try-on
Clean Origin is a wonderful option for individuals on a restricted budget, offering a wide range of setup options starting at less than $1,000. There are a variety of forms, cuts, and colours available for both conventional and non-traditional engagement rings, and you can also customise the styles. Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) methods are used to ethically create Clean Origin’s lab-grown diamonds.
Quince Diamond Pave Halfway Band
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great quality
- Sophisticated designs
Cons:
- Limited selection
- No additional online services
Even though Quince isn’t your typical jewellery store, the brand sells fair-priced, high-quality goods, including rings. The majority of its alternatives fall inside or are priced under $500, making its selection both smart and limited. The diamonds are produced responsibly, and the rings are typically made of 14k gold, just like those from other (and more costly) jewellers. For people on a tight budget who don’t want to be faced with an overwhelming number of options when choosing the perfect ring, it’s a fantastic option.
Mejuri Diamonds 0.72 CTW Cluster Ring
Pros:
- Affordable
- Modern and original designs
- Virtual styling available
Cons:
- Limited selection
- No try-on
- No custom options
The direct-to-consumer fine jewellery company Mejuri creates engagement rings with intriguing and reasonably priced settings that feel completely modern, showcasing brilliantly set diamonds and gemstone clusters. Put the traditional solitaire ring out of your mind. These modern-inspired rings are primarily simple, but they all contain unique design elements that will appeal to even the most style-savvy brides-to-be.
Grown Brilliance 1 1/3 CTW Round Graduated Engagement Ring
Pros:
- Many options for customization
- Sustainably sourced materials
- Excellent customer service
Cons:
- No at-home try-on
Grown Brilliance’s Truly Custom program is its most well-known offering. Provide sketches and images of inspiration, and the jeweller will produce a highly customised piece. A large selection of pre-designed engagement rings is also available, including a line by couture fashion designer Badgley Mischka. Grown Brilliance is likewise dedicated to sustainability: 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds that are ethically obtained are used to create the jewellery.
Vera Wang Love Collection 3/4 CTW Diamond And Blue Sapphire Double Frame Engagement Ring
Pros:
- Extensive variety of styles
- Wide range of prices
- Compare tool
Cons:
- No at-home try-on
Nearly ten thousand engagement rings are available on Zales’ website, if you don’t mind having too many options. It’s a veritable gold mine of numerous styles, including Vera Wang designs, at every price point, ranging from simple solitaires to elaborate halo bands. There are many other jewels available, and you can also personalise your ring, even though diamonds are the main attraction.
What To Consider When Buying An Engagement Ring Online
An engagement ring can be bought from hundreds or even thousands of online stores. Here are some things to think about before you buy that ring you’ve been eyeing:
Repute
Initially, when purchasing an engagement ring online, call the seller and enquire about their background, business, and any press they have obtained. These particulars will provide you a quick indication as to whether or not the retailer is a legitimate seller. For a more comprehensive understanding of the jeweller and their merchandise, you can also conduct online research and read reviews left by real customers.
Provision of services
Examine the policies of the retailer prior to choosing an engagement ring. You will want to know how long it will take the ring to come to you and how much shipping will cost, as the majority of the country is still facing delivery delays. Finding out the return policy is also essential. The ring could not be exactly what you wanted or anticipated; keep an eye out for any unforeseen defects or damage. Enquire about the retailer’s policies about damage, loss, or theft of the ring.
superiority
Always have a qualified specialist examine the jewellery and diamonds to ensure its quality. You should avoid buying from a store if they are unable to vouch for the genuineness of the ring and stones. The best stones and carats should be used in a good engagement ring, particularly if the band is being customised.
Our Best Buying Advice For Engagement Rings
Purchasing an engagement ring requires a number of steps. Based on suggestions from our experts, we’ve outlined a few more considerations for engagement ring shoppers.
The Four Cs: If you choose to purchase a diamond, you will come across descriptions that discuss the four Cs: colour, cut, clarity, and carat. The diamond’s colour determines its value; colourless diamonds are the most valuable. The cut describes how it has been polished, making a distinction between fancy cuts and round brilliants, the latter of which is more valuable since it reflects more light. The term “clarity” describes whether a stone has inclusions, or markings, or not (“flawless” diamonds are the clearest). Lastly, the carat indicates the diamond’s weight; the higher the carat count, the higher the price. Jewellery designer Stéphane Krumenacker advises concentrating on the stone itself, even though it can appear simple to select a diamond based on these predetermined criteria.
Sustainability: Read the fine print and take the provenance of any gold or diamonds you purchase into consideration. “There’s a big movement to trace where the gold and diamonds have come from, and certain companies focus on ethically-sourced stones or diamonds,” Krumenacker explains. A meaningful and ecological way to purchase an engagement ring is to use recovered materials like ancient family jewels or heirloom diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are also a fantastic substitute that avoid the mining process entirely.
Setting: The display of the stone on the metal band—typically made of gold or platinum—is what is meant to be discussed here. The patience setting is the most basic. According to Krumenacker, “the goal is to hold up the stone in the cleanest possible way in a lot of modern settings.” “Therefore, the stone is what really draws your attention when you see an extremely thin engagement band.” One can complement a little stone with more diamonds or accents made of coloured stones, or build a pavé halo around it to give it more presence.
Shape: There are many different shapes for stones. “Round shapes are the most iconic because they maximise the potential brilliance of the diamond,” says Krumenacker. However, once more, different shapes—like pear, oval, cushion, or marquise—can offer a ring personality and distinction. Curvy shapes are more whimsical and less traditional, whereas square cuts, like the Asscher, are usually considered of as streamlined and clean.
How To Measure Your Ring Size
Before buying an engagement ring, there are a few techniques to determine someone’s ring size:
Option 1: To determine the ideal fit before making a purchase, order a cheap ring sizer, like those from Kiwen or NuLink. According to jeweller and gemologist Ashley Fox, “ring sizers only go by half sizes, and most people fall somewhere in between.” “Use a mandrel to measure one of your existing rings that fits the best for the most accurate measurement, or have your ring finger measured by a real jeweller in person.”
Option 2: Encircle the base of the finger you intend to wear the ring on with a tiny length of floss or string. After marking the point at which it begins to overlap, lay it flat and use a ruler to measure its length in millimetres. Your finger’s circumference is that measurement. The diameter can be obtained by dividing that figure by 3.14, or Pi. To find your size, compare the number you receive with a ring size chart. Remember that you could tie the string too tightly or too loosely and obtain a different measurement, so this isn’t the most precise method.
According to Fox, “most ring styles can be resized unless the band is an eternity style band or there is pave all the way around the band.” “Resizing is an option in that scenario, but it’s typically an extremely costly procedure.” Online vendors usually provide free ring resizing and will make it apparent if a band may be resized or not.
Getting measured in person at a jeweller is the best option, however if your knuckles are big, you might want to get a ring that is a quarter or half size larger than your finger size. According to Fox, “you want a ring to fit properly, not twist sideways on your finger, or be uncomfortable.”
Harry Winston The One Round Brilliant Diamond Micropavé Platinum Ring
First Dibs is unmatched for certified antique jewellery available online. The company sources unique pieces ranging in style from the 18th century to the present day by collaborating with a reliable global network of leading vintage and contemporary vendors. “Purchasing a vintage ring is a really unique concept, but you should make sure the ring is real and in superb shape,” advises Molvar. “This retailer is highly trusted within the fashion industry and I appreciate how you can live chat with sellers to ask questions.”
There is a vast array of engagement rings to choose from, with prices ranging from $100 to millions (yes, plural). For a stress-free purchasing experience, everything is carefully screened, and buyer protection is included with every purchase.
