Offering an engagement ring is a precious and personal step, full of symbols and emotions. Exceptional in that it marks a crucial step in the life of a couple, this ring deserves to be chosen with the greatest care. Whether it is the budget, the materials, the style or the size, several criteria must be taken into account to find the perfect ring, adapted to the tastes of your fiancée and the message you want to convey to her. Discover the advice of Bijouteries Gemme to make the right choice.
What budget for an engagement ring?
The budget is a key criterion in choosing an engagement ring, because it directly influences the choice of materials, the carat of the gold and stones, or even the signature of the jewel. The price criteria for a gold ring are indeed multiple, linked to its history, its quality and its house of origin.
The higher your budget, the more you will have access to precious materials, such as 18-carat gold or platinum, and to exceptional stones, such as diamonds of superior size and purity, or even precious gems such as emerald, sapphire or ruby. An engagement ring signed by a renowned jeweler can also justify a higher price. Among the rings authenticated by Bijouteries Gemme are pieces signed by Cartier, Chaumet, Hermès or Mauboussin.
Whether or not it is signed by a luxury house, the goldsmithing and setting work influences the value of the engagement ring. We thus evaluate the complexity of the techniques used, for the size but also for the setting (claw setting, closed setting or pavé setting). The most elaborate and finely crafted designs are also the most expensive.
Finally, some antique and vintage jewelry can be highly sought-after. Some rings bear witness to an emblematic style of an era, such as Art Nouveau or Art Deco. Their rarity affects their heritage value.
Classic engagement rings can cost from 500 to 3000 euros depending on these different criteria. It is possible to find beautiful 18-carat gold rings at a lower price, around 300 euros, especially on the second-hand market. Prices can also climb to several tens of thousands of euros for the rarest and most luxurious creations.
If you want an exceptional piece of jewelry while controlling your expenses, buying a second-hand engagement ring is an excellent option. At Bijouteries Gemme, you will find unique second-hand engagement rings, antique or contemporary, in prices ranging from 300 to 50,000 euros.
Once you have decided on your budget, you can consider the choice of materials and style according to your tastes and the symbol you wish to convey.
What material for an engagement ring?
Offered as a promise, the engagement ring must be distinguished from the wedding ring by its style as it is distinguished by its symbolism. Traditionally, it is more ornate and spectacular.
Depending on your tastes, you can of course choose a minimalist one, but it is customary for an engagement ring to be adorned with a stone. Regarding the color of gold, the choice of gems and their type of cut, anything goes!
The different colors of gold
The engagement ring can be chosen in 18 carat yellow, white or even pink gold. A choice that can be decided simply according to the fiancée's preferences in terms of jewelry, but also her skin tone and clothing style.
- • Yellow gold
Classic and elegant, yellow gold is a warm shade that highlights precious and semi-precious stones such as citrine, ruby, emerald and champagne diamonds. It lends itself to retro ring designs as well as more traditional contemporary jewelry.
- • White gold
Understated and refined, white gold is the most common shade for an engagement ring, because it goes with all stone colors. Its brilliance brings out the whiteness of a solitaire diamond, the emblematic stone of the engagement ring.
- • Pink gold
Increasingly fashionable, the 18-carat pink gold engagement ring seduces with its softness and romanticism. Its color enhances the brilliance of the diamond by contrast and blends harmoniously with the pearl or other precious stones, such as the pink sapphire.
A great classic for an engagement, the Trinity ring, iconic from the house of Cartier, combines the three golds in a strong symbolism of completeness.
The different stones
The engagement ring is often chosen set with a stone, which distinguishes its style from that of the wedding ring, a ring symbolizing fidelity and eternity.
Depending on your budget, but also on your personal tastes and the attachment you have to the symbolism of gems, you can choose a ring adorned with one or more precious or semi-precious stones. We cannot list all the existing gemstones here, but some remain essential for an engagement ring:
- • Diamond
A classic choice for an engagement ring, it embodies purity and eternity. A symbol of unalterable love, it offers the spectacular sparkle sought after for an engagement jewel. Its resistance makes the diamond a stone that can be worn every day.
- • Emerald
A symbol of true love, growth and balance, the emerald is also a gemstone suitable for an engagement ring. Set alone, or in a trio with other stones, it captivates with its vibrant and deep hue.
- • Sapphire
The engagement ring with sapphire will symbolize fidelity, wisdom and loyalty. The advantage of sapphire is that it comes in many shades, from the deepest blue to the softest pink. Sophisticated and elegant, it can be mounted on a ring in 18-carat white, yellow or pink gold.
- • Ruby
Deep red, ruby is particularly suitable for engagement rings because it embodies passion, energy and vitality. A symbol of ardent love, it gives rise to jewelry with character. It can be found alone on a yellow gold ring, in a trio with two diamonds on a white gold ring, or in a very bold way on pink gold.
- • Pearl
A symbol of purity and elegance, the pearl adorns engagement rings with a soft design, in yellow or pink gold for more contrast and romance. This is the ideal choice if you are looking for a delicate, discreet and timeless piece of jewelry.
- • Amethyst
Among semi-precious stones, amethyst stands out for its unique purple or mauve color. A less conventional choice, but very romantic and personal, carrying a strong symbolism. Amethyst evokes tranquility and spirituality, promises of stable love and deep feelings.
- • Morganite
Another semi-precious stone prized for an engagement ring, morganite has a soft and romantic pale pink color. An affordable alternative to pink sapphire or diamond, it is discreet and elegant. Its symbolism evokes compassion as well as sincere and unconditional love.
Diamonds and their types of cut
The solitaire diamond is the iconic engagement stone. It can be replaced, as we have seen, by colored stones for more originality. But what about the shape of the diamond? Different types of cut have marked the eras, with very different styles as a result.
- • The round diamond
The essential round brilliant diamond is one of the most conventional choices for an engagement ring. The stone's cut in 57 facets offers optimal brilliance.
- • The oval stone
With 55 facets, the oval diamond can also take the shape of a drop, in a very refined style.
- • The emerald cut
The emerald cut consists of a rectangular cut that descends in espaliers on the edges. Very geometric, this shape protects the stone from shocks while giving the jewel a charming vintage touch.
- • The princess cut
A square stone with 50 facets, the princess cut is a classic and chic choice for an engagement ring, which ensures a stone with a lot of sparkle.
- • The cushion cut
Soft and elegant, the cushion cut lends itself to diamonds but also to sapphires and rubies mounted in solitaire.
- • The marquise cut
Elongated and sophisticated, the marquise cut is found on antique or antique-style engagement rings. The stone can be solitary or surrounded by small diamonds.
- • The heart cut
Rare and original, the heart cut requires a high level of jewelry work. It is of course particularly suitable for an engagement!
Second-hand, new, antique or contemporary engagement ring: what to choose?
Depending on your budget and tastes, you can turn to different styles of rings for an engagement, but also to new or second-hand ones. We will enlighten you on the advantages of these different options.
The antique ring: a story of inheritance
The second-hand market allows you to access antique jewelry, with a unique and sought-after style. Designed with incomparable know-how, antique rings reflect the style of an era: the iconic Toi et Moi style of the Napoleonic era; the clean lines, geometric style, the combination of diamonds and sapphire with platinum, typical of the 20s and 30s and the Art Deco style; the romantic patterns and floral details of the Victorian era or Art Nouveau.
Each antique ring also has a story to tell. Choosing a vintage or antique engagement ring allows you to prolong this memory, and to give new meaning to the jewel through a key moment in your life.
Second-hand engagement ring: the advantages
Contemporary or antique, the second-hand engagement ring is also a responsible choice, which is part of a sustainable approach. Turning to an existing jewel means highlighting the work of artisans beyond their time and limiting new mining extractions.
Finally, with the exception of a few old pieces of exceptional rarity, second-hand rings offer a better quality-price ratio than new jewelry. This allows you to revise your criteria upwards without exceeding your budget. At Bijouteries Gemme, you can buy a second-hand engagement ring at a price reduced by 30 to 60% compared to its new value.
Don't make a mistake in the size, the points to watch out for
Offering an engagement ring is a unique and powerful act, a symbol of love and commitment. To make sure this moment doesn't tarnish, it is essential to choose the right ring size! A few key points to know will help you avoid making a mistake.
First of all, you need to take into account the variations in size that fingers can experience depending on the time of day and the temperature. The ideal is to take your measurements at the end of the day, when it is neither very hot nor very cold.
The width of the ring can affect the comfort of the ring. If the ring is solid, it may be wise to choose a slightly larger size. A thinner ring, on the other hand, will place itself on the thinnest part of the phalanx!
Depending on the ring you choose, it will be more or less easy to have the size changed in the workshop if necessary. While simple platinum or 18-carat gold rings adjust quite easily, the resizing work is more delicate on a vintage ring with a complex design.
For each engagement ring, Gemme jewelers indicate, in addition to the original size of the jewel, the adjustment possibilities that can be carried out in the workshop.
Keep in mind that a perfect fit is one that allows the ring to be easily put on and taken off and to be manually rotated on the finger. On the other hand, it must not turn on its own (at the risk of damaging the stone) or slip too easily (at the risk of losing it!).
Choosing an engagement ring is an emotional and symbolic process that requires thoughtfulness and consideration. Between budget, materials, style and history of the jewel, each criterion will contribute to finding the unique piece, perfectly suited to your union. Bijouteries Gemme only offer you 18-carat gold or platinum rings that have been appraised, checked and restored in our workshops. They are delivered to you in a box with their certificate of authenticity.