Fellows’ 8 Top Tips for Buying an Engagement Ring

The decision has been made, you are going to propose! Shopping for an engagement ring shouldn’t be stressful; it should be an exciting purchase. Buying at auction opens a wide range of styles, gemstones, and eras - all at a fraction of the cost of purchasing from a traditional retail environment.

But before the bidding starts, here are some things to consider!

1. How much should you spend?

This is simple - spend however much you feel comfortable with! Luckily for you, when buying at auction, you can find items for a fraction of the retail price.

Just bear in mind that you will need to pay our buyer’s premium on top of the hammer price. For ease, use our Buyer’s Guide and Bid Calculator to understand how much your invoice total will be.

2. Follow your partner's style, not the trends!

An engagement ring is traditionally worn every day, so make sure it suits your partner’s personal style and fits comfortably with their day-to-day life.

A good place to start is with metal colour – what jewellery does your partner usually wear? White or yellow metal, or perhaps a mix? The usual metal types would be:

• White gold

• Yellow gold

• Platinum (white metal)

3. Leave enough time to browse

What comes through auction can be unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of time to find the right piece. We host up to three jewellery auctions a month, so there will always be something to catch your eye!

4. Stones

When you think of engagement rings, diamonds are often the first to come to mind. Whilst this is a classic and timeless choice, there are many other stones you can choose from! From sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Not all are as durable as diamonds, but they have different qualities that make them special. Emeralds do need a little extra care, so be sure to research the stone you select.

Lot 43

Burmese sapphire and diamond three-stone ring

Estimate: £1,800 - £2,600

Lot 99

18ct gold emerald and diamond cluster ring

Estimate: £460 - £660

Lot 124

Yellow sapphire & diamond cluster ring

Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000

5. If diamonds are for you, then the famous 4 Cs must be considered!

Carat

Measures the weight of the stone, not the size. You will see this abbreviated as “ct” in descriptions.

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is graded on the GIA clarity scale. The fewer flaws, the higher the grade. The grade is determined by the size, location, visibility, and quantity of inclusions or blemishes.

The best clarity is IF (Internally Flawless) - meaning no inclusions are visible even to an expert grader. The most included stones are graded I3 - inclusions visible to the naked eye.

Cut

One of the most important factors! The cut describes how well the diamond has been shaped and proportioned to reflect light. A well-cut diamond creates the ‘sparkle’ that makes it so desirable.

Colour

Diamond colour is assessed on how ‘colourless’ it is, which is measured using the GIA colour scale, ranging from D to Z.

D being ‘colourless’ and the more tinted stones coming in at M.

6. Style

A round brilliant-cut diamond solitaire ring is a classic and a must-have for many, but there are so many other designs worth exploring!

Cluster rings, crossover styles, and three-stone settings all offer unique looks, and playing around with the shape of the principal stone often creates a trendy statement. For diamonds, ‘fancy shapes’ are also more affordable than round brilliant-cuts, so if you want more sparkle for your money but still want a diamond, this is a great option.

Lot 12

Graduated baguette-cut diamond three-stone ring

Estimate: £460 - £660

Lot 145

Emerald single-stone ring

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

Lot 483

Diamond cluster ring

Estimate: £1,800 - £2,600

7. Try and get the ring size right!

Ensuring you get the right size ring for your loved one can be daunting. Luckily for you, we are here to help. We have put together a 'Ring Size Guide' that gives you the option of finding the correct ring size with or without your partner knowing.

The team at Fellows are always happy to provide extra photos of rings on hands to give you more of an idea of what it would look like, too.

8. Want something bespoke?

Why not buy the stone from an auction and find a jewellery designer who can make something bespoke to you both? We also host bi-monthly gemstone auctions where you can explore a world of colour and brilliance.

With these tips to guide you, shopping for an engagement ring at auction can be a fun and exciting experience. Take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy finding a ring that truly reflects your partner’s style and your love story. Happy bidding!