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The complete guide to engagement rings
Engagement rings are more than just jewellery. It’s a story set in stone. From engagement ring styles and stones to even customisation, this engagement ring guide says it all.
History & Origin
of Engagement Rings
An engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewellery. It carries centuries of tradition, romance, and meaning.
History
Engagement rings date back to ancient Rome, where they were a sign of ownership and a public commitment. Over time, they evolved into a symbol of love, with diamonds gaining popularity in the 20th century thanks to clever marketing.
Why the Left Hand?
The tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the left hand dates back to the ancient Romans, who believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the left ring finger to the heart. While science has since debunked this, the romantic symbolism remains, making it the go-to hand for engagement rings.
Symbolism
They symbolise love, commitment, and devotion. The band's endless circle signifies eternity and infinite love. Each stone has its own meaning, too. Every detail represents a couple’s unique journey and unbreakable bond.
ANATOMY OF AN ENGAGMENT RING
Your love, your design
Choosing an engagement ring is a journey — one that reflects your love, style, and story.
Pick Your
Perfect Stone
Choose
Your Cut
Choose
the style
Define
your band
Personalise
the ring
Whether you're dreaming up a custom ring from scratch or adding a unique touch to an existing
AR engagement ring, we’ll guide you through the process.
1. Your Perfect Stone
The central stone is the heart of any engagement ring, capturing attention with its beauty and significance. The choice of stone speaks to a couple’s unique journey and personal style. With various options to consider, each stone offers its own story, symbolism, and allure, ensuring that every ring is as distinct as the love it represents.
Natural Diamonds
The diamond engagement ring is widely recognised as a universal symbol of love and eternal love.
Lab Grown Diamonds
Virtually identical to natural diamonds in appearance and composition, they are more sustainable and affordable.
Birthstones
Birthstones add a deeply personal touch, reflecting individuality and love.
Colourful Stones
A wonderful way to express individual style while adding depth and meaning to a timeless piece.
Precious vs Semi-precious
Precious stones are rare and durable, while semi-precious stones offer vibrant, unique beauty.
Family Stones
Heirloom stones carry history and sentiment, perfect for creating new, meaningful jewellery.
2. Engagement Ring Stone Cuts
Stone cuts refer to the shape of the diamond, such as round, oval, pear, princess, trilliant, emerald, radiant, etc. The cut shapes the stone’s brilliance, character, and overall look, making it a key factor in choosing the perfect ring.
Round Cut
A timeless classic, loved for its brilliance, perfect symmetry and sparkle.
Oval Cut
Elegant and elongating, offering a modern twist on the round cut.
Pear Cut
A teardrop shape that blends traditional sophistication with a contemporary twist.
Emerald Cut
Sleek and sophisticated, featuring step-cut angles for a striking mirror-like effect.
Princess Cut
Sharp, geometric, and contemporary, known for its brilliant sparkle.
Trilliant Cut
Triangular cut maximises light reflection, creating a dazzling, eye-catching effect.
Cushion Cut
Soft and romantic, with rounded edges and vintage charm.
Radiant Cut
A dazzling combination of emerald and round cut, creating a modern-classic look.
Marquise Cut
Regal and dramatic, designed to elongate the finger with its pointed ends.
Heart Cut
The ultimate symbol of love, playful yet deeply sentimental.
3. Engagement ring styles
Your engagement ring should reflect your style, love story, and personality. From sleek solitaires to intricate halos, each design has its own unique charm.
Solitaire
A single, stunning stone, this design showcases the stone's brilliance and clarity without any distractions.
Toi et Moi
“You and Me" in French is a romantic and more modern design with two complementary stones symbolising the union of two souls.
Trilogy
A classic of three stones representing the past, present, and future of a love story.
Halo
A large centre stone circled with a halo of smaller stones.
Hidden halo
A subtle halo of diamonds tucked beneath the centre stone for a secret sparkle.
Cluster
A collection of smaller stones arranged to create a bold, eye-catching design. / This style features multiple smaller diamonds or gemstones grouped together to create a stunning, eye-catching effect.
Half eternity
A band with diamonds halfway around for a delicate shimmer.
D-shaped
A band with a flat interior and curved exterior, offering a comfortable feel.
4. Engagement ring bands
The band is the foundation of your ring, shaping both its look and feel. From metal choice to thickness and fit, every detail plays a role in comfort, durability, and personal style.
Made to Last
We work with yellow, white and rose gold, platinum and sterling silver.
Band Balance
A thicker band offers a bold, sturdy feel, while a thinner band creates a delicate, minimalist look.
The Perfect Fit
The most accurate way to find your ring size is to be sized in-studio or by a jeweller near you. Find your size on our size chart.
5. Personalisation
Personalising an engagement ring adds meaning, making it a true reflection of your love story. From engraving initials to incorporating heirloom stones, these unique details strengthen the emotional connection and make your ring one of a kind.
Engraving
Choose between the more traditional hand engraving method or the newer, more precise laser engraving method.
Birthstones
Mark life’s most meaningful moments, birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries through their unique significance.
Family Stones
Creating new pieces containing old stones is our forte! If you have a family stone, we’ll happily design your ring around it.
Textured Band
From soft, organic finishes to bold, hammered details, texture brings dimension and a tactile element that sets your ring apart.
6. Wedding bands
The Ultimate Wedding Band Guide
We love a stacking moment. Your wedding band is just as much a statement as your engagement ring, and finding the perfect match is key. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate wedding band guide — because the perfect pair deserves the perfect stack.
Ready-to-shop wedding bands
If you’d rather save time and spend it all on the engagement ring or needing some extra inspiration, take a look at our semi customisable, ready to shop wedding bands.
Get Inspired
Choosing the perfect engagement ring can feel like a test: how well do you really know your partner? We love working on pieces which really show individual style and character. When it comes to trends, there are no rules, you set them!
Trends
Choosing the perfect engagement ring can feel like a test: how well do you really know your partner? We love working on pieces which really show individual style and character. When it comes to trends, there are no rules, you set them!
Alternative
We create jewellery for people who love to walk, dress, and live on the wild side. And, while our custom engagement rings are designed to fit the client’s vision, we particularly love when a client has a bold vision that results in an untamed but elegant work of art. Choose an alternative engagement ring that stands out from the crowd!
Eternity rings
Eternity rings are a true classics, classics for a reason. They don’t just have to be lined with diamonds. Why not try using a variety of different stones and gem stones.
Signet Rings
Looking for something truly unique? Consider a signet ring to mark your special day. Whether you go for a ready-to-wear piece or our favourite option — designing your dream signet, we’ll help you create a meaningful, personalised piece that stands out.
Custom Ring Stories
From designs inspired by the wild beauty of the bush to meaningful placeholders for surprise proposals, here’s a look at some of the special rings we’ve crafted and the love stories behind them.
Bush & Sea
The now-engaged couple approached us to create their dream ring that celebrates their love for the bush and their life by the sea.
Safari Inspired
The South African bush offers an enchanting and untamed backdrop for couples seeking a truly magical wedding.
Placeholder Perfection
A placeholder ring is an inexpensive but considered piece of jewellery that is used for a surprise proposal.
Ready-to-shop Engagement Rings
Anna Rosholt’s ready to ship engagement rings are for couples who are ready for forever. With faster lead times, these rings play on classic silhouettes while walking the wild side with hidden, highly customisable details.
Guided Custom Design Journey
Whether you have a vision in mind or need a little guidance, we’ll walk you through every step. We’d love to bring your dream engagement ring to life!
Book an in-person or online consultation.
FILL IN OUR FORM
Create a ring that tells your love story.
DESIGN WITH OUR TEAM
Review and approve CAD mockups.
FINISHING TOUCHES
It’s almost time to pop the question.
PLAN THE PROPOSAL
Engagement Ring cleaning & Maintenance
Even though diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, they are not indestructible — although rare, they can still chip or crack.We always urge our clients to wear their diamond pieces with special care to ensure their signature sparkle.
Cleaning Guide
Regular cleaning will help your Jewellery retain its sparkle. Read our guide to Guide to Cleaning & Caring for your Jewellery.
Ready to start?
Creating and choosing the perfect engagement ring should be an exciting journey, and we’re here to make it seamless and stress-free. With our expertise, we’ll guide you to create a truly unique piece that embodies the love you share with that special someone. Your love is one of a kind, so your ring should be, too.
