Factor 1 – Know your fiancée's preference in jewellery

\What kind of stone, type of setting, and/or colour of precious metal does your fiancée like? Consider the design of other jewellery she loves, or ask her mother or close friends for an idea of her preferences.

Factor 2 - Determine her ring size

If you don’t know this yet, the best solution is to secretly borrow one of her other rings and have them measured by a jeweller. Do note that there can be up to a half finger-size difference between the left and right hands, which can be easily adjusted after you have given the ring.

Factor 3 – The decision whether to choose a diamond

Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man and have more brilliance and fire than any other gemstone. It will withstand daily wear and look beautiful for decades. This has always been the traditional choice of stone for engagement rings.

Factor 4 - The 4Cs

When it comes to diamonds, the 4Cs represent:

• Colour
• Clarity
• Cut
• Carat Weight

The 4Cs are the four standards for judging the quality of any diamond. Developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 1953, the grading system is used throughout the world and is a trusted indication of quality.

When choosing a diamond, the four C’s are to be considered together. You should closely compare different stones, and weigh factors such as size against colour and clarity. Remember that if this ring will be worn every day, it doesn’t have to be a top-rated D Flawless. With the naked eye, people can’t identify a VVS1 diamond from a VS2, but the price can vary significantly.

The most popular choice for an engagement ring has always been a round, brilliant-cut diamond, as it has the most brilliance and sparkle of all the various cuts and is particularly robust to last a lifetime.