An engagement ring is traditionally worn as a symbol of commitment and a promise to marry. It represents the bond between two people and serves as a visible sign of their intention to spend their lives together. The ring, typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, is often chosen for its significance, beauty, and the deep personal meaning it holds for the couple.

The tradition of wearing engagement rings has deep historical and cultural roots, with different societies attributing various meanings to the practice. Here are some key historical and cultural explanations for why engagement rings are worn:

Ancient Rome (200 B.C.): Engagement rings symbolized a legal contract or obedience, made from materials like flint, bone, and iron, worn on the fourth finger, believed to be connected to the heart by the "vena amoris" (vein of love).

Ancient Egypt: The circular shape of the ring represented eternity, with the hole symbolizing a doorway to the future, signifying eternal love.

Christian Church: The tradition may have been influenced by wedding rituals, where the priest touched the ring to different fingers, symbolizing the couple’s connection.

Chinese Culture: The thumb represents parents, the second finger represents siblings, the center finger represents you, the fourth finger your partner, and the little finger your children, highlighting family bonds.

Traditionally, it’s often suggested that you should spend two to three months' salary on an engagement ring, a guideline popularised in the 1930s by a well-known diamond company to symbolise commitment. While this tradition has become ingrained in modern culture, it’s important to remember that the true value of the ring lies in its sentimental meaning and the love it represents, not the price tag.

At Strange the Jewellers, we believe that the most important factor in choosing an engagement ring is what you're comfortable spending. There’s no need to follow traditional spending guidelines if they don’t feel right for you. We’re here to work with you to create the perfect ring within your budget, whether you have a clear vision or need guidance. The true value of your engagement ring lies in its sentimental meaning and the love it represents, not the price tag. Our goal is to help you design a beautiful, meaningful piece that reflects your unique bond and commitment, no matter the budget.

The four Cs of diamonds — Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight — are the key factors that determine a diamond's quality and value. Each of these elements plays a role in the diamond's overall appearance and brilliance.

• Cut: Refers to how well a diamond has been shaped and faceted, affecting its sparkle and symmetry.
• Colour: Measures the presence of colour in a diamond, with the rarest diamonds being completely colourless.
• Clarity: Describes the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes.
• Carat Weight: Refers to the size of the diamond, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams.

To learn more about the four Cs, check out our detailed blog, which includes interactive guides to help you understand each factor better.

Diamond shapes refer to the various ways diamonds are cut to display their brilliance and beauty, each shape offering a unique look. While they all showcase the diamond’s sparkle, their cuts, angles, and facets vary, affecting how the light interacts with the stone.

• Round Brilliant: The most popular shape, featuring 58 facets that create maximum sparkle and brilliance.
• Princess Cut: A square or rectangular shape with sharp corners and 58 facets, known for its modern look and brilliant sparkle.
• Emerald Cut: A rectangular shape with step cuts and fewer facets, offering a more subtle, elegant shine with a "hall of mirrors" effect.
• Oval Cut: Similar to a round brilliant, with an elongated shape, featuring 58 facets and a slightly larger appearance for its carat weight.
• Marquise Cut: An elongated, football-like shape with pointed ends and 58 facets, creating a dramatic, flattering effect that maximises carat weight.
• Asscher Cut: A square shape similar to the emerald cut, with deep step cuts and 58 facets, creating a vintage, art-deco look.
• Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular shape with rounded corners and 58 facets, offering a softer, romantic look with a vintage feel.
• Radiant Cut: A square or rectangular shape with cropped corners and 70 facets, known for its brilliant sparkle and versatility.
• Pear Cut: A teardrop shape, combining the round brilliant and marquise cuts, with 58 facets, offering a graceful and flattering appearance.
• Heart Cut: A unique, romantic shape resembling a heart, with 58 facets, symbolising love and often used in special, sentimental rings.

To learn more about each shape and its characteristics, check out our detailed 4Cs blog with interactive guides.

Choosing the right engagement ring style comes down to personal taste, lifestyle, and the symbolism you want to convey. Consider your partner's style preferences — whether they lean toward classic, modern, or vintage looks — as well as how they live their day-to-day life. Some prefer timeless, simple designs, while others may like rings with more intricate details or unique features.

Some things to consider:

• Think about the kind of jewellery they wear daily. Do they prefer minimalistic, elegant pieces, or bold, statement-making designs?
• Consider how active they are. If they have an active lifestyle, a lower-profile design may be more practical.
• Think about the symbolism. Do you want the ring to reflect a traditional or modern feel, or something unique to your relationship?

Here are some tips to help guide your decision:

• Long fingers: Princess-cut and round-cut diamonds look great, and they can often pull off a bolder, larger diamond.
• Short fingers: Pear-shaped, oval, or marquise diamonds can help create the illusion of longer fingers.
• Slender fingers: Smaller gems tend to look best, as they complement the natural elegance of slim fingers.
• Wide fingers: Wider gems, such as emerald-cut, marquise, or oval diamonds, work well to balance the width, and multi-gem styles can add a striking touch.

If you're still unsure, we’re here to guide you through the options and help you find the perfect style that feels just right. You can even bring in inspiration photos or ideas to discuss with our team.

Finding the perfect ring size for your partner can be tricky, but there are a few clever ways to determine it without giving away the surprise. Here are six ideas to help you discover their ring size without them knowing:

1. Ask one of her friends or
2. family: They might already know her ring size or be able to discreetly ask her without raising suspicion.
3. Borrow one of her rings: If she already wears rings, especially on her ring finger, you can borrow one (preferably one that fits well) and bring it to us to measure.
4. Trace a ring on a piece of paper: If she has a ring that fits well, place it on a piece of paper and trace the inside circle. You can bring the tracing to us, and we can measure the size.
5. Ask her directly: If you’re looking for a less secretive approach, simply ask her what her ring size is — she might be excited to share, especially if you've already discussed rings!
6. Bring a photo of her with her hand in it: If you’re trying to keep it a surprise, take a photo of her hand, particularly one where her rings are visible, and show it to Jo at Strange the Jewellers. Jo has a "secret party trick" for determining ring size from a photo!

Here are some additional tips to help you choose the right ring size:

• If in doubt, go slightly bigger: It's easier to resize a ring that’s too large than one that’s too small. This is especially true for certain ring styles, like those with intricate designs or settings that may be more difficult to alter.
• Consider the time of day: Fingers can swell or shrink throughout the day due to heat, cold, or physical activity. It’s best to measure at the end of the day when fingers are likely to be at their largest.
• Take into account the band style: Wider bands can feel tighter than thinner ones. If you're choosing a ring with a wider band, it might be wise to go up half a size to ensure a comfortable fit.

No matter what, don’t worry too much—at Strange the Jewellers, we’ll help you get the perfect fit, even if resizing is needed!

If the ring doesn’t fit perfectly, we offer resizing free of charge. The resizing timeframe can vary, our team will be able to advise you on this when you bring the ring in, though we always aim to get your ring back to you as quickly as possible. We ask that your fiancée comes into the store so we can measure their finger and ensure an accurate fit.

Yes, we offer engraving services on engagement rings with a variety of fonts to choose from. You can personalise the band with a special message, initials, date, or anything meaningful to you. Our team will ensure the engraving is done with care, making your ring even more personal and unique.

If you're unsure about what engagement ring style your partner would want, there are a few ways to approach it:

1. Propose with the stone: If you're unsure of the perfect setting, one great option is to propose with the loose diamond or gemstone. You can select a few stones to view, and once you’ve proposed, your partner can then help design the ring together. This way, the surprise element stays intact, and you’ll be sure the final ring is something they love.
2. Look at their current jewellery: Pay attention to the styles of rings, necklaces, and bracelets your partner already wears. Do they prefer simple, classic designs, or more modern, bold pieces? This can give you an idea of what type of engagement ring style might suit them.
3. Ask a close friend or family member: If you’re still unsure, a trusted friend or family member might have some insight into your partner’s preferences, or they may even have talked about it in the past.

Whatever you decide, we’re here to guide you and make sure the ring is just as special as the moment you propose!

When commissioning a bespoke engagement ring, we ask for a 50% deposit once the design is finalised and confirmed. This deposit secures the creation of your custom piece. The remaining 50% is due upon collection of the completed ring, ensuring that everything meets your expectations before you take it home. We’re here to guide you throughout the entire process, from design to delivery, to ensure you’re completely satisfied with the final result.

On average, a bespoke engagement ring takes between 6-8 weeks to create once the design has been confirmed. This timeframe allows for several important stages in the process. First, the ring is carefully crafted to match the agreed-upon design, with every detail being considered. After the crafting stage, the ring is sent for hallmarking, which ensures that it meets the legal requirements for precious metals and guarantees its authenticity. Once hallmarking is complete, the ring undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure that every aspect of the design, from the setting to the finish, is perfect. We take great care at every step to make sure the final piece is of the highest standard and matches the vision you have for your engagement ring.

Some designs, especially those with intricate details or special features, may take longer to complete. For example, if we are creating a CAD (computer-aided design) model from a photo or custom sketch, this requires additional time to ensure the design is precisely translated into a 3D representation before we begin crafting the ring. This process ensures that every element of the design is exactly as you envision, and that the setting, proportions, and overall look are flawless.

If you're selecting a stone, please allow extra time for sourcing the perfect gem. Whether it’s a rare diamond or a coloured gemstone, we take great care in finding the ideal stone that matches your specifications. Our team will guide you through the process to ensure you select the best possible gem for your bespoke design.

However, if you’re in need of a quicker turnaround, there are occasions where we can source off-the-shelf rings, which can be available sooner. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and are always here to help with any time-sensitive needs.