How to choose the perfect engagement ring
Our engagement rings
We offer an array of timeless engagement ring designs featuring colourful gemstones, with many flanked by diamonds or complementary gemstone set shoulders. We always use 18k yellow, white and rose gold, or platinum, for our bands, which can be plain or fluted.
Our ‘Colours of Love’ collection combines the traditional craftsmanship of Peter Carl Fabergé’s inventive mind with modern techniques and contemporary style. The rubies and emeralds within the collection are responsibly mined by Gemfields, offering the wearer a sense of pride and compassion.
Gemfields work with mining communities, governments and conservation NGOs to ensure every gemstone sold supports schools, medical care, the environment and conservation.
Our engagement rings are predominately set with coloured gemstones, with options of round, oval, pear, marquise and emerald cut stones. Elongated shapes, like the marquise and emerald cut, suit wearers with longer fingers, whilst the cushion or oval cuts suit someone looking for a broader look.
The coloured gemstones in our engagement ring collections each hold their own unique symbolism of love; ruby is believed to represent passion, prosperity and protection; emerald represents renewal, harmony, fertility and life, and sapphire represents trust, loyalty, faith and truth. Coloured gemstones are the perfect choice for someone who wants a ring that stands out and creates impact. While coloured gemstones may be considered quite a modern choice, they have in fact been popular for well over two centuries – especially amongst royalty.
Go bespoke
The art of special commissions and gift-giving are cherished traditions at Fabergé. The Fabergé private commission service enables clients to realise the dream of owning a unique, one-of-a-kind creation, which is a perfect choice for an engagement. From personalised engraving to an entirely bespoke creation, in true Fabergé spirit, there is practically no end to the possibilities.
Contact our dedicated client services team to discuss your bespoke engagement ring commission.
Where to begin
We always advise clients to take their time and visit a number of different jewellery shops to soak up inspiration and see what is available within their budget. It’s not a decision which should be rushed. Don’t feel pressured to follow the latest trends or fashion, but be unique and only choose something which feels perfect.
Start to make a list of the details you like, such as style, cut, colour – perhaps even collect pictures from magazines – and think about what would complement the hand best.
Over the years we have noticed more couples come in together to choose an engagement ring.
Choosing a ring together can now form a special part of the engagement process and ensures both parties play a significant part in the final design. This does, however, negate any form of surprise, so sometimes a ‘dummy’ ring will be used for the grand proposal and then the official ring will be purchased.
Gemstone settings
The most popular gemstone settings are solitaire, three stone and cluster.
A solitaire ring is a single set stone, considered traditional and timeless, and therefore an incredibly popular engagement choice. They are the style of ring most suited to accommodate a wedding band or eternity ring, which will be added to the collection over time.
The three stone ring is incredibly elegant and has the benefit of easily introducing a coloured centre gemstone with diamonds set either side. The trio of stones creates more impact than a solitaire, and all stones can be the same cut or combined.
The iconic cluster ring, often favoured by royalty, has a more conservative style which would suit people seeking a more substantial, weighty look. A central coloured gemstone surrounded by a halo of diamonds may be the traditional choice, but clients can reverse the tradition and use coloured gemstones around a central diamond, or you can be really creative and choose a variety of coloured stones to create a showstopper of a ring.
Iconic engagement rings
Perhaps the most famous engagement ring of the 18th century was given to Empress Josephine by a young Napoleon Bonapart in 1975, you will see the ‘toi et moi’ ring featured a pear cut sapphire next to a diamond.
In 1839, upon announcing their engagement, Albert presented Queen Victoria with a 18k gold serpent engagement ring with rubies for eyes and a large emerald, her birthstone, set in the centre. A serpent may seem an unusual choice, but it is in fact an ancient Roman symbol of everlasting love.
Moving into the mid-20th century when John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953, he chose a stunning tapered baguette 2.84 carat emerald set next to a 2.88 carat diamond, with open-halo setting. Jackie, always a trendsetter, created a wave in women choosing this combination.
Who could forget Princess Diana’s enchanting blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring, presented to her by Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in 1981. In memory of his late mother, this same ring was use by Prince William upon his engagement to Kate Middleton in 2010, and it has arguably become one of the world’s most famous rings.
Fast forward to 2018 and Princess Eugenie of York debuted her oval cut, incredibly rare coral-coloured padparadscha sapphire ring when she announced her engagement to Jack Brooksbank.
Contact our dedicated client services team to enquire about finding the perfect engagement ring.
