The Ultimate Engagement Ring Buying Guide

For many, choosing an engagement ring becomes one of the most consequential pieces of jewellery to choose, and although it’s a big decision, there are ways to make it less daunting.

Think of this blogpost as your proposal ring guide; it’s something we’ve prepared based on many conversations we’ve had with our clients here in Singapore, and beyond, over the years. 

Ahead, we discuss gemstone choices, including the 4Cs of a Diamond, setting styles, design inspiration, the case for bespoke, sourcing, and the logistics that bring it all together.

Setting Your Budget

Traditionally, there were ways to benchmark how much to spend for an engagement ring, but at B.P.’s, we often share that it all depends on what you’re looking for, and what you are comfortable with spending. Sharing this upfront helps to give us, your jeweller, the idea of what we can offer you, and usually, this helps to make other decisions clearer.

An engagement ring’s price is shaped by many factors, including gemstone type, carat weight, metal choice, and whether a ring is ready-made, customised, or bespoke fine jewellery, crafted for you from the first sketch. The best engagement rings aren't defined by a price tag. They're defined by the thought behind them. 

Understanding a Diamond’s 4Cs

The 4Cs, Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat, are the universal language of Diamond quality, and each is simpler than it sounds.

• Cut: Determines how a Diamond captures and reflects light. A well-cut stone will outshine a larger, poorly cut one.
• Colour: Graded from D, colourless, to Z, a light yellow. At B.P.’s our House standards adhere to the highest colour grades: D, E, F. 
• Clarity: Refers to natural inclusions. Most are invisible to the naked eye, worth knowing before you pay extra to eliminate what you'll never see.
• Carat: Weight, not size. Two Diamonds of the same carat can look entirely different depending on their cut and shape.

Balancing the 4Cs against your budget is where a good Diamond ring design is really decided; our specialists can guide you through the trade-offs in person at our Dempsey boutique.

Beyond Diamonds: Exploring Coloured Gemstones

A Diamond engagement ring is far from your only option. Sapphires, and other coloured gemstones, can be the perfect way to honour your love story.

• Sapphire: Our hallmark gemstone, the Sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, and nobility, available in a plethora of colours such as blues, pinks, yellows, and more. We also specialise in the Padparadscha Sapphires, the Queen of Sapphires.
• Ruby: Associated with passion and vitality, Rubies make a bold and vibrant choice.
• Emerald: Growth and renewal, its natural “jardin” inclusions making every stone genuinely one of a kind.

B.P. de Silva’s Natural Gem Library is home to Singapore's largest curated collection of natural gemstones. Read our gemstone engagement ring guide to learn more about choosing a Diamond alternative.

Popular Engagement Ring Styles for Inspiration

For some of our guests, even before choosing a setting, it helps to understand the types of engagement rings and the styles that have endured over time, and why.

• Solitaire: Timeless and minimalist, letting the centre stone speak for itself.
• Halo: A ring of smaller stones surrounds the centre gem, adding brilliance and the appearance of size.
• Three-Stone: Past, present, and future, a deeply symbolic choice.
• Pavé Band: Diamonds set along the band for continuous sparkle.
• Art Deco: Geometric lines, and details that feel both historic and utterly distinctive.

Art Deco styles have become synonymous with the design language here at B.P.'s. Its timeless allure is one that translates beautifully into a modern engagement ring. Before your consultation, it helps to gather references, mood boards, saved images, even pieces you already own and love.

Choosing a Setting Style

Engagement ring settings do two things. They hold the stone securely, and they define the ring's entire character.

• Prong: The classic choice, elevating the stone and maximising light.
• Bezel: A sleek metal rim, modern, minimal, and highly secure.
• Channel: Stones set into a groove in the band, clean and contemporary.
• Pavé: Tiny stones set closely together for texture and brilliance.
• Flush: The stone sits level with the metal, understated and durable.

The wearer’s lifestyle should be factored into the decision making. An active wearer often prefers a lower, more protective setting like a bezel setting, while someone drawn to drama may gravitate towards something with a halo.

Traceability and Responsible Craft

A growing number of clients want to know more in-depth details about their jewellery, including the materials used and the origins of their gemstones. As a certified B Corp, we also uphold rigorous standards of traceability and responsible craftsmanship throughout our process, including launching our line of Traceable Sapphires, crafting with Fairmined Gold, and more.

Practical Tips: Sizing, Timing and Getting It Right

Getting her ring size without spoiling the surprise is easier than it sounds. Borrow a ring she wears on her right hand, ask a close friend or family member, or choose a placeholder and resize after the proposal; our ring measurement chart will help either way.

A bespoke ring typically takes several weeks from consultation to completion, approximately 8 - 12 weeks or more, depending on the complexity of the design. If you're working towards a specific date, an anniversary, a holiday, a trip, our advice would be that it's always worth building in buffer time.

Most rings can be resized afterwards, as long as they’re not an eternity band. The process is more enjoyable than most people expect, and you don't have to figure any of it out alone.

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

Buying an engagement ring is about finding something that tells your story and lasts a lifetime. From choosing a gemstone to finding the right setting and beginning a bespoke journey, every decision gets easier with the right guidance.

If you're still wondering where to buy an engagement ring in Singapore that's crafted to safekeep your story, that's exactly what 150 years of expertise, Singapore's most extensive natural gem library, and B.P.’s bespoke journey are for.

Visit our flagship boutique, or if you're looking to customise your engagement ring, book a private appointment with a jewellery specialist to experience our Customisation Suite.