How to choose an engagement ring | Expert guide

Introduction

The most important jewellery choice of your life

Choosing an engagement ring is often the first time someone walks into a jeweller's with such a strong intention. The pressure is real: we want the piece to be perfect, the recipient to be moved, and the ring to last a lifetime.

Yet few people know where to begin. Solitaire or pavé? Diamond or coloured stone? Yellow, white or rose gold? What size? What budget?

This guide answers every one of these questions clearly and impartially. Our aim: to let you choose with confidence, fully understanding what really matters.

See our selection of engagement rings →

Guide contents

01 Define the style
02 Choose the stone
03 Choose the metal
04 Find the right size
05 Buying without knowing the size
06 Set the budget
07 Online or in store
08 Our selection
09 FAQ

01

First criterion

Define the style: which personality? ✨

Before talking about stones or metals, the first question is: what style suits the person you are buying for? Look at the jewellery she usually wears, her relationship with fashion and accessories. It is the most reliable signal.

Classic and timeless style

For those who appreciate understated elegance

Solitaire with 4 or 6 claws, slim band, central brilliant-cut diamond. The most iconic engagement-ring style, timeless, never out of fashion. A piece that travels through the decades without losing its strength.

Modern and contemporary style

For those who follow trends

Bezel setting, cushion or oval cut, diamond pavé, halo around the centre stone. More architectural, graphic lines that show a taste for today's fine jewellery.

Discreet and minimalist style

For those who prefer simplicity

Slim band, small central stone, flush or bezel setting. Nothing showy, yet a real presence on the finger. Perfect for everyday wear without snagging or drawing attention.

Original and distinctive style

For those who like to stand out

Coloured stone (emerald, sapphire, ruby), fancy cuts (pear, baguette, marquise), combined stones. A piece that says something singular, off the beaten path.

Browse rings for women →

02

The stone

Choosing the stone: diamond and the alternatives

The stone is what gives an engagement ring its symbolic and visual value. The diamond remains the absolute reference, but other stones are increasingly making their mark as a choice of character.

The diamond: the reference

The diamond is to the engagement ring what gold is to fine jewellery: a universal standard. Its absolute hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), its incomparable brilliance and its symbolic value make it the natural choice for a piece worn daily for decades.

To choose a diamond, professionals use the 4Cs:

C

Carat

The weight. A 0.30 ct diamond is discreet; 0.50 ct is noticeable; 1 ct is a bold statement. The higher the carat, the more steeply the price rises.

C

Colour

From D (pure colourless) to Z (visible yellow). The G-H range is the best compromise: colourless to the naked eye, at a sensible price. Our pieces are graded G-VS.

C

Clarity

Internal inclusions. VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): inclusions invisible to the naked eye. This is the standard for our selections.

C

Cut

The cut. The round brilliant cut (58 facets) is the most luminous and the most widely used. It maximises the play of light for full fire.

Other stones for an engagement ring

Sapphire: deep blue, hardness 9/10, very fashionable
Ruby: passionate red, with strong symbolism
Emerald: intense Colombian green, a piece of character
Aquamarine: pale blue, lightness and delicacy
Morganite: soft pink, very popular today
Tanzanite: unique violet/blue, a rare stone

Full guide to diamond rings →

03

The metal

Choosing the metal: yellow, white or rose gold?

The metal of the setting influences the overall colour of the ring and its durability over time. In engagement-ring jewellery, 750 thousandths gold (18 carats) is the reference standard.

Yellow gold 750

The classic warmth of gold. Yellow gold beautifully highlights I-J coloured diamonds and coloured stones. It is the historic engagement-ring choice.

Warmth and classicism
Suits every skin tone
Easy upkeep
French jewellery tradition

White gold 750

The dominant choice for the past 20 years. Rhodium-plated white gold enhances D-H diamonds, creating a harmony of whites and brilliance. Modern, elegant, universal.

Enhances diamond brilliance
Contemporary trend
Easy to wear for everyone
Periodic re-rhodiuming required

Rose gold 750

Romantic and feminine, rose gold has been on trend for several years. Its warm tone goes perfectly with Mediterranean skin and softly coloured stones.

Pronounced romanticism
On-trend and current
Flattering on every skin tone
Naturally rhodium-free

Full guide: 18-carat gold rings →

04

The size

How to find the right size

A ring size corresponds to the inner circumference of the finger in millimetres. In France, women's sizes typically range from 48 to 62. The average sits between 52 and 54.

3 ways to measure

1

Borrow one of her rings

The most reliable method. Discreetly take a ring she wears on her ring finger. Measure the inner diameter in millimetres, multiply by 3.14 and you have the size.
2

String or paper

Wrap a thin string around the ring finger. Mark where it meets. Measure the length in mm: that figure is the ring size. Do it in the evening, when fingers are slightly swollen.
3

Sizer at a jeweller's

If you can take her along to try a ring for someone else, a jeweller can size her finger using a ring gauge: a foolproof professional tool.

Women's ring size guide → Ring sizes guide → FR/US/UK conversions →

FR size	Inner dia. (mm)	Circumference
48	15.3 mm	48 mm
50	15.9 mm	50 mm
52	16.5 mm	52 mm
54	17.2 mm	54 mm
56	17.8 mm	56 mm
58	18.5 mm	58 mm
60	19.1 mm	60 mm
62	19.7 mm	62 mm

In bold: the most common sizes for an adult woman in France

05

Surprise gift

Buying without knowing her size

💍

Don't know her size? It's common, and there's a solution.

A surprise proposal often means choosing a ring without knowing the size. Here are the options most often used by our customers:

Borrow a ring she already wears (the same finger if possible)
Take size 54 by default: it is the median French size
Discreetly ask a close friend or family member
Pick a ring that can easily be resized after the proposal
Keep the receipt: resizing is standard practice with us

Full guide: buying without knowing the size

06

The price

What budget to plan for?

There is no absolute rule about the budget for an engagement ring. The old two-months'-salary formula is a marketing invention. What matters is matching your choice to your situation and to the recipient's expectations.

€300 to €600

Entry level

18-carat gold ring with a small diamond or accent stones. A certified-quality piece for everyday wear.

€800 to €1,500

Mid range

Solitaire or pavé with a 0.20 to 0.35 ct diamond, solid 18-carat gold. Excellent value for money on European markets.

€1,500 to €3,000

High quality

Solitaire with a 0.27 to 0.50 ct G-VS diamond. French manufacture (Orest, Roure), exceptional finish, perfect for daily wear.

€3,000+

Fine jewellery

A 0.50 ct diamond or larger, an exclusive coloured stone, top-tier craftsmanship. A prestige piece with heirloom value.

The Andorra advantage

Andorran VAT (4.5 %) compared with 20 % in France (or 21 % in Spain) means significant savings on valuable jewellery. On a €2,000 ring, the tax differential can reach several hundred euros, with the same French manufacturing quality. Read more about Andorra jewellers.

07

The buying channel

Buy online or in store?

Both options have their advantages. The key is buying from a trusted jeweller's that guarantees the quality of the materials and supports you after the purchase (resizing, upkeep, engraving).

Buying in a physical store

Real try-on, feel on the hand
Personalised advice from an expert jeweller
Instant size measurement
Stones seen in natural light
Direct relationship of trust

Our store is in Pas de la Casa, on the French-Andorran border. See address and opening hours.

Buying online

Available 24/7 from anywhere in Europe
HD photos from multiple angles
Detailed technical sheets (weight, quality)
Insured shipping to France, Spain and the EU
Streamlined returns and resizing

Our online shop offers the same pieces, the same guarantees and the same after-care. Discover the Andorra jeweller's online.

Our selection

Engagement rings in stock

All available immediately. Certified 18-carat (750 thousandths) gold, top-quality diamonds, French manufacture. Tracked and insured shipping across Europe.

Yellow gold 18-carat diamond solitaire ring Godron

From €459

Yellow gold 18 ct

Yellow gold Godron diamond solitaire

Refined fluted band, 3 H-SI diamonds. Delicacy and natural elegance for an accessible entry into fine jewellery. Made in France.

White gold 18-carat round diamond pavé ring

Modern alternative

White gold 18 ct

White gold round diamond pavé ring

Round pavé in 18-carat white gold, surface fully covered with brilliant-cut diamonds. A contemporary alternative to the solitaire, made in France.

Yellow gold 18-carat 6-claw diamond solitaire

The absolute classic

Yellow gold 18 ct

6-claw yellow gold solitaire

The traditional solitaire in its most refined form. Solid 6-claw setting, hand-crafted, in 18-carat yellow gold. Timeless by definition.

White gold 18-carat Orest diamond solitaire

Orest Paris

White gold 18 ct · Orest

Orest 4-claw white gold diamond solitaire

0.27 ct G-VS diamond, 4 rounded claws, flat band. Artisanal manufacture by Orest, France's leading wedding-band maker. Discreet, chic, perfect.

White gold 18-carat 0.31 ct 6-claw diamond solitaire

Great classic

White gold 18 ct

0.31 ct white gold 6-claw diamond solitaire

0.31 ct G-VS brilliant-cut diamond, 6-claw setting in 18-carat white gold. The great engagement-ring classic in its most accomplished form.

Emerald and diamond accented solitaire 18-carat gold

Limited edition

Yellow gold 18 ct · Exclusive

Colombian emerald and diamond solitaire

0.39 ct Colombian emerald + 4 G-VS trapezoid diamonds. A signature piece, made in France. For those who turn away from the ordinary.

See all our engagement rings

Our expertise

Why choose Els Benvinguts?

Independent jewellers in Andorra since 1980. Specialists in fine jewellery, official partners of Orest, Roure, Gay Frères and other leading French houses.

45+

Years of expertise

Three generations devoted to engagement and wedding jewellery. A craft passed down and renewed.

VAT 4.5 %

Andorra advantage

Compared with 20 % in France. On a €2,000 solitaire, that is a real saving, with the same French manufacturing quality.

100 %

Certified

Hallmarked 18-carat gold, diamonds with G-VS quality certificates. Full transparency on every metal and every stone.

EU

Insured shipping

France, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and across Europe. Every piece is tracked, insured and comes with a jewellery box.

Discover Els Benvinguts

Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Choosing an engagement ring

How do I choose an engagement ring?

The process unfolds in 5 stages: (1) identify the recipient's style, (2) choose the stone (diamond or other), (3) choose the metal (yellow, white or rose gold), (4) find the right size or arrange resizing, (5) set the budget. This guide covers each stage in detail.
Which stone should I choose for an engagement ring?

The diamond remains the reference: hardness 10/10, incomparable brilliance, heirloom value. For a piece of character, coloured stones such as emerald, sapphire or ruby are excellent choices. The key is picking a hard stone (hardness 8 or above on the Mohs scale) for daily wear.
How do I find out my partner's ring size?

Three methods: discreetly take an existing ring and measure its inner diameter, use string around the ring finger, or ask a trusted close friend. If you have no information, order size 54 (the median French size) and plan a resize. See our dedicated guide.
What budget should I plan for an engagement ring?

There is no universal rule. In practice: a quality 18-carat gold ring with a real diamond starts around €400-€600. A reference solitaire (G-VS diamond, French artisan setting) sits between €1,500 and €2,500. Above that, you enter fine jewellery. The Andorran tax advantage can save up to 15 % on these amounts.
Is it better to buy an engagement ring online or in store?

Both options work at a trusted jeweller's. In a physical store you can try, compare and receive expert advice on the spot. Online you get convenience and access to the full collection, with the same quality guarantees and right of return. Our online shop is open 24/7.
What is the difference between a solitaire and an accented solitaire?

The solitaire features a single centre stone, with no accompaniment. The accented solitaire adds stones along the sides of the setting — round brilliant, baguette or trapezoid diamonds — that frame and enhance the centre stone. The visual effect is richer while preserving the emotional centrality of the traditional solitaire.
Yellow gold or white gold for an engagement ring?

White gold is currently the dominant choice: it enhances the brilliance of white diamonds and pairs with every style. Yellow gold is making a strong comeback, worn in a very modern way. Rose gold, romantic and warm, is especially popular on Mediterranean skin. The best approach: look at the jewellery she already wears every day.

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