The Barovic Guide to Choosing an Engagement Ring

At Barovic we know that choosing an engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you'll ever make, and one of the most personal. With so many styles, stones, metals, and settings to consider, it can feel overwhelming. In this guide we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding ring styles to choosing a gemstone, selecting a metal, and getting the budget right.

We stock engagement rings in 18ct gold and platinum, ranging from £1,295 to £17,000, with styles to suit every taste, from understated solitaires to show-stopping coloured gemstone clusters. Whether you're shopping for yourself or planning a surprise, this guide will help you find the one with confidence.

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Engagement Ring Styles: Which Is Right for You?

The style of an engagement ring refers to the way the stone, or stones, are set and arranged. Here are the main styles available at Barovic.

Solitaire Engagement Rings

A solitaire ring features a single stone on a plain or lightly detailed band, the most classic engagement ring style of all. The simplicity puts the stone centre stage, making it ideal for those who prefer clean, timeless jewellery.

At Barovic, our solitaire range includes certified diamond solitaires in platinum from £1,399, as well as handmade lab-grown diamond solitaires in 18ct gold, including a striking 1.56ct rectangular fancy yellow lab-grown diamond and a 1.36ct oval lab-grown diamond, both certified.

Best for: Those who love classic, enduring style and want the stone to speak for itself.

Halo Engagement Rings

A halo ring surrounds the central stone with a ring of smaller diamonds, amplifying its apparent size and brilliance. The effect is glamorous and eye-catching, and the style works beautifully with both round and fancy-shaped centre stones.

Best for: Those who love maximum sparkle and a ring that makes a statement.

Trilogy Engagement Rings

A trilogy ring, also known as a three-stone ring, features a central stone flanked by two smaller stones on either side. Traditionally, the three stones represent the past, present, and future of a relationship, making it one of the most meaningful ring styles.

Best for: Those who love symbolism and want a ring with a sense of story.

Cluster Engagement Rings

A cluster ring groups multiple smaller stones together to create a single, impressive centrepiece — often mimicking the look of a much larger stone. Cluster rings are distinctive, bold, and full of character.

Best for: Those who want something distinctive, vintage-inspired, or truly unique.

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Choosing a Gemstone

The gemstone is the heart of any engagement ring. Diamonds remain the most popular choice, but coloured gemstones are increasingly sought after — offering something personal, vibrant, and deeply meaningful.

Diamonds

The traditional engagement ring gemstone, diamonds are prized for their unmatched hardness (the hardest natural substance on earth), brilliance, and longevity. At Barovic, we stock certified natural diamonds in a range of cuts — brilliant round, emerald cut, princess cut, and baguette — set in platinum and 18ct gold.

Many of our diamond rings carry independent diamond certification, confirming the quality and specification of the stone. Prices for diamond engagement rings in our collection start from £1,399.

Diamond Rings

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and visually identical to natural diamonds — they are real diamonds, just created in a controlled environment rather than mined from the earth. They offer exceptional brilliance at a significantly lower price point, and are increasingly popular with couples who value sustainability.

Best for: Those who want the look and quality of a diamond at better value, or with a lower environmental footprint.

Lab Grown Diamond Rings

Sapphire

Sapphires are one of the most popular alternatives to diamonds for engagement rings — famously worn by Princess Diana and later Kate Middleton. Deep blue sapphires are the most recognised, but sapphires also come in a range of colours. They rank 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them an excellent choice for everyday wear.

Sapphire Rings

Emerald

Emeralds bring a lush, deep green that is unlike any other gemstone. Historically associated with royalty and romance, they are a bold and distinctive choice for an engagement ring. Emeralds rate 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale — beautiful but best suited to settings that offer some protection, like bezels or halos.

Emerald Rings

Ruby

Rubies are the gemstone of passion and love — a deeply symbolic choice for an engagement ring. Their vivid red colour is instantly striking, and at 9 on the Mohs scale, they are exceptionally durable.

Ruby Rings

Opal

Opals are one of nature's most spectacular gemstones — each one unique, displaying a shifting play of colour unlike any other stone. They are a meaningful, individual choice, though being softer (5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale), they suit those who will care for their ring thoughtfully.

Opal Rings

Aquamarine

Aquamarines have a serene, pale blue clarity that evokes the sea. They are a softer, romantic alternative to sapphire, with a cool, ethereal quality that suits those who prefer understated beauty. Aquamarines rate 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale.

Aquamarine Rings

Morganite & Pink Tourmaline

For those drawn to soft blush and rose tones, morganite and pink tourmaline offer a romantic, feminine alternative that has grown significantly in popularity in recent years.

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Choosing a Metal

The metal of an engagement ring affects its appearance, durability, and how it complements the wearer's skin tone. At Barovic, all engagement rings are crafted in 18ct gold or platinum, the finest precious metals available.

18ct Gold

18ct gold contains 75% pure gold, a higher gold content than 9ct, which gives it a richer colour and a more luxurious feel. It is available in three colours:

Yellow Gold

Warm, classic, and traditional. Suits olive and darker skin tones particularly well.

White Gold

Cool-toned and contemporary. Gives a similar appearance to platinum but at a lower price point.

Rose Gold

Romantic and distinctive, with a warm blush tone that flatters most skin tones.

18ct gold is durable but may develop a natural patina over time, which many consider part of its charm. It can be repolished to restore its original finish.

Platinum

Platinum is the most premium metal for engagement rings. It is naturally white (unlike white gold, which is yellow gold plated with rhodium), hypoallergenic, and exceptionally durable. Platinum is denser and heavier than gold, and its colour does not fade or change over time — it develops a natural satin finish called a patina, which many people find very appealing.

Certified diamond solitaires at Barovic are predominantly set in platinum, reflecting the metal's status as the gold standard for fine diamond jewellery.

Platinum is best for: those who want a ring they truly never need to think about — it will look beautiful for a lifetime with minimal maintenance.

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Understanding Diamond Cuts

The cut of a diamond refers to its shape and the way it has been faceted. Cut is one of the most important factors in a diamond's brilliance. The main cuts available at Barovic include:

Brilliant Round Cut — the most popular cut, engineered for maximum light return and sparkle.

Emerald Cut — a rectangular step-cut with a hall-of-mirrors effect. Elegant, sophisticated, and elongating on the finger.

Princess Cut — a square cut with excellent brilliance, modern and sharp-edged.

Oval Cut — similar brilliance to a round but elongated, making it appear larger and flattering on the hand.

Pear Cut — teardrop-shaped, romantic and distinctive.

Marquise Cut — long and pointed at both ends, maximising carat weight appearance.

Cushion Cut — a softened square with rounded corners, vintage-inspired and full of character.

Baguette — rectangular with step-cut facets, often used as accent stones alongside a centre gem.

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What Does Certified Diamond Mean?

Several rings in our collection are listed as Certified Diamond. This means the diamond has been independently graded by a recognised gemological laboratory — typically the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (International Gemological Institute), and comes with a certificate confirming its exact specifications: carat weight, cut, colour, and clarity (the four Cs).

A certified diamond gives you complete transparency and peace of mind about exactly what you are buying.

Handmade Rings at Barovic

A number of rings in our collection are described as handmade, crafted individually by skilled goldsmiths rather than mass-produced. Handmade rings often have a uniqueness to their finish that sets them apart: slight variations in texture, more intricate detail, and a quality of craftsmanship that reflects real human skill and time.

Our handmade pieces include rose gold and platinum solitaires, lab-grown diamond trilogy rings, and coloured gemstone designs — many of them one-of-a-kind.

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Setting a Budget

Engagement rings at Barovic range from £1,295 to £17,000, covering a wide range of budgets without compromising on quality. Every ring in our collection is crafted in 18ct gold or platinum and set with genuine precious or semi-precious stones.

If you have a specific budget in mind, you can filter by price on our engagement rings page, or speak to our team during a personal shopping appointment who can help you find the best ring for your budget.

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Getting the Ring Size Right

Most Barovic engagement rings are stocked in ring sizes J through P, which covers the majority of women's ring sizes in the UK. If you're unsure of your ring size, or shopping as a surprise, our team can advise on sizing during your personal shopping appointment, and many styles can be adjusted after purchase.

Ring size guide

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Book a Free Personal Shopping Appointment

If you'd like expert guidance in person, we offer a free personal jewellery shopping experience, a dedicated appointment with one of our jewellery specialists, tailored entirely to your taste, style, and budget. There's no pressure and no obligation, just expert advice and the chance to try on rings and see them in person.

We also offer click & collect for those who prefer to browse online first.

Book an appointment

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How to Choose an Engagement Ring in 6 Steps

1. Start with style — solitaire, halo, trilogy, or cluster?
2. Choose your stone — diamond, lab-grown diamond, or a coloured gemstone?
3. Pick a metal — 18ct gold (yellow, white, or rose) or platinum?
4. Set a budget — our range covers £1,295 to £17,000 with no compromise on quality
5. Get sized — or book an appointment and our team will help
6. Come and see us — nothing compares to trying a ring on in person

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