RINGS, RINGS, RINGS

Before you even get to your wedding day, you need an engagement ring! Here’s our quick
guide to rings.

Metals
Rings can come in a range of metals, and while you can factor in things like your skin tone
and the cost, it’s ultimately up to you what you choose. The primary options for metals
include:
 Silver
 Gold
 Platinum
 Rose Gold
 Mixed metal

Stones
Common stones to be found on engagement rings include:
 Diamonds (colourless or coloured) – this is the most classic option, and one of the
shiniest! Keep in mind, when shopping for diamonds, that many diamonds are not
ethically sourced– consider seeking out ethical sources or lab-grown diamonds.
 Moissanite – moissanite is a cheaper, more ethical, and just as sparkly alternative to
diamonds.
 Sapphires, Rubies, Amethysts, and Emeralds – these lovely stones offer a colourful
yet still precious alternative to diamond.

Cuts
A beginners’ guide to stone cuts can be found below!
 Round brilliant – circular and optimal for sparkle!
 Princess – square with sharp edges
 Cushion – square with rounded edges

 Asscher – square-ish, with straightened corners
 Radiant and Emerald – both long rectangles, with slightly different details in the
surface of the cut
 Marquise – long, oval-like shape with pointed tips
 Pear –wider, rounded end and the other pointed
 Oval – longer shape with rounded edges
 Heart – exactly as it sounds!
 Baguette – a very long and thin rectangle
 Triangle and Trilliant – the former, as it suggests, and the latter, a triangle with
rounded edges

Styles
Here’s a guide to help you understand what all these style names mean:
 Solitaire – leave that gemstone all by itself!
 Bezel – a solo stone again, yet much more embedded into the band, surrounded by a
rim of metal
 Halo – a circle of smaller gemstones surrounds the centre stone
 Shoulder stones – smaller stones embedded into the band alongside the centre stone

 Cluster – similar to the halo, but with larger stones surrounding the centre stone,
and perhaps in an alternative pattern to a simple circle around it
 Trilogy or 3-Stone – a large centre stone is accompanied by two (often, but not necessarily, smaller) stones, one on each side
 Vintage – unique and more intricate designs with an antique feel
 Cathedral – stones set quite high above the band and supported by sweeping curves
(like arches in a cathedral)