Wedding & Engagement Rings Explained

There's actually a lot to know about rings.

The standards for gold, palladium and platinum.

Diamond quality. Shapes and sizes.

And taking care of your rings.

Choosing wedding rings and engagement rings is an exciting moment, but there is quite a lot to consider. From precious metals and ring sizes to diamonds, designs, and finishes, each decision helps shape the rings you will wear for a lifetime. You may also wish to learn about caring for your rings, cleaning them properly, and protecting them with insurance.

Anatomy of a Ring
Engagement and wedding rings are made up of several dimensions that influence their comfort, strength and overall style. Understanding the anatomy of a ring can help you to think about the shapes, widths and weight that will feel right for you. Knowing how the different parts work together can make it easier to choose a design that suits both your taste and everyday lifestyle.

Shapes & Finishes - Rings are made in a number of cross-sectional profiles. Some of the more usual ones are shown below.

D - Flat inner surface rising to a dome on the outside
Court - Gentle curved inner and outer faces; the inner court is often referred to as "comfort fit"
D Court Flat - combines the comfort of the inner curve with the depth of the dome and a flat outer face
Flat - flat surfaces on both the inner and outer faces

A range of finishes is also used to style wedding rings, usually only on the outer face. These include: highly polished, matte, sandblasted, frost effect, and hammered.

To ensure your rings are the perfect fit please see our guide to ring sizes.

Anatomy of a Diamond
Diamonds are precisely cut to maximise their beauty and brilliance. Although they may look straightforward, each diamond is made up of different sections that work together to reflect and refract light. From the flat top surface to the pointed base, every part of the diamond’s structure affects how it handles light and how bright it appears. We hope this diagram helps you to better understand the complexity of diamonds.

To find out more please see our guide to diamonds.

Shades of Colour
Gold and other precious metals naturally occur in different colours and can also be alloyed to create a range of distinctive shades. By blending pure gold with small amounts of other metals, our workshop can produce colours such as yellow, white, rose, and champagne gold, each with its own character and appeal. Understanding the different colours available in precious metals can help you choose a ring that complements your personality and skin tone.

To find out more see our guide to precious metals.

Expert Guides
We have created a set of guides containing a wealth of additional helpful information so you can explore the options and choose with confidence.