Ring Essentials - An Introduction to Wedding & Engagement Rings

There’s more to rings than meets the eye.

From precious metals and diamond quality to shape, size and care, understanding the details helps you choose and look after rings you’ll wear for a lifetime.

This guide is a starting point to explore these details, deepen your understanding, and choose your rings with confidence.

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 come in a variety of cross-sectional profiles - this refers to the shape you see when the ring is cut and viewed from the side. From softly rounded edges that offer a classic, comfortable fit, to flatter, more contemporary styles with clean lines, each shape brings its own character. Below are some of the most common profiles and finishes to help you find a style that suits you.

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

Finishes also play an important role affecting how the metal reflects light. The main finishes are brightly polished, brushed matte, sandblasted, frost effect, and hand-hammered.

The Ring Finger
Traditionally, engagement and wedding rings are worn on the left hand, on the finger next to the little finger - it's known as the 'fourth finger' or 'ring finger'. This custom comes from an historical belief that a vein in this finger runs directly to the heart. However, there are no rules you have to follow - especially when it comes to celebrating your relationship in a way that feels meaningful to you.

Some couples choose to wear their rings on the right hand instead, whether for cultural reasons, personal comfort, or simply preference. If you’re left-handed, you might prefer wearing your rings on your right hand to keep them more protected during everyday activities. Others may choose different fingers altogether; for example, there is a tradition among men of the British royal family to wear their wedding ring on the little finger.

For LGBTQ+ couples, ring placement can also be a meaningful way to express identity and individuality - there’s no "one way" to do it. Ultimately, the "right" ring finger is simply the one that feels right to you.

GUIDE TO RING SIZES

Diamond Shapes & Cuts
Diamonds come in a variety of shapes and cuts, each offering its own character and way of reflecting light. From the classic brilliance of round cuts to the clean lines of princess and baguette styles, the shape you choose plays a key role in the overall look and feel of your ring.
Diamond shapes and cuts for LGBTQ engagement rings

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.

GUIDE TO PRECIOUS METALS

Ring Care
Wearing your rings every day naturally leads to wear and tear, but the right care can make all the difference. This guide covers simple ways to clean, protect and maintain your rings, helping them stay in excellent condition over time.

GUIDE TO RING CARE

LGBTQ Ring Guides
You’ve chosen your partner - now it’s time to shape the next step together. As a gay-owned jewellery studio with many years’ experience creating rings for LGBTQ couples, we know that traditional rules don’t always fit. Our guides are designed to help you explore your options, from proposals to ring design, so you can create something that truly reflects your relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions
We know there’s a lot to consider when choosing your rings. These FAQs cover some key questions, with more detailed guidance available on our full FAQ page.

FAQs