COVID-19 Restriction update - Latest information & FAQ's
Our store will be closed from the 20th Dec 2020. Our phone, online sales & customer services are still open.
Our manufacturing will stay open throughout the national restrictions to produce orders. At present we are not experiencing any major delays and are aiming to deliver all on time. You will be contacted before items are sent to you.
Our phone lines will be open from 9:30am-5:30pm as normal. Alternatively you can contact us on sales@shiningdiamonds.co.uk
If you are returning an online/store order please contact us on sales@shiningdiamonds.co.uk to arrange a return. Please do not send back returns without prior information to us by email.
We're open for video appointments. Remote appointments can be organised through Zoom or WhatsApp. To book an appointment email sales@shiningdiamonds.co.uk or book online.
Live Chat OPEN Choose a Diamond Shape that will make the ring sparkle
The first step for choosing an engagement ring is choosing the shape of the diamond. It may be that your loved one has an idea of what they want already – they could have had their heart set on a round-brilliant cut, or fancy something a little more unique with an emerald cut - but if you’re sure and need some advice, read through our guide on the different type of diamond cuts for full details.A breakdown of the various types of diamond cuts are included below:
Also known as a round-brilliant cut, this is a cone shaped diamond which is one of the most popular choices for engagement rings. With 58 facets, it maximises light reflection and sparkle – and is known for being the ultimate symbol of love.
Round
Boasting sparkle through its square-shape design, the princess cut allows for an iconic style for the wearer. As another popular choice among ring buyers, the pointed corners of this stone creates a bold statement, and maximises sparkle.
Princess
An emerald cut stone provides a higher clarity diamond, with step-cut rectangular facets arranged in a parallel setting. This type of cut is finished off with smooth corners, and is perfect for offering a vintage timeless look.
Emerald
Featuring a coned based and curved edges, the oval diamond cut catches the light and sparkles exceptionally. Designed in the 1960s, you can expect a timeless ring with the connotations of love and romance entwined in the sparkles of the diamond.
Oval
Another popular choice among engagement ring buyers, the pear cut diamond is teardrop shaped, and was designed with new techniques in diamond shaping had been introduced – dating back to the 1400s. This type of cut can be worn pointed towards or away from the wearer.
Pear
An elongated shape with pointed ends, the marquise cut is distinctive and original – providing a unique shape for a striking engagement ring. Originally styled on a woman’s smile, it’s designed with sharp ends to complement the wearer’s hands.
Marquise
Shaped as the name describes, the heart cut stone is the ultimate symbol of romance. The cut of the heart diamond is complex, meaning that it is rarer than others – and is thought to symbolise eternal romance. This cut is perfect for those who love a bit of sparkle, due to its multiple facets.
Heart
An alternative cut to the round cut or princess cut, the cushion cut diamond boasts exuberant sparkle and light reflection. Popular among celebrities over recent years, you can select between a more square or rectangular shape to sit on a precious metal band.
Cushion
The asscher cut is an octagonal diamond with a square shape, designed with layered facets featuring a high crown and deep pavilion. Gaining popularity back in the early 2000s after a small change to the cut technique, this is a great choice for a unique ring.
Asscher
Oozing sparkle and brilliance, combining both a square and rectangular shape, the radiant cut diamond is designed with 70 facets. This provides a stunning multi-stone ring style – as it was the first square cut diamond with a brilliant cut facet pattern.
Radiant
Find your perfect ring setting
Choosing your ring setting is just as important as choosing your shape – so it’s important to understand what the different types of ring settings are, and which ones complement which shapes. Use our ring setting carousel below to find out more about the different ring settings, and choose the perfect one for your engagement ring.
Choose your ring metal
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White Gold
A common choice among engagement ring buyers, and a contemporary option, white gold is a combination of yellow gold with palladium and copper – creating that iconic ‘silvery-white’ character. This type of metal is also plated with rhodium – which gives it its white lustre, and prevents chips and scratches.
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Yellow Gold
A traditional choice, the signature yellow from yellow gold metal comes from its mixture of pure gold, silver and copper. Perfect for those who are on more of a budget, yellow gold offers a classic look while keeping simplistic – which is ideal for creating a platform to showcase your diamond.
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Rose Gold
Also known as pink gold or red gold, rose gold metal has become an increasingly popular choice among engagement ring buyers. Perfect for adding a sense of amour to your ring, the rose gold metal creates a traditional yet illustrious style – created by combining yellow gold with a copper alloy.
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Platinum
A naturally white metal with a cool lustre, platinum metal offers a platform to showcase the brilliance and sparkle of your engagement ring’s diamond. As one of the most popular choices for engagement rings, due its rarity and purity, platinum is a durable and hard metal, making it the perfect choice for those who have a slightly higher budget.
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Find your partner’s ring size
As a jeweller, we often get asked how to find out partners’ ring sizes. This is common when you’re in the research stage of buying a ring – but when it comes to purchasing, it’s important to know the correct size. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to measure ring size, and also, how to secretly find out your partner’s ring size – which is ideal if you’re looking to purchase on engagement ring as a surprise. However, some of the top tips include:
Learn the 4C’s of Diamonds
One of the most important things to consider when buying an engagement ring is the 4C’s. This refers to cut, clarity, colour and carat – and they are considered the staples of diamond buying. Once you’ve considered all of these elements and chosen what you require for your engagement ring, you’re almost ready to purchase! For more information on the 4C’s of diamond buying, visit our diamond buying guide now.
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Cut
To release its inner beauty, a diamond must be cut in perfect proportions – while ensuring the consideration of the refractive index and dispersive power. A beautifully cut diamond will have lots of sparkle.
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Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to blemishes and inclusions on and within the stone. Most diamonds have inclusions – we select the best to ensure these unique markings will not visible to the naked eye.
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Colour
Diamond colour actually refers to the lack of colour in diamonds – the most valuable colour is often described as ‘white’, as they are colourless. Diamond colour is graded from D to Z to show its value.
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Carat
Often confused as the size of a diamond, the carat is actually the measure of a diamond’s weight. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, for example, a 5-carat stone will weigh 1 gram.
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Shop online or visit us in store
Once you’ve worked through the above five steps – you’ve decided on the 4C’s, you know the ring size and you’ve chosen the engagement ring metal – you’re ready to purchase your ring. Either choose to purchase online from our easy to use ‘customise and buy’ section, or visit us in store our in our Hatton Garden showroom. For any more information on our engagement ring guide, or for support and advice, contact a member of our helpful team now.
