The questions we’re asked most often, answered by the team at Marmalade. For the bigger picture, read How to Get Engaged.
How do I find their ring size without asking?
You don’t need to. Propose with the ring as it is, then bring it back to us and we’ll size it properly. Resizing is included as standard, and almost every engagement ring needs a small adjustment anyway.
If you’d still like a head start, borrow a ring they wear on the same finger of the same hand, and bring it in or draw carefully around the inside on paper. A trusted friend or family member may know too. Don’t let the size be the reason you wait.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Spend what feels comfortable, not what a rule tells you. The famous “three months’ salary” began as a diamond advertising campaign, not as a tradition, and there’s no reason to follow it.
The right ring is the one that feels right for the person you love and sits comfortably within what you want to spend. Tell us your budget when you come in. We’ll show you where it makes the biggest difference: a well-cut diamond, for example, will outshine a larger but poorly cut one, and a stone just under a round weight can look the same for noticeably less. Interest-free credit is available through Novuna, subject to status.
Platinum or white gold?
Both are beautiful, and both are white. The difference is in how they wear.
Platinum is naturally white, dense and heavy. Over time it develops a soft sheen, called a patina, and when it’s scratched the metal moves rather than wears away, so it lasts extremely well. It’s usually the more expensive choice.
18ct white gold is gold alloyed with white metals and finished with a bright rhodium plating. It’s a little lighter, and the plating needs refreshing every so often to keep it brilliant white, which we can do for you.
Whichever you choose, we’d suggest making your wedding band in the same metal, so the two wear evenly side by side.
Natural or lab-grown diamonds?
We set our engagement rings with natural diamonds, and we’re happy to use a laboratory-grown diamond if you’d prefer one. Both are real diamonds and can look identical, but their value behaves very differently over time, and we’ll explain that honestly before you choose. Our guide, Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds, goes into more detail.
What if they don’t like the ring?
It happens far less than people fear. In twenty-two years, we’ve been asked to change a ring after the proposal only a handful of times, because the yes is to you, not to the ring.
If it does happen, come back and see us together. We’ll happily exchange the ring or change the design until it feels completely right.
Can I use a family stone in an engagement ring?
Often, yes, and it can make a ring very special. We’ll examine the stone first and tell you honestly whether it will wear well every day. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are ideal. Softer stones, such as opals and emeralds, need more care and a protective setting.
Older diamonds are often cut in styles no longer made today. We can keep that character, or talk you through recutting if you’d prefer more brilliance. The gold from a family piece can sometimes be used too.
How long does an engagement ring take?
We work to your date. Many clients find a ring in the shop and take it home the same day. If we’re making something for you, tell us when you plan to propose and we’ll plan every stage around it, so it’s ready in time.
Still have a question?
Ask us. There’s no such thing as a silly question when you’re about to ask the most important one of all.
