IF you’re planning a proposal and wondering where to buy an engagement ring, this guide is here to help.
From bespoke designs to high street gems, this page will help you to find the perfect engagement ring that your beloved will treasure forever.
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We get it: it can be tricky to know where to buy an engagement ring online or in store, and there’s a lot of choice on the market.
There’s seemingly no end of different engagement ring styles to choose from, from bands laden with lab-grown diamonds to vintage or antique finds.
You can even design the ring completely from scratch so it’s entirely bespoke and unique.
Luckily we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites places to buy engagement rings and wedding bands from, from stores like Tiffany, H. Samuel and Goldsmiths.
Where to buy an engagement ring
Buying an engagement ring is a very important process, and one decision to make with care – after all, your partner will be (hopefully) wearing it for a long time.
You’ve got a few options: buy a ring online from a jeweller, jewellery brand or department store, shop in-store, or design a bespoke ring from scratch.
There are places that you’ve probably already heard of (for example, Ernest Jones or Selfridges) to more unique jewellery sellers like Ania Haie or Mejuri.
And if you’re totally struggling to know where to get started, read on for our expert guide to where to buy an engagement ring…
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Where to buy an engagement ring online
Selfridges
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Selfridges is the place to go for many designer jewellery brands – from Tiffany and Cartier to Boucheron and De Beers – as well as more high street-level offerings.
There’s everything from timeless solitaire styles of ring to designs laden with diamonds.
One reason we love Selfridges is that it’s a one-stop shop for all your wedding needs, including your engagement party outfit, wedding dress and shoes, as well as things like wedding favours and invites.
Be prepared to potentially spend a pretty penny, however.
Liberty London
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If you’ve ever browsed the jewellery hall at Liberty’s flagship London store, you’ll know what a treasure trove of delights it is – and if you’re looking for a unique and fashionable engagement ring, you’re spoilt for choice on the Liberty website too.
Brands include well-known names such as Alex Monroe and Astley Clarke as well as lesser-known jewellery designers like Hirotaka and Annoushka.
Ania Haie
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Ania Haie is another place to head to for fine jewellery items, and that includes engagement rings.
What we love about Ania Haie is that there’s everything from bold statement designs to more simplistic and minimalist styles.
It’s also a great place to shop for those looking for an engagement ring with a slightly lower price tag (as we all know these can come with a pretty hefty price tag).
Goldsmiths
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Goldsmiths is a popular place to buy all types of jewellery item, including engagement rings – for him and for her.
From cluster designs to solitaires, gold bands to platinum, Goldsmiths has you covered.
You may even be able to pick up your wedding bands here too, as well as eternity rings and other jewellery you may want to where on the big day.
We think Goldsmiths does traditional styles of engagement ring really well, and is a great place to look.
Monica Vinader
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Many know Monica Vinader as one of the best high street jewellery brands, with even royals such as Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle wearing it from time to time.
It’s also a great place to shop for affordable and ethical diamond rings, perfect for those who want to pop the question on a budget.
Most of the ring designs are subtle and understated, which we love – plus they can be a lot cheaper than some of the big-name jewellery brands.
You can shop other wedding day jewellery here too, and even engrave gifts to thank your bridal party after your special day.
Beaverbrooks
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Beaverbrooks is a popular shopping destination for engagement rings, wedding bands and other precious jewellery.
Beaverbrooks has over 100 years of experience in making jewellery, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to shopping for momentous occasions.
You can also shop by budget so you can stay within your price range when shopping, which may help narrow down your selection.
Plus Beaverbrooks currently has up to 20% off selected items – could your engagement ring be on offer?
Harrods
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Similar to Selfridges, Harrods is the perfect place to shop everything designer, including engagement rings.
Shoppers can scour almost 100 engagement rings online, and we’re sure there are some showstoppers in there to pique your interest.
Big jewellery brands including Pomellato, Chaumet and De Beers.
Be warned, however, as prices for engagement rings from Harrods don’t come cheap, so you need to pick carefully when buying this investment piece for your loved one.
Tiffany & Co
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We bet many dream of opening that famous pale blue box when they think about the magic moment they will be proposed to.
With that in mind, Tiffany is one of the first places that springs to mind for shop for engagement rings.
There are plenty of styles to shop at Tiffany and if we had enough fingers – and a hefty sum in the bank – we would love to wear them all.
Shoppers can be specific about their requirements, which is ideal as you want to make sure it is perfect.
Once you’ve selected your style, you can proceed to select the carat, colour, clarity and price.
H. Samuel
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H. Samuel is a longstanding high street jeweller that many will be familiar with and is often the go-to for engagement rings, with starting prices more affordable than many of the big designer names.
Shoppers can opt for pre-made designs in silver, gold, rose gold or platinum, and a selection of stones.
Alternatively you can shop vintage styles and matching bridal sets, which will take the pressure off finding a wedding band to match your engagement ring when the time comes to walk down the aisle.
There’s also currently up to 50% off selected engagement rings at H. Samuel for a limited time only.
Ernest Jones
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Ernest Jones is another firm favourite for engagement, promise and eternity rings as well as wedding bands.
From cluster designs and solitaire rings to bridal sets, there are plenty of styles to shop that are guaranteed to impress your loved one.
Not only does Ernest Jones have a huge selection but there’s also a guide to tailor the perfect engagement ring to your partner.
Ernest Jones often runs sales on its rings, so keep an eye out if you want to save a few pennies.
Cartier
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Many will probably be familiar with Cartier’s Love Ring, but there are plenty of gorgeous engagement rings to shop too – however, they are notoriously expensive.
Cartier has a designated section to shop for engagement rings online, from solitaire creations to cluster gems, with prices starting at just under £3,000.
Astrid & Miyu
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If you’re after a modern design at an affordable price, the high street store Astrid & Miyu is well worth a browse, with rings starting from as little as £60.
There’s a range of different metals to choose from, and designs decorated with semi-precious stones.
Some rings feature one solo gem, while others are a dainty band laced with dazzling jewels.
Astrid & Miyu’s also make great temporary engagement rings, if you want something to propose with and then plan to buy the ‘proper’ ring together.
Mejuri
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For something modern yet timeless, and with a big focus on sustainability, have a look at Mejuri’s selection of rings.
With just 17 engagement ring styles, it’s not a huge selection, but they’re guaranteed to delight any fashion-forward newlywed-to-be.
Mejuri’s designs are created with their impact on the planet and its people in mind, with an ongoing commitment to reduce waste where possible.
Pandora
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Although best known for its charm bracelets, don’t forget that high street favourite Pandora also has a huge selection of rings for sale too.
There’s something for every budget, from £45-£2,990, with the designs looking much more expensive than their high street price tag.
Orelia
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If you’re on a budget, or looking for an engagement ring to hold the space on the ring finger until you and your partner decide on your preferred one, Orelia is a great place to shop.
Orelia is another affordable high-street jewellery retailer the royal family are fond of, as Kate Middleton caused sales of the Chain Hoop Earrings to skyrocket after she wore them.
There are plenty of ring designs, but we think the Crystal & Molten Ring Made With Swarovski Crystals, which is currently on sale, looks far more luxurious than the price tag lets on.
Vrai
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Vrai has a wide variety of engagement rings plus other jewellery pieces to invest in.
One of the best parts about Vrai is it prides itself on being a sustainable luxury jewellery label.
The lab-grown diamonds have been sustainably created using greenhouse gases, which have been crystallised to create dazzling gems.
Vrai also gives shoppers the option to create their own design, perfect for the fussy shopper or those who like personalised creations.
Taylor & Hart
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Taylor & Hart has a wide variety of engagement rings to shop as well as wedding rings, which makes it a one-stop shop for your wedding accessories – well, the important ones at least.
Whatever engagement ring style you’re looking for, shoppers hunting for the perfect piece are spoilt for choice.
You can choose from Taylor & Hart’s own creations, or get creative and design your own.
Prices fetch from £700 up to £12,000, so there’s bound to be something to suit every shopper’s needs.
Fenton
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Fenton is another go-to destinations for those shopping for an engagement ring.
Fenton has a wide range of cuts and styles, as well as an array of gems to select from.
Some may opt for sapphires, emeralds or rubies, while others may want to select from the range of diamonds to fit in your ring.
Similar to other jewellers, you can design your ring to better suit your needs and partner’s style preferences.
Lark & Berry
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Lark & Berry prides itself on creating lab-grown diamonds for a more eco-friendly engagement ring option.
From solitaire to trinity designs, classic bands to intricate designs, there is a vast array to shop.
Prices for engagement rings start from £2,600 – but you can’t put a price on high-quality engagement rings for your life partner.
Etsy
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Whether you’re looking for a bespoke design or something a little more affordable, Etsy has plenty of choice.
What we love about shopping on Etsy is that you come across creative designers who are lesser known than the bigger brands, but arguably more unique.
Whether you’re looking for vintage engagement rings or more artistic creations, Etsy has it all.
At Etsy you can also pick up personalised wedding essentials such as hen prep, party gifting, invites and much more.
Fenwick
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Fenwick doesn’t have a huge selection of rings online, but if you’re looking for something a little different – and at a surprisingly affordable price – it’s worth checking out.
Fashionable brands include Swarovski, Missoma and ChloBo, with rings available to buy from as little as £34.
If you’re buying for a fashion lover, one of these could make a good placeholder ring until you buy something a little more timeless.
Alternatively, you may find more choices in a Fenwick store.
Harvey Nichols
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We’ve been taken by some of the rings on the Harvey Nichols website, including this dainty Dinny Hall design above.
In addition to traditional solitaires and bands, you can find chunky, modern styles and statement stones.
Prices online range start from £98 and go up to a whopping £25,800, so there is something for every budget.
You can even find one that looks a little like the Princess of Wales’s famous blue sapphire engagement ring.
Where to buy engagement rings in London
There are plenty of retailers to shop in London and the rest of the UK if you wish look at the ring in person – plus gauge sizing better.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
The price of an engagement ring can vary from £100-odd from high street retailers to thousands of pounds – or even tens of thousands.
The end price is limitless, especially if you want to design a bespoke engagement ring.
The cost of your engagement ring varies depending on the metal you opt for the band, as well as the cut, carat and clarity of the diamond or precious stone.
Another factor to keep in mind is if you want one diamond or numerous, as that can also increase costs.
Even high-quality vintage and antique rings can cost anything from £1,000 to £20,000+, depending on age, size, style and gem (sapphires, emeralds, amethysts and garnets are all popular.
According to research, the average cost of an engagement ring in the UK in 2020 was £1,865 – however what you spend is completely down to you, your style preferences and, most importantly, your budget.
You mustn’t spend beyond your means, as ultimately your partner loves you for you and not the size of the rock on their finger.
Where is the best place to buy an engagement ring?
There are plenty of places to shop engagement rings, and again, it comes down to your style and budget, and also if you want to design a bespoke ring.
Many dream about owning a Tiffany ring, and this can be a great place to start to find the style you most prefer (you may then be able to recreate this at another jeweller).
We love Etsy for its vintage and bespoke designs, and we’re also impressed with Ania Haie’s selection of affordable and delicate engagement rings.
For those looking to spend a little more, head to Harrods or Cartier.
How to buy an engagement ring
There are several ways to buy an engagement ring.
You can simply buy to order, like ready-to-wear fashion, either online or in-store.
Your ring may be ready to walk away with immediately, or there may be a short wait time while they get it delivered to you or the store.
Many jewellers will also offer an exchange or resizing service if the fit isn’t quite right.
Alternatively, you can design a ring from scratch with a jeweller, choosing everything from the design to the metal and the stones, ending up with a completely bespoke piece of jewellery.
What size engagement ring do I need?
The size of your engagement ring depends on the circumference of your wedding ring finger, which is the fourth finger on your left hand – or the one before your pinky finger.
The size of your finger can be measured in millimetres, and some retailers measure using letters.
We recommend ordering a ring sizer from the store you wish to purchase your engagement ring from to find out (some stores give these away free).
Another DIY method is to wrap string or tape around their finger, mark the point and measure against a ruler.
Alternatively, measure against other rings your partner has.
Where is the cheapest place to buy an engagement ring?
High street shops are the cheapest places to buy an engagement ring – for example, we found a very respectable looking ring at H. Samuel for just £55.
Other cheaper places to look include Missoma, Ernest Jones and Orelia.
This Orelia ring is currently on sale for just £12.50 – the cheapest ring in our round-up above (just maybe don’t tell your partner that!).
Amazon also sells a big selection of jewellery, and you might be able to find what you’re looking for here.
You also might be able to find bargain rings in local jewellers, pawn shops or even charity shops.
You could even have an engagement ring for free if you’re giving a family heirloom (although of course, their sentimental value is priceless) – so it might be worth having this discussion with your or your partner’s family to see if there’s a piece of jewellery they’d like handed down.
Of course, any style of ring can serve as the ring – you don’t have to only search for an ‘engagement ring’ – so try broadening your search if you’re struggling to find one within your budget.
You can also cut costs by opting for cubic zirconia instead of diamonds, sterling silver instead of platinum and gold-plated instead of full gold.
Where not to buy an engagement ring
We’ve listed plenty of ideas on where to buy an engagement ring, but how about where not to buy one?
It’s important when parting with large sums of money to buy your ring from a reputable seller, whether that’s a big-name store or a licensed jeweller.
This will ensure that your money is protected as much as possible if anything were to go wrong with your order.
Likewise, buying expensive jewellery from Instagram or other social media stores also comes with risks – be sure to thoroughly do your research before clicking ‘buy’.
If buying online, also check what the store’s delivery policy is, and make sure that the parcel will be insured up to its full value if it were to go missing in the post.
If in doubt, see if there are any reviews about your chosen retailer that you can read before buying, to gauge how other shoppers’ experiences were.
Other places to avoid will depend on your other half’s preferences; for example, if they’ve always had their heart set on a vintage ring, you’re better off steering clear of the mass market high street shops.
Of course, your budget will also dictate where to avoid – there’s no point browsing the Tiffany website if your budget is a couple of hundred pounds, for example.
Where to buy affordable engagement rings
Buying an engagement ring is still a big purchase, but luckily nowadays loads of brilliant affordable options will show your love without breaking the bank.
The well-known high street jewellers have lots of choice for all budgets – for example, Ernest Jones engagement rings start from £65, and H. Samuel’s from just £54.99.
Some of our favourite fashionable jewellery brands also make lovely engagement rings – we’d be thrilled to receive anything from brands like Missoma, Monica Vinader and Ania Haie – and these prices range from around £50 to £1,500.
Alternatively, you could choose to design your ring at a jeweller; this way you can set your budget from the start, and then they can work to create a ring from your requirements within that – and at the end, you’ll have a one-off ring, too.
Another way to spread out the cost of an engagement ring is to pay it off in instalments – something that a lot of the bigger stores offer.
It’s important not to commit to spending more than you can afford though, as no romantic gesture is worth getting into money troubles for.
See above for our list of the best engagement rings for all budgets.
Where to buy a wedding ring
After your beloved has said yes, you’re going to also need to shop for a wedding ring at some point in the future.
Luckily if you’ve got to the bottom of this page, you’ve already learnt about some great places to buy important jewellery from, and many of retailers that sell engagement rings will also sell wedding rings.
On the high street, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths and Beaverbrooks all have a great selection of wedding rings for men and women, as do high-end designers like Tiffany and Cartier.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a modern, unique option, The Great Frog is proving a popular choice for wedding rings amongst men.
And if you’re designing your engagement ring, your jeweller should be able to create a wedding band that suits it perfectly.
Good luck!
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