Whether you’re planning on buying a ring as a gift for a loved one or as a treat for yourself, at Miltons Diamonds we’ve got some helpful ring buying tips in our brand-new ring buying guide, designed to help you navigate the sometimes tricky journey of finding that perfect jewellery piece. We’ll cover how to find the right ring size, the various metals to choose from and general tips for buying a ring so that you or your loved one can enjoy your brand-new ring with confidence.
There are many ring size charts available online as well as physical ring sizers, both of which can be used to determine your ring size and will help you when buying a ring as it will ensure that it will fit your finger perfectly. Physical ring sizers can be purchased online and kept for reuse, or you can simply visit a local jewellery store and ask to use their ring sizing tools. A plastic ring sizer can be placed around the chosen finger and tightened to a snug fit, revealing your true ring size. Or, if you don’t want to buy a physical ring sizer you can measure your ring size with a piece of string. Simply wrap the string around the finger and mark the point where the string meets, then measure the length and refer back to to a ring size conversion chart online to get the correct ring size.
If you’re buying a ring as a gift, however, finding out the person’s ring size may prove difficult, but there are ways around it! If you have access to an existing ring, take a ruler and measure the inside diameter of the ring and use the chart below to discover the ring size. Or take it to a jeweller and ask them to measure it for you.
The official ring measurement guide refers to a letter system, with each letter being the equivalent of a millimeter measurement. Use the measurement taken from the string method or the ring diameter measurement to find the right size in our ring size chart.
| UK RING SIZE | APPROX US RING SIZE | INSIDE DIAMETER (MM) | INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE (MM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 3 3/4 | 14.48 | 45.5 |
| H | 4 1/4 | 14.88 | 46.8 |
| I | 4 3/4 | 15.29 | 48 |
| J | 5 1/4 | 15.49 | 48.7 |
| K | 5 1/2 | 15.9 | 50 |
| L | 6 | 16.31 | 51.2 |
| M | 6 1/2 | 16.71 | 52.5 |
| N | 7 | 17.12 | 53.8 |
| O | 7 1/2 | 17.53 | 55.1 |
| P | 8 | 17.93 | 56.3 |
| Q | 8 1/2 | 18.34 | 57.6 |
| R | 8 3/4 | 18.75 | 58.9 |
| S | 9 1/2 | 19.15 | 60.2 |
| T | 9 3/4 | 19.56 | 61.4 |
| U | 10 1/4 | 19.96 | 62.7 |
| V | 10 3/4 | 20.37 | 64 |
| W | 11 1/4 | 20.78 | 65.3 |
| X | 11 3/4 | 21.18 | 66.6 |
| Y | 12 1/4 | 21.59 | 67.8 |
| Z | 12 3/4 | 21.79 | 68.5 |
The diamond is the most eye-catching element of an engagement ring and is symbolic of the love you share for one another. The diamond quality is, therefore, an important factor to consider when choosing your precious stone. The quality of your diamond can be graded on four factors, these are called the 4 'C's', which are Colour, Clarity, Carat and Cut.
When it comes to diamond colour, the less visible the colour, the higher the grade of the diamond.
Clarity generally refers to the presence of identifying marks on the surface and inside of the diamond. The range goes from FL/IF for Flawless to I1/I2/I3 for Imperfect.
Carat is the unit of measurement used to weigh diamonds. One carat of diamond generally equals 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram (0.2 grams).
The way a diamond is polished and cut affects its quality and sparkle. When a diamond is cut properly, it allows light to reflect and refract internally and then emit from the top. This causes the dazzling effect.
You’ll no doubt be familiar with the classic ring metals that have been worn as a symbol of love and commitment for centuries. Warm yellow gold, is a favourable ring metal for wedding rings and eternity rings, mainly due to its nostalgic history and hardwearing properties. Sophisticated white gold, has become favoured for engagement rings due to its versatile, cool look that works beautifully with integrated diamonds.
Platinum is similar to white gold, due to its bright and pale colour. However, platinum is hypoallergenic and has hard-wearing properties, meaning the metal doesn’t fade or cause allergy issues. The upkeep of a platinum ring is poignant when choosing a ring to last, platinum is strong and holds your chosen diamond in place for longer, making it less likely to break. Platinum is a denser metal than gold, making platinum rings a little heavier. Some individuals prefer the heavier weight, however, some find the lightness of gold rings to be more comfortable.
A contemporary ring style that has become increasingly popular is to mix metals for a unique, two-tone appearance. The mixing of yellow gold and white gold works well with an array of different gemstones, especially diamonds, for a modern sleek finish.
Once you have the ring size noted, you can move onto ring metals and styles. If you’re buying a ring as a gift, one of our top ring buying tips would be to pay close attention to their existing ring designs to tune into their jewellery tastes. If they tend to wear yellow gold jewellery, follow suit with a yellow gold ring, and if they have a favourite gemstone, why not buy them a gemstone ring?
We have many different ring styles to choose from in our rings and second-hand rings departments in-store and online. You’ll find everything from vintage designs and more contemporary elements to suit all jewellery preferences, so you’re bound to find the perfect ring with us. At Miltons Diamonds, we understand the importance of choosing the right ring for special occasions and milestones in our lives, which is why we stock a beautiful selection of engagement rings and second-hand engagement rings in a variety of different styles to suit all jewellery tastes. Discover a special piece of jewellery designed to be treasured forever.
