Engagement Ring Guides & Advice

Explore our engagement ring guides, starting with lab-grown diamonds, followed by lab-grown gemstones, coloured lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds. Find advice on choosing a stone, comparing settings and metals, understanding diamond reports and finding your ring size.

Lab diamond advice · Gemstone and diamond guides · Choosing your ring · About Lily Arkwright

Lab diamond advice

Start with our lab-grown diamond guide for an introduction to laboratory-grown diamonds, how they are made and what to check when choosing your ring.

Lab-grown vs natural diamonds

Laboratory-grown and natural diamonds are both diamonds, but they have different origins. When comparing your options, look at the individual stone, its report, its appearance and the complete ring price. A laboratory-grown origin does not, by itself, establish a particular environmental impact or verify the whole supply chain.

Read our guide to laboratory-grown diamonds, then compare lab-grown diamond engagement rings with natural diamond engagement rings.

Lab diamond prices and value

Compare current prices for complete rings with equivalent specifications. Consider the centre stone's measurements and appearance, its report, the precious metal and the setting rather than carat weight alone. A larger diamond is not automatically the best choice for your budget or preferences.

Our lab-grown diamond guide explains what to compare. Read our pricing promise to understand our approach to pricing.

Gemstone and diamond guides

Keep the gemstone material separate from its colour when comparing rings. A coloured lab-grown diamond is a diamond; a lab-grown sapphire, emerald or ruby is a different gemstone material.

Coloured lab diamond guide

When choosing a coloured laboratory-grown diamond, compare the individual stone's colour, measurements and appearance in different lighting. Ask what its accompanying report records, including any disclosed treatments. Choose a setting and metal that create the overall look you prefer rather than relying on a colour name alone.

Explore coloured lab-grown diamond engagement rings and read our diamond report guide before comparing documents.

Natural diamond rings

Our natural diamond ring guide introduces choosing a diamond and setting. Compare the actual stone and its paperwork, and discuss any specifications you are unsure about with our team.

Explore natural diamond engagement rings.

Choosing your ring

Engagement ring buying guide

Begin with a comfortable budget and the style of ring you would enjoy wearing. Choose your preferred stone material, compare shapes and settings, then consider the metal, ring size and how the ring will sit beside a wedding band. Before ordering, confirm the selected specifications, delivery arrangements, resizing options and applicable returns and warranty terms.

Diamond shapes and sizes

Shape describes a diamond's outline, while carat measures its weight. Compare the actual length, width and proportions as well as carat weight when considering how a stone will look on your hand.

Read our diamond shapes and cuts guide and diamond carat size guide.

About Lily Arkwright

Learn about Lily Arkwright, our approach to pricing and the support available when choosing your ring.

Explore our showrooms and consultations or book an appointment.

Customer help

Frequently asked questions · Delivery and returns · Contact us

For payment information, visit Dopple finance or Klarna Pay Later and read the applicable terms.

Browse our journal for ring inspiration, gemstone articles and other jewellery topics.

Moissanite guides