Buying an engagement ring isn’t choosing a product — it’s translating a soul into metal and stone. This ring will live on her hand every day, so the only real goal is fit: her style, her values, her lifestyle, her sense of beauty. Not just expensive. Not just trendy. True. 

After 16 years in fine jewellery — and countless engagement ring conversations — I’ve collected a set of opinions and practical shortcuts that genuinely help. I’m sharing them with you here. 

Viktorija Kancinian, the Founder and Head of Design

1) Start with the metal: why 18K yellow gold is having its moment, again

If you’re unsure, 18K yellow gold is the safest high-end decision: it’s warm, timeless, and it ages beautifully without needing “maintenance” to keep its colour.

White gold can be gorgeous and most expected — but it’s important to know one thing upfront: many white-gold rings are rhodium-plated to look extra bright. Over time, that plating can wear off through daily friction, and the underlying gold can show through as a slightly warmer tone, meaning some people choose to re-plate periodically. 

That’s why, in recent trend forecasts, warm gold tones have been rising: they look intentional from day one and still look intentional years later. 

2) The stone is not just “the biggest you can afford” — it’s a portrait

When people say “budget”, I usually translate it to: what matters to her?

Here are three simple “paths” to spark the right conversation (and yes — a conversation beats a surprise that misses the mark).

A) The ethics-and-forever path - natural, documented diamonds

If she leans toward tradition, heritage, and provenance: look for documented origin + strong certification. A natural diamond can feel like an heirloom from the start — but only when the paper trail is real.

B) The science / city / innovation path - lab-grown diamonds

If she’s modern, pragmatic, design-led — and likes innovation: lab-grown diamonds can give you more size for the budget, with a clean, contemporary story. At FORMÉS, we also request energy-source information for the stones we offer — because “lab-grown” can still vary massively in footprint depending on how it’s produced. 

Also: buy lab-grown for love, not resale — tech evolves quickly, so the “return” is beauty + values, not future resale value. 

C) The soul-and-symbolism path - coloured gemstones

If she connects with meaning, healing symbolism, or birthstones — ask her directly. Some people care deeply about a stone’s story (aquamarine calm, sapphire wisdom, emerald heart-energy). Even if you personally don’t believe in crystal healing, this is about her relationship with symbolism.

Practical note: sapphires are exceptionally durable for daily wear (high on the Mohs scale), while emeralds and aquamarines are beautiful but typically need a bit more care and thoughtful setting design. 

3) Diamond quality, simplified - the part most people get wrong

Most engagement-ring regret is not about size. It’s about light.

If you remember one thing: cut quality decides sparkle more than anything. 

A clean, high-end sweet spot I often recommend:

• Cut: Excellent / Very Good (this is your brilliance lever) 

• Colour: D–G range for crisp brightness; F–G can be the best beauty/value balance 

• Clarity: “Eye-clean” matters more than a perfect label; VS–SI1 can wear beautifully if inclusions aren’t visible 

• Certification: choose respected labs; certification + laser inscription = confidence

4) Shape is the new status symbol, and it’s getting more interesting

Round solitaires will always be iconic — but unusual cuts and character shapes are having a real editorial moment, from refined step-cuts to unexpected silhouettes.

If she likes a more architectural look, consider:

• Hexagon / geometric cuts (a clean, modern edge)

• Kite cuts (graphic, directional, striking) 

• Heart shapes (bold, romantic, unapologetic — done right, they’re fashion) 

One technical note worth knowing: some elongated shapes (like ovals) can show a “bow-tie” shadow if cut proportions aren’t great — so shape shopping is cut shopping.

5) The “imperfect” stones people are falling in love with: salt & pepper diamonds

If she likes moody, organic beauty — salt and pepper diamonds are a compelling choice: they’re diamonds with visible inclusions that create a smoky, stormy pattern. They read more like a small piece of nature than a “perfect” gemstone. 

They also pair beautifully with 18K yellow gold, because warmth + texture feels intentional and modern.

6) Four FORMÉS best sellers and what they say about the wearer

These are the pieces clients return to again and again — each with its own personality.

1) Tiny Clash Engagement Ring — confident minimalism

A refined solitaire with an edge: crafted in recycled gold, set with lab-grown diamonds, with a certified centre stone (0.52 ct) and side stones that add quiet fire. 
If she wears black blazers, clean denim, sharp tailoring — this is her.

2) Tiny Clash+ Engagement Ring — statement, but still architectural

A bolder version with a 1.00 ct centre lab-grown diamond and substantial side stones — modern, city-ready, not “princess-y”. 
If she loves design hotels, galleries, and strong silhouettes — this is her.

3) Cosmos Solar Ring — the modern talisman

Sun motif, inverted side diamonds, and a 0.50 ct centre stone — it’s an engagement ring, but also a daily reminder of inner shine (that’s exactly how we describe it). Available in 14K or 18K yellow gold, which makes it especially aligned with your preference. 
If she’s drawn to symbolism without being cliché — Cosmos is a beautiful “yes.”

4) Duo Petite Engagement Ring — quiet strength, wearable every day

A petite solitaire approach with a 0.10 ct lab-grown diamond and a sculptural, modern feel. It’s made to order and available in 18K yellow gold too. 
If she values subtlety, comfort, and meaning over spectacle — she’ll wear this forever.

The quiet style research: how to ask without asking

Instead of “Do you want a round diamond?”, borrow real-life moments and let her reveal herself naturally. Here are high-signal conversation starters — plus the logical “what next” decision they unlock.

1) The “friend’s ring” moment

Scenario: You’re scrolling Instagram together; someone posted their engagement.
Try: “What do you actually think of that ring?”
Listen for:

• “It’s so classic.” → She values timeless, universal design.

• “It’s too expected.” → She wants personality, uncommon shapes, or unusual setting.
  Next move: Classic can still be distinctive via cut quality + proportions (not just size). Uncommon can be done through unusual cuts, asymmetry, or a coloured centre. Vogue notes a growing appetite for coloured stones, unusual cuts, and asymmetry. 

2) The “grandmother’s ring” test

Scenario: You pass an antique shop / family jewellery comes up.
Try: “If your grandmother’s ring appeared in a box tomorrow… would you wear it as-is, or redesign it?”
Listen for:

• Wear as-is → She romanticises heritage, patina, old-world detail.

• Redesign → She wants a cleaner silhouette, modern lines, comfort.
  Next move: If she loves heritage: look at step-cuts, antique-inspired silhouettes, and warm-toned stones (champagne, cognac, salt-and-pepper). If she wants modern: consider bezel, east-west settings, architectural forms (these are strongly present in recent trend forecasts). 

3) The “yellow gold” sanity check

Scenario: She tries on jewellery in a store or touches her own pieces.
Try: “On your skin, do you prefer jewellery that looks warm or icy?”
Next move (and my bias): I’m increasingly loyal to 18K yellow gold — it flatters skin, ages gracefully, and feels quietly high-end (without trying). And yes: yellow gold demand has been rising.

4) The “white gold truth”

Scenario: She points to a super-bright white ring.
Try: “Did you know most white gold gets that crisp, icy look from rhodium plating? Would you mind occasional re-plating?”
Why it matters: Rhodium can wear down with time, so white gold often needs refreshing to stay that bright white.
Next move: If she wants low-maintenance, consider yellow or rose gold (14K or 18K both work beautifully), or choose a white gold finish without rhodium for a softer champagne-toned look from day one. If she’s in love with that icy white, platinum is the closest “set-and-forget” option (or you simply accept periodic re-plating).

5) The “meaning vs minimalism” fork

Scenario: A gemstone ad appears; she comments on colour.
Try: “If you had to choose: a ring for meaning, or a ring for pure design — which one feels more ‘you’?”
If she chooses meaning:

• Ask lightly: “Do you believe certain stones carry energy — or is that not your thing?”
  Next move: This is where birth month, symbolism, and colour enter — aquamarine, sapphire, emerald… (and plenty more). If she’s meaning-driven, a gemstone ring can be deeply “hers” without being loud.

6) The ethics & origin discussion, without lecturing

Scenario: A documentary headline pops up; mining comes up casually.
Try: “Do you think it’s right to dig the earth for diamonds — or do you prefer lab innovation?”
Next move:

• If she leans ethics/traceability: look for strong certification + transparency (and ask for origin info).

• If she leans innovation: lab-grown is very much mainstream now;
  At FORMÉS we frame this as two beautiful journeys — and we push for transparency around sourcing and even energy-source info where possible.

Top 5 ring-size stealth moves

1) Borrow-and-measure (most accurate)

Scenario: She has a ring she wears often.
Try: “This ring is so nice — can I see it?”
Do: Borrow it for 30–60 minutes and measure inner diameter in mm (best), or trace the inner circle.
Logic: A real ring beats guessing.

2) “Let me clean your rings”

Scenario: She always takes her jewellery off at home.
Try: “Give me your rings — I’ll clean them properly. A friend of mine just opened a jewellery workshop, so I can get them done right.”
Do: While they’re off, quickly measure the inner diameter — trace the inside on paper, use a ring sizing app, a ruler, or (if you’re extra prepared) a caliper for the inner diameter.
Logic: It feels thoughtful and natural — not like you’re running an undercover operation.

3) Casual online checkout prompt

Scenario: You’re ordering something online that asks for sizing (gloves, a ring holder, even a fitness ring).
Try: “Random — do you know your ring size? Some sites ask in mm.”
Do: If she doesn’t know, suggest measuring finger circumference in mm with a thin strip of paper or string, then measure that length with a ruler. Do it in the evening (and ideally at a normal room temperature).
Logic: Fingers are usually a little fuller later in the day, so the size is closer to real daily wear.

4) Friend/sister/mom ally (highest success rate)

Scenario: She has someone close.
Try (to them): “I need one detail — her ring size. Can you help?”
Do: They take her “just for fun” to try on rings and get the size from a jeweller.
Logic: Zero suspicion, near-certain result.

5) The fail-safe if you can’t get it

Scenario: There’s genuinely no way to confirm her ring size without blowing the surprise.
Do: Go slightly larger and plan a resize after (or pick a setting/band that’s easy to resize). If you want a better estimate, ask an experienced jeweller/designer to eyeball a likely range using a couple of clear hand photos (top + side), plus her general build and height — it won’t be perfect, but it can get you closer than a blind guess.
Logic: Too small can ruin the moment; slightly big is fixable. And resizing after the proposal is totally normal — the “yes” matters more than the millimetres.

A simple decision map

If you only remember one framework, make it this:

• Her daily style: minimal / classic / sculptural / romantic

• Her values: ethics / innovation / symbolism

• Maintenance tolerance: white gold rhodium, delicate gems

• Stone priority: cut first, then colour/clarity, then size

• Metal: if unsure, 18K yellow gold is the safe, editorial “forever” choice — and it’s rising in popularity

• Get the size quietly: circumference or inner diameter