Frequently Asked Questions

Engagement Rings

There is no rule for how much you should spend on an engagement ring. The right budget is one that feels comfortable and still leaves room for the life you are building together. A Harry Ritchie’s jeweler can work with you to compare stone size, quality, metal and setting options to find the perfect ring that is within your price range.

We understand that engagement ring prices can feel confusing at first. Natural diamonds are valued for their rarity and the fact that each one was formed by the Earth over billions of years. Their price depends on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight, as well as the setting and metal you choose. Lab-grown diamonds offer another option, often allowing you to choose a larger stone while staying within the same budget.

The best place to start is with the person who will wear it. Think about their style, their daily routine and the jewelry they already love. Are they a timeless romantic, drawn to classic pieces? Or are they more modern and trend-forward? Do they usually wear yellow gold, white gold or rose gold? Your partner is already giving you clues that can point you in the right direction. From there, a Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can guide you through natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and colored gemstones, helping
make this milestone moment as enjoyable as it should be.

Many couples choose to shop for an engagement ring together, and it can make the process feel easier for both of you. You can learn what styles, shapes and metals your partner loves without revealing your final choice or exactly what you plan to spend. A Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can also help you explore options privately, so the proposal and the ring can still feel like a genuine surprise.

Trying to learn someone’s ring size without giving away the surprise can take a little detective work, but plenty of amateur sleuths have pulled it off. Borrowing a ring they already wear can help, as long as it comes from the correct finger. A close friend or family member may also know their size. When you’re still unsure, don’t worry. A Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can help you choose a ring that can be easily be resized.

Round and oval diamonds now account for just over half of engagement ring purchases nationally. Round remains the enduring classic, while oval is becoming a favorite because its elongated shape can appear larger on the finger and create a flattering, elegant look. Emerald, marquise and elongated cushion cuts are also drawing more interest. Trends can be a helpful place to start, but the best shape is the one that feels most like the person who will wear it.

Today’s engagement rings are more about personal character than one dominant look. Bezel settings, elongated stones, vintage details, warm-toned diamonds and colored gemstones set in heavier gold bands are all in demand. But there is no need to feel overwhelmed by the variety. A Harry Ritchie’s bridal expert can help you understand the trends and find a ring that will remain timeless.

An active lifestyle doesn’t mean setting aside the ring you love. Low-profile and bezel settings offer more protection by reducing the chance that the center stone will catch on clothing, take a direct hit or loosen during activities. A Harry Ritchie’s bridal expert can help you consider your work, hobbies and daily routine, then find a ring that feels beautiful, comfortable and suited to the way you live.

Natural Versus Lab Diamonds

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They carry the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are created using technology that recreates the intense heat and pressure under which Natural diamonds form. To the eye, lab grown diamonds look virtually identical to their rare counterparts.

The biggest differences are time, origin and long-term value. Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth over billions of years, making each one a rare part of the natural world. Because their supply is finite, they also tend to retain value more consistently over time.


Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment using immense heat and pressure to recreate the natural process, producing a diamond in a matter of weeks. Both natural and lab- grown diamonds can be beautiful, and both can be meaningful ways to mark life’s most important milestones. The right choice comes down to what matters most to you.

In most cases, no. A natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond of similar quality can look nearly identical to the unaided eye. Both are available in a wide range of cuts, colors, clarity grades and carat weights. It usually takes specialized equipment to tell them apart. That’s why every Harry Ritchie’s diamond is independently certified by a renowned third-party organization and clearly identified, so you can feel confident knowing exactly what you are purchasing.

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds of a similar size and quality. This can give couples more flexibility to choose a larger center stone, a higher-grade diamond or a more detailed setting while staying within budget. Natural diamonds, however, offer something lab-grown stones cannot: true rarity, a distinct story of origin and a history that began miles beneath the Earth’s surface billions of years ago.

It’s natural to wonder what a diamond may be worth in the future. Lab-grown diamonds are often chosen for their size, sparkle and personal meaning rather than as a financial investment. Because they can be produced in growing quantities and at increasingly lower costs, their prices can fluctuate, making long- term resale value less predictable than that of a rare, Natural diamond. Of course, the sentimental value of any diamond is something no market can measure.

Absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are graded for cut, color, clarity and carat weight, just like Natural diamonds. An independent grading report provides a clear picture of the diamond’s quality and makes it easier to compare different stones. A Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can walk you through the report in plain language and help you focus on the qualities that matter most to you.

There is no single right answer. A natural diamond may feel right if you value rarity, tradition, a distinct story of origin and the history that comes with a creation process measured in billions of years. A lab-grown diamond may be a better fit if size, design flexibility or price matter more to you. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds are ideal ways to commemorate a unique love story. It’s your story. It is your choice.

The 4Cs are cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Together, they give you a simple way to understand and compare diamonds. Cut affects how much the diamond sparkles. Color refers to how colorless it appears. Clarity considers the natural characteristics within the stone, while carat weight measures how much it weighs.

Different people value different Cs. Some may choose a larger carat weight and accept a little more color, while others care most about cut because they want a diamond with exceptional sparkle. A Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can help you understand the trade-offs and decide which qualities matter most to you.

Yes. Independent certification is one of the most important protections when buying a diamond. It creates transparency by documenting the stone’s cut, color, clarity, carat weight and other identifying characteristics, so you can feel confident you are getting exactly what you are paying for.


Both Natural and lab-grown diamonds come with certification. Before purchasing any diamond, you should be shown its authentic grading report and given the opportunity to review it. A Harry Ritchie’s diamond expert can walk you through the report, explain each grade and help you compare your options with confidence.