Describe the dimensions of the jewellery you imagine in centimetres or millimetres. This will help us calculate the approximate weight of gold needed for its manufacture.
In the table, we have presented the inner diameter of each ring size and the corresponding European size (the size number corresponds to the inner circumference of the ring). For us, the only accurate method to determine the correct size is the use of jewellery measurements. All other methods we have tried result in minimal to significant deviations.
If you have a ring that fits, measure its inner diameter with a caliper.
*For orders we have already taken, we can provide and send jeweller’s measurements for you to take an accurate measurement.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for assistance.
| Diameter (mm) | EU |
|---|---|
| 14.3 | 45 |
| 14.7 | 46 |
| 15.0 | 47 |
| 15.3 | 48 |
| 15.6 | 48 |
| 16.0 | 50 |
| 16.3 | 51 |
| 16.6 | 52 |
| 17 | 53 |
| 17.2 | 54 |
| 17.5 | 55 |
| 17.8 | 56 |
| 18.1 | 57 |
| 18.4 | 58 |
| 18.8 | 59 |
| 19.1 | 60 |
| 19.4 | 61 |
| 19.7 | 62 |
| 20 | 63 |
| 20.4 | 64 |
| 20.7 | 65 |
| 21 | 66 |
| 21.3 | 67 |
| 21.7 | 68 |
| 22 | 69 |
Choosing a bracelet length is important, as most bracelets are difficult to shorten and lengthen. Below, we have outlined the recommended steps to help you determine the right length for your wrist.
If you have a bracelet that fits perfectly, measure its length including the clasp.
* Note that there may be a slight difference between your left and right wrist.
The choice of necklace length may depend on the characteristics of your body and the features of the jewellery. As a guide, we have graphically depicted the standard lengths of chains to help you visualize your options.
Choosing an engagement ring with a diamond or other gemstone is the first important step towards starting a family. At Efir, we believe it's important that the ring reflects the character and style of your better half, which is why we custom make them according to your personality. But how do you navigate the sea of options?
In the lines below with our expert gemologist, diamond appraiser and designer at Efir, we'll take a look at what you need to know when choosing the perfect engagement ring.
The first and most important thing is to set an approximate budget. Of course, afterwards, it may vary according to your wishes. It is necessary so that you can more easily play out different specific scenarios and thus evaluate which real option is best for you. Whether it will be a single central stone, whether there will be a halo of diamonds around it or along the length of the ring, whether you will opt for a non-standard or classic design.
If you've decided on a diamond engagement ring, the most important thing to focus on is the choice of centre stone, its shape and quality.
The most preferred shape when choosing a stone for an engagement ring is round - brilliant cut. Why: This type of cut supposedly reflects light the strongest and gives the diamond the most sparkle. If you are opting for a larger diamond around and above 1 carat then fancy shapes are also a wonderful choice, sometimes even more suitable. Elongated shapes, such as an oval or marquise, cover the most area on the finger. Still, there is no right or wrong by following your preferences or your soulmate's desires. Of course, there are engagement ring designs that fit with a specific stone shape and there size is not that important.
Once you have figured out the shape of the diamond it is time to choose a specific stone. This is where our task comes in - to select the best gemstone option. Whether to emphasize better characteristics at the expense of size or vice versa is a subjective decision that is considered on a case-by-case basis. You can read about how diamond quality is determined in our article dedicated to this topic.
Choosing Another Gemstone
Although the diamond is the most famous engagement stone, world-famous ladies such as Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana have received beautiful colored gemstones on their engagement rings.
The most well-known alternatives to diamond are blue sapphire, emerald and ruby, but the suitable options are far from limited there. Stones such as white or pink sapphire, tourmaline, tanzanite, garnet, morganite and many others in suitable settings combined with diamonds also make impressive rings. The choice is yours, and if you need ideas and assistance we are always here to help.
The design of an engagement ring after the choice of stone is one of the most essential things. In today's article, we will take a look at the most classic engagement ring designs.
As implied by its name, it is a design with a single diamond that is the center and highlight of the jewelry. This is perhaps the most classic of all the designs, you can't go wrong with it. It is very suitable for both large and small diamonds. It is advisable to choose a stone with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. The setting options for the diamond in this design are different, it can be 4 prong or 6 prong, it can also be surrounded more tightly with metal.
Typically, small diamonds are set very close together on the band of the ring (but they can also be set on the bezel) to enrich the ring and give it a completely different look and more sparkle. In this version it is recommended that the central stone be visibly larger than the others, or at least 0.20/0.25 carats. If the central stone is of a more yellowish (J-K down) color and is combined with much whiter diamonds (D-E color), it will further make the yellowish color of the diamond more visible (possibly, this is a sought after effect).
In this type of design, a row or two of diamonds are made to follow the shape of the center stone. The halo can be tightly set next to the central diamond (or other gemstone) or slightly spaced apart. The advantage with this type of design is that they optically make the central diamond appear much larger, especially when tightly set. This type of halo combines beautifully with a pavé on the band. Again, the same rule of colour contrast applies.
Another classic when choosing an engagement ring. In this type of design, there are two other diamonds (or another type of gemstone) set on either side of the center stone. The three stones can be equal or the two side stones can be smaller than the central one. Depending on their size, this design can also be combined with a pavé on the ring. This is also the design I most often recommend when choosing a central colored gemstone, especially if its shape is more elongated (oval or emerald cut).
At Efir we do everything bespoke and could execute even the wildest ideas. Here are some examples that we have made to a client's design:
This exquisite engagement ring is made in two parts from 14k gold. The first ring features a 0.40-carat center diamond, with 10 additional diamonds set along the band. The second ring depicts mountains and is designed so that the two rings fit together perfectly. We used a 3D model to create this design, and our jeweler made sure the stones were set perfectly!
For this engagement ring, we chose a 2-carat emerald with a rich color. We complemented it with two diamonds with a total weight of 0.16 carat. Our master jeweler crafted this exquisite ring entirely by hand, tailoring it to the stone, in 14k white gold.
This unusual and enchanting ring is inspired by nature and resembles a twig that has wrapped around the stone! We crafted it from 14k rose gold and set it with a 0.40-carat GIA-certified diamond.
The ring is crafted in 14k white gold with these gorgeous engravings. We used a 3D model to create it, which the client approved in advance. The diamond weighs 0.40 carat and comes with a GIA certificate.
If you like our work, you can take a look at the process of ordering custom-made engagement ring from Efir and contact us to discuss the best option specifically for you.
Typically, engagement rings are made of gold or platinum. Silver is not a preferred material as it tarnishes and is softer.
In Bulgaria, customers most often opt for gold. Whether it should be white, yellow or rose gold, it is best to tailor according to the preferences of your soulmate. If you have serious doubts, you'd better ask someone close to her.
The most common choice in my practice is white gold. If the central diamond is more yellowish in colour, then if you opt for yellow gold the hue will not be as noticeable. The standard gold used in this country is 14k, but 18k is also a very suitable choice. A higher purity (than 18 karats) is not recommended as it will be much softer and scratch easily.
Platinum is the more luxurious choice, but as this metal is harder to work and has more material loss during production, its price is higher. Its colour resembles that of white gold. Jewellery with platinum was made especially during the Art Deco period - the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II, platinum was banned from use in the United States for non-military purposes. For this reason it was replaced by white gold. After the ban was lifted, the preference remained in favour of white gold. This is due to its better price, easier processing, and it is already well accepted by the people. Platinum only started to be seen as an important jewellery material again in the 1990s. In Japan, it is the other way around - gold was considered a strategic material and 90% of engagement rings there are made of platinum.
If you don't know the exact size of your partner there are various ways on the Internet to measure it. I personally do not recommend these methods (with thread or measuring the inner diameter of the ring) as they are very inaccurate. The difference between the sizes is 0.314mm, which means that 3 measures fit in one millimeter. The most ideal option would be to take her ring (which she wears on the ring finger of the hand on which she will wear the engagement ring) and have it measured at a jewelry store. If that's not possible, then you can mark exactly how far it goes on your finger and remeasure with professional ring measurements. If that's not an option either, in a pinch you can send us a picture of her hand and we can try to get a feel for it.
The most common women's measurements are size 50 to 54. I always find that an engagement ring is better to be slightly larger, but fit on the finger at the time of the proposal, than to be smaller. As for size adjustment afterwards - most models are subject to that. It's harder if the whole ring is set with diamonds or has inlays that can't be adjusted later. Then I recommend making the pattern so that they end halfway down the ring.
The perfect proposal is one that fits the dynamic of your couple. From my observations and as a woman, it's touching to your partner if you've made an effort and the ring is a surprise. Whether you get down on one knee at the end of the world or in the warmth of your home is up to you! Our advice is to take your time and wait for a special moment. If you think you will be tempted to pop the question before the scheduled time, you can leave the ring with a friend or we can keep it with us until the arranged time.
Of course there are exceptions and not all ladies prefer the surprise. I also have clients who choose their own engagement ring and that is the thing that makes them happy as they have an exact vision of their dream ring.
I often get enquiries about cubic zirconia or other synthetic stones. At Efir, we have chosen to only work with natural gemstones, not only because they are incredibly beautiful and carry a multi-million (even billion) years history, but we believe in their investment value. Zircons, unlike diamonds, round their facets over time and lose some of their sparkle. Don't hesitate to ask us about alternatives we can offer within your specified budget. If you do opt for cubic zirconia, the market offers a myriad of options.
At Efir, we know that choosing the perfect engagement ring is a very responsible endeavor. Therefore, we have tried to summarize the most important steps that each of you need to follow. Setting a budget is one of the first things to consider. Knowing the limits of the budget you have will make it much easier to choose the right centerpiece. Whether it will be a diamond or another gemstone depends entirely on your preference.
In this article, we have listed some of the most common engagement ring designs. We have also presented some of the more unusual designs that we have made for our clients. What design you choose depends on the style of your partner. In all cases, we will be happy to help you craft the perfect ring.
In our blog, we have prepared articles on the quality of diamonds, what to know when choosing emerald, sapphire or rhubarb. We hope they will make it even easier for you to choose the right stone. Of course our consultant gemologist is always available for consultation. You can contact us via the contact form, Facebook, Instagram or by calling our phone number (+359) 898 241940.
You can get to know the process of ordering an engagement ring with a diamond or other gemstone on our page prepared especially for this. There you can also see some of our work that we have made for our clients. We are ready to accept any challenges - from classic designs with an emphasis on the central stone to unusual ones.
