1. Begin with Personal Aesthetic
The most natural place to start is with personal style. Think about the person who will wear the ring every day — their wardrobe, lifestyle, and the jewelry they already love. Do they prefer clean, minimal lines or something more romantic and detailed? Do they wear yellow gold jewelry or cool-toned pieces like platinum and white gold? Observing these subtle cues will guide you naturally toward what feels like them.
For example, a person drawn to vintage or creative pieces might love a halo or bezel setting in yellow gold for its warmth and old-world charm. Someone who loves classic design and neutral tones might gravitate toward a round brilliant solitaire in white gold or platinum — timeless and versatile. As a valuable tip, pay attention to the jewelry your partner wears most often — it often reveals what feels authentic to them.
2. Understand the Ring Setting
The setting determines both the look and the wearability of your ring. It’s the design structure that holds the diamond — and often the element that defines the ring’s character. Common settings include:
Solitaire
A single diamond on a simple band — elegant and timeless. The solitaire setting has symbolised commitment for more than a century. Its design evolved during the late 19th century, when jewelers began raising diamonds above the band to allow light to enter from every angle, revealing the stone’s full brilliance. At Norrfolks, we distill this idea into its purest form. Our solitaires are precisely proportioned and delicately elevated, allowing the diamond to appear as if suspended in light. The result: a timeless ring defined by restraint and balance — the epitome of quiet sophistication. Solitaires are best suited for those who value clarity, simplicity, and enduring design.
Pavé
Diamonds embedded along the band for added sparkle. The pavé setting originated in 18th-century France, its name meaning “paved” — like a street of tiny stones set close together. Artisans developed this technique to bring a continuous shimmer to fine jewelry under candlelight, creating a sense of movement and texture. In our pavé designs, each diamond is hand-set in recycled 18K gold or platinum 950, secured with precise micro-claws. The result is soft brilliance — radiant, tactile, and refined. Pavé or Sidestone rings are best suited for those who appreciate understated sparkle and intricate craftsmanship.
Bezel
A thin rim of metal encasing the diamond for a modern, protective look. The bezel is among the oldest jewelry settings, dating back thousands of years to ancient Egypt and Rome. Early artisans would encase gemstones in metal to protect them — a design born from both practicality and reverence. Today, the bezel has become a hallmark of modern design: secure, minimal, and sculptural. At Norrfolks, we craft each bezel with clean precision, encircling the diamond in a fine, even rim that enhances brilliance while offering protection from everyday wear. It’s a setting of quiet confidence — sleek, tactile, and enduring. Bezel rings are best suited for those who value contemporary design and lasting durability.
Halo
The halo setting became beloved during the romanticism of the Victorian era, when diamonds were often surrounded by smaller stones to symbolise eternal love. It later flourished again in the geometric elegance of the Art Deco period, celebrating symmetry and light. A halo magnifies the presence of the center diamond, adding luminosity and depth. At Norrfolks, we reinterpret the style with meticulous precision — fine proportions, minimal metal, and light that feels weightless. Halo rings are best suited for those who love a sense of timeless glamour and balance.
Three Stone
The three-stone setting carries a deep symbolism — representing the past, present, and future of a relationship. This style emerged in the early 20th century, when jewelers sought designs that were both meaningful and symmetrical. Each stone is carefully proportioned to create visual harmony — the central diamond as the focal point, the two side stones adding dimension and depth. At Norrfolks, we refine this tradition through precise craftsmanship and restrained design, keeping the focus on proportion and unity. Three Stone rings are best suited for those who appreciate symbolism, balance, and timeless composition.
If your partner leads an active lifestyle, a bezel, cathedral solitaire or low-set three stone may suit best — they protect the diamond and resist catching. If they love refined sparkle, a pavé or halo design adds subtle brilliance while keeping the look delicate. At Norrfolks, every setting is crafted in certified recycled 18K gold or platinum 950 — engineered for lasting comfort and harmony with the diamond’s proportions.
3. Choosing the Diamond
The diamond is the heart of the ring — but choosing one doesn’t need to be complex. Understanding a few key principles can help you make a confident, informed choice. Diamonds are evaluated using the Four C’s — Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat.
Cut
Cut is the most vital element. It determines how light moves within the diamond and how much brilliance it displays. Even a flawless diamond can appear lifeless if poorly cut. Norrfolks selects only Excellent and Ideal cuts — where proportions, symmetry, and polish work together to create maximum sparkle.
Colour
Colour measures how white or tinted a diamond appears. We curate near-colourless grades (D–G) for a crisp, luminous look that pairs beautifully with white metals and harmonize elegantly with yellow gold.
Clarity
Clarity describes natural inclusions formed during the diamond’s growth. Most are invisible to the naked eye, so we focus on clarity grades VS and above, where inclusions do not compromise brilliance.
Carat
Carat refers to weight rather than visual size. A well-cut 0.75-carat diamond can look more radiant than a larger, poorly cut stone — proportions and craftsmanship always take precedence over scale.
The other C’s — Clarity and Carat — matter too, but within balance. A diamond doesn’t have to be flawless or large to be breathtaking; proportions, symmetry, and craftsmanship define its life and light. For example, a 0.75-carat diamond of excellent cut and near-colourless grade often outshines a 1.00-carat diamond with lesser cut quality.
At Norrfolks, each diamond — whether lab-grown or natural — is individually inspected for balance, light, and harmony. We only source diamonds that meet our strict quality standards and are certified conflict-free, ensuring every stone meets our precise standards for beauty and ethical integrity.
4. Selecting Your Metal Tone
The metal you choose is the foundation of the design — it shapes the ring’s tone, contrast, and personality. Different metals reflect light in distinct ways, influencing how the diamond appears and how the ring feels on the hand. At Norrfolks, we use only 18K gold and platinum 950, selected for their purity, strength, and sustainability and all of our metal allows are certified 100% recycled, combining sustainability with fine craftsmanship..
18K Yellow Gold
75% pure gold blended with silver and copper for strength, yellow gold radiates warmth and tradition. It’s perfect for those who appreciate heritage and timeless elegance. Over time, it develops a soft patina that enhances its natural charm. Near-colourless diamonds (D–G) in yellow gold gain a subtle, romantic glow — refined yet personal.
18K White Gold
Alloyed with palladium and finished with rhodium, white gold offers a cool, mirror-like finish that complements colourless diamonds beautifully. It feels sleek, modern, and versatile — a contemporary classic. Over time, it can be easily re-polished and re-rhodium plated to maintain its crisp lustre.
Platinum 950
Naturally white, durable, and hypoallergenic, platinum represents understated luxury and endurance. Containing 95% pure platinum, it never requires plating and ages gracefully, developing a soft satin sheen. It’s ideal for those who appreciate design integrity and quiet strength — a metal that feels substantial yet subtle.
For example, a minimalist might love a platinum or white gold solitaire for its modern restraint, while someone who wears vintage pieces might connect deeply with the glow of yellow gold.
5. Think About the Complete Pairing
An engagement ring is often the beginning of a lifelong pairing. The way it interacts with a future wedding band should feel seamless — two designs that sit together naturally, complementing one another in form and proportion.
If your engagement ring features a low-set center stone, a curved or V-shaped band may nestle perfectly beneath it, ensuring comfort and symmetry. If it’s a classic solitaire or elevated pavé setting, a straight wedding band will align neatly, creating a continuous silhouette. A halo ring, with its detailed setting, often looks most elegant when paired with a simple polished band, letting the engagement ring remain the focal point. Contrast can also be beautiful — pairing a plain band with a pavé engagement ring, or combining mixed textures for subtle dimension. These small choices create balance and individuality.
At Norrfolks, we design all engagement rings and wedding bands as a harmonious system — aligned in height, curvature, and proportion — so that your set feels intentional and unified from the start. As a valuable tip, try on your chosen engagement ring alongside different band styles before finalising your design. Often, it’s the combination that creates the magic.
6. Reflect your Values and Budget
An engagement ring is both a personal symbol and a lasting investment — a piece that will be worn every day and treasured for a lifetime. Considering your budget is an important part of this journey. It helps define what matters most to you: the design, the materials, and the story behind the piece.
At Norrfolks, we believe that finding the right ring is about balance — choosing something meaningful and enduring, crafted with the same level of care regardless of price. Every detail, from the setting to the diamond, can be tailored to your preferences, allowing you to create a piece that feels considered and true to your values.
We offer both lab-grown and natural diamonds, giving you the freedom to choose the expression that feels right for you.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-Grown Diamonds are created through advanced technology that replicates the same natural conditions under which diamonds form. They are identical in composition, beauty, and durability to mined diamonds but have a smaller environmental footprint and a more accessible price point. For many, they represent a modern expression of luxury — where innovation and responsibility meet.
Natural Diamonds
Natural Diamonds, in contrast, are formed deep within the Earth over billions of years. Each one is a rare creation of nature, unique in structure and character. For some, their appeal lies in their origin — a connection to the timeless and the natural, a symbol of endurance and heritage.
Both are equally real, equally beautiful, and equally lasting. They simply reflect different stories and values — one rooted in nature’s history, the other in human innovation and progress. Your budget helps guide your priorities, but your values define your choice. Whether you choose a lab-grown or a natural diamond, every Norrfolks ring embodies the same dedication to craftsmanship, balance, and timeless design.
Closing Thought
An engagement ring should feel inevitable — as though it could only ever belong to you. It’s a balance of design, craftsmanship, and sentiment; a quiet harmony between beauty and meaning. Norrfolks engagement rings are crafted with intention — timeless yet modern, elegant yet effortless. Whether you choose a natural or lab-grown diamond, yellow gold or platinum, your ring will represent what truly matters: love expressed through integrity and design that endures.
