An engagement ring may well be the most expensive piece of jewellery you’ll ever buy, and as with any significant financial investment, you want to feel sure that you’re making a good decision. Seeking out the best engagement ring brands gives you confidence in your purchase, helping you choose high-quality rings that represent good value for money, and providing you with access to expert advice and aftercare, whether you’ve spent a few hundred pounds or several thousand. But, with so many brands on the UK engagement ring market, how do you know where to start?
You have a veritable treasure trove of jewellery brands at your fingertips in the UK, but all this choice can feel a touch overwhelming. To save yourself from becoming lost in a sea of sparkling diamonds, spend some time compiling a wish list for your engagement ring, including your ideal price bracket, preferred stone and metal types and grades, favourite styles, and considerations like environmentally friendly and ethically sourced materials, expert advice, and types of aftercare.
By turning to top engagement ring brands that align with your wish list, you’ll streamline the process and find your way to the perfect engagement ring with ease.
Why choosing a good brand matters
Choosing a reputable engagement ring brand is a decision you won’t regret. Beyond the prestige of wearing a ring from a revered brand, purchasing from a reliable company means access to high-quality materials and craftsmanship, as well as exceptional designs. You are also more likely to receive a high standard of customer service and reliable delivery times.
All these points matter when you’re purchasing an engagement ring, because this is a piece of jewellery that will stay on the wearer’s ring finger for the rest of their life. Cheaper materials are not ideal for a daily wear ring that needs to stand the test of time, and there’s a lot to be said for a timeless design that won’t look outdated a few decades down the line. What’s more, when you’ve made a high-value purchase, you want to feel valued and looked after, should any problems arise.
Whether you’re looking to spend the UK average on an engagement ring, at around £2000, have a smaller budget, or can invest in a luxury piece, you’ll find inspiration in our hand-picked selection of the best wedding ring brands.
An engagement ring from Tiffany & Co. offers prestige and glamour. Arguably one of the best engagement ring companies in terms of quality of design and beauty of the materials, Tiffany & Co. rings make a timeless statement on the finger. The unique Tiffany® setting, which gives the central diamond extra height to catch the light, is a particularly popular choice. It’s essential to note that the brand’s engagement rings start at a price well above the UK’s average spend, and it’s advisable to budget at least £4,000, although there are designs that reach five and six figures. If you have a smaller budget, consider a pre-loved Tiffany & Co. ring.
Master gemmologists select the stones for Van Cleef & Arpels’ engagement rings, whose designs are infused with classic French style sophistication, reimagined with a creative, modern twist. Van Cleef & Arpels’ rings often lean into a whimsical aesthetic, making them the ideal romantic proposal ring, especially if you’re looking for something non-traditional. Although you’ll pay above the average cost of a UK engagement ring at Van Cleef & Arpels, several designs sit at the £3500 mark.
Cartier engagement rings are iconic – plain and simple. Their sleek and sophisticated aesthetic has an enduring appeal, and conscious consumers will be pleased to learn that the brand ethically sources diamonds for its luxury rings. Thanks to the rich legacy of the brand, being given a Cartier ring has become synonymous with love and commitment, but this heritage comes at a price. You can find rings that start just under £3000, moving up to £10,000 and far beyond.
If you’re a connoisseur of fine diamonds, you’ll value the care and attention that Harry Winston’s gemologists put into selecting high-grade diamonds for their engagement rings. The designs tend to be elegantly pared back, allowing the quality of the stones to speak for themselves. Harry Winston, affectionately known as the King of Diamonds, is famed for lending Hollywood celebrities diamond jewellery for award shows, giving the brand an air of glitz and glamour. Harry Winston is arguably one of the best engagement ring brands for top-tier diamond designs, which is reflected in their higher price points. Each ring has a bespoke price, but you should budget at least £7500 for the lower-priced rings.
De Beers coined the infamous slogan, A diamond is forever. It became the name in exquisite diamond engagement rings, and today it champions simple, timeless designs that place high-grade diamonds centre stage. De Beers is a reputable engagement ring brand if you value quality and brand history. Although many of the designs feel wonderfully classical, there are also contemporary iterations to explore. Prices start at around £2500 and move beyond £30,000.
If you want a glittering engagement ring that won’t break the bank, the trendy jewellery brand Mejuri has much to offer. The fashion-forward designs are crafted with minimalist style sensibilities in mind, making the rings wonderfully versatile. Prices are especially accessible, starting at under £200 and rising to around £4000. The engagement rings feature more affordable lab-grown stones, sterling silver, and 18-carat gold vermeil, as well as 14-carat solid gold and natural diamonds. At both ends of the price spectrum, the aesthetic of Mejuri’s engagement rings is fresh and luxe.
A well-established British brand, dating back to 1778, Goldsmiths is ideal for those who feel most comfortable purchasing from a familiar face on the jewellery landscape. There are brick-and-mortar showrooms across the country for those who’d like to buy a ring “in-person” as well as an online store that customers can shop from in confidence, knowing that this is a reputable brand. They offer a comprehensive range of diamond and gemstone engagement rings in yellow, rose, and white gold, as well as platinum. There are designs to suit all budgets, with a price range of £500 to £37,500.
If you value customer service and want to feel guided through the process, then Samara Jones may be the best engagement ring brand for you. GIA-qualified diamond experts are ready to assist you and help you find the right ring within your budget. The brand’s collection ranges from traditional solitaires to more extravagant and contemporary designs, and features an impressive array of rings priced around £2000.
For those who prioritise sustainability on their engagement ring wish list, Brilliant Earth’s collection features ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones, as well as recycled metals. There are designs to suit all, from sculptural modern pieces to vintage styles and simple, classic rings. A running theme throughout the collections is nature-inspired motifs, making a ring from Brilliant Earth the perfect choice for those with a boho aesthetic or a love for the great outdoors. The inclusive engagement ring range offers many designs below £2000, with top-grade diamond options sitting at a higher price point.
Another good engagement ring brand for those who value environmentally friendly stones, Monica Vinader crafts its rings from ethically sourced diamonds and recycled materials. Its ethical diamond ring collection has contemporary pieces that would make a stylish engagement ring, and most sit at or below the average cost of a UK engagement ring. Solid gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver options are available.
If you’re keen to pop the question with a lab-grown diamond, turn to a specialist jeweller like Ethica Diamonds. Not only do you eliminate the risk of purchasing an unethical stone, but you can also make your budget go further because lab diamonds can be up to 85% cheaper than natural diamonds. This carbon-neutral company offers a glittering array of high-grade diamond rings, many with a slight vintage edge that adds a timeless appeal to the designs. Ring prices start at below £2000.
Taylor & Heart has options to suit all engagement ring preferences. In addition to conflict-free diamonds, there are also lab-grown stones that offer a more affordable price point. There are striking, contemporary designs, romantic vintage-inspired pieces, and classic solitaire diamond rings for the purists. A draw for many is the brand’s bespoke design process, which allows you to create the ring of your dreams. For ready-to-wear rings, prices range from less than £1000 to over £10,000.
There’s certainly something to be said about visiting a physical store when you’re choosing an engagement ring. Many of the large retailers are conveniently located in local shopping malls or on the high street, and most cities and towns also have a good selection of smaller, independent jewellery brands with storefronts. By heading into a shop, you can easily compare rings, examine them, and if you’re choosing a ring with your partner, they can try them on for size. These elements are often lacking when shopping for a ring online.
Don’t rule out online jewellery brands, though. You tend to find a wider selection of designs with online stores, and if you have niche tastes or specific preferences, you’ll track down the right ring far faster on the web. You’ll need to carefully read customer reviews to find the top engagement ring brands online, and also pay due diligence when assessing their returns, resizing, and aftercare policies.
How do I find the best engagement ring brands in the UK?
The best brand for you will be the one that ticks all your boxes, offering the style and quality of ring you want, within your budget. However, there are several general points to consider to ensure you choose a good brand. For example, on a like-for-like basis, how do a brand’s prices compare to those of others? Though you may be willing to pay more for the status of a designer or luxury brand, be careful not to pay over the odds. Does the brand offer reassuring aftercare options, such as cleaning and polishing, resizing, protection, inspection, and repairs? Does the delivery timeframe work for you? Can you be sure a ring you order will arrive in time for your preferred proposal date?
How much is an engagement ring from a good brand?
The great news is that there are top engagement ring brands to suit every budget, whether you want to spend around £500 or over £5,000. Although fine jewellers like Cartier and Tiffany & Co. may be out of your price range, many other brands offer exquisite diamond and gemstone engagement rings at an affordable price. Indeed, many of the jewellery brands with the highest customer ratings on Google and TrustPilot provide a diverse range of engagement rings for around £2000, which is the current average spend in the UK.
Is it better to buy an engagement ring from a well-known brand?
Established jewellery brands build up a good reputation on merit, and this can be reassuring when you’re investing in an engagement ring. You want to feel confident that you’re buying authentic diamonds, gemstones, gold, or platinum and trust that any issues with your ring can be resolved promptly. For peace of mind, selecting a well-known brand is a sound choice. And remember, just because a jewellery brand isn’t familiar to you doesn’t mean they aren’t a reputable company. Conduct thorough research and take a detailed look at customer reviews.
After you’ve made your purchase from one of the UK’s best wedding ring brands, it’s time to keep this investment safe with ring insurance. TH March has been protecting the county’s engagement rings for over 130 years, and with premiums that start at under £60, keeping your precious ring safe is conveniently affordable. Get a quick quote online, and with just a few more questions answered, you could enjoy global accidental damage, loss, and theft coverage from today.