How to Choose an Engagement Ring

Cerrone has been handcrafting engagement rings and celebrating love since 1976. This engagement ring guide walks you through diamond shapes, the 4Cs, settings and designs, so you can choose a ring that tells your story.

Find your diamond shape

Selecting a diamond shape is the most defining choice in designing an engagement ring. While technical factors like cut grade, color, and clarity dictate a diamonds quality, the shape dictates its personality.

Brilliant (Round)
Emerald
Marquise
Pear
Radiant
Cushion
Princess
Asscher
Brilliant (Round)

Timeless and universally loved, offering maximum sparkle.

Oval Cut

Combines the brilliance of a round diamond with an elongated, smooth silhouette. Maximizing surface area to appear larger than other cuts of the same carat weight.

Emerald Cut

Elongated rectangular shape with cropped corners and linear step-cut facets. Its large, open table produces a striking "hall-of-mirrors" optical effect.

Marquise Cut

The marquise cut diamond features a striking, eye-shaped silhouette defined by curved sides and two delicate pointed ends creating an instant lengthening effect on the finger.

Pear cut

Marries the fire of a round diamond with the lengthening silhouette of a marquise. Creating a bold yet delicate statement

Radiant Cut

The radiant cut combines the elongated silhouette of an emerald cut with the fiery brilliance of a round cut. With its trimmed corners and 70-facet pattern, it offers maximum sparkle, durability, and a finger-flattering profile.

Cushion Cut

Blends historic charm with brilliant modern sparkle, offering a romantic vintage inspired silhouette.

Princess Cut

A modern classic celebrated for its sharp, clean lines and dramatic square shape.

Asscher Cut

Exudes timeless Art Deco elegance. Renowned for its square shape deeply cropped corners and mesmerising step-cut facets.

Understand the 4Cs

The best sparkle comes from a balance of Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat, not one factor alone.

Colour
Cut
Clarity
Carat
Colour

Colour is graded D (colourless) to Z (light tint). Near-colourless stones look white to the naked eye and offer excellent value.

Cut

Cut is the most important C — it decides how brilliantly a diamond returns light. A smaller, well-cut diamond will outshine a larger, poorly cut one.

Clarity

Clarity measures tiny natural inclusions under 10x magnification. Many are invisible to the naked eye.

Carat

Carat is the diamond's weight, not just its size. Tip: choosing just below a milestone (e.g. 0.90ct vs 1.00ct) can offer significant savings.

Choose your Ring style

Your engagement ring setting should reflect your partner's lifestyle, aesthetic and how they'll wear the ring every day. We often start by asking what jewellery they already love — classic, bold, minimal or vintage.

Solitaire
Trilogy
Modern
Hidden Halo
Pave
Cathedral
Vintage
Halo
Solitaire

A classic choice that highlights the beauty of the centre diamond.

Trilogy

Three gemstones set side by side in a continuous row. The center gemstone is traditionally the largest, anchored on either side by two matching or complementary accent stones that guide the eye toward the center, while filling out the finger's width.

Modern

Contemporary in design considered in craftsmanship. With sculptural forms, distinctive settings and refined details.

Hidden Halo

Subtle halo of small diamonds placed below the main center stone around its setting. Virtually unseen from directly above, revealing its extra sparkle when viewed from the side or profile angle.

Pave

Derived from the French word for "paved," the setting technique creates the illusion that the ring is paved with an uninterrupted ribbon of diamonds leading up to the center gemstone.

Cathedral

Inspired by the vaulted arches of classical cathedral architecture, lifting the gemstone high above the band. Creating an elegant profile with distinct openings beneath the setting.

VINTAGE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

Incorporating intricate gold work and craftsmanship techniques inspired by historical design eras.

Halo

An impressive setting that acts like a glowing light fixture around the center gem. Drawing the eye directly inward while enhancing the ring's overall brilliance.

Option
Option
Option

Select your metal

Your engagement ring setting should reflect your partner's lifestyle, aesthetic and how they'll wear the ring every day. We often start by asking what jewellery they already love — classic, bold, minimal or vintage.

Platinum
White Gold
Yellow Gold
Rose Gold
Platinum

Naturally white, extremely durable and ideal for daily wear.

White Gold
Yellow Gold
Rose Gold

Your Next Steps

Let us be part of your story

Visit our Sydney boutique to explore the collection, or book a one-on-one consultation with our Diamond & Jewellery experts for a ready-made or fully bespoke ring.

Book a consultation
Australia’s most awarded jeweller
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De Beers

Supreme Diamond Award, Paris
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Fashion Group

International Lifetime Achievement Award, New York
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Order of Australia Medal OAM

Nicola Cerrone, 2023
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Jewellery Association of Australia

Argyle Diamond Design Award, New York
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Il Frentano d’Oro

(Key to the city of Lanciano, Italy)
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Italian Chamber of Commerce in Australia

Hall of Fame, Sydney
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De Beers

Supreme Diamond Award, Paris
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Fashion Group

International Lifetime Achievement Award, New York
Item image 2
Item image 1

Order of Australia Medal OAM

Nicola Cerrone, 2023
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Jewellery Association of Australia

Argyle Diamond Design Award, New York
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Il Frentano d’Oro

(Key to the city of Lanciano, Italy)
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Italian Chamber of Commerce in Australia

Hall of Fame, Sydney
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Established multi-award winning family owned business since 1976
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Designed and crafted in the largest handmade jewellery workshop in Australia
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Bespoke design specialists of engagement rings and high jewellery
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Superior diamond selection chosen to elevate every jewellery item to perfection