The Journal
How to choose an engagement ring in India
Most people buy one engagement ring in their life, and most of the advice they find is written to sell them a bigger one. This is the order we would choose in ourselves, as jewellers in Surat who make these rings every week.
In short
Decide the budget first, then spend it in this order: the centre stone, the gold, the setting. A laboratory-grown diamond gives the most stone for the money and comes with an IGI report above 1 carat; moissanite costs less again. Choose the shape the wearer loves, 14K or 18K gold for daily wear, and find the ring size quietly before you order. On VIBHINI today a 0.80 ct round solitaire costs ₹47,000 in 14K gold.
Set the budget before you look
Fix the figure first, including GST and delivery, and then look only at rings inside it. A budget set after falling for a ring is no budget at all. Prices as of 27 October 2026, for a ring in US size 6.5, GST included:
| Ring | 9K gold | 14K gold | 18K gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round solitaire, 0.80 ct | ₹37,000 | ₹47,000 | ₹59,500 |
| Round halo, 0.50 ct centre | ₹49,900 | ₹65,800 | ₹84,300 |
| Round solitaire, 1.10 ct | ₹64,500 | ₹82,100 | ₹1,02,700 |
| Emerald-cut solitaire, 2.56 ct | ₹1,07,900 | ₹1,19,600 | ₹1,34,000 |
Every one of these is a laboratory-grown diamond. Our full price list has more sizes, and the same rings with moissanite. Or see all our engagement rings together.
Choose the stone
This is the biggest decision for the price.
- Laboratory-grown diamond: diamond, the same material and hardness as a mined one, at a fraction of the price. Main stones above 1 carat come with an IGI report. Ours are all E–F colour and VVS–VS clarity.
- Moissanite: a different stone, very hard and more fiery, and far less expensive at the same size. It is not a diamond and we never call it one.
- Mined diamond: the traditional choice and the better one for resale, at a much higher price. We source them on enquiry.
If you are unsure, read laboratory-grown or mined diamond and laboratory-grown diamond or moissanite.
Choose the shape the wearer loves
Shape is taste, not value, so follow the wearer's. Some notes that help:
- Round returns the most sparkle and suits every setting. It is the safe choice if you are buying as a surprise.
- Oval, pear and marquise are long shapes. They look larger than a round stone of the same weight and make the finger look longer. See the marquise halo or the east-west pear halo.
- Emerald and radiant cuts have a calm, architectural look. The emerald cut's long facets show the stone's clarity clearly, which suits the high clarity we set.
- Two stones together, a toi et moi, is the choice for someone who wants something unusual: see the oval and pear toi et moi.
Choose the setting
- A solitaire is one stone on a plain or pavé band: timeless, and every rupee goes into the centre stone. See our solitaire rings.
- A halo rings the centre stone with small stones. It makes the ring look larger and brighter for less than a larger centre stone would cost.
- Prongs let in the most light; a bezel, a rim of gold around the stone, protects it better for an active life.
More on each in settings explained.
Choose the gold
- 14K gold is the most common choice for engagement rings: strong enough for daily wear, with a rich colour.
- 18K gold has more gold in it (75%) and a deeper colour, and is a little softer.
- 9K gold brings the price down and is harder still, with a paler colour.
Our 9K, 14K and 18K gold is BIS hallmarked. Yellow, white and rose cost the same. White gold is plated with rhodium for its bright white colour, and we re-plate gold pieces free. See gold karats explained.
Find the ring size quietly
A ring made in the wrong size is the most common disappointment. Our rings are made in US size 6.5, a very common women's size. Any other size is made on request and quoted separately, and we resize free by up to one size either way. To find the size without asking, borrow a ring the wearer already wears on that finger and measure its inside diameter, as shown in find your ring size.
Check these before you pay anyone
- The grading report for a main stone above 1 carat, from an independent laboratory such as IGI, and that it will come with the ring.
- The returns policy in writing. Ours is 7 days from delivery, with the tag still attached.
- That the price includes GST and delivery, so nothing is added at the end.
- A photograph of the finished ring before it ships. We send one for every piece.
- How long it takes. Ours are made to order in Surat in about 15 days, then delivered free across India, insured and signed for, in 3–4 working days. Order about three weeks before the day.
Quick answers
- How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
- Whatever you can spend without debt. There is no rule; the "three months' salary" idea began as an advertising slogan.
- Which gold is best for an engagement ring?
- 14K for most people: strong for daily wear, with a rich colour. 18K if a deeper colour matters more than hardness.
- Which shape looks biggest?
- Long shapes, oval, pear and marquise, look larger than a round stone of the same weight. A halo makes any shape look larger.
- Is a laboratory-grown diamond good for an engagement ring?
- Yes. It is diamond, as hard and lasting as a mined one. It has little resale value, so choose it to wear, not to sell.
- What if I don't know the ring size?
- Order in US 6.5, the size we make, and we resize free by up to one size after the proposal. Larger changes are quoted first.
- How long does a VIBHINI engagement ring take?
- About 15 days to make, then 3–4 working days to deliver in India and 8–10 abroad.