Popping the question in 2026? Here's how to find the perfect engagement ring

Matching their style

Your partner will be wearing their engagement ring daily, so it needs to align with their style. Consider the type of jewellery and clothing they like to wear and use this as your guide. For example, do they like gold or silver-coloured jewellery? Are the pieces fine or chunky, simple or ornate? Do they dress in sophisticated styles, or do they tend to wear relaxed or loud clothes? These are all clues that will steer you to something they'll love forever.

In general, it's best to opt for something timeless rather than being led by trends, to ensure it will be enduringly stylish, so bear that in mind when choosing the ring. If in doubt, asking friends can help clarify your partner's personal style.

Understanding gemstones

Are you looking at classic diamond engagement rings or rings crowned by other precious gemstones like emeralds and sapphires? You'll find a vast choice of shapes and settings, with each displaying the crowning jewels in a different way.

Each shape has its own character. Round diamonds are a popular option, and oval or square princess cut stones are a contemporary update on this traditional favourite. Cushion cut, a square with rounded corners, is perfect if you're looking for modern engagement ring ideas. This contemporary take on old mine cut diamonds is definitely trending – see Taylor Swift's engagement ring. Pear, also known as teardrop, is a romantic option, popular for sapphire rings. Emeralds are often showcased in elongated rectangles that show depth of colour.

The setting is how any gemstones are displayed. It can refer to the number of claws securing the stone and how stones relate to one another and the band. Some favourite options include:

• Solitaire - a single stone at the centre raised above the band, the iconic image of an engagement ring.
• Halo - a modern update on the solitaire, with the central stone encircled by tiny dazzling diamonds.
• Trilogy - three stones are placed side-by-side, with the centre stone often larger, representing past, present and future.
• Pavé - gemstones are placed along the band in a neat row, like a sparkling pavement.
• Flush - a contemporary option where the gemstone is within the band for a level finish, like Miley Cyrus' latest sparkler.

The 4 Cs of diamonds

Diamonds are classed using four categories, commonly referred to as the 4 Cs. These are cut, colour, clarity and carat. These affect the look of the diamond and how it is valued:

• Cut - how the facets of the diamond are proportioned to release and reflect light, considered by most to be the most important factor when choosing a diamond, as it has the biggest impact on its radiance and beauty.
• Clarity - the number and visibility of 'flaws' in the stone, known as inclusions (within the diamond) and blemishes (external imperfections).
• Colour - the natural tint in white diamonds, ranging from yellow/brown to colourless. Fancy coloured diamonds, which come in every colour of the rainbow including yellow and pink, are graded differently.
• Carat - often misunderstood as the size of the stone, carat refers to diamond weight.

Find out more in our expert information guide about the 4 Cs of diamonds, or speak to a member of our team at your local F.Hinds store.

Choosing ring details

Once you've pinned down the style and gemstone – if you're having a sparkler at all – you can focus on the band, which will complete the details of the engagement ring.

Start by confirming which precious metal you'd like. Yellow gold is warm and suits warm skin tones, available in 14k, 18k and 24k options signifying its purity. Platinum has risen in popularity in recent years, due to its durability, hypoallergenic qualities and bright-white lustre. Other options include white gold, contemporary rose gold, and affordable, low-maintenance metals like tungsten and titanium.

You can then consider the width, depth and profile of the band. The profile is best thought of as the cross-section of the ring and can be flat or slightly domed. The depth, or thickness, is how high the ring will sit on the finger. Widths range from fine to chunky, and, like the profile, affect the comfort as well as the look of the ring.

Keen to add extra impact? Consider adding diamonds to the band or hidden within the stone setting.

Considering practicality

Remember that this ring will be worn daily, so consider the lifestyle of your loved one when confirming the design. For example, sensitive skin might react with some metals, and very ornate or delicate pieces are less durable and so might not be the best fit for someone with a manual job. This is why the best place to find engagement rings is usually in-store, where experts are on hand to discuss key considerations. Explore more about the practicalities in our engagement ring buying guide.

Another practical consideration is the size, which can be a minefield if you're planning a surprise proposal. Be careful of just guessing because rings can only be resized up or down a couple of sizes, and any decorative features might make even small adjustments impossible. See if you can find one of their existing rings and bring it in to be measured, or ask a mutual friend to do some digging. If in doubt, consider using a temporary proposal ring for the big moment and swapping it later.

Browse types of engagement rings at F.Hinds

Feeling more confident with how to find the perfect engagement ring for your 2026 proposal? Shop the F.Hinds collection online or in-store, and remember you can speak to our experts for tailored recommendations and useful advice, like how to match engagement rings with wedding bands. We have decades of experience and a curated collection at a range of prices that you can shop by style, setting, metal, stone and more.

We're members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), so you can have total confidence that our engagement rings align with strict social and environmental standards.