Tips & Advice
Engagement ring guide
Tout ce qu'il faut savoir pour choisir la bague parfaite — métal, forme, style, budget et création sur mesure au Plateau Mont-Royal.
Choosing an engagement ring is an important decision, and there are no wrong answers — only what feels right for you and your partner. This guide covers the essentials: available metals, the most popular stone shapes, setting styles, and how to set a realistic budget. If you have questions after reading, Ralph Kelendji welcomes you at the boutique on Plateau Mont-Royal — no appointment required, no pressure.
The metal: white gold, yellow gold or rose gold?
The choice of metal influences both the look of the ring and its day-to-day upkeep. The three most common options for engagement rings are white gold, yellow gold and rose gold — all available in 14K or 18K.
14K or 18K white gold is the most popular metal for engagement rings right now. Its neutral tone enhances the brilliance of clear diamonds and works with most wardrobe styles. It is rhodium-plated (coated with a thin layer of rhodium) for its shine: this treatment may require re-polishing every 2 to 3 years depending on wear.
Yellow gold is a timeless classic that is strongly trending back. It gives the ring a warm, enduring character, and pairs particularly well with diamonds with a slightly warm tint (grades G to J) that appear white in this context. It is often the choice for heirloom or vintage-inspired pieces.
Rose gold owes its colour to a gold and copper alloy. It gives a romantic and distinctive look, very popular for contemporary designs. It is also the most durable of the three metals, thanks to the copper content.
The difference between 14K and 18K: 18K contains 75% pure gold (versus 58.5% for 14K), making it slightly softer and more radiant, but also more prone to scratches with daily wear. For a ring worn every day, 14K is often an excellent compromise.
Undecided about metals? Our Gold Guide 10K · 14K · 18K explains the differences in depth.
The stone shape: which one suits you?
The stone shape (or cut) is often what you notice first on an engagement ring. It influences the perception of size, the overall style and sometimes the price — some shapes require more rough material at the cutting stage.
Round brilliant — The world's most popular shape. Its 57 or 58 facets are optimized to maximize brilliance and fire. It is also the most studied shape by gemologists, making it the benchmark for cut quality.
Oval — Very on-trend for the past few years. Its elongated shape creates the illusion of a larger stone and makes fingers appear longer. The "bow-tie" (a dark optical phenomenon at the centre) is something to check on individual stones.
Cushion — Rounded corners, broad facets. Gives a romantic, vintage character. Modified cushions offer more brilliance; classic cushions give more "fire" (dispersion of colours).
Emerald cut — Step-cut, cropped corners, glamorous and architectural. Showcases the clarity of the stone — inclusions are more visible, so a higher clarity grade is needed.
Princess — Square, high brilliance. Popular in the 2000s, making a comeback with modern geometric designs. The corners are fragile areas — corner prong setting is recommended.
Pear — A hybrid between round and marquise. Worn tip-upward to elongate the finger. Very distinctive and uncommon, making it an original choice.
Marquise — An elongated navette shape tapering to two points. Maximizes the visible surface area for a given carat weight — appears large for its weight. Requires careful setting at both ends.
For the same carat weight, elongated shapes (oval, marquise, pear) generally appear larger than round or cushion. If visual size matters within your budget, this is a factor worth considering.
Setting style: what holds the stone and defines the character of the ring
The setting is how the stone is held in the ring. It protects the stone, influences its brilliance, and largely defines the visual style of the piece.
Prong solitaire — The classic. Four or six metal prongs hold the stone, letting in maximum light. Simple, elegant, timeless. Six prongs offer more security; four prongs showcase the stone more.
Pavé — Small diamonds set in rows along the band. Adds sparkle and volume without increasing the size of the centre stone. Often combined with a solitaire.
Halo — A circle of small diamonds surrounds the centre stone, making it appear larger and more radiant. A double halo amplifies the effect. Romantic and glamorous style.
Bezel setting — The stone is surrounded by a thin metal rim. Maximum protection, very modern and clean look. Ideal for very active people.
Cathedral — The band arches up on both sides to elevate the centre stone. Architectural silhouette, very elegant in profile.
Three-stone (trilogy) — A centre stone flanked by two side stones. Symbolizes the past, present and future. Allows combining shapes and sizes for a personalized result.
Ralph's advice: The ideal setting depends as much on your style as your lifestyle. If you work with your hands, a bezel or short prongs will better protect your stone day to day. In the boutique, we show you how each setting actually wears.
Natural diamond or lab-grown diamond?
This is one of the most common questions in custom consultations. The answer depends on your priorities — both are real diamonds, optically and chemically identical.
Natural diamond is formed in Earth's mantle over billions of years. Its rarity contributes to its value and its ability to retain some of that value over time. GIA or AGS certificates guarantee the exact characteristics of the stone.
Lab-grown diamond is produced in a matter of weeks under controlled conditions that replicate natural processes. It is physically and chemically identical to a natural diamond — only a gemologist with specialized equipment can distinguish them. Its price is generally 50 to 70% lower than a comparable natural diamond, which allows you to get a larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget.
What we recommend at Diplomate: If you want to maximize the size or quality of the stone within a given budget, a lab-grown diamond is a serious option. If you value rarity, provenance, or are considering the ring as an investment to pass on, natural remains the reference choice. Ralph presents both options side by side in consultation — no pressure, just the facts.
To fully understand diamond quality, see our 4C Guide.
Budget: what to expect in Montréal
There is no universal rule about what an engagement ring should cost — the old "two months' salary" formula is a 1940s advertising invention. What matters is a budget you are comfortable with, and a ring that lasts a lifetime.
Here are realistic benchmarks for a custom engagement ring on Plateau Mont-Royal, across all options:
| Budget | What you can get |
|---|---|
| $1,000 – $2,000 | Solitaire in 14K gold with lab-grown diamond ~0.50 ct, round brilliant, beautiful quality |
| $2,000 – $4,000 | Solitaire in 18K gold with certified natural diamond ~0.50–0.70 ct, or lab-grown diamond ~1 ct |
| $4,000 – $7,000 | Pavé or halo ring in 18K gold, natural diamond ~0.75–1 ct of beautiful quality, or lab diamond ~1.5–2 ct |
| $7,000+ | More elaborate creations, larger stones, complex settings, premium metals |
These ranges are indicative — the size, shape and exact characteristics of the stone have more impact on price than the ring style itself. A personalized quote takes 15 minutes in the boutique.
These prices include custom fabrication in our atelier. You pay no middleman — Ralph makes your ring himself.
Your custom ring, crafted in our Plateau atelier
If you have a clear idea in mind — or a family heirloom to transform — custom creation is often the best option. You get exactly what you want, in your choice of materials, with the assurance that one person worked on your piece from the first sketch to delivery.
How it works with us:
- The consultation — You arrive with an idea, a photo, a sketch or simply style preferences. Ralph asks questions about the metal, stones, budget and desired timeline. No pressure — the first meeting is exploratory.
- The design — Sketches, sometimes a 3D model or resin mock-up. You approve the proportions before any fabrication begins.
- The fabrication — Crafted in the atelier, stone setting, finishing and hand-polishing.
- The handover — The piece is delivered in the boutique with your care instructions. If anything does not suit you, we adjust.
Our custom creations start from $500, depending on the metal, stones and complexity. A full quote is provided before work begins — no surprises.
To learn more about the full process: Custom Jewellery
Frequently Asked Questions
Chez Bijouterie Diplomate, les bagues de fiançailles sur mesure commencent à partir de 500 $, selon le métal, la forme et les pierres choisies. Une bague en or 14K avec un diamant de laboratoire rond de 0,50 ct se situe généralement entre 1 000 $ et 2 000 $. Ralph vous remet un devis détaillé lors de la consultation, avant tout engagement.
Les deux sont de vrais diamants — chimiquement et optiquement identiques. Le diamant de laboratoire coûte généralement 50 à 70 % moins cher pour un grade équivalent, ce qui permet d'obtenir une pierre plus grande ou de meilleure qualité pour le même budget. Le diamant naturel conserve mieux sa valeur dans le temps et répond à une préférence pour la rareté et la provenance. Ralph vous présente les deux options en consultation pour que vous puissiez décider en connaissance de cause.
Le rond brillant reste la forme la plus demandée pour sa brillance maximale et son caractère intemporel. L'ovale est très populaire en ce moment pour son aspect allongé qui agrandit visuellement la pierre. Le coussin et l'émeraude séduisent ceux qui cherchent un style plus vintage ou architectural. Il n'y a pas de mauvais choix — tout dépend du style de votre partenaire.
L'or blanc est le plus polyvalent et le plus populaire pour les fiançailles en ce moment. L'or jaune est intemporel et revient fortement en tendance, surtout pour les designs vintage. L'or rose donne un résultat romantique et distinctif. Les trois sont disponibles en 14K ou 18K dans notre atelier — votre choix dépend du style de votre partenaire et de ses préférences en bijoux quotidiens.
La majorité de nos bagues de fiançailles sur mesure sont prêtes en 3 à 6 semaines selon la complexité du design. Pour les projets nécessitant des pierres spécifiques à commander, comptez plutôt 6 à 8 semaines. Nous vous donnons un délai précis lors de la première consultation — si vous avez une date importante en vue, mentionnez-la dès le départ.
Un rendez-vous n'est pas obligatoire, mais il est recommandé pour les projets sur mesure — il garantit que Ralph est disponible pour vous consacrer le temps nécessaire. Pour une visite exploratoire ou pour voir des modèles, vous pouvez passer librement pendant nos heures d'ouverture (mar–ven 10h30–18h, sam 12h–17h). Appelez-nous au 514 524-2233 pour vérifier la disponibilité.
Oui, c'est l'un des projets sur mesure les plus fréquents et les plus chargés de sens. Nous pouvons remonter une pierre héritée dans un nouveau design entièrement conçu avec vous, ou transformer une pièce existante pour lui donner une nouvelle vie. Ralph évalue la pierre et la monture actuelle lors d'une première consultation gratuite, et vous propose les options possibles.
La méthode la plus fiable est d'emprunter discrètement une bague qu'il ou elle porte à la main droite (bague portée à l'annulaire droit = souvent la même taille que l'annulaire gauche). Sinon, un proche de confiance peut nous appeler pour une estimation. Si vous n'êtes pas certain, on peut créer la bague dans une taille standard et prévoir un redimensionnement après la demande — c'est une pratique courante. Consultez aussi notre Guide taille de bague pour les méthodes de mesure.
Ready to create your engagement ring?
Passez en boutique au 1144 avenue du Mont-Royal Est — Ralph vous reçoit pour une première consultation sans rendez-vous obligatoire. Vous repartez au minimum avec des idées claires et un devis, sans engagement.
In store
1144 Avenue du Mont-Royal Est
Montréal, QC H2J 1X8
(514) 524-2233
Tue–Fri: 10:30am–6pm
Sat: 10:30am–5pm
Sun–Mon: Closed