Engagement Rings Melbourne

“Buying a significant diamond will be one of the most rewarding moments of your life.”

 

If you’re in search of the best engagement rings Melbourne has to offer, look no further than Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers. With over 130 years of experience in buying diamonds, our owners Tim and Chris are true experts in the field.

We pride ourselves on providing a personalised and private consultation experience, ensuring that you find the perfect ring for your loved one.

At Holdsworth Bros., we understand that every love story is unique, which is why we offer custom-made rings. Our skilled team can help bring your vision to life and create a one-of-a-kind design that reflects your personal style and symbolizes your love. Whether you’re drawn to classic round-cut diamonds or prefer something more unconventional like lab-grown moissanite, our extensive collection has something for everyone.

We curate only the finest selection of stones from around the world. Shopping with us is easy and hassle-free. You can choose to browse our range online or visit one of our stores in Melbourne to see our handcrafted jewellery up close. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process, helping you make an informed decision based on quality, cut, and clarity.

When it comes to finding the perfect engagement ring in Melbourne, Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers is your ultimate destination. Trust us with this important milestone in your life and let us assist you in creating a piece that captures the essence of your love story.

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Choose Your Shape

 

Guide To Finding The One

 

Know Your C’s

 
The Gemological Institute of America invented a system for grading diamonds, you probably know it as the 4C’s.

Carat – The weight, related to the size. 1.00ct = 0.2gm

Clarity – Size, amount and obviousness of inclusions

Colour – The lack of body colour

Cut – Brilliance, Fire, Sparkle and Scintillation

There are plenty of websites around that go in to nauseating detail of what each of these factors are, but the skill in picking a beautiful diamond that meets your budget is knowing how best to apply these factors to your desires. Lets cut to the chase and talk dollars as ultimately money will drive what is chosen.

 

Budget

 
You probably have an idea of what you would like to spend and it may seem counter intuitive, but let’s start by ignoring cut and carat. For the importance of it, cut makes surprisingly little difference to a the price. The carat size you would like will end up being a product of your choices on clarity and colour when combined with your budget.

 

Colour

 
Do not choose anything lower than H. Unless you look at the diamond from underneath you will struggle to see the difference between a D and F colour. Perhaps you can discern a D and G, perhaps not. But below an H and you will notice a colour tinge, yellow or grey most likely.

 

Clarity

 
Do not choose anything lower than Si2. Choosing Vs or higher is a personal choice. If you peer into a diamond with a jewellers loupe you may be able to see inclusions in an Si1 or Si2 however you won’t see them with your naked eye. For diamonds graded Vs2 and above you will never see the inclusions, even if a jeweller shows you where to look with a lens. Hours of practice are needed to spot them.

 

“The biggest mistake most people make is deciding they want say a F/VS1 ‘triple excellent’ 1.00ct diamond and searching for the cheapest example of it. They don’t realise that ‘Triple Excellent’ covers all manner of sins.”

Complexity of Cut and Proportions

Nowadays, almost all diamonds over 0.30ct have a report from a grading laboratory that provides all the information for you to easily compare stones. The skill of astute diamond buying lies in a thorough understanding of the cut.

Why aren’t all diamonds cut to be beautiful? The answer is easy. Money. Cutters will cut diamonds to be heavy – and this means they will be less beautiful. They want to retain as much of the crystal as possible, knowing that most people will pay more for a poor looking 1.00ct than a beautiful 0.90ct.

There is a complicated relationship between the proportions and the light that is reflected from the diamond as a result. Thankfully, a large amount of research has gone into figuring out how all of the angles, widths and depths interrelate with each other, and what sets of proportions are likely to yield a bright sparkly stone. Cutters will still cut to retain as much weight from the crystal as they can get away with, but these formulas allow us to pinpoint the brightest stones – the ones that we buy for ourselves and sell in our stores, with the unsold diamonds usually ending up online.

Triple excellent (or ExExEx) is a term reserved by diamond grading labs for a stone the is excellent in its cut grade, symetry and polish.
The problem is that the grading labs have a vested interest in providing certificates that satisfy their primary paying customer – the diamond cutter. As a result, the standard required to achieve ‘triple excellent’ is much lower than most people would assume.

“Would you like to upgrade to a beautiful diamond free of charge?”

 

Maximising Value from Cut

The GIA prepare reports that give a cut grade. They range anywhere from Excellent, Very Good, Good to Fair. What we have learned through examining thousands of diamonds is that even in the top grade of Excellent there are only a small fraction, around 10-15%, that are truly beautiful diamonds.

The key is to look at the depth, table size, crown and pavillion angles and only choose ones that are likely to yield an eye pleasing combination of fire, brilliance and scintillation.

Then of course you look at the diamond, really study it, and decide if it is good enough to be seen in our front window.

Holdsworth Bros. have been buying diamonds for over 130 years, and both Chris and Tim Holdsworth are highly qualified, diamond experts. They have upmost confidence that a diamond bought from them will outshine and outperform any comparable diamond and more importantly, will be the envy of all others!

The truly beautiful diamonds fall in specific places inside this red ellipse for 58% table size.

Engagement ring band

 
While picking the band might not seem important compared to choosing the stone, the ring band will affect the overall look. White gold and platinum are popular choices for colourless or near-colourless diamonds (colour rating between D-G) as they highlight the diamond’s colourlessness. They also make for a modern appearance.

If you want something a little different, you could opt for rose gold, which is made by alloying gold with copper and silver. This makes for a nice contrast between the colourlessness of the stone and the band while being able to complement any skin tone.

 

What’s the difference between ring setting and style?

 
An engagement ring setting highlights the beauty of a diamond and how it’s held in place. The style refers to the overall design that the ring setting helps create, such as a solitaire, halo or trilogy stone.

 

What types of settings are there?

 
There are many different settings, but the most common one is the claw setting. Metal claws hold the diamond tightly in place. There are usually either four or six claws and the major advantage of this setting is the presence of metal is minimal so that the stone can be seen in all its glory and the advantage of being easier to keep clean and sparkly.

Claws can be rounded, pointed, flat, or V-shaped depending on your design preference, the shape of the diamond being held and the security that style offers.

Other settings that are regularly chosen include bezel, which is popular as the setting encircles the diamond for extra security and is suitable for an active lifestyle or tension, for a more contemporary look.

For shoulder diamonds there is a pavé setting where small diamonds are paved together for continuous sparkle, and channel setting where diamonds are fitted into a continuous channel for long single stretches of sparkle.

 

What different styles are there?

 
Three common styles are: solitaire, halo and trilogy. Solitaire refers to a single diamond. This is a popular style because it puts the diamond on full display to be admired and has a classic elegance.

The halo style is where the centre diamond is encircled by a collection of smaller diamonds. This style is popular because it can make the centre stone look much larger. Even a quarter, third or half-carat diamond can look up to half a carat larger, so it’s better bang for your buck.

Finally, the trilogy style or three stone style as it’s also called is where three stones are set along the hoop. The two stones on the outside are identical, with the middle diamond being the standout stone. The three gemstones represent the past, present and future.

All these styles can be further accented with shoulder diamonds which are usually set in the pave or channel styles as described above.

 

Understanding how a diamond sparkles under different lighting

 
The facets of a diamond act like miniature mirrors, reflecting their surroundings. So depending on what light you’re surrounded by, your crystal will look different. Diamonds should look amazing under all lighting whether its bright sunlight, a cloudy overcast day, in your living room or in romantic candlelight.

While it may be difficult to see how the ring will look under different conditions inside a jewellery store, you can get an idea of the diamond’s light performance by examining it in different parts of the shop. Try taking it to dimmer parts of the store, or under the desk or shadow it with your hand. It should always shine brightly in any light.

Diamonds always look brighter and whiter with general diffused lighting, and their fire and scintillation can be unlocked with point sources of light, such as candlelight or direct sunlight. It can be a fun experiment to see your well cut diamond show off in different lighting.

 

Engagement ring size

 
How do you find out your partner’s ring size without making it obvious? Here are a few ways:

Take a ring they currently own and press it into a bar of soap until it’s made a good impression

Borrow a ring they own and trace the inner circle on a piece of paper

Put one of their rings on your finger and mark where it stops

Check out our ring sizing chart for the full guide.

 

What is the average amount spent on an engagement ring?

 
The old days of spending the equivalent of two to three month’s salary is a bit old fashioned, but still not a bad place to start thinking about it. The most important thing to consider is: will the person you’re proposing to like the ring?

When a couple is buying a ring together generally they will decide on a budget together but it is a bit harder for a man buying alone. Our advice is that you should spend enough money so that it becomes a significant purchase for you. You don’t want to spend as much on an engagement ring as you would on a car, but you should think of it as a long-term investment. Without wanting to upset car enthusiasts, a high quality diamond engagement ring will well and truly outlast a car.

At Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers, we’ve sold engagement rings from as low as $1,000 and as high as $20,000. The average spend ranges between $4,000-8,000, which is about 5-10% of the median annual salary. Everyone has different circumstances and on different salaries, so the best advice is to talk to family and friends.

Takeaway tips:

– Understand the 4Cs

– Look at a range of different diamonds

– Make sure it fits within your budget

FAQ

 

Do I have to buy a diamond ring?

One of the best aspects of buying engagement rings is that you do not have to limit yourself to a diamond ring. While they may have been the norm for a long time, engagement rings now incorporate different kinds of alternative gemstones, from sapphires of various colours to rubies, and even different colour diamonds. 

How much they cost?

Prices range from approximately $1,350-$49,000 AUD, and are influenced by multiple factors, such as:

  • The shape of the gemstone (i.e. round, cut, etc.)
  • The colour and shade of the gemstone
  • Any accompanying gemstones
  • The alloy of the band
  • Any colour zoning
  • Whether the gemstone has received “heat treatment” to bring out its colour

 

Is it worth purchasing a ring in Melbourne or importing from other states/countries?

 When it comes to choosing the perfect engagement or wedding ring, one important decision that couples often face is whether to buy custom-made rings in Melbourne or import them from outside. While importing may seem like a tempting option, especially if you have already found the “perfect” ring online, I strongly advise against it unless you are absolutely certain. The reason for this is simple: buying locally offers numerous advantages that cannot be overlooked. Firstly, when you browse through local stores and boutiques, you have the opportunity to see and feel the rings in person. This allows you to truly appreciate their beauty and craftsmanship up close. Additionally, trying on the ring before making your final decision ensures that it fits perfectly and suits your personal style. We understand how crucial these factors are in finding an exceptional piece of jewellery for such a special occasion. That’s why our collection of custom-made rings in Melbourne is carefully curated with only the finest diamonds and handcrafted designs. Whether you prefer a round-cut diamond or a unique moissanite stone grown in a lab, our range has something for every taste. By choosing to shop with us online or at our physical store location in Melbourne, Australia’s premier destination for exquisite jewellery, you can rest assured knowing that each piece has been meticulously crafted by our expert jewellers. Our commitment to quality shines through every step of the process – from selecting ethically sourced diamonds to creating stunning settings using high-quality gold. So why settle for anything less than perfection? Explore our collection today and discover why our Jewellers is renowned as one of Melbourne’s best destinations for custom-made rings. Let us help make your dream engagement or wedding ring become a reality – because nothing should come between true love and an extraordinary symbol of commitment.

 

What’s the best place for custom rings Melbourne?

If you’re looking for custom engagement rings Melbourne, the best place to look is Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers. When it comes to custom jewellery, our process is both meticulous and collaborative. We work with you every step of the way to ensure that your dream vision is realised.