December is the most popular month of the year to propose, according to The Knot's research across more than 20,000 couples, and the stretch from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day is known in the industry as engagement season. If you plan to propose over the holidays, start the ring now. Work in this order: find the ring size, choose the shape, choose the diamond, choose the setting, then add engraving. Leave time at the end for sizing and delivery.
Step 1: Find Her Ring Size Quietly
The ring size is the one detail you cannot guess well, and the one that gives the game away if you ask directly. A few reliable ways to find it:
- Borrow a ring she wears on her left ring finger, or one she wears on the right ring finger and size down a little, since the right hand is often slightly larger. Measure it against our ring size chart.
- Ask a close friend or family member who can find out casually.
- Choose "Not sure." Many of our house rings let you pick "Not sure" as the size, and we will contact you to confirm it. House rings include one complimentary resizing, so a ring that is close can be adjusted after the proposal.
Step 2: Choose the Shape
Shape is the first real decision and changes everything after it. If you are not sure what she likes, look at the jewelry she already wears and the rings she points out. Round brilliants are the safest and most classic; ovals, like this lab-grown oval hidden halo ring, and pears look larger for their weight; emerald cuts, like this lab-grown emerald solitaire, are elegant and clean. Our guide to engagement ring diamond shapes compares nine shapes side by side.
Step 3: Choose the Diamond
Once you know the shape, choose the stone. The basics:
- Cut matters most for sparkle, especially on a round.
- Color and clarity should look white and clean to the eye. You do not need the top grades to get a beautiful stone.
- A grading report from a recognized lab should come with any center diamond. Our guide to IGI and GIA reports explains the differences.
- Lab-grown or natural: both are real diamonds. Lab-grown typically costs 60–85% less for the same size and grade, which often means a larger stone. Our honest comparison covers the rest.
Browse loose lab-grown diamonds, filtered by shape and size, such as 1.5 carat rounds or 2 carat ovals, or natural diamonds.
Step 4: Choose the Setting
The setting should suit how she lives. A solitaire shows the diamond most cleanly and pairs easily with any wedding band. A hidden halo adds sparkle under the center stone without changing its look from above. A pavé band adds shine along the finger. If she works with her hands a lot, a lower setting is more practical. You can pair a loose diamond with a setting made for its shape from our engagement ring settings, or choose a finished ring like this lab-grown round solitaire in 14K white gold from our engagement ring collection. You can also add a matching wedding band in the same order; our guide to matching a wedding band explains how to choose.
Step 5: Add the Engraving
An inscription inside the band, a date, initials or a few words, is the detail that makes a ring yours. Engraving is complimentary on our engagement rings, and you can preview it on the ring page before you order.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Does the diamond come with a grading report, and does the report number match the stone?
- Is the setting made to order, and how long will it take?
- What is included: engraving, resizing, shipping and insurance in transit?
- What happens if she wants a different size or style? Know the return and resizing terms before you buy, not after.
- Can I see the actual stone? Look for photographs and video of the individual diamond rather than a stock image, and ask for them if they are not shown.
Step 6: Leave Time
Some settings are made to order, and sizing and shipping take time, which slows down as the holidays get closer. Plan to have the ring in hand at least a couple of weeks before the day you plan to ask, so there is room for anything unexpected. Every ring ships free and insured.
After the Yes
Have the ring sized if needed, and add it to your insurance. Keep the grading report somewhere safe; it identifies the diamond. If something is not right, unworn jewelry and loose diamonds can be returned within 14 days of delivery, so check the ring as soon as it arrives.
Frequently asked
What is the most popular month to propose?
December. According to The Knot's research across more than 20,000 couples, December is the most popular month to propose, and the season from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day is the busiest time of year for engagements.
How do I find out her ring size without asking?
Borrow a ring she wears on the same finger and measure it against a size chart, or ask a close friend or family member. Many of our house rings also let you choose Not sure as the size, and we will contact you to confirm it.
How far ahead should I buy an engagement ring?
Start several weeks ahead and aim to have the ring in hand at least a couple of weeks before you propose. Some settings are made to order, and sizing and holiday shipping take time.