The Complete Engagement Ring Guide: Making Confident Decisions With Expert Guidance

This guide provides you with expert guidance on how to choose the perfect engagement ring with clarity and confidence. Don’t buy an engagement ring or wedding ring until you see this, because most people feel overwhelmed by online jewellery stores, conflicting advice, and confusing diamond terminology. Stop guessing. Start saving. Get guided. You deserve a jeweller who actually listens, explains every decision, and helps you create an engagement ring that reflects your story and your partner’s style.

I am Michael Dransfield, master jeweller at Burgundy Bespoke Jewellers. For over 50 years, I’ve been crafting bespoke diamond engagement rings and wedding rings across Australia. When you work with me, you’re not just buying a ring; you’re getting my expertise. You speak directly with me from start to finish. No sales staff. No shop. No pressure. Just honest guidance and handcrafted quality.

I become your Ringman Wingman, guiding you through stone selection, design decisions, and every step of the process. I’ll even help keep the secret proposal a secret if we need to.

How to Set Your Engagement Ring Budget With Expert Guidance (No Guesswork)

There is no correct amount to spend on an engagement ring. The outdated salary rule is irrelevant. Your budget should feel comfortable and sensible for your life, not dictated by tradition or marketing.

When we meet, I help you structure your budget around what actually matters:

• Stone quality versus size
• Your partner’s style
• Metal choice, such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum
• Setting style, such as solitaire, bezel, and more
• Shapes, including pear, oval, and more
• Long-term durability

Here’s what most people don’t realise: because I don’t have a jewellery shop or carry stock, your money goes directly into craftsmanship and certified natural or lab-grown diamonds and gemstones, not retail overheads. Many clients are surprised by how far their budget stretches when they go bespoke.

You also get access to my online diamond platform, which connects directly to diamond dealers. You can browse natural and lab-grown diamonds from under 1ct to over 5ct, comparing quality and value transparently. This platform typically saves clients around 15–20% on diamond costs compared to traditional retail.

We compare natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds side by side so you can clearly see which delivers the best value for your priorities.

Whether you ultimately choose a classic solitaire diamond engagement ring, an elegant emerald cut engagement ring, a modern oval lab-grown diamond engagement ring, or a pear shaped engagement ring, my role is to guide you through every design decision with clarity and confidence. From selecting between natural or lab-grown diamond options to choosing yellow gold, rose gold, or another metal, you’ll create one engagement ring that truly reflects your story and seamlessly transitions into your wedding rings. 

Without the pressure of a traditional shop, you can explore engagement rings and wedding rings thoughtfully, knowing each detail is tailored to you and crafted to last a lifetime.

The 4Cs Explained: What Truly Determines Diamond Beauty & Value

The 4Cs are cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. But they don’t all matter equally.

Cut has the biggest impact on the sparkle of a diamond. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, while a poorly cut diamond can look dull regardless of size.

Colour affects how white the diamond appears. D–G grades look bright in white gold and platinum settings, while warmer tones suit yellow gold and rose gold beautifully.

Clarity refers to internal inclusions. You do not need flawless. Eye-clean stones offer excellent value and look identical to higher diamond grades without magnification.

Carat weight measures mass, not visible size. Diamond shapes dramatically affect appearance. Oval, marquise, and pear shapes often look larger than round stones of the same weight.

During your consultation, we review natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds together on my online diamond platform so you can instantly see real differences between round, emerald cut, cushion, princess cut, and marquise shapes. While I don’t carry physical diamond samples, I can show cut and style examples in person using cubic zirconium to help visualize proportions and settings. This removes guesswork and prevents overspending.

All diamonds I present, whether natural or lab-grown, are independently certified by GIA or IGI, ensuring transparent grading and long-term confidence.

By the end of our session, you’ll be able to confidently choose the perfect diamond and overall design for your engagement ring, whether you’re drawn to a timeless solitaire diamond engagement ring, an elegant emerald cut engagement ring, or a contemporary oval shaped lab-grown diamond engagement ring. 

I’ll guide you through comparing natural and lab-grown diamond options, selecting the right yellow gold or alternative metal, and understanding how your engagement ring can later complement your wedding jewellery. 

With no pressure from a traditional jewellery shop, you can explore engagement rings and wedding rings at your own pace and create one meaningful piece of jewellery that reflects your values, style, and future together.

Platinum or Gold? Choosing the Right Metal for Your Lifestyle & Long-Term Wear

Metal choice changes the entire personality of your engagement ring.

Yellow gold offers warmth and classic elegance. White gold feels modern and bright. Rose gold brings a romantic softness. Platinum is premium, naturally white, and extremely durable.

Lifestyle matters. If you work with your hands, a lower profile setting or bezel design may suit you best. If you love sparkle, solitaire, claw, or halo settings maximise brilliance. For long-term wear, platinum and 18k gold provide excellent strength.

You’ll learn about different metal options during your consultation, from yellow gold to white gold, rose gold, and platinum, so you can understand how each metal interacts with your chosen stone.

Choosing the right metal is about creating engagement rings and wedding rings that genuinely fit your lifestyle, not just your taste. Your engagement ring should feel comfortable every day, while your wedding ring should sit perfectly beside it for years to come. 

How I Help You Choose a Ring That Feels Made Just for Them

This is where bespoke truly shines. I don’t carry stock. I do not have a jewellery shop. There is no range to pick from. Every ring is designed around the client.

We start with:

• Your partner’s jewellery habits
• Their lifestyle and profession
• Their preferred metal colour
• Shapes they’re drawn to
• Any inspirational images you’ve collected

Then I guide you through:

• Gemstone selection (natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, or other precious gemstones)
• Shape (round, oval, pear, emerald cut, cushion, princess cut, marquise)
• Setting style (solitaire, halo, bezel, trilogy, cluster)
• Band width and profile
• Overall proportions

You choose everything. I simply help you avoid mistakes and make sure the design actually works in real life, not just in photos.

Jewellery designs can be viewed during your consultation, so you can clearly see how your ideas translate into a finished piece before it’s crafted.

The result is a unique engagement ring created exclusively for you.

Instead of settling for what’s available in a jewellery shop, you’ll create one meaningful piece of jewellery from the ground up – a diamond engagement ring that genuinely reflects who they are. Whether that means a refined emerald cut engagement ring, a minimalist solitaire engagement ring, or a carefully selected lab-grown diamond, I’ll guide you through each step with practical insight, not sales pressure. 

The result is heirloom-worthy jewellery that pairs beautifully with future wedding rings and feels purposeful, considered, and deeply personal from the very first sketch.

The Questions I Encourage Every Client to Ask Before They Commit

Before buying engagement rings or wedding rings anywhere, I always encourage asking smart questions:

• Is the diamond GIA or IGI certified?
• Is it natural or lab grown?
• Where was it ethically sourced?
• Who is actually crafting my engagement ring or wedding ring?
• Can I compare diamond options and other gemstones side by side?
• What happens if the size is wrong?
• What support is provided after purchase?

If a jeweller can’t answer clearly, walk away.

By approaching your engagement ring this way, you’re empowered to make informed decisions rather than relying on a traditional shop sales pitch. Whether you’re refining a custom design, comparing a natural diamond to a lab-grown diamond, or deciding between a timeless solitaire and an emerald cut, you stay in control of the process. 

This ensures you create one ring that feels right for you now and pairs seamlessly with your future wedding rings – thoughtful, transparent, and built to last.

How I Help You Find Their Ring Size While Keeping the Proposal Secret

Secret proposals are common, and I specialise in keeping things discreet.

We use subtle methods such as:

• Measuring an existing ring
• Comparing finger sizes
• Working with trusted friends or family
• Using sizing guides as backup
• Using one of our world-famous multisizers, which we can send to you

Every bespoke engagement ring or wedding ring includes complimentary resizing, so even if it’s slightly off, it’s easily corrected.

How to Protect Your Ring’s Beauty & Value for Life

Your engagement ring is designed to last for generations.

Simple care habits include:

• Annual professional cleaning
• Regular claw checks
• Removing it for gym or heavy work
• Storing it separately
• Insuring your engagement ring

In the unlikely event of a manufacturing fault with your engagement ring, I stand by my craftsmanship and will ensure it’s put right.

Popular Engagement Ring Styles I Craft Every Day

Some designs remain timeless.

Solitaire diamond engagement rings remain the most popular. Halo engagement rings add sparkle. Trilogy engagement rings symbolise the past, present, and future. Hidden halos offer subtle luxury. Emerald cut solitaire engagement rings feel architectural. Oval and pear shapes elongate the finger. Princess-cut natural and lab-grown diamonds deliver sharp brilliance. Cluster engagement rings feel artistic.

Every ring is handcrafted. No stock from a jewellery shop. No duplicates.

No matter which direction you’re drawn to, from a sleek pear-shaped diamond to a precisely cut lab-grown diamond and a modern minimalist look, I help you design an engagement ring that feels intentional, not off-the-shelf. Without the limitations of a traditional shop, we explore natural and lab-grown diamond options, proportions, and details until everything feels right. 

As your guide through the process, I ensure the final piece stands confidently on its own while pairing effortlessly with future wedding rings – crafted with purpose, individuality, and long-term wear in mind.

Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds: Honest Guidance

Natural and lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical. Both are real diamonds. Both are certified. Both sparkle beautifully.

Natural diamonds offer traditional rarity. Lab-grown diamonds allow greater size and quality for the same budget. Seeing them side by side lets you choose with clarity, not marketing pressure.

My Ultra-Simple 3 Step Process

Step 1: Choose your stone
I show you 3–5 diamond options in your budget and explain why one is a better value.

Step 2: Approve your design
You review proportions, setting style, and details.

Step 3: Receive your handcrafted ring
Your engagement ring is crafted in Australia and completed in approximately four weeks.

This approach gives you space to choose what truly matters, without being influenced by a shop environment or sales tactics. Whether you’re comparing lab-grown stones or deciding on a pear shape for your engagement ring, every step is built around clarity and confidence. 

The result is a piece you’ll be proud to wear alongside your wedding rings – thoughtfully crafted, personally meaningful, and created to celebrate your story, not a trend.

How Consultations Work

In-person and Zoom meetings are available in:

• Brisbane
• The Gold Coast
• The Sunshine Coast

For all other locations across Australia, consultations are conducted via Zoom only.

This gives you the same level of personal guidance wherever you are, from Sydney to Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, or anywhere in between.

Don’t Propose With Something Ordinary

Don’t propose with something ordinary; this moment deserves more than an off-the-shelf choice from a traditional shop. You’re not just buying an engagement ring, you’re creating one meaningful symbol of your future together, something that will sit proudly alongside your wedding rings for a lifetime. A regular jewellery shop will simply sell you a diamond and a setting, but I guide you through selecting the right stone – whether natural or lab-grown – and pairing it with the perfect design for your budget.

Think custom engagement rings are expensive? Often, they’re the smarter option, giving you more value, better quality, and a ring that feels truly personal. With no shop pressure, no stock to push, and no shortcuts, you’ll end up with one engagement ring that reflects your story, your values, and your commitment.

Want expert guidance without sales tactics? Don’t propose with ordinary, off-the-shelf rings – create something unforgettable.

Book Your Consultation Today

Secure your private consultation and take the first step toward creating a diamond engagement ring that truly reflects your story. Whether you’re weighing up lab-grown options or refining details to complement your future wedding rings, you’ll receive clear, honest advice tailored to you – not a sales script.

Phone: 0452 266 359
Email: michael@burgundybespoke.com

Your journey to a meaningful engagement ring begins with insight, craftsmanship, and a commitment to doing things properly.