Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.
HSTS Pixel

Ultimate guide to engagement and wedding rings

Discover different types of rings for all occassions. Learn more about ring styles and stones and how to measure ring size with our ultimate ring guide.

Shop all rings
 IMAGE ALT TEXT: A woman wearing a Pure Brilliance 9ct white gold 0.25ct lab diamond ring in size I.

What type of ring are you shopping for?

Women's rings

Men's rings

Choosing the perfect engagement ring

Step 1: How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Generally, there's no right answer. It's not all about the price tag - the most important thing is the love it symbolises. How much you spend is always at your discretion. Start by having a budget in mind and then go from there. 

Step 2: How to pick from different ring styles?

Ring styles are just as important as the stones featured on them. Choose based on your partner's preferences and tastes to pick a ring that they'll love. Solitaire rings are a timeless classic. For a similar elegance with a touch of contemporary, go for a halo ring. Try cluster rings or trilogy styles for a glamorous look.

Step 3: Selecting the best stone shape

Also known as stone cuts, stone shapes come in a variety of forms. Pick the one you think suits them best - from traditional round or oval shapes and elegant cushion or pear styles (named after the shapes they match in appearance). For something unique, explore slightly fancier and feminine heart and princess cuts.

Step 4: Choosing the metal for your ring

Step 5: How to select the stone type for a ring?

The classic and most popular pick for engagement rings has always been the diamond. However, there are newer options like cubic zirconia and lab grown diamonds that are of a similar composition but made inside a lab, making them more affordable than natural diamonds. Fancy something different? Try gemstone rings with other stylish stones like rubies and sapphires that are sure to stand out and turn heads.

Shop rings by stone type

Things to consider when buying a ring

Five yellow gold rings in different styles and stones on a white ribbon.

Quality - The 4 Cs of diamonds

  • Cut: This relates to how the diamond is shaped and affects how light can pass through it in different ways, resulting in the sparkling finish.
  • Colour & Clarity: These are natural characteristics of diamonds and higher ranking ones have little to no imperfections, making them look clear. Stones with only slight imperfections can still appear pure to the naked eye and are a great and affordable choice.
  • Carat: This does not have as much of an impact on the stone's appearance and is just a marker of its weight. 1 or 2 carat rings are ideal as engagement rings.

How to measure ring size

Trying a ring on in person will always be the ultimate test to find a comfortable size, but you can get a good idea of sizing using either of these methods:

A woman measuring her finger for a ring.

Measure your finger

Fingers can change size a little throughout the day, so measure them at their biggest. To do this, take the measurement in the evening and make sure your fingers aren't cold.

  1. Decide which finger the ring will be worn on and grab a length of string, a felt tip pen and a ruler.
  2. Wrap the string around the base of your finger. Make sure it's snug but not too tight - you're aiming to replicate a comfortable ring fitting.
  3. Using the pen, make a mark where the string crosses over.
  4. Use the ruler to measure the marked length of string in mm.
  5. You now have the circumference of your finger. Find your measurement on our size list PDF to get your approximate ring size.
A gold ring set down on a ruler.

Measure using an existing ring

Already have comfortably fitting ring but not sure what size is? Here's how to find out:

  1. If you can access a printer, print a copy of our ring size PDF (we'll open this in a new tab for you). Follow the instructions on the PDF to find out what size it is.
  2. Don't have access to a printer? Grab a ruler and measure the diameter of the ring (its widest part) in mm. Make sure the ring fits the same finger your are shopping for.
  3. Find the diameter on our size list below to get the approximate ring size.

Understanding ring sizes

 A diagram displaying how to measure a ring.

Ring size conversion

As is standard across most jewellers, we specify ring size with an alphabetical letter. Most of our range is available in sizes H through to V, although some rings may only be available in the most popular sizes. If you don't know what letter you need, you can find out below using the circumference of your finger or the diameter of an existing ring that fits.

Caring for your ring

If it doesn't fit

Even if you have carefully tried to work out what size ring you need, there's still a chance the ring won't fit exactly as you want it to. If this happens, don't panic. You can easily take it back into any Argos store within 30 days of purchase and exchange the ring for a different size. 

For diamond rings, they will need to be sent off for verification with the original size tag on it before they can be exchanged, so you would not be able to get the new ring straight away.

Find your nearest store here

Discover more inspiration

Pay no interest when you spend £199+

and you pay your full balance within 6 months with the Argos Card.

Representative 34.9% APR variable.

Credit subject to status. T&Cs apply. 
No interest, 100% roarsome. Pay no interest when you spend £199+ and you pay your full balance within 6 months with the Argos Card. Representative 34.9% APR variable. Credit subject to status. T&Cs apply.