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The Journal

How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

Where the two months salary rule came from, why it is not advice, and a more useful way to decide what to spend.

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August 2026

Why two jewellers quote different prices for the same ring

Three quotes, three very different numbers, apparently for the same ring. Here is what is actually different, and how to compare them so ...
August 2026

How much does a bespoke engagement ring cost in Hatton Garden? (2026 guide)

Bespoke engagement rings at Hatton Garden Bespoke Jewellery start from £2,000, which covers the setting and the centre stone together. Mo...
August 2026

Buying an engagement ring in Hatton Garden: what to expect

What Hatton Garden actually is, whether it is cheaper than the high street, the difference between a workshop and a showroom, and how to ...
June 2026

Platinum vs white gold vs yellow gold for engagement rings

The metal shapes how a ring looks and wears, and what it costs. How platinum, white gold and yellow gold compare for an engagement ring.
June 2026

How to propose when you do not know their ring size

A surprise proposal usually means you cannot ask for a ring size. Quiet ways to find it out, and what to do if you cannot.
June 2026

GIA vs IGI diamond certificates: what they mean

The certificate matters almost as much as the stone. How the GIA and the IGI differ, and which suits a natural or a lab-grown diamond.
June 2026

Commissioning a bespoke engagement ring from overseas

You do not need to be in London to have a ring made in Hatton Garden. How a remote commission works, from brief to insured delivery.
June 2026

How to measure your ring size at home: a UK guide

Accurate UK ring sizing at home, in three reliable methods, plus the two common approaches to avoid. Covers borrowed-ring sizing, string ...
June 2026

Engagement ring settings explained: solitaire, halo, three-stone, pavé and bezel

The setting is the metal architecture that holds your diamond. This guide covers the five settings we make most often at HGBJ (solitaire,...
June 2026

Inside the London Assay Office: what hallmarks mean on your bespoke jewellery

What do UK hallmarks mean, and why are they struck at the London Assay Office? A guide to sponsor marks, fineness, the leopard's head, an...
June 2026

Platinum or gold? A guide to metals for bespoke engagement rings

Platinum, 18ct white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold? A Hatton Garden jeweller's guide to choosing the right metal for your bespoke engag...
June 2026

Diamond shapes explained: a London jeweller's guide

Round, oval, cushion, emerald, pear, princess, marquise, radiant, asscher, heart: a complete guide to the ten classic diamond shapes, how...
Where to propose in London: ten places, and what happens next
May 2026

Where to propose in London: ten places, and what happens next

Ten beautiful places to propose across London, from the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park to private dining rooms in Hatton Garden. Plus what ...
Redesigning an inherited diamond into a new engagement ring
May 2026

Redesigning an inherited diamond into a new engagement ring

Roughly one in five HGBJ commissions includes a diamond the client already owns. This guide covers the consultation, the design decisions...
A century of Hatton Garden
April 2026

A century of Hatton Garden

A century of Hatton Garden: how London's jewellery quarter took shape, and why we still work from The Goldsmiths' Centre today.
The 4Cs, and a fifth worth adding
April 2026

The 4Cs, and a fifth worth adding

The 4Cs of diamonds are cut, colour, clarity and carat. The fifth, confidence in what you are buying, decides whether you are happy with ...
The bespoke design process, from consultation to setting
April 2026

The bespoke design process, from consultation to setting

Inside the bespoke ring design process: consultation, CAD design, stone selection, casting, hand setting and hallmarking at the London As...
Bespoke vs ready-made engagement rings: what’s the difference?
March 2026

Bespoke vs ready-made engagement rings: what’s the difference?

Bespoke engagement rings are often less expensive than their high street equivalents, and the difference is not only price. Here is what ...
Ring resizing in Hatton Garden: laser sizing for gold and platinum
February 2026

Ring resizing in Hatton Garden: laser sizing for gold and platinum

Invisible laser ring resizing for gold and platinum rings in Hatton Garden. No visible seam. Sizing down is complimentary on rings we mad...
Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: how they differ
February 2026

Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: how they differ

Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: chemically identical, often more affordable, but different heritage value. Here is what that means when yo...
Bespoke jewellery in Hatton Garden: how to design your piece
February 2026

Bespoke jewellery in Hatton Garden: how to design your piece

Design your own bespoke engagement ring, wedding band, or fine jewellery at our Hatton Garden studio. Free consultation, CAD design for a...
When is a good time to get engaged?
February 2026

When is a good time to get engaged?

When is the right time to get engaged?There is no perfect month or universal rule, only what feels right for your relationship. This guid...