Designing an engagement ring is one of life’s most meaningful moments. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, a piece designed not only for the perfect proposal, but also an heirloom to be worn and cherished for a lifetime.
If you are about to begin your journey of designing an engagement ring in today’s day and age, you are in a uniquely considered position. With access to both traditional jewellers and more contemporary, bespoke showrooms, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming without the right guidance.
This journal is designed to walk you through each stage of the process, from understanding budgets and carat sizes to knowing where to buy an engagement ring, so you can begin your journey with clarity and quiet confidence.
How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?
There is no fixed rule when it comes to budgeting for an engagement ring, only what feels considered and aligned with your priorities.
Across Australia, most engagement rings typically fall within three key ranges: between $2,500 and $5,000, $5,000 and $10,000, and $10,000 or more.
Within the $2,500 to $5,000 range, clients often co-create engagement rings featuring a moissanite centre stone or a lab-grown diamond under 2ct.
Between $5,000 and $10,000 is the most common price range, where clients can indulge in a larger carat size and adorn their piece with our bespoke customisations, such as a Hidden Halo or Hidden Birthstones. At TMC Fine Jewellers, the average engagement ring sits around $5,000, with most couples choosing to invest between $4,000 and $8,000. This typically reflects a balance between a high-impact centre stone and a considered, bespoke setting.
From $10,000 and above, designs often feature larger carat sizes with exceptional colour and clarity, or more intricate custom settings with increased precious metal weight.
What Centre Stone Should I Choose?
With every season, new engagement ring trends emerge, shaping how you may choose to express your individual style. Based on over 5,000 consultations within our showrooms throughout 2025, clear preferences are apparent in both shape and design specifications.
The oval cut remains the most sought-after shape, appreciated for its soft, elongated proportions and ability to maximise perceived size. Across all designs, centre stones between 1.5ct and 3ct continue to be the most commonly chosen.
Within moissanite, a 2.1ct oval was the single most popular choice. Radiant and emerald cuts above 3ct have seen increasing demand for those seeking a more statement-driven aesthetic.
Within lab-grown diamonds, E Colour and VS1 Clarity has been a consistent choice for clients balancing size and budget, while D Colour and VVS2 Clarity remains a more premium selection for those prioritising exceptional clarity and colour over carat weight. These trends reflect a broader shift towards larger, brighter stones with elevated specifications, while still remaining within an attainable budget.
learn more about our gemstones.
What Carat Size Should You Choose?
Carat size is one of the most visually defining elements of an engagement ring, though it ultimately comes down to the client, how it looks in proportion to their hand and the overall ring design.
At TMC, most clients naturally gravitate towards centre stones between 2 and 3 carats, with carat sizes ranging from 1.75ct to 3.5ct representing the majority of engagement ring designs. The focus is not simply on size, but on balance, how the stone sits on the hand, how it reflects light, and how it integrates seamlessly into your chosen setting.
What Metal Should You Choose?
The precious metal you choose will shape both the aesthetic of your ring and how it wears over time. At TMC Fine Jewellers, we are committed to working with only the most exceptional materials, sourced from ethical origins. Each piece is crafted using Australian-sourced gold and platinum, ensuring consistency in quality and long-term durability for everyday wear.
At TMC, we primarily work with 18 karat gold, 14 karat gold and platinum (pt950) for our Signature Range of engagement rings.
14 karat yellow, white, and rose gold offers increased durability due to its higher alloy content, with a slightly softer tone in colour. 14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold, and 41.5% alloy. When referring to colour and aesthetic, 14 karat yellow gold radiates a warm glow and is currently our most coveted precious metal type.
18 karat gold contains 75% pure gold and 25% alloy, and is also available across all tones. In yellow and rose gold, it presents a richer, warmer finish due its higher gold content. For white gold, regardless of your chosen karat type, your heirloom piece will display a beautiful white, bright finish, and will require rhodium plating yearly to uphold its colour, and overall lustre. This is a maintenance service we offer.
Platinum is a naturally white metal, is denser and a more durable metal compared to its white gold counterparts. A platinum ring will barely lose any of its metal thickness over time, will feel heavier and won’t ever require rhodium plating. Our platinum is very pure, 95% pure platinum and 5% alloy.
Ultimately, your choice reflects your personal style and how you imagine your piece wearing every day. At TMC Fine Jewellers, we only work with the highest quality materials, inclusive of precious metals and gold. We work with Australian gold and precious metal suppliers with over 70 years of industry experience, and who also place great importance on supply chain transparency and traceability of materials.
Whilst 14k Yellow Gold has become the most sought-after metal choice, admired for its rich golden hue and its effortless balance of traditional and contemporary style, trends will come and go. The right metal choice is one that feels naturally aligned with your personal style and complements your skin tone. Consider the jewellery you wear every day and the tones you are instinctively drawn to. When your engagement ring reflects what you already love, it will feel timeless from the very beginning.
Learn more about our precious metals.
Where To Buy an Engagement Ring
When considering where to buy an engagement ring, there are three primary pathways, each offering a distinct experience.
Traditional retail jewellers typically offer pre-made designs with limited customisation and faster turnaround times. Online-only retailers provide accessibility, though often with less guidance and personalised support throughout the process. Bespoke jewellers offer a more considered, consultation-led experience, with one-on-one guidance, the ability to design custom or semi-custom pieces, and the opportunity to view and refine options in person.
At TMC Fine Jewellers, our Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Showroom offers a relaxed, by-appointment-only experience designed to feel both personal and informative. Our bright, light-filled spaces represent the brand we have grown to become, showcasing our carefully curated range of engagement rings, ceremonial rings, and fine jewellery pieces.
Consultations are complementary and obligation-free, allowing you to explore designs, ask questions, and try on as many pieces as your heart desires, all with the guidance of your dedicated consultant.
At TMC Fine Jewellers, around 80% of clients choose to design their engagement ring alongside their partner, co-creating an heirloom piece that reflects your relationship and what matters most to you.
Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamonds
Choosing between moissanite and lab-grown diamonds is one of the most considered decisions within the engagement ring process.
Our Signature Moissanite is the perfect choice for somebody who desires the highest quality diamond alternative, that is ethical and attainable. Moissanite is known for its exceptional brilliance and fire, offering a more accessible price point that allows clients to indulge in a larger carat size, without exceeding a reasonable budget.
A laboratory diamond is chemically, physically and optically the same as a mined diamond. They are one and the same - real diamonds. A lab grown diamond, however, is created above ground sustainably, with advanced technology mimicking the natural growth process of a mined diamond. Lab-grown diamonds have a higher price point than moissanite, and are increasingly selected within D - F colour and VS clarity ranges.
Both options allow you to prioritise what matters most, whether that is size, tradition, or long-term value, without compromising on aesthetics or longevity.
How long does it take to make an engagement ring?
Timing is a key consideration when planning your proposal.
At TMC Fine Jewellers, the standard crafting timeframe is between six and eight weeks, with a recommended start time of approximately three months prior to your proposal. For those working within a shorter timeline, priority crafting is available within four to six weeks for an additional fee of $750 AUD, while our Ready To Propose collection offers crafted pieces from our Signature Range within a one to two week timeframe.
Allowing sufficient time ensures the design, refinement, and crafting process can take place without compromise.
Made To Order
Every engagement ring we craft is thoughtfully crafted to reflect your love. With our Signature Range, you select a design that has been carefully curated by our Founder, Makayla and then further customise the ring to your liking.
With our design, you lead the way choosing each intricate detail of your ring. This includes metal type, gemstone type, gemstone size, band width, band profile, prong style, melee stones and more. You can also choose to deepen the sentiment with our Bespoke Customisations, from hidden birthstones to engraving, these details allow for a deeply personal piece while maintaining a refined and timeless aesthetic.
Our Signature Process can be initiated online via our Signature Ring Builder or In-Boutique.
Designed with Intention
Beyond budgets, specifications, and design details, the most important element is how the ring feels to you. A well-crafted engagement ring should feel intentional, considered, and personal. It should reflect not only your partner’s style, but your shared story.
From your first consultation through to the final piece, the experience itself should feel just as meaningful as the ring you create.
Begin Your Journey
Whether you are still exploring or ready to begin designing, the first step should feel effortless. Explore our Signature Range of engagement rings or secure a consultation with TMC Fine Jewellers to begin co-creating a piece designed to be worn for a lifetime. TMC Fine Jewellers, crafted for your forever.
