With more than 40 years crafting engagement rings, we’ve created a simple step-by-step guide to help you choose a meaningful, memorable piece that reflects your love story.
For many Brisbane couples, choosing an engagement ring isn’t just another purchase. It’s a deeply meaningful decision and the beginning of a story that will last a lifetime. At Nick Ireland, we’ve spent decades helping couples across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and regional Queensland find or design rings that feel personal, beautifully crafted, and timeless.
Whether you love the soft romance of a pink diamond, the sparkle of a classic natural white diamond, or the unique charm of a coloured gemstone, this guide will help you find a ring you’ll cherish forever.
1. Start With the Diamond (or Gemstone) That Truly Speaks to You
Before choosing your setting, it’s helpful to understand how each stone shape expresses a different style.
Every great ring begins with a stone that resonates with your heart and therefore feels right. At Nick Ireland, we carefully curate a hand-selected range of options to suit every taste:
Known for their brilliance, fire, and enduring value, natural white diamonds are the quintessential choice for timeless elegance. Their classic sparkle captures light beautifully, making them a symbol of everlasting love. Perfect for those who want a ring that never goes out of style, a white diamond pairs effortlessly with any setting or metal, ensuring your engagement ring feels both sophisticated and enduring.
Argyle pink diamonds are among the rarest and most coveted stones in the world. No longer produced, these investment-grade diamonds are prized for their naturally soft pink hues, which range from delicate blush to vibrant rose. Their unique colour and scarcity make them an unforgettable choice for couples seeking a ring that stands out with elegance and individuality.
Coloured diamonds, from warm champagne and cognac tones to vibrant yellows and rare fancy hues, are perfect for couples who want a ring full of personality and character. These stones offer a richness of colour that adds depth and individuality, allowing your engagement ring to reflect your unique style.
Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies offer a vibrant, non-traditional alternative to classic diamonds. Their rich, striking colours make a bold statement while still conveying elegance and romance. Perfect for couples who want a ring that reflects their personality and style, gemstones bring individuality and character to your engagement ring, creating a piece that is truly one-of-a-kind.
In a welcoming, informative, and stress-free environment, our experts help you explore every stone up close. Experiencing the sparkle, weight, and colour in person gives a clarity and confidence that online shopping simply can’t provide.
2. Find the Shape That Matches Their Style
Choosing the right diamond shape is an important part of finding a ring that truly reflects your style.
Some of Brisbane’s favourite shapes include:
- Round Brilliant: The ultimate classic, renowned for its exceptional sparkle and timeless appeal. Perfect for those who love tradition with maximum brilliance.
- Oval: Sleek, elegant, and modern, the oval shape elongates the finger and remains hugely popular among Brisbane couples seeking sophistication with a contemporary twist.
- Pear: Graceful and flattering, the teardrop silhouette combines elegance with individuality, offering a subtle statement on the hand.
- Emerald Cut: With clean lines and an architectural feel, this luxurious cut exudes refinement and understated glamour, ideal for lovers of elegance and simplicity.
- Radiant: Brilliantly faceted and versatile, the radiant cut is perfect for coloured or pink diamonds, combining sparkle with a modern edge.
- Cushion: Romantic and vintage-inspired, the cushion cut evokes timeless charm and soft curves, making it a favourite for those who love classic beauty with a touch of nostalgia.
Note that, if you’re choosing the ring for your partner and aren’t sure which shape they’ll love, or which would suit them best, don’t worry.
Bring along photos, screenshots, Instagram saves, or simply describe their style and preferences.
Our team will help turn these ideas into the perfect diamond shape, creating a ring that is as unique and personal as your love story.
3. Choose a Setting That Complements the Stone
Nick Ireland rings are crafted to order with meticulous detail in our specialist workshop.
Popular Brisbane engagement rings include:
- Solitaire — Clean, timeless, and elegant, the solitaire showcases a single diamond or gemstone at its finest. Its simplicity allows the stone to shine and remains a classic choice for couples who appreciate understated sophistication.
- Halo & hidden halo designs — These designs surround the centre stone with smaller diamonds, amplifying sparkle and brilliance. Hidden halos add a secret layer of shimmer beneath the main stone, making them especially stunning for coloured diamonds or for those seeking extra glamour and depth.
- Three-stone rings — Symbolising the past, present, and future, three-stone rings carry deep sentimental meaning. Each stone represents a stage of your shared journey, combining symbolism with timeless elegance for a truly personal ring.
- Toi et Moi designs — Literally meaning “you and me,” these rings feature two stones side by side, perfectly capturing the unity of two lives in one piece. Ideal for couples who want a romantic and unique statement ring.
- Custom modern designs — For those seeking something entirely original, our bespoke options allow for sculptural, organic, or architectural styles. Every curve, detail, and setting is crafted to your vision, resulting in a one-of-a-kind ring that reflects your personality and love story.
We also specialise in custom pink diamond settings, ensuring every Argyle stone is protected, optimised for light, and beautifully showcased.
4. Select the Right Precious Metal for Brisbane’s Lifestyle
The metal you choose not only affects the ring’s look but also how it wears day to day.
Here’s a guide to the most popular options, from classic to contemporary, so your ring suits both style and lifestyle:
From classic to contemporary:
- Platinum — Hypoallergenic, incredibly durable, and naturally bright white, platinum is a premium choice for those seeking longevity and understated elegance. Its strength makes it perfect for everyday wear while maintaining a luxurious finish.
- 18ct White, Yellow or Rose Gold — Warm, elegant, and versatile, 18ct gold comes in several hues to suit any style. White gold offers a modern, sleek look; yellow gold provides classic warmth and tradition; and rose gold adds a soft, romantic glow. All are ideal for daily wear, combining beauty with practicality.
- Two-tone combinations — Combining different metals in one ring allows for creative, striking designs. Two-tone settings are particularly effective for highlighting pink or coloured diamonds, drawing attention to their unique hue while adding depth and character to the overall design.
If you’re selecting a rare pink diamond, consider rose gold or a two-tone setting. These choices bring out the stone’s soft blush tones and make your ring even more striking and memorable.
5. Consider Custom Design for a Truly Personal Ring
Many Brisbane couples choose a fully custom engagement ring with us.
Why?
Because with Nick Ireland, creating something unique is simple, personal, and easier than you’d expect.
Our process is simple:
- Choose your diamond or gemstone
- Discuss style ideas and inspirations
- Approve a 3D rendered design
- Our master jewellers will then handcraft your ring with exceptional precision
- Collect your finished piece from our Brisbane showroom or have it securely delivered
A custom ring with us ensures your piece is 100% unique, ethically sourced and crafted to last a lifetime.
6. Set a Budget You’re Comfortable With
Our most popular engagement rings start from around $10-15 Thousand dollars.
But we work with a wide range of budgets sometimes starting from $5000+ through to multiple six-figures, for those seeking something truly exceptional. What matters most is that you feel confident in every decision you make.
We guide you through diamonds, design, and craftsmanship step-by-step, explaining the value behind each choice so you always know exactly what you’re paying for and why.
Brisbane clients choose us because they’re dealing directly with a diamond specialist, not paying for retail overheads or guesswork, just expertise, honesty, and beautifully crafted rings.
7. The Nick Ireland Difference for Brisbane Couples
Buying your engagement ring with Nick Ireland just feels different and that’s something we hear from our Brisbane couples all the time.
Here’s why:
- Private, personalised appointments
No rushing. No pressure. Just guidance and clarity. - Specialists in pink and coloured diamonds
Few jewellers in Australia hold our level of expertise, connections, and access to rare stones. - Exceptional craftsmanship
Every ring is engineered with structural integrity and lifetime durability. - Transparency & education
We explain everything: grades, light performance, cut proportions, rarity, certification, and value. - A seamless experience
From selecting your stone to final polish, we make the entire process easy and enjoyable.
This is how choosing an engagement ring should be; straightforward and transparent.
8. Book Your Brisbane Engagement Ring Appointment
Whether you’re ready to propose or simply want to explore your options, we welcome you to book a private appointment.
You’ll feel supported from the moment you walk in with expert guidance, exquisite stones, and a design process that honours your love story.
👉 We’d love to welcome you for a private appointment in our Brisbane studio, where you can explore diamonds and designs up close with expert guidance. Or, browse our Engagement Ring collections online.
