Two rings can look almost identical on your phone and still be priced tens of thousands of rand apart. It is not a trick, and it is rarely about the brand. The price of an engagement ring comes down to five things, and once you understand them you will never compare rings in the same way again.

1. The diamond

For most rings, the centre diamond is the largest part of the budget. Its price is shaped by the 4Cs:

• Cut is how well the diamond has been proportioned and polished. It has the biggest effect on sparkle, so it is the one place we never recommend compromising.
• Colour runs from D (colourless) to Z (a warmer tint). Most people cannot see the difference between neighbouring grades once a diamond is set.
• Clarity describes tiny natural features inside the stone. Many diamonds with small inclusions look perfectly clean to the naked eye.
• Carat is weight, not size. Prices tend to jump at "magic" weights such as 1.00ct, so a 0.95ct stone can look almost the same for noticeably less.

Then there is origin. A lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond are both real diamonds with the same structure and hardness. The difference is where they formed, and that difference shows up in price. Neither is the "better" choice. They are simply different trade-offs.

2. The metal

Gold purity is measured in carats (ct). In South Africa you will most often see:

• 9ct gold: 37.5% pure gold. Harder wearing and more affordable.
• 14ct gold: 58.5% pure gold. A popular middle ground.
• 18ct gold: 75% pure gold. Richer in colour and more valuable.
• Platinum: usually 95% pure. Naturally white, dense and heavy.

Purity changes the cost, but so does weight. A chunky band uses more metal than a delicate one, even in the same purity.

3. The setting

The setting is the design that holds your diamond. A simple solitaire and a hidden halo can hold exactly the same centre stone, yet the halo needs dozens of small diamonds, each one set by hand. Pavé bands, trilogy designs and bezels all add time and materials. More detail usually means more hours at the bench.

4. Your finger size

This one surprises people. A larger ring size means a longer band, so more metal. On a pavé or eternity band it also means more small diamonds. Two people can choose the same design and receive different quotes simply because their fingers are different sizes. It is one reason we always ask for your ring size before quoting.

5. Who is advising you

The final factor is advice. A good jeweller will show you where your budget works hardest. That might mean choosing a G colour instead of a D, or a 0.9ct instead of a 1.0ct, and putting the saving into a better cut or a platinum setting. The right advice can change what you get for the same money far more than any discount.

Why we do not list prices online

Every ring we make is built around a specific diamond, metal and finger. A single price next to a design would tell you very little and would push you to compare numbers instead of rings. Instead, we ask what matters to you and show you exactly where your money goes. Nobody buys from us without understanding what they are paying for.

Quick checklist before you compare quotes

1. Are both quotes for the same carat weight, colour and clarity?
2. Is the diamond certified, and by which laboratory?
3. Is the metal the same purity and roughly the same weight?
4. Does the quote include the setting, sizing and any side stones?
5. Do you know your ring size?

If you would like to see how these five factors play out for your own ring, request a personal quote and I will walk you through it.