Expert Center

The engagement ring is one of the most important and emotional pieces of jewelry you will ever buy. In 2026, the choice is richer than ever – both in design and diamond options. This detailed guide will help you make the right decision with confidence.

Set Your Budget Realistically

Before you start browsing models, it’s important to determine how much you are willing to invest. In 2026, the most popular price ranges are:

• €1,500 - €2,800 - quality lab-grown diamonds of good size
• €2,800 - €4,500 - the most sought-after range (best value for money)
• €4,500 - €7,000 - high quality, natural diamonds or more intricate designs
• Over €7,500 - luxury segment with rare stones and exceptional craftsmanship

Choose the Diamond Shape

The shape defines the character of the entire ring. The most popular ones in 2026 are:

• Round Brilliant - a classic that shines the brightest
• Oval - modern, elegant, and visually enlarges the stone
• Pear - romantic and feminine
• Princess - modern and structured
• Emerald - for lovers of minimalism and vintage style

Lab-Grown or Natural Diamonds?

This is one of the most crucial choices today. Lab-grown diamonds offer significantly better value and are environmentally friendly. Natural diamonds carry tradition, rarity, and higher emotional value.

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds

Choosing the Metal and Setting Design

The most commonly chosen metals are 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, and platinum. Each metal gives a different look – from classic and elegant to warm and romantic.

Luxury Rings

Custom Made or Ready-Made Ring?

A custom-made ring allows you to create something unique – from the choice of setting to the shape and quality of the diamond.

Common Mistakes When Choosing

• Focusing only on carat weight
• Ignoring the quality of the cut
• Buying without a certificate
• Choosing without the partner's opinion (for a surprise)

Next Step

The best way to make the right choice is to start with a Private Consultation. Our specialists will help you combine budget, style, and quality in the best possible way.

One of the most frequently asked questions when choosing an engagement ring is whether to opt for a lab-grown or a natural diamond. Here's a detailed and honest comparison without bias.

What is the main difference?

Natural diamonds were formed in the Earth millions of years ago under immense pressure and temperature.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment over several weeks, replicating natural processes.

It's important to know that chemically, physically, and optically, both types of diamonds are 100% identical.

Key differences

Price
Lab-grown diamonds are between 40% and 60% cheaper than natural diamonds of the same quality. This allows many couples to afford a larger center stone or higher cut quality.

Ecology and ethics
Lab-grown diamonds are significantly more ecological – they don't require mining and have a much lower carbon footprint. Natural diamonds, despite improved standards, still carry the consequences of extraction.

Appearance and quality
There is no difference visible to the naked eye. Both types offer the same brilliance, fire, and sparkle.

Resale value
Natural diamonds generally retain a higher resale value, while lab-grown diamonds have a lower residual value.

Which one to choose?

Choose lab-grown diamonds if:

• You want maximum quality and size for your budget
• The method of sourcing is important to you
• You prefer a larger and more brilliant center stone
• You are buying a ring for everyday wear

Choose natural diamonds if:

• You are looking for tradition and strong emotional value
• You have a higher budget
• The feeling of rarity and uniqueness is important to you

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds
Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

When you start choosing a diamond, you will very quickly encounter the term 4C. These are the four main characteristics by which the quality and value of each diamond are assessed. Understanding them is key to making a good choice.

1. Cut - The Most Important Factor

The cut determines how brightly, sparklingly, and beautifully the diamond will shine. This is the most important of the four Cs, because even a diamond with excellent color and clarity can appear lifeless if the cut is poor.

• Excellent / Ideal - maximum brilliance and fire
• Very Good - very good brilliance
• Good - acceptable, but significantly weaker effect

2. Color

Color indicates how colorless the diamond is. The scale starts from D (completely colorless) and goes to Z (yellowish).

• D - F - Exceptionally colorless (ideal quality, more expensive)
• G - J - Nearly colorless (best value for money for most buyers)
• K and below - A yellowish tint begins to be visible

3. Clarity

Clarity measures how many inclusions (small imperfections) are inside the diamond.

• VVS1 - VVS2 - Very very slightly included
• VS1 - VS2 - Very slightly included, almost invisible to the naked eye (these are the most frequently chosen)
• SI1 - SI2 - Slightly included, visible under magnification, but often not to the naked eye

4. Carat

Carat is the measure of a diamond's weight (1 carat = 0.2 grams). Many people think that a larger carat automatically means a more beautiful diamond, but this is not true. A diamond with an excellent Cut of 0.90 ct often looks more impressive than a larger stone of lower quality.

Which of the 4Cs is most important?

Experts usually recommend the following priority:

1. Cut
2. Color and Clarity (almost equally important)
3. Carat (weight)

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds
Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

A custom-made ring is the most personal and special way to propose. Here's exactly how the entire process works with us - step by step.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

We start with a no-obligation conversation where we determine important parameters before selection. We understand your budget, preferred style, diamond shape, metal, and what is important to you. This consultation is completely free and does not commit you to anything.

Personal consultation

Step 2: Choose Your Setting

You choose a setting model from our collections. You can change almost anything – band thickness, shape, texture, adding side stones, etc.

Luxury rings

Step 3: Diamond Selection

You have a wide selection of loose diamonds - lab-grown or natural. Together, we choose the most suitable stone according to your budget and wishes.

Lab-grown diamonds
Natural diamonds

Step 4: Engraving

You can choose a special inscription, up to 12 characters.

Step 5: Crafting

After your final approval, the handcrafted production begins.

Step 6: Delivery and Final Inspection

You receive the ring in luxurious packaging along with the certificate. The standard delivery time is between 15 and 25 business days.

Your jewelry is an investment and an emotional memory. With proper care, it can look like new even after 10 or 20 years.

Daily care

• Remove jewelry when washing hands, bathing, exercising, or sleeping.
• Avoid contact with perfumes, creams, hairsprays, and household cleaners – these are the biggest enemy of shine.
• Store each piece of jewelry separately to prevent scratching. Ideally, in its original box or a soft pouch.

How to clean jewelry at home

Daily cleaning:

• Warm water + a few drops of mild dish soap
• Soft toothbrush (for jewelry only)
• Rinse carefully and dry with a soft cloth

Deeper cleaning (1–2 times a month):

• For gold jewelry: a solution of baking soda and warm water
• Use special jewelry cleaning cloths

Professional maintenance

We recommend professional cleaning and inspection once a year.

Special tips for diamond jewelry

• Diamonds easily attract oils from the skin – clean them more often
• Periodically check that the stone is securely set
• Avoid sudden temperature changes

Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

While the white diamond remains a timeless classic, in 2026 more and more people are choosing colored diamonds and gemstones to create a truly unique and personal piece of jewelry.

Colored Diamonds

Colored diamonds are much rarer than white diamonds and carry a strong individuality. The most sought-after colors currently are:

• Pink - romantic, delicate and extremely popular for engagement rings
• Blue - elegant, calm and very rare
• Yellow - warm, sunny and vibrant
• Green - mystical and extremely rare
• Red - among the most expensive diamonds in the world

For colored diamonds, in addition to the 4Cs, the intensity of the color is also evaluated - from Faint to Fancy Vivid (the strongest and most valuable).

Colored Gemstones

The most popular gemstones for jewelry in 2026 are:

• Sapphire - especially royal blue, a symbol of wisdom and loyalty
• Ruby - deep red, a symbol of passion and love
• Emerald - rich green, preferred for vintage and elegant designs
• Morganite - delicate pink, very romantic and more accessible
• Aquamarine - light blue, light and suitable for everyday wear
• Tanzanite - violet-blue with beautiful transitions

Advantages of colored gemstones

• Allow for greater personalization and uniqueness
• Are often more accessible than large white diamonds
• Each stone is naturally unique - no two are alike
• Suitable for both engagement rings and everyday jewelry

Precious stones
Luxury rings
Personal consultation

If white diamonds are a symbol of classicism, then colored diamonds are a symbol of individuality. Thanks to modern technologies, today we can enjoy pink, blue, and yellow diamonds, which until recently were only accessible to royal families and collectors.

In this article, we will reveal how these colors are created and what you need to know before choosing yours.

How is color born in the laboratory?

Unlike white diamonds, where we strive for absolute carbon purity, with colored diamonds, we "program" nature by adding specific elements:

Blue Diamonds: The element boron is added.

Yellow and Orange Diamonds: Owe their color to the presence of nitrogen.

Pink and Red Diamonds: Created through specific post-growth treatment (irradiation or high pressure) that alters the crystal lattice so that it reflects pink light.

Why does the color look different in a photo and in person?

Clients often notice that a colored diamond in a clip looks more saturated or lighter than in person. Here are the reasons:

Background and Lighting: Colored diamonds are like small mirrors. If photographed against a white background, they appear lighter. Against a dark background or next to skin - the colors stand out.

Type of Light: Natural sunlight reveals the true hue, while fluorescent office lights can make it appear "cold" or grayish.

The Magic of UV Light

Some lab-grown colored diamonds have the property of changing their hue or phosphorescing under UV light. This is not a defect, but a physical characteristic of how atoms are arranged in the stone. This is part of the diamond's "character" and proof of its unique growth path.

Are color variations a defect?

With colored diamonds, "perfectly even" color is rare. As they grow layer by layer, areas of varying saturation can be observed. At 101 Carat, you can find stones where these variations are imperceptible to the eye and provide a harmonious and rich color for your jewelry.

Why choose a lab-grown colored diamond?

A natural pink diamond of good quality can cost over $100,000 per carat. Its lab-grown equivalent gives you the same beauty, chemical composition, and hardness for a fraction of that price.

When you buy a diamond, the certificate is one of the most important documents. It is the official "passport" of the stone and guarantees its quality.

What exactly is a certificate?

It is an independent document issued by a recognized laboratory, which thoroughly describes all characteristics of the diamond according to the 4C system, as well as additional parameters such as fluorescence, polish, and symmetry.

The three most important certificates

GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

• Considered the gold standard worldwide
• Strictest and most conservative grading
• Highest market trust
• Most suitable for natural diamonds and high quality

IGI (International Gemological Institute)

• Very popular and widely accepted
• Slightly more liberal than GIA
• Excellent choice especially for lab-grown diamonds
• Good balance between quality and price

HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant - Belgium)

• European certificate with very high standards
• Especially valued in Europe
• Known for strict grading

Which certificate to choose?

• For natural diamonds of higher value - GIA is the best choice.
• For lab-grown diamonds - IGI is perfectly sufficient and most commonly used.
• HRD is a good European option, especially if you value the Antwerp origin.

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds
Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

Choosing a diamond can be stressful if you don't know exactly what to look for. Here are practical and easy-to-understand tips to help you assess diamond quality.

1. Brilliance is the Most Important Indicator

A quality diamond sparkles brightly and vividly even in normal room light. When you turn the diamond, you should see strong white flashes and colorful "fire" with rainbow hues.

Practical test:
Hold the diamond under a lamp and turn it slowly. If it looks dull, grayish, or lifeless – the cut is likely poor.

2. Color

View the diamond against a white background.

• The best colors are D, E, F (completely colorless)
• A very good choice for most people are G, H, I - almost colorless and more affordable

If you see a yellow or brownish tint – the color is lower grade.

3. Clarity

The diamond doesn't need to be perfect. Most quality diamonds fall into the VS1, VS2, or SI1 categories. In these categories, inclusions are usually not visible to the naked eye.

Practical tip:
Look at the diamond from a distance of 30-40 cm. If you don't see any spots or haziness – the clarity is perfectly sufficient for a beautiful piece of jewelry.

4. Shape and Size

Don't focus solely on carats. A well-cut 0.90 ct diamond often looks larger and brighter than a heavier diamond with a poor cut.

5. Certificate - Mandatory

Always demand a certificate from a reputable laboratory like GIA or IGI. This is the only way to be sure what exactly you are buying.

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds
Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

Choosing the correct size is very important, especially for custom-made and engagement rings. An unsuitable size can make wearing uncomfortable or even impossible.

How is ring size measured?

Ring size is determined by the inner diameter or circumference of the finger. In Europe (including Bulgaria), EU size is used (from 45 to 70+).

Practical ways to determine your size

1. Most accurate method - visit a jewelry store to have your size professionally measured.
2. At home - use a thin strip of paper or string, wrap it around your finger and measure the length in millimeters.
3. Existing ring - if you have a ring that fits perfectly, you can measure its internal diameter in millimeters, excluding the metal.

Ring Size Guide

Important tips when choosing a size

• Engagement ring - typically worn on the left hand. If the finger swells during the day, it's better for the size to be slightly looser.
• Wide band - if the ring has a wide band, you might need a half or one size larger.
• Season - fingers are thinner in winter and thicker in summer.

Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

A loose diamond is an excellent choice if you want complete freedom in creating a piece of jewelry or simply want to invest directly in the stone itself.

Why do people buy loose diamonds?

• They want to create a completely personalized ring
• They are looking for a better price and a larger stone size
• They prefer to choose the diamond themselves, without the limitations of ready-made jewelry
• They plan to invest in a diamond

What should you check before buying a loose diamond?

1. Cut - the most important factor. You can choose between perfect, excellent, or very good.
2. Certificate - mandatory from a reputable laboratory like GIA, IGI, or HRD.
3. Color - D to F are of the best quality. G to I for good value for money.
4. Clarity - VS1, VS2, or SI1 are most commonly chosen.
5. Fluorescence - best to have none.
6. Ratio (for round diamonds) - between 1.00 and 1.05 is ideal.

Lab-grown or natural loose diamond?

• Lab-grown - more affordable and larger size for the budget.
• Natural - higher resale value and emotional significance.

Lab-Grown Diamonds
Natural Diamonds

How does the process work with us?

1. You choose the desired diamond from our selection.
2. Our team ensures its quality.
3. You receive your loose stone within the specified timeframe.

Luxury Rings
Private Consultation

Choosing the metal is a key decision when it comes to a personalized engagement ring. Here's an honest comparison of all the options we offer.

Metal Comparison

18K White Gold

• The most popular choice for engagement rings
• Maximally highlights the diamond's brilliance
• Elegant and versatile appearance
• Con: Requires rhodium plating every 1-2 years

18K Yellow Gold

• Warm, rich, and classic color
• More resistant to impacts
• Does not change color over time

18K Rose Gold

• Romantic and modern appearance
• Much loved by young brides
• Delicate and feminine color

14K Gold (white, yellow, or rose)

• More affordable compared to 18K
• Stronger and more scratch-resistant
• Lighter than 18K
• Con: Slightly paler color and less brilliance than 18K

Platinum

• The most luxurious and prestigious material
• Extremely durable and hypoallergenic
• Never changes color
• Con: Significantly heavier

Which is the best for an engagement ring?

• 18K White Gold - best balance for most people
• Platinum - if you want maximum durability and luxury
• 14K Gold - a good choice if the budget is more limited or you want a more durable piece of jewelry
• Rose or Yellow Gold - if you prefer a warmer and more romantic look

Luxury Rings
Private Consultation