How do I find out my partner's ring size?

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Our advice: don’t worry about this.

9 times out of 10, you’ll get the ring size wrong anyway, so there’s no reason to get worked up about it, or to try any Mission Impossible stunts just to find out your partner’s ring size.

We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we always advise people to pop into our  shop and talk to us about your partner - what they’re like, what they want, what their lifestyle is like, et cetera. 

All of this information combined with our expertise and experience means that we’ll be able to get a better idea of ring size, stress-free and zero fuss.

If the ring’s not the right size, it doesn’t matter anyway! We’ll always resize your ring for free once you know for certain.

What should I look for when buying an engagement ring?

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You should choose an engagement ring based on the tastes of the person who’ll be wearing it. The 4 Cs (cut, colour, clarity and carat) are good to keep in mind, but what matters is that your partner will love the ring and enjoy wearing it for the rest of their life.

The easiest way to do this? Bring your partner with you when shopping for the ring in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

However, if you’re trying to keep everything a secret, then don’t worry - we can help!

Our expert consultants have years of experience in finding the right rings based on conversations about your partner. Come in and have a chat with one of our specialists. Tell us all about your partner and we can design a ring made specifically for them.

There’s no reason that this process should be stressful for you.

When should you order wedding rings?

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Wedding rings don’t have to be decided upon first, unlike venues and wedding dresses, as they won’t influence the rest of your wedding planning. However, you don’t want to leave choosing rings too late and run out of time. Ordering the rings 3-4 months before your wedding is advisable.

At Mitchel and Co you can order custom diamond wedding rings, which means you can select the perfect rings for you and your partner. 

Can you wear an engagement ring on your right hand?

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It’s traditional in the UK to wear your engagement ring on your left hand, but it’s not compulsory. 

Many other countries around the world have different traditions. 

Countries where it’s traditional to wear an engagement ring on the right hand include Germany, Austria, Russia, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Greece, and Colombia. 

Essentially, what we’re saying is: do whatever you want, it’s your ring!

Is the wedding ring on top or bottom?

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Some people choose to wear their rings in the order they were given to them (with the wedding ring on top) but it’s more common to wear the wedding ring on the bottom so that it’s closest to your heart. Ultimately, it’s up to you.  

Do you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day?

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You can continue to wear your engagement ring during the wedding ceremony. The wedding ring can be placed above it and then you can swap them around afterwards if you wish. Many remove their engagement ring, however, as it can steal the show from the wedding ring. 

Another option is to place your engagement ring on the ring finger of your right hand and then move it back into place after the ceremony. You’ll need to test that it fits onto your right ring finger before the big day, as you don’t want to have to deal with a stuck ring. 

Finally, if neither of the other options works for you, you can leave your ring with a trusted friend or family member. If you leave it with one of your witnesses then they can give it back to you when you’re signing the marriage register.

Is buying from the Jewellery Quarter cheaper?

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We get asked this question quite often. Is Birmingham Jewellery Quarter cheaper, well our best advice is to set your budget and stick to it. 

As independent Birmingham Jewellery Quarter jewellers, Mitchel & Co have access to incredibly high quality diamonds and other materials. We offer the fairest prices for exquisite diamond jewellery quarter wedding rings and engagement rings, you’ll be hard pressed to find better value for money!

Jewellery Quarter engagement rings and jewellery often comes in at better prices (and higher quality) than elsewhere in the UK (there’s a good reason people travel from all over!), but price shouldn’t be the main metric you use when shopping for jewellery. If you’re buying an engagement ring or a wedding ring for someone you love, then it’s important that you spend an amount that you’re both comfortable with in order to get the perfect ring.

Honest jewellers will price their rings accordingly, and will talk openly with you about their materials, pedigree and processes. 

Want to find out more? Click here for our guide to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham!

Are your rings made in house?

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Yes, absolutely!

All of our engagement rings and wedding rings are made right here in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter by our skilled craftspeople. Many jewellers claim to make their own rings, but this usually entails importing mostly complete rings and setting the gemstone in-store, before claiming that it’s fully made here in the UK.

We don’t believe in working this way, which is why our full ring-making process, from design through to crafting, are all completed in-house in our JQ workshop.

How much should you spend on an engagement ring?

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Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a dramatically different answer.

Some say two months’ salary, some say three. 

What do we say? 

Pay whatever you’re comfortable with and whatever you can afford. 

Our best advice is this: get a tailor-made ring for your partner, something that’s uniquely theirs. This means that the materials don’t have to be super expensive, you don’t have to spend an obscene amount and your partner gets the perfect ring – a win-win all round!

Get inspired – shop our engagement rings by clicking here.

How much money should you spend on a wedding ring?

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There are no set rules on how much you should spend on a wedding ring. 

Prices can vary a fair bit depending on the style you choose and your budget. If you’ve spent a lot on an engagement ring, you might opt for a simpler wedding ring. 

Fortunately, now that the secrecy of buying an engagement ring is over, you can talk openly with your partner about how much you are comfortable spending on a wedding ring. Weddings are already expensive – there’s no reason to break the bank. 

Buy a wedding ring you can afford and that you love, that’s the bottom line. You can have a look at some wedding rings to get an idea of style by clicking here.

How to clean gold jewellery :

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Gold is a soft metal, meaning that you need to be gentle with it while cleaning. Here’s how we recommend cleaning your gold jewellery:

Step 1: Add a few drops of washing up liquid to a bowl of warm water.

Step 2: Pop your gold jewellery in the water for about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Take a soft bristled toothbrush and gently scrub the jewellery clean. Go slow and get your brush into all the nooks and crannies. 

Step 4: Give your gold jewellery a rinse with clean cold water (make sure the water’s not too forceful). 

Step 5: Dry your gold jewellery with kitchen roll, making sure to get all excess water off. 

And…Voila! It’s as easy as that. Don’t bother with expensive jewellery cleaning products, you don’t need them.

How to clean a diamond ring :

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Your diamond ring is a very precious thing – here’s our quick step-by-step guide on how to clean a diamond ring:

Step 1: Check your ring – are the claws firm, are any diamonds moving in their settings? If anything’s loose, bring it into our shop in the Jewellery Quarter and we’ll sort it immediately. 

Step 2: Put a few drops of washing up liquid into some warm water. 

Step 3: Submerge your diamond ring and let it soak for about 30-40 minutes.

Step 4: Using a soft bristled toothbrush (one for babies would be perfect), gently scrub your diamond ring until it sparkles. Take special care around any fittings.

Step 5: Give your diamond ring a quick rinse under cold water. Keep it on low power so that you don’t damage your ring.

Step 6: Dry your ring with a cotton or linen cloth or let it air dry.

It’s natural for your diamond ring to accumulate dirt and suffer some wear and tear. We recommend bringing it into our shop for a professional clean and inspection once or twice a year (this will keep your precious ring looking its best for years to come).