Professional Jewellery Appraisal Services

With over 44 years of trusted service and more than 24 years of specialised appraisal experience, Design Jewellers is your go-to destination for accurate and reliable jewellery appraisals. Certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Canadian Institute of Gemology, our team combines expertise with integrity to ensure every appraisal meets the highest standards.

Why Choose Our Appraisal Services?

  • Expert Credentials: Our certified gemologists bring decades of specialised knowledge to every evaluation.
  • Comprehensive Reports: Receive detailed, accurate documentation for your records, insurance, resale, or estate planning needs.
  • Tailored for You: We handle everything from modern jewellery to antique and heirloom pieces with the utmost care and precision.

Appraisal Purposes

  • Insurance: Protect your valuables with an up-to-date and professional appraisal for full coverage.
  • Resale: Determine the market value of your jewellery for resale or trade-in.
  • Estate Planning: Ensure accurate valuations for inheritance, division, or estate settlements.

What to Expect

  • Consultation: Bring your jewellery to our store, and we’ll discuss your appraisal needs.
  • Expert Assessment: Using advanced tools and gemological techniques, we evaluate the gemstones, metals, and craftsmanship of each piece.
  • Certified Documentation: Receive a formal, detailed appraisal report with photographs, descriptions, and precise valuations.

Why Trust Design Jewellers?
For over four decades, we’ve been serving Alberta with unmatched professionalism and care. Our appraisals are recognised and accepted by insurance companies, legal entities, and industry experts. When it comes to valuing your most treasured items, you can count on us for precision, transparency, and respect.

Visit Design Jewellers today for expert appraisals you can trust.

1. Starting Your Ring Journey

Choosing an engagement ring is a journey. It's one that starts with understanding trends and setting budgets. This guide will walk you through every step, from exploring different diamond shapes and metal bands to learning about advanced setting techniques and how to harmonize the engagement ring with a wedding band.

2. Define Your Budget Thoughtfully

Before the sparkle takes over your heart, set a clear and honest budget. It’s not just about how much you can spend, it’s about knowing what matters most to you. Your budget influences everything: the size and quality of the diamond, the complexity of the design, and the type of metal. Let your jeweller know where you stand. Excellent options exist for every price point.

3. Finding Inspiration on Social Media


Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great places to find ring inspiration. Save styles that catch your eye, this helps you notice patterns in what you’re drawn to. You might fall in love with hidden halos, east-west settings, or vintage-style details you didn’t expect. Having visual references also helps your jeweller understand your preferences.

4. Engagement Ring Styles to Explore

The style of your engagement ring gives it its personality. From timeless classics to bold modern looks, there is a style to match every love story:


Solitaire: A single diamond that stands on its own. Elegant, minimal, and always in style.

Halo: A centre stone surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. It adds sparkle and makes the main stone appear larger.

Three-Stone: Represents your past, present, and future together. A meaningful and balanced design.

Bezel: A sleek setting where the stone is held securely within a metal rim. Great for active lifestyles.

Vintage-Inspired: Features details like filigree, milgrain, or hand-engraving. Romantic and full of charm.

Vintage-Inspired: Stones set horizontally instead of vertically. A unique twist that feels both modern and refined.

Try on a few styles when you can. Sometimes what you least expect becomes the perfect fit.

5. Metals: The Foundation of Your Ring’s Look

The metal you choose affects colour, durability and overall tone:


Platinum: Strong, naturally white and
hypoallergenic, ideal for everyday wear

18k Gold: Rich and luxurious, available in yellow, white or rose tones

14k Gold: Slightly more durable than 18k, perfect for active lifestyles

Palladium: Lightweight, naturally white and tarnish-resistant

Each metal complements different skin tones and gemstone colours. If possible, try them on to see what suits you best.

6. Diamond Shapes: Identity in Facets

The shape of your diamond helps define the overall style of the ring:

Round: Classic brilliance and symmetry

Oval: Soft and elegant, with a lengthening effect on the finger

Pear & Marquise: Bold, unique shapes with dramatic flair

Cushion: A vintage-style cut with soft corners and strong sparkle

Emerald: Clean lines and a focus on clarity, thanks to step-cut facets

Radiant: Combines sparkle with structure, a mix of brilliant and step cuts

7. Carat Size: Perception and Reality

Carat size influences both appearance and price. A well-cut 0.85-carat diamond can look larger than a poorly cut one-carat stone. Focus on top-view spread and choose a setting that maximizes size visually. Carat weight impacts cost more than the other Cs, so finding the right balance with cut and clarity is important.

8. The 4 Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat

These are the four key pillars of diamond grading:


Cut: Affects how much a diamond sparkles. Opt for Excellent or Ideal grades when possible

Colour: D is colourless, while G to J ranges are near-colourless and offer excellent value

Clarity: Ranges from FL to I. VS and SI diamonds often appear flawless to the naked eye

Carat: Focus on balance rather than size alone. Prioritize sparkle, proportion and brilliance

9. Setting Types: The Ring’s Architecture

Settings hold the diamond in place and define the overall feel:

Prong: Classic and open, allowing light to enter from many angles

Bezel: Metal surrounds the diamond, offering durability and a modern look

Tension: The stone is suspended between bands, creating a floating effect

Halo: Small diamonds around the centre for added sparkle

Channel: Great for side stones, clean and protective

Cathedral: Arches that elevate the diamond for a dramatic profile

Your lifestyle should guide your setting. Bezel or flush settings are ideal for those with hands-on routines.

10. Shanks and Heads: Small Details with Big Impact

These parts may seem minor, but they affect comfort, look and how the stone is displayed.

Shanks (the band):

Straight: Simple and timeless

Tapered: Narrows near the stone for extra emphasis

Split: Divides as it reaches the centre, adding elegance

Bypass: Bands overlap or twist, flowing and organic

Euro-shank: Flat base to keep the ring from spinning

Heads (stone holders):

Basket Head: Cradles the diamond low, often in halo rings

Peg Head: Sits on a small post, clean and versatile

Treillis: Interwoven prongs for an open and romantic feel

These elements influence both security and design.

11. Sizing: Fit for Life

A good fit means beauty and comfort. Have the ring finger professionally measured, especially if the proposal is a surprise. Keep in mind that fingers can swell due to heat, time of day or even food. The ring should glide on and resist slipping off without squeezing.

12. Wedding Band Compatibility

Your engagement ring should pair effortlessly with your future band:

Will they sit flush side by side?

Do you need a contour or shadow band?

Do you prefer a matched set or a stylish contrast?

It’s helpful to consider this early on, especially if your engagement ring design is elevated or uniquely shaped.

13. Certified and Lab-Grown Stones

Certified Diamonds: Come with grading reports from trusted labs like GIA or IGI to confirm authenticity and quality

Lab-Grown Diamonds: Chemically identical to mined diamonds, more affordable and environmentally responsible

Alternative Stones: Moissanite, sapphire, emerald or morganite offer personality and colour. Check Mohs hardness to ensure they’re suitable for everyday wear


14. Final Thoughts: Make It Yours

This ring is your story. It doesn’t need to be the biggest or trendiest, just meaningful. Whether it’s a sleek solitaire or a bold custom piece, choose a ring that feels right every time you look at it.

Still unsure? That’s totally normal. The best choices are made through thought, care and sometimes a bit of guidance.