Should you still surprise your partner with their engagement ring when you've designed it together?

We’re all familiar with the storyline of an engagement ring being bought in secret, and gifted at a surprise proposal moment. Though these days, real engagements happen very differently from couple to couple. What happens when you’re designing your engagement ring together? Should you still surprise your partner with it when it arrives? Here’s my take on this question.

9ct vs 18ct gold: Which lasts longer?

Choosing between 9ct and 18ct gold for your engagement and wedding rings can be a tough call if you’re unfamiliar with these metals. It’s often said that 9ct gold is ‘harder’, and therefore thought to last longer as a piece of jewellery. However, the properties of 9ct and 18ct gold are more complex than hardness. Here’s why.