The first thing you need when buying a diamond ring is not money it’s confidence! Then you need to decide which style you want to go for. Millions of column inches have marketed diamonds as rare so you part with your coppers but the reality is very different, making it much easier to barter with the price and make a big saving.

The 4 Cs should be your first guide; The Carat, the Colour, the Clarity (the cheaper the stone the more inclusions it’s likely to have) and the Cut. My tip would be to buy 18ct gold or higher (22ct or 24ct gold) as this usually holds it’s value where a lesser gold component loses it’s value the moment you buy it!

The best place to shop diamonds on the high street are local pawnbrokers, where the trade in gold, diamonds and watches is very quick and also good antique markets like Greys Antiques Market near Bond Street or Hatton Gardens near Chancery Lane (both in central London).

My last tip is to remember that diamond ring styles go in and out of fashion, so the simpler the setting the easier it will be to buy and sell should you want to in the future. Have as much fun as you can and if you want your dream ring then search for it until it’s yours!