Buying an engagement ring is one of the most meaningful purchases you’ll ever make. Yet, many Singaporean couples tell us the same thing years later:
“I wish I had known this earlier.”
In a city where engagement rings in Singapore are often tied to tradition, timelines, and expectations, it’s easy to focus on the wrong things — and miss what truly matters.
Here are the top 5 engagement ring mistakes Singaporeans make, and how you can avoid them — so your ring doesn’t just feel perfect on the proposal day, but meaningful for a lifetime.
1. Focusing Only on Carat Size Instead of Meaning
It’s no secret: carat size is one of the most searched terms when it comes to diamond engagement rings in Singapore. Bigger often feels better — at least at first.
But years down the road, couples rarely say:
“I wish I went bigger.”
Instead, they say:
“I wish my ring had more meaning.”
A large stone may turn heads, but what endures is the story behind the ring — the symbolism, the intention, the moments hidden within its design.
At Carrie K., we believe the most treasured engagement rings are not defined by price or carat weight, but by:
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Why a specific detail exists
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What it represents about your relationship
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The story you’ll one day tell your children
How to avoid this mistake:
Start your engagement ring journey by asking why, not how big. When meaning leads, beauty naturally follows.
2. Choosing a Ring That Looks Like Everyone Else’s
Walk through any jewellery store and you’ll see it — rows of rings that look almost identical.
Many women later tell us:
“My ring is beautiful… but it doesn’t feel like me.”
That’s where our Signature Love Marks come in. It’s our most popular design journey for couples who want a ring she’ll love, without starting from scratch. These designs are shaped by the thousands of couples we’ve met — each sharing different stories, yet connected by universal themes of love, commitment, and meaning. From there, the ring is personalised with details that make it uniquely yours.
A truly special custom engagement ring in Singapore should reflect:
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Your shared memories
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Personal symbols
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Subtle details only the two of you understand
Hidden gemstones, engraved messages, and meaningful motifs are some of the elements that transform a ring from nice to irreplaceable that feel truly yours.
How to avoid this mistake:
Consider a bespoke engagement ring that’s co-designed around your story through our Bespoke Love Mark, or a simpler process that gets your ring ready within 6-8 weeks done possible through our Signature Love Mark.
3. Not Leaving Enough Time for a Bespoke Ring
One of the most common regrets we hear?
“I didn’t realise how long a bespoke engagement ring takes.”
A truly one-of-a-kind ring isn’t rushed. From concept and design to stone sourcing and craftsmanship, a bespoke engagement ring in Singapore typically takes 4–6 months to create.
When couples start late, they often have to:
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Compromise on design
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Settle for available stones
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Rush what should be a meaningful process
How to avoid this mistake:
Start early, ideally 6 months before your proposal date. Time gives you freedom, options, and peace of mind.
4. Guessing Her Style — and Guessing Wrong
This one is more common than most people admit.
You may think you know her style… but jewellery is deeply personal. A ring she wears every day should feel like an extension of who she is, not a gamble.
Instead of guessing, look for clues:
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Her everyday jewellery (gold or platinum? minimal or bold?)
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Her Pinterest or Instagram saves
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Conversations with her best friend
At Carrie K., we go one step further.
We created our Engagement ring gemstone and diamond discovery workshop to take the guesswork out — without ruining the surprise.
Here’s how it works:
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Couples begin the design journey together
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We understand her preferences, lifestyle, and story
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She exits the process
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He completes the ring with confidence — and keeps the proposal a surprise
How to avoid this mistake:
Design with insight, not assumptions!
5. Not Understanding the Options Available
Natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, cut, clarity, settings — the choices can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers.
Many couples later say:
“I didn’t even know what I was choosing.”
In Singapore, searches for lab grown diamonds vs natural diamonds have surged as couples look for ethical, value-driven options — but without proper guidance, it’s easy to feel lost.
A good jeweller doesn’t push what’s most expensive. They take the time to explain your options, help you understand what matters most to you, and guide you towards a choice that feels right. After all, this journey should be one you enjoy; a memory you’ll look back on with clarity, confidence, and joy.
How to avoid this mistake:
Choose a jeweller who educates, not pressures — and who truly has your best interests at heart. It is also important that you meet certified jewellers that openly share with you insider tips the industry doesn’t want you to know so you come out of the consultation well-equipped in making a well-informed decision.
The One Thing That Prevents Every Mistake: Start With Meaning
If there’s one lesson behind every engagement ring mistake, it’s this:
Meaning matters more than sparkle.
When you start with meaning:
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Design choices become clearer
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Budgets feel intentional, not stressful
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The ring becomes a story — not just a purchase
At Carrie K., we believe an engagement ring should hold more than a diamond.
It should hold your story, your journey, and your promise.
Because years from now, when trends fade and styles change, the meaning behind your ring will still shine.
Discover our Carrie K. engagement rings thoughtfully crafted to honour heritage and transcend generations and reimagined for modern life.
Explore Carrie K.'s Signature Love Mark
Total time: 6-8 weeks
Explore Carrie K.'s Bespoke Love Mark
Total time: 20-24 weeks
Join the Carrie K. Engagement Ring Gemstone & Diamond Discovery Workshop and uncover what truly matters to both of you.
Together, you’ll learn the difference between diamonds and coloured gemstones, explore how each tells its own story, and design a ring that becomes a memory you’ll wear for life.
Sign up here.
