A ring is one of the prettiest and essential jewellery you use as adornment. Choosing your ring with care is a measure of the value it has for you, so keep the following considerations in mind when you pick a ring for yourself or a loved one.

1. Parts of a ring. Know the parts of the ring; that way when a description is given, you are able to follow it. This especially comes handy when no picture accompanies a description. There is the band or shank, the part that goes around your finger; the dome is the top or face of the ring, where a setting - the way gemstones or a precious object is fixed - is set on the dome. The gallery is the bottom part of the dome. It is usually hollow.

2. Ring type. You should be able to recognise a ring from its type. There are the simple bands, such as wedding rings; eternity rings, a ring surrounded throughout with stones of similar size; solitaires, a ring which contains a single gemstone; cluster rings have two or more stones in a cluster; and more.

3. Styles. There are so many styles to choose from, but what really matters is what you really like. Do you go for classical styles that are timeless, for dramatic rings that give a statement, or for a modern and geometric-styled ring? Find out.

4. Metal. Remember that the type of metal and carat weight (K) influence prices. Jewelleries in platinum, it being a rare element, are dearer. Next is gold, depending on how many carats (the proportion of gold to its base metal) it has. Higher carat gold, 18K and up, are dearer. Pure gold is usually 24K, but as it is too pliable, it is not used in settings. White gold is gold with one or more type of white metal mixed in, such as palladium (one of the platinum group of metals), nickel or silver. High quality white gold is at least 18K. Gold-plated rings are cheaper. These are rings made of a base metal band covered with a thin layer of gold.

If you have an allergic reaction to gold, it is probably because of the nickel (in white gold) or molybdenum. Try avoiding nickel-alloyed gold or choose an 18K or higher-carat ring or choose ones that are hypoallergenic.

5. Suitability. Now that you have identified your taste in rings, next is to check its suitability on your finger. Check the shape of your hands. Are your fingers long, short or stubby? Small fingers cannot carry rings with large stones; short fingers will look shorter with wide bands, so keep those in mind when making your choice.

6. Lifestyle. You should choose a ring the best fits your lifestyle. If you work with your hands, it is best to go for simple rings that will not snag your clothes. Platinum rings are the most durable so it won't wear away with regular use.

7. Ring size. Know your ring size to avoid ordering rings that will not fit on your finger. Have your local jewellery shop measure your ring finger. Remember, ring size is scaled differently in other parts of the world. While in the UK and Ireland they use the alphabetical scale, in the US and other European countries, they use the numerical scale. So get the numerical equivalent of your ring size.