I have always loved jewelry – rings in particular – so when I was looking at ring designs years ago before getting engaged, it was the best type of research I ever had to do.
To this day, I still love fantasy ring shopping and I am always looking for my next right-hand ring, anniversary ring or stacking band, because you can never own too many rings.
And yes, I still browse engagement rings, even though I’ll never be getting engaged again, because there are so many gorgeous shapes and styles to choose from.
So if you’re shopping for the perfect engagement ring, right-hand ring or just love browsing diamond rings in general, you have definitely found the right place.
This guide will show you all of the ring styles you need to consider in the hunt for the ring the perfectly represents your style and will share some stone shape and setting considerations to consider too!
Plus, I share some things you should consider when choosing your metal colour, gemstone and band style.
What Gemstone Should You Use? Answer – Whatever You Want!
Yes – diamonds have long been the gemstone favourite for engagement rings, but there are so many options for you to choose from out there and some are very affordable – more so than diamonds.
Gemstones like morganite and moissanite are popular engagement stone options that are strong enough to wear on a daily basis (some gemstones are too soft and prone to chipping – always pick a gemstone of at least 8 on the Moh’s hardness scale!).
If you want a great diamond that’s sustainable, eco-friendly, conflict free and affordable (translation, bigger, better stone for less!) then consider getting a lab grown diamond (they’re real, don’t worry!).
Metal Colour Options
Choose a metal that compliments your skin tone, or brings out the colour of your stone. Rose gold looks gorgeous on most skin tones and will complement a pink coloured stone, such as peach or pink morganite.
Rose gold will bring out the colour a champagne coloured diamond and provides a lot of contrast against a white coloured gemstone, while white gold or platinum will always complement any skin tone or stone.
Yellow gold looks great on warmer skin tones and will complement a yellow coloured gemstone.
You can also consider mixing metal colours to maximize your stone colour and/or compliment your skin tone. For example, a yellow diamond encased on a yellow gold bezel in the centre of a white gold micropave band would be a metal mixing option that maximizes centre stone colour while complementing the white micropave diamonds in the band.
Explore Different Band Options
There are so many band options to complement your ring design. Consider whether you want a plain gold band or a band set with diamonds. Will you band be wide or narrow? Split shank or single? Plain or engraved?
Your band style should complement your personal style and can be designed in so many different ways.
Also consider what type of wedding band you would like to get when considering your engagement ring style, as some styles won’t sit flush on certain bands and you may need to raise the centre stone of the ring to sit properly on top of your band.
Engagement Ring Styles
The Classic Solitaire
Definitely one of the most popular and sought after engagement setting styles, the solitaire setting features one single stone as the main feature. Solitaires with prongs are usually set in a 4-prong, 6-prong or 8-prong setting depending on the stone shape and look you are going for.
Solitaires are also stunning in a full or half bezel setting, which is the most secure setting style for your stone because you don’t have to worry about breaking a prong and losing the stone. The bezel setting also protects the edges of your diamond as well as styles such as pear cuts and princess cuts that have pointed corners (I’ve included many bezel set rings further down in the article).
Solitaire rings can also come with a plain gold band or a pave or micro-pave band (a band set with small, round diamonds) to be as simple or as detailed as you like!
Bezel Setting: A bezel setting is a type of gemstone setting that surrounds and holds the center stone using a continuous band of metal. The rim’s lip encircles and overlaps the edges of the stone, to hold it in place.
A half bezel setting usually has a bezel setting on half of the stone and doesn’t fully encircle the stone.
Bezel Set Rings (Full & Half)
As mentioned above, a bezel setting is a type of gemstone setting that surrounds and holds the center stone using a continuous band of metal. The rim’s lip encircles and overlaps the edges of the stone, to hold it in place. A half bezel setting usually has a bezel setting on half of the stone and doesn’t fully encircle the stone.
Bezel settings embody a super elegant look to your setting and can be used in solitaire styles, diamond halo styles and multi-stone settings.
Besides presenting a more clean setting style, a bezel is the most secure way to hold your diamond because the bezel protects the corners and edges from damage and can withstand heavy wear without breaking the bezel, so you don’t have to worry about your diamond falling out. I myself have a bezel set yellow diamond and as a rough person, I can tell you my diamond is still secure and in place!
Bezels are also a great way to bring out the colour of a diamond, especially if you have a coloured diamond, like a yellow or pink diamond, because you can match the gold colour to complement the stone colour.
Not ready for a full bezel? You can opt for a half bezel that still holds the stone firmly in place but only goes around half of the stone – you can see samples of full and half bezel settings below!
Tip: For added detail and a vintage touch, add a milgrain design to your bezel.
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Triad Or Trilogy Engagement Ring
Triad or trilogy rings are three stone rings that feature three of the same shape gemstone, either with all three stones matching in size or with the centre stone slightly larger then the stones on the side.
This style is a showstopper and is also perfect as an anniversary ring, as the three stones represent past, present and future.
I plan on getting myself an oval triad ring using lab grown diamonds (which are real diamonds that are much cheaper than natural diamonds) for my 50th birthday – fingers crossed!
Halo Engagement Rings
Halo engagement rings are perfect for the bling lover who wants a little extra in their ring. They’re also great for making your centre stone and overall ring look larger than your typical solitaire.
Modern halo diamond rings usually use small, round diamond to form the halo, while antique style rings use larger round diamonds to create the halo. I’ve also seen gorgeous halo rings using baguette cut diamonds or coloured gemstones to create the halo for a contrasting look.
Tip: For a larger blingtastic ring, you can add a double halo around the centre stone for even more sparkle.
Collet Set Engagement Rings
A collet setting is designed as a ring or rim of metal, rising perpendicular to the surface of the item and designed to encircle the girdle of a gemstone, similar to a bezel setting. It is used in more antique ring settings and is a unique feature for an engagement ring.
Collet settings usually feature large, claw prongs as seen in the photo below:
Three Stone Engagement Rings
Three stone rings are a classic engagement ring style and feature a large centre stone with smaller side stones to anchor the centre stone.
Common side stones include tapered baguettes, shield cut diamonds, trillion cut diamonds or half moon diamonds, but really can be any cut you like.
East-West Settings
East-west stone settings are styles with an elongated centre stone (emerald cut, pear cut, oval cut, marquis cut, radiant cut, cushion cut, kite cut, etc.), usually in a solitaire style, set sideways.
This setting type is a great way to change up the traditional solitaire setting and is a very popular setting option.
Tip: East-west settings look great with stacking bands! The sideways setting allows you to show of the details in your bands.
Unique Diamond Shape Rings
While the standard diamond shapes for engagement rings are usually round, oval, pear, heart, princess, radiant, emerald, cushion and Asscher cuts, there is something fun and unique about using a non-traditional diamond cut to be the star of your engagement ring.
Consider uncommon diamond cuts like hexagon cuts, shield cuts, movals (combination of an oval and a marquis), trillion cuts, lozenge cuts, a rose cut or traditional brilliant cut shapes that are instead cut in a step cut for a uniquely spectacular ring!
Five Stone Rings
Five stone engagement rings are perfect for bling lovers. A five stone ring usually features a large centre stone flanked by two smaller stones on either side or 5 similar sized stones in a band style setting.
Multi-Stone/Cluster Rings/Floral Rings
These rings feature a number of gemstones either arranged in a floral/leaf design or with a cluster of gemstones for a more unique look.
mineralogydesign.com
Split Shank Engagement Rings
The shank refers to the band or part of the ring that encircles your finger. While most shanks are round, there are also split shanks in which the shank splits into two, creating two separate metal pieces that stem from the center stone.
Celebrity Rings: Beyonce’s engagement ring is a split shank band holding a large emerald cut diamond.
Art Deco, Vintage & Antique Engagement Rings
Antique engagement rings usually feature more detail work in the band and setting, such as milgrain metal details or scrolling within the band.
Antique or vintage rings also feature old gemstone cuts such as a round diamond cut in an old European cutting style, which usually features larger facets for a bigger sparkle even in low light.
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Toi Et Moi Rings
Toi et Moi is French for “you and me”, which is why a toi et moi ring features two gemstones set set by side as the main feature.
What’s great about this style is it usually has two different cuts or coloured stones in the setting, making it perfect for anyone who can’t settle on just one cut or stone colour!
Celebrity rings: Megan Fox’s engagement ring from Machine Gun Kelly is a toi et moi ring.
Gyspy Set, Signet & Chunky Engagement Rings
While dainty solitaires are always popular, there’s something to be said about a big, chunky band to contrast a gorgeous stone.
The Gypsy setting, also known as the flushmount setting, is a style that is a secure setting option that’s great for someone with an active lifestyle. This setting involves sinking the stone into the ring and creating a flush surface with the metal.
For extra heft, chunkier ring designs with wider bands, a wide stone border or both also make a huge statement.
Tension Set Rings
A tension setting is a type of setting technique that uses compression to hold a gemstone in place.
The stone is placed in an opening in the metal shank, into invisible grooves cut into the metal and held in place by pressure from both ends of the setting.
A tension setting gives the appearance that the diamond is suspended or floating, which allows you to view and appreciate the stone from all angles and doesn’t have any prongs or bezel to get in the way of the view.
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Pearl Engagement Rings
Who needs a gemstone when you could use a stunning pearl or pearl cluster as the star of your engagement ring?
Consider a pearl-gemstone mix or solitaire pearl with gemstone accents for a unique, romantic ring.
Which engagement ring style is your favourite?
Stay up to date on the latest engagement ring and diamond jewelry by following my “Diamonds Are Forever” Pinterest board below!
