Types of Engagement Rings

January 9th, 2020 / Alese Oldenburg

If you take the time to admire different engagement rings—whether a friend or family member’s—then you know that no two are ever exactly alike. Whether it’s something you’ve never seen before or a common style you love, there’s usually something new that catches your eye—no matter how small. In addition to the most popular engagement ring styles, there are so many different types of engagement rings that you rarely ever see the same exact one.

Each type of engagement ring has a different style and design details. Different types of engagement rings may even hold different symbolic meanings. Choosing the right one for you is sometimes an exhaustive task. Whether you’re searching for yourself or your loved one, there’s a lot of pressure in finding the right traditional or simulated diamond jewelry. Your engagement ring is an adornment that you will hold close to your heart for the rest of your life, so it’s important you choose one that you can admire forever. Instead of diving into all types of different engagement rings at once, you should first understand the pros and cons of each style so that you can slim down your choices. From most loved to most unique, the list goes on and on. Read on to learn about all of the different types of engagement rings to get you on your way to picking the absolute perfect one.

Types of Engagement Rings

While the style of your engagement ring should first and foremost represent your taste, there’s no doubt it will be seen by many others, too. You want to find a design that can balance the style you love, with ones you’ll be proud to show off throughout the years. To do that, you should first learn about each different style so you can narrow your search down. Here are the top different engagement rings to learn about before beginning your search. These five styles are among the most popular engagement ring styles:

Solitaire:

Since this style only features one stone at center stage, it’s the most simple design you can opt for. While simplicity may be the case for the majority of solitaires, your choice of stone shape will have a huge effect on the overall appearance. Modern shapes like Oval, Pear and Marquise can transform a basic design into a bold style. No matter if you’re looking for classic or daring, the right solitaire engagement ring can still incorporate your personal style.

Halo:

Up the shine factor of your engagement ring with a halo engagement ring. With a ring of accents surrounding the center stone, it will feature an abundance of sparkle. Pair it with an accented shank and your ring is sure to be the center of attention. This style is extremely popular right now, but you should also consider trends down the road. It may not always be as popular, so you should choose your design based on your love for it rather than solely its popularity.

Three Stone:

While three stone rings were once a relatively classic design, they are now becoming much more modern in style. Whether it features colored side stones for a pop of hue, or elongated stone shapes like Marquise or Emerald, this polished style will catch everyone’s eye. Along with its glamorous appeal, three stone engagement rings carry a deep sentimental meaning of past, present and future. So while you embark on this new chapter of your life, you can hold the memories of the past dear to your heart.

Accented:

Since there are so many different variations of accented rings, each one will look different. The common setting of accent stones is prong-set, but you can also opt for channel, pave, bezel, and many other styles. Each one will not only differ in appearance and price but also on safety. Dainty stones- such as pave set accents- are more prone to falling out over time, while settings like bezel settings are much more secure.

Vintage:

Vintage designs are popular in almost all handcrafted adornments—from clothing to accessories. Which is why it makes sense that it’s also extremely popular in the engagement space. Vintage style engagement rings are usually designed in warm metal types such as yellow and rose gold, or with a mix of metals. They may also feature dainty metalwork and a unique prong setting that adds extra details. It’s important to choose a stone that is durable enough for a lifetime and longer so it can be turned into a family heirloom piece if you choose to do so.

Top Five Different Stone Shapes

While the style of your engagement ring is no doubt one of the first decisions you should consider, choosing a radiant cut for your stone cut is arguably just as important. The shape you choose has a big impact on the overall look of your engagement ring, as well as your budget. Choosing a classic shape will allow you to add more details to your shank and profile view, while choosing a bolder, more modern shape may lend the focus to the center.

There are many reputable jewelers out there, and each one carries a different variety of stone shapes. This means your stone or diamond shape options will depend on the jeweler you choose. While the options may seem endless, there are a handful of common shapes in today’s market. To understand more about the style of engagement ring you’re looking for, learn the top diamond shapes to help you decide which type of engagement ring is right for you or your loved one.

Round Brilliant: As the most popular shape, both modern and classic engagement ring styles are commonly seen with a Round Brilliant cut stone. The shape is easily paired with most setting styles and is as timeless as it is stunning. Round cut engagement rings are among some of the top engagement rings of all time and it is the only shape that has an ideal facet pattern, which means it has excellent sparkle. Since this stone shape is extremely versatile, it can be designed as a classic solitaire, three stone, halo or any other type of popular engagement ring you can think of. If you’re looking for a true sparkler that will be in style for years to come, then a Round Brilliant cut shape might be right for you.

Oval: Similar to the shape of a Round Brilliant but elongated, Oval cut stones are also very versatile. Oval engagement rings have grown immensely in popularity, and because of that are now a top choice for modern engagement ring styles. Not only is the sparkle superb, but their long design allows the carat weight to appear larger than it really is. If you like the look of a Round Brilliant, but want something a little more modern and perhaps slightly more affordable, then an Oval stone will be the perfect touch to your adornment.

Princess: As the second most popular shape, Princess cut engagement rings have stolen the hearts of many women. The classic square shape looks great with accent stones, a simple band or metalwork. With this shape, you can let your design imagination run wild knowing it will pair well with almost anything. Princess shapes are the second closest shape to having an ideal facet pattern, meaning they radiate an abundance of sparkle, similar to a Round Brilliant. Its beauty and versatility make this shape timeless enough to be in style for years to come.

Emerald: This shape resembles a rectangle, but is considered a step-cut stone. This means that instead of the all-over sparkle that shapes like Round Brilliant feature, Emerald cut engagement rings feature sparkle in steps. The Emerald shape is often used in vintage designs because it was such a popular style in the 1920s. It features slightly cropped edges and long open facets that make a captivating design. While this shape is unique and utterly captivating, keep in mind that since there are fewer facets featured on the table, inclusions are much more easily seen if you choose a traditional diamond. Although, this is avoided with Ideal Cut stones like the Nexus Diamond™ alternative.

Pear: This unique shape also features an elongated design that flatters the finger and can create the appearance of a larger carat weight. It’s traditionally worn pointing away from your hand when featured in an engagement ring, although some choose to wear it pointing toward the hand. No matter how you choose to wear it, it will lend length throughout your finger. Pear-shaped diamonds and diamond simulants are modern, which is why the shape is commonly paired with modern settings to match. Halo engagement rings look luminous with a unique shape like Pear.

Finding Your Perfect Engagement Ring Style

Now that you know each of the different engagement ring types and stone shapes, you can begin your search for the perfect ring. Start off by selecting the type of metal band by browsing through our collections of platinum engagement rings, white gold engagement rings, yellow gold engagement rings, or rose gold engagement rings. The type you choose should embody your style—whether it’s simple or striking, glam or dainty. Your ring will be your most prized possession and so it should mean the world to you.

Your search for the perfect one is part of the fun and shouldn’t be done in a rush. Take your time searching around so when you land on the right one, you won’t have any doubts. The best time to buy an engagement ring varies for each individual, so choose the type of engagement ring that you can see yourself in years from now, and that will remind you of all the special memories you and your partner have and will make.

*Diamond Nexus strives to provide valuable information, while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab grown stone that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a mined diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.