Think Beyond the Classics: Explore Eight Types of Engagement Rings

Classic, modern, minimal, colorful: There’s no right or wrong ring to propose with—a guide to all your options.

Engagement rings, they’re not what they used to be—and that’s a good thing. Though the three C’s (carat, clarity, cut) are still at the forefront of the discussion, your true love may fall in love with a colored stone, an unusual setting, or an eternity band just as much as a classically designed diamond ring.

We’ve drawn up a guide that aims to cater to everyone looking at engagement rings, whether you’d rather spend your money saving up for a future home or you’ve always dreamed of your wedding and know you must have that diamond solitaire, no matter what. And though many prefer a modern approach, vintage engagement rings are proving more and more popular as well. The luxury website 1stdibs.com notes a 47% increase year-over-year in the purchase of vintage engagement rings on the site, the highest category being Art Deco at 54% year-over-year. “This is a period that will never go out of style—it is timeless,” says Cristina Miller, CCO of 1stdibs.

Regardless of how you approach it, though, the whole process can be daunting and the experience alienating. “Being open about the process is the best way to make sure you get exactly the right thing,” says jeweler Brent Neale, who often works with clients on custom engagement rings. “Perhaps there’s a cut you’ve never seen in person or an unusual way to set the stones, or maybe it’s one stone instead of three. Or perhaps you never thought about color! It’s a big investment, so I say explore it all.”

Best in Value

Setting an engagement doesn’t need to break the bank.

Cartier 1895 wedding band

$850CARTIERShop Now

Fenton Laurel band diamond 18kt white gold

$770FENTON AND COShop Now

Mejuri Italic cluster ring

$750MEJURIShop Now

J.Hannah demi signet (diamond)

$995J.HANNAHShop Now

Double Stones

Two stones create a graphic and timeless design.

Jemma Wynne bespoke diamond oval and emerald two-stone ring

JEMMA WYNNEShop Now

Repossi Serti Sur Vide 18k white gold and diamond ring

$10,427NET-A-PORTERShop Now

Katkim Duét Asscher ring

$32,000KATKIMShop Now

Shay diamond emerald and pear twin ring

$252,000BROKEN ENGLISHShop Now

Nontraditional

A classic design may not work for every future bride.

Solange Marry Me written ring

$1,808SOLANGEShop Now

Spinelli Kilcollin 18k yellow gold 3-lined diamond ring

$17,000SAKS FIFTH AVENUEShop Now

Renna Wave Study O ring

$4,500RENNAShop Now

Melissa Kaye Aria Blake ring

$9,250MELISSA KAYEShop Now

Precious Gemstones

An impactful—often cost-effective—forever way to add color to your jewelry collection.

Vale Jewlery Evelina ring with sapphire

$2,850VALE JEWELRYShop Now

Rosa de la Cruz 18k rose gold, garnet, and sapphire ring

$1,405FARFETCHShop Now

Alison Lou 14k gold, lab-sapphire, and enamel ring

$1,275MATCHESFASHION.COMShop Now

Marlo Laz Alexandra ring

$16,000MARLO LAZShop Now

Custom

For those who are lucky enough to have a family stone to set or want something completely unique.

Brent Neale one-of-a-kind round diamond gypsy with pear sides

BRENT NEALEShop Now

Jessica McCormack bespoke engagement ring

JESSICA MCCORMACKShop Now

Jade Trau bespoke engagement rings

JADE TRAUShop Now

Stephanie Gottlieb band and a half engagement ring with round diamond

STEPHANIE GOTTLIEBShop Now

Vintage

Designs from decades past that never age.

Macklowe Gallery three-stone platinum ring with diamonds

$25,000MACKLOWE GALLERYShop Now

Beladora Art Deco diamond ring in platinum

$3,750BELADORAShop Now

Stephen Russell Edwardian platinum & diamond navette ring

$22,000STEPHEN RUSSELLShop Now

Fred Leighton Art Deco pink sapphire, onyx, and diamond ring

$7,500FRED LEIGHTONShop Now

Visual Tricks

Any jeweler will tell you a way to increase the perceived size of your center stone is to add a halo—pavé diamonds being the traditional option and enamel being a more modern approach.

Selim Mouzannar 18-karat rose gold, enamel and diamond ring

$2,990NET-A-PORTERShop Now

Tiffany Soleste round brilliant engagement ring in platinum

TIFFANY & CO.Shop Now

1stDibs Art Deco diamond and black enamel ring, circa 1925

$25,7471STDIBSShop Now

Jessica McCormack moonshine diamond & sapphire daisy ring

JESSICA MCCORMACKShop Now

Classic

Options for the traditionalist.

De Beers DB Classic trio emerald-cut diamond ring

$24,300DE BEERSShop Now

Grace Lee petite crown bezel diamond ring

$785GRACE LEEShop Now

Kwiat cushion-cut diamond engagement ring

$1,350KWIATShop Now

Harry Winston solitaire, emerald-cut engagement ring

$17,700HARRY WINSTONShop Now

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Daisy Shaw-Ellis

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