You’ve decided to propose, and we can only congratulate you on this important decision! It’s one of the best steps in life you can take. But now you face another problem: how to choose an engagement ring that will be just right.
Well, the most obvious solution is to shop for the ring together. But if you want to surprise your loved one with a proposal and the ring, you have some work to do.
Your noble quest won’t be easy, that's true, yet fear not, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll look at the most popular engagement ring types and how you can customize them to look special without looking overly extravagant.
What Are Engagement Ring Styles and Why Do They Matter?
Styles matter because they define what the ring will look like on a finger, how it will work with your sweetheart's style, and what a ring will cost you. So, yes, an engagement ring is much more than a stone perched on a band, and you need to know what to look for or what to avoid.
It all starts with a stone because that’s what a ring is about. It’s not necessarily a diamond, but a stone simply has to sit at the heart of the ring. So the ring styles revolve around how many stones, what additional accents are there, and what the setting looks like. Put all three together, and you’ve created a particular ring style.
The most popular and recognizable styles are solitaire, halo & three-stone. You’ll see variations of these designs on celebrities and people in the streets alike.
There are some other avant-garde options, but not everyone likes them, and they need a lot of styling effort. It’s something to avoid while selecting a ‘forever’ ring.
Solitaire
A solitaire is a style where the stone makes the greatest impact. It’s placed solo on a slim band that is pared back to let the stone shine. The quality and the beauty of a selected gem come to the front, it’s a solid statement in fashion and in the commitment you’ve both made.
It’s a timeless classic design that is easy to pair and to wear with various outfits. A smaller stone will feel understated and dainty, but with a larger stone, the design will be anything but.
Solitaire with a pavé band
If you want something a bit more interesting, consider a solitaire that features a band with accents. Smaller stones placed strategically won’t pull attention away from the center and will support it with subtle sparkles instead.
A pro tip: a pave band means that it’s completely covered in stones, while accent stones are carefully spaced on the band so as not to overwhelm the design.
Halo
A halo style is a central stone wrapped in a halo of smaller stones. This trick makes the center look larger and bolder and amplifies the sparkle and play of light. If you want a wow-ring without overdoing it, go for a halo.
The advantage of this style is that you can get the expensive look on a smaller budget. Or you can play it historical and make the center colored, choosing a sapphire or emerald. Then the sparkling halo will add glitz and glamor to the restrained beauty of the colored gem. These colored halos have the flair of royalty, that's why they are always popular, no matter the trends.
Halo with pavé band
If you want to take it a step further, combine a halo ring with a pavé band. A stream of small stones will gently roll around the central diamond and then flow effortlessly onto the band as a single uninterrupted line. This look will be truly exquisite.
Yet if you don’t want too much glamor, opt for a subtler move: a halo ring with accents on the band. Sparkle and laid-back elegance will be there, but the central halo arrangement won’t be rivalled by anything.
Half-halo
Since we’re talking about engagement jewelry, let’s keep in mind that an engagement ring will eventually be paired with a wedding band. So its shape needs to accommodate the band comfortably. That’s where a half-halo appears on the stage
A central stone is surrounded on one side by a semi-circle of stones, like a crown, and the other side of the stone is left unadorned. That’s where a matching curved band will fit snugly when the happy day comes.
Aside from the practical matter, a half-halo ring looks fresh and special, it’s beautiful and eye-catching on its own terms. You can choose marquise stones for a halo, then the look will be truly striking on its own.
Three-Stone Rings
Three stones placed in a neat row give a ring substance and this palpable heirloom quality. It’s neither too bold nor too dainty, it's just right when it comes to timeless designs and plans for effortless stacking.
Often, a three-stone style features one central stone that is only somewhat larger and two smaller side stones that flank it, thus building a smooth flow of sparkle. But you can do it differently and choose an impressively big center stone and support it with clusters of small stones on two sides. The effect of three solid stones will be there, but at the same time, this design is more exquisite and rich in detail.
Three-stone rings have the deep symbolism of the life path where stones mean the past, the present, and the future you build together. That's why this style belongs to the three most popular ones.
Bezel
Technically, a bezel is a type of setting, but its unique look makes it into a style of its own. With a bezel setting, a stone is nested in a full-metal casing, its table set flush with the edges of the setting, and so it’s safely secured in place and protected from side and back scratches and chips. Visually, a stone is wrapped into a single metal strip, without separate prongs, and it’s enough to give the ring a very substantial and interesting look.
With a bezel, you don’t need a halo to support the appearance of the stone, and the contrasting metal makes it feel more solid and important. Two identical stones, one in a minimalist solitaire setting and another in a bezel setting, will look different when placed side by side.
Cluster
Not everyone loves a single central stone, and that's OK. Cluster rings are another viable option that deliver sparkle and elegance, but in a subtler way. A cluster ring does not bedazzle right from the start, it makes people want to look closer. A combination of smaller stones instead of one large piece is not loud, but its visual impact is undeniable.
At the same time, a cluster ring is a true fashion statement, it works well with other ring styles when you curate a ringscape or a stack, and you can choose to have as many stones in a cluster as you want, no rules apply.
We offer a selection of cluster rings, from minimalist to sumptuous and sparkly. Set in yellow or white gold, they look gorgeous and leave a lasting impression.
Types of Stone Cuts
If you go for a design with one central gem, you’ll face the difficult choice of stone cuts. We say ‘difficult’ because the shape of the stone decides what the ring will look like when put on a finger. A round halo, an emerald halo, and a marquise halo will look like three distinct rings, each with its appeal and nuances.
Round diamonds (or other types of stones) are ubiquitous, they are the staple of engagement jewelry. You’ll find them in vintage and modern collections alike. If you want to play safe and get a timeless design, go for a round stone.
Elongated stones are a more interesting approach, they look fresh and modern. Elongated stone cuts include oval, pear, emerald, and marquise. Each has its distinct look and can be set into a variety of rings. What ties them together is that these cuts create tons of sparkle and fire.
They look gorgeous in solitaire staples, to begin with. But what we can tell you confidently is that if you plan to choose a halo style, opt for an elongated stone. Then the design will be truly stunning.
An unusual cut is a heart shape, very romantic by default, so it’s literally cut out for an engagement ring. It’s best set as a solitaire, or with minimal accents, to preserve the attraction of a dainty, playful design.
Types of Bands
It’s worth noting that even the simplest solitaire can be transformed by a special band style.
The first option is always the minimalist slim band. It underscores the beauty of the stone and does not impact the look of the finger.
A split band is the next logical step in making a ring style look interesting without overdoing it. The band is split into two V-like strips, and their split ends support the central composition. It’s like the stone sits in an openwork cradle.
Twisted or overcrossing band (sometimes it can be called a Celtic band). In this design, a band is not split, but rather two thin strips of metal are intertwined all along the band length. The intricate metalwork resembles Celtic knot motifs, hence the other name.
A band with accents. Usually, it’s a simple band but with… no, not a twist, rather, something special. It may feature small accent stones strategically placed in groups or spaced along the band. It may be a set of tiny elegant details, like leaves, milgrain, or a sculptural edge. Whichever you choose, the band won’t look boring and will enhance the appeal of the design.
Choice of Center Stones
What’s the first stone that comes to mind when engagement is mentioned? Diamond, of course!
Diamonds. These stones are the default engagement staples, so don’t think twice about them. Today, it’s OK to wear diamonds day and night, with denim or silk, mixing them with every jewelry combination. Dainty diamond rings are all the rage now, so you won’t break the bank while purchasing them.
If you want the stone to be a large one, look at moissanites as diamond alternatives. They are just as gorgeous but cost significantly less. You can safely pick a large halo or solitaire and never worry about the bill.
Gems of the Big 4. They are emerald, sapphire, and ruby (diamond being the fourth). These colored gems were traditionally used for engagement jewelry throughout history, so if you want a splash of color, go for one of these stones. They will look gorgeous in a solitaire or in a halo.
A pro tip from styling experts: blue and green stones complement any skin tone and work well with all types of outfit color palettes. If you want a failproof option, choose a stone of these shades.
Other interesting gems
You’re not obliged to buy exclusively the gems of the top jewelry tier. You can choose a stone that is less costly but as appealing and stylish. Amazing blue tints can be found in topaz, aquamarine, sometimes in moonstone. Zirconia can come in shades of green, and moss agate displays whole mossy landscapes in the milky environment.
Alexandrite combines green with violet, so it’s the stone of its own league, and it’s highly sought-after for important jewelry.
Rutilated quartz is neutral enough to go with any wardrobe, but it’s special enough to grace the most elegant ring.
Unique stones with spiritual meaning
Amethyst brings calmness, peace of mind, and informative dreams.
Opal and moonstone help connect to intuition and get to know yourself better.
Citrine is the stone of abundance.
Sunstone gives energy and brings warmth and a feeling of coziness.
Whether these properties are evidence-based or not, we cannot confirm or disprove it. But the stones are beautiful in their own right, so if you get a bonus in the shape of some spiritual clarity or insights, it’s even better.
How to Choose an Engagement Ring
Styles and options are numerous, trends come and go, so how are you supposed to approach this pleasurable task?
First, consider the budget, then lifestyle and taste of the wearer (whether you’re choosing for your loved one or for yourself).
When you start your search in this order, you already narrow the range to a reasonable number, excluding overly expensive things.
- If you’re in doubt, choose a minimalist solitaire with diamonds or colored gems, blue and green ones being the best choice.
- If you want something more glamorous but still not over the top, go for halo rings. They are amazing when all-white or with colored gems as a center.
- Three-stone rings are among the most popular trio of styles, they look interesting and fresh.
- Want personalization? Choose rings with a bit of history on their side. Art Deco, Victorian, and vintage styles are always interesting and never go out of fashion.
- Another way to personalize is to choose a ring with a classic design set with unusual stones. Moss agate, opal, moonstone, sunstone, turquoise - they are all trending now (alongside other beautiful stones), yet they are still relatively rare and will look outstanding.
- Trust your taste and your guts. If you like it, get it.
- If nothing fits your idea of perfection, get a custom engagement ring. YourAsteria is a place where passionate jewelers meet you where you are and guide you to the perfect ring you want. We do it step by step, from a description to the final item handcrafted according to your instructions. Custom rings reflect your unique love story, so reach out and chat with us anyway, we always have something special to offer.
Conclusion
Ring styles are diverse and beautiful, yet they can be classified into categories that you can look through and compare. Most probably, you have some image in your mind, and curious exploration will let you understand what it is, specifically.
Take your time browsing through our collections that display various ring designs, and if nothing clicks right away, drop us a line and learn how you can get a custom handcrafted jewelry piece. It’s totally affordable, and the ring will be one-of-a-kind.
You don’t have to compromise on this important decision. An engagement ring should be what you want it to be, because your love and commitment deserve only the best token.
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