In my opinion, the engagement ring is one of the most important things in the progress of humanity. You might be wondering how. Look, technological inventions give us comfort or convenience, but the engagement ring gives us generations. It is such a precious thing that we can't even imagine married life without it. The engagement ring is a checkpoint for the changes that come into every person's life. Wearing an item means you are going from one to two, and soon there will be three.
That's why I say the engagement ring is a symbol of humanity's progress. So, revolutionary things should always be trending and priceless, and we all agree on that. Today, we will introduce you to some such engagement ring styles. Read till the end because you will learn about some stunning styles. I would be thrilled if you choose one of them for your once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Let's begin!
Why Do We Wear Engagement Rings: The History
Have you ever wondered why we wear engagement rings? I mean, before the engagement, what's the compulsion to wear a ring, a small accessory, to prove an occasion? There's a history behind it. People in ancient Rome wore iron rings on their ring finger. They believed that the vein in the ring finger, which they called "vena amoris" (vein of love), was connected to the heart.
Taking inspiration from this, in the 15th century, Archduke Maximilian gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring, and that's how the diamond engagement ring tradition began. This trend was further boosted by De Beers' "Diamonds are Forever" campaign. So, the connection of the "vena amoris" (vein of love) to the heart is the fundamental origin behind the engagement ring.
Stone Settings For Engagement Rings
Let's look at the main things now: engagement ring styles. The things that determine the look of any ring are the stone setting. This is how different styles are created, and we've brought you some of the most famous and trending stone settings.
Bezel Setting For Engagement Rings
The bezel stone setting gives a very simple ring look. In this setting, the stone is securely placed within a metal wall. Its main advantage is security; the stone remains very secure in this setting. However, only the top of the stone is visible, so you don't get much sparkle. The simplicity and security of a bezel ring are its defining characteristics.
Pear Cut Bezel Engagement Ring
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Prong Setting For Engagement Rings
In a prong stone setting, the stone is fitted using metal prongs. It can have 4 prongs, 6 prongs, or even more. In rings with 6 or more prongs, the stone is more secure. The special feature of this setting is that the bottom part of the stone is not completely covered, which allows for more sparkle. Prong setting can be considered the most famous stone setting in jewelry.
Marquise Cut Prong Engagement Ring
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Halo Setting For Engagement Rings
If you want a dazzling, sparkling, and brilliant ring, then you should definitely check out this halo setting ring. The main purpose of the halo setting is to make the center stone appear larger than its actual size. This is achieved by surrounding the center stone with small diamonds. When viewed from above, it will look like a much larger diamond. This is a very attractive stone setting; it's like simplicity in complexity.
Halo Engagement Ring
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Pave Setting For Engagement Rings
Pave stone setting is mainly used to decorate the band. Above, we saw simple, prong, bezel, and halo rings, where the band was plain. Pave setting, however, provides small diamonds on the band itself. In pave setting, the stones are set in a line using tiny prongs. As a customization option, you can combine pave setting with bezel, prong, and halo settings to create a highly decorated ring.
Pave Engagement Ring
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Classic Engagement Ring Styles
Generally, engagement ring styles are categorized into two types: either they are classic rings with traditional designs that have been and will continue to be in trend for a long time, or they fall into the modern design category. Classic ring styles feature rings that are mostly simple in appearance, with a simple setting, a traditional round diamond, and yellow gold metal.
Classic engagement rings often have larger diamonds, and usually, the number of diamonds doesn't exceed three. This engagement ring style looks simple, but due to its traditional value, people still love it today.
Solitaire Engagement Ring Style
A solitaire engagement ring features a single focal stone; the purpose is inherent in the name itself, as "solitaire" means single. It is considered one of the most famous engagement ring styles. A traditional solitaire engagement ring has only one gemstone. However, due to changing trends, customization is now common, where the focal point remains the center diamond, but the band is decorated with pavé settings. In a solitaire ring, the center stone is set using a prong or bezel setting. This ring is perfect for professional women.
Oval Cut Engagement Ring
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Eternity Rings
Here, we've thought a little outside the box. An eternity ring isn't traditionally considered an engagement ring, although the symbolism of both is quite similar. The timing of giving them is different; both ring styles symbolize everlasting love and commitment. An engagement ring is given before marriage, while an eternity ring is usually given on occasions after marriage, such as anniversaries.
However, since we're discussing ring designs here, an eternity ring design can also be used as an engagement ring. An eternity ring doesn't have a center stone; only the band is covered with diamonds. There's also a modern variant called a half-eternity ring, which we'll discuss later.
Pear Emerald Eternity Ring
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Modern Engagement Ring Styles
Modern engagement ring styles offer unique designs, whereas classic ring styles are simple and typically use only two or three elements. Modern ring styles, on the other hand, utilize multiple elements. These rings often feature modern stone shapes like marquise, pear, and princess cuts, in addition to the traditional round cut. While classic rings usually have stones of the same shape, modern rings often incorporate a mix of different stone shapes.
Besides shape, they also feature stones of various colors. The design of modern rings is not as fixed as classic designs; their design inspiration is more flexible. Modern rings are mostly designed to suit the preferences of modern people. Since people today often stack rings, designs like curved bands, open rings, and side stone rings are commonly seen.
Hidden Halo Engagement Rings
The hidden halo ring is an updated version of the halo ring. In a halo ring, small diamonds are set around the center stone, while in a hidden halo ring, as the name suggests, the halo is hidden. This means that when viewed from above, you won't see the halo stones, because they are fitted beneath the center stone.
Therefore, the center part of this ring, which sits on top of the finger, is more elevated, and the beautiful halo stones are visible only when viewed from the side. This design is truly unique.
Hidden Halo Engagement Ring
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Open Rings
If you want to wear your engagement ring and wedding ring together, an open ring is a great option. Let's say your wedding ring has a center stone, and you want to wear your engagement ring with it. The problem is that when you wear the engagement ring, it often covers the stone of your wedding ring. To solve this problem, an open ring is a perfect solution.
In an open ring, the two ends are separated from each other. The gap created by the separation of the two ends acts as a passage for the stone of the wedding ring. It has a somewhat asymmetrical design, but it looks very beautiful.
Round Diamond Open Ring
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Curved Engagement Rings
Unlike a normal round band engagement ring, a curved band ring has a bent top part of the band. This creates a gap in the ring, which is very helpful for ring stacking. In most curved rings, the curved part is decorated with stones. This ring style truly looks very poetic. Technically, a curved ring is called a chevron ring, and in simpler terms, it's also known as a V-shaped ring.
Chevron Engagement Ring
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Half Eternity Rings
Half eternity rings are an updated version of the eternity ring. Eternity rings, with diamonds all around the band, can be problematic for daily wear because the bottom part constantly rubs against surfaces, potentially damaging the stones or causing the prongs to loosen, leading to stone loss. To address this issue, the half eternity ring was introduced to the market.
In this ring style, stones are only set on the top half of the band, while the other half remains plain. This style of ring looks beautiful and can be worn daily.
Half Eternity Ring
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Statement Engagement Rings
As the name suggests, you've probably already guessed what a statement ring is. It's a ring designed to make a statement, with an eye-catching design. You can also call it a fashion ring. These rings often feature large stones, and their designs are usually abstract, meaning there are no specific design parameters.
Creating a statement ring is quite easy for designers because they can draw inspiration from anywhere – nature, textile designs, art pieces, or anything else. The only goal is that the design shouldn't look ordinary. So, if your fiancée is fond of fashion jewelry, a statement engagement ring is a great option.
Statement Ring
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Toi Et Moi Engagement Ring
This is probably the most symbolic ring design on this list. Toi et Moi is a French word that means "you and me." The symbolism behind the Toi et Moi ring is unity and love. It is also called a two-stone ring. Besides being symbolic, this ring style also looks very beautiful. It features two stones of the same or different shapes, set with perfect balance. The two stones represent you and your partner. So, if you want a symbolic engagement ring, there's no better option than a Toi et Moi engagement ring.
Toi Et Moi Engagement Ring
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Signet Rings
The engagement ring designs we've discussed so far have mostly been for women, but it's not like engagements are only for women, right? What did the men do wrong? Jokes aside, this ring style is for men. Men naturally prefer bolder and slightly more masculine designs. Signet rings are one such style. Signet rings have been worn for many years; in ancient times, they were used to seal documents.
In modern times, they've been transformed into engagement rings by integrating stones. The top of a signet ring is larger and covered with many stones. It's also possible to create curated designs using different colored stones. This ring is perfect for both special occasions and professional settings.
Signet Ring
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Tips From DIAGAA For Buying and Engagement Rings
I hope you have selected the perfect engagement ring style for yourself or your future wife, but does the work end there? No, selecting the ring style is only half the journey. The next and most important step is shopping. If you have already selected an engagement ring style, I would urge you to reconsider because I don't want you to choose a style based solely on the ring design. You need to be a little practical here. There are several points to keep in mind when deciding on your favorite engagement ring style, such as...
Do Not Be Fooled By Trend, Choose As Per Your Taste
Trends in the jewelry market keep changing. You want your ring to still look good to you 5 years from now, and that's only possible if you rise above the trends and choose a ring that truly reflects your personal style. Ask yourself which style you or your partner will love for a lifetime. The answer that comes from within will be your dream ring.
Before Purchasing, Make Your Budget
Before learning about trends and designs, decide what your preferred budget is, because buying jewelry by draining your bank account and disrupting your economic cycle can be dangerous and may hinder you from pursuing more important things.
Go Out And Try
The way something looks in a picture or on a screen changes when you wear it in the real world. A style you liked on screen might feel completely different when you actually wear it. That's why you should try on the ring in person first. This is the most effective way to choose your favorite ring, especially if you're unsure about your preferences.
Take Note Of How Is Your Lifestyle
This point is very important to keep in mind: an engagement ring is not only expensive but also emotionally significant. You wouldn't want your ring to break easily or the stone to fall out, so choose a ring style according to your profession and lifestyle.
For example, if you have an active lifestyle or are a sportsperson, you can't opt for a delicate engagement ring style. You'll probably have to go with a bezel setting and a ring with a larger stone.
Consider Customizing Your Design
You may have a design in mind, but such a design isn't available anywhere. In this case, you can opt for custom designing. All reputable jewelers provide custom design services. You can explain your design to them and bring your preferred engagement ring style to life.
Your Dream Engagement Ring Awaits
I've told you about nearly a dozen trending engagement ring styles, including classic and modern styles, and different stone settings. I also explained the factors you should consider when choosing an engagement ring style. My job is done here; now it's your turn. Find your or your partner's favorite engagement ring style, compare the options, and select the perfect one.
I'll be happy if you find your ideal engagement ring style at DIAGAA. I'm confident you will; we have over 300 designs available, and one of them is perfect for you. You just have to find it yourself. Happy shopping!