Custom Engagement Rings

5 Timeless Engagement Ring Styles

5 Timeless Engagement Ring Styles - Jewelsmith

How to choose an engagement ring design that you'll love forever

updated September 2023
by Mary Coleman
model wearing multiple styles of engagement rings

So many choices of engagement ring styles!

The year is 2023 skinny jeans are over, 80's fashion trends are back, so are mustaches. And crown shaped clusters, hidden halos or horoscope inspired engagement rings are en masse. After scrolling for hours on Pinterest your phone is now inundating you with ring styles as well as ads. Influencers, style gurus, fashion editors, thousands of individuals vying to show the latest trend.

tired young woman fed up with phone

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the engagement ring noise

When choosing your engagement ring, how can you find the perfect one? Set the intention.

Do you want your ring to:

Proposal photo from actual Jewelsmith custom engagement ring client (she looks like a model, tho right?)

  • conjure a smile every time you look at it
  • serve as a tangible symbol of your love
  • show the significance of your love story
  • be an heirloom for your descendants
  • strike envy into the hearts of all who gaze upon it (or at least an ex who may or may not still follow you)

     

 

Speaking as a custom jewelry designer with nearly a decade of experience in the engagement space, five styles stand the test of time and will endure long after a TikTok montage or celebrity's nuptials.

 

1. Solitaire Engagement Ring

Rose gold pear shaped diamond bypass solitaire engagement ring

Solitaire is a term meaning, just one. A single stone worn on a certain finger to indicate the search is over. Love has prevailed and wedded bliss awaits.

This style endures for many reasons. How perfectly it showcases the stone. The star attraction with little fanfare or fancy elements. This classic approach will allow you to focus your search and budget on the stone for your intended.

Classic does not mean cookie cutter, to make your solitaire stand out for from the crowd, explore different shapes and gemstones. (see our blog for best gemstones for engagement rings)

 

2. Three Stone Engagement Ring

model wearing emerald cut blue sapphire engagement ring with trapezoid diamonds in platinum

Emerald cut sapphire, trapezoid diamond 3 stone engagement ring in platinum

This style has, you guessed it, 3 stones. A center with two sides. Some feel it represents the past, present and future. For a blended family it is often yours, mine and ours. It can be a great compromise when looking for a bigger look without the cost of a lager center stone. A three stone will give the opportunity to contrast colors, of metal or stones. This is an incredible style when you have the opportunity to use family diamonds and/or gemstones of different sizes. It created endless combinations to suit any taste.

 

3. Vintage Inspired Engagement Rings

Vintage inspired diamond engagement ring with filigree, hand engraved and milgrain details on white background

Vintage inspired diamond engagement ring with filigree, hand engraved and milgrain details

What is old is new again. Vintage styles offer beautiful glimpses into glamorous eras of bygone times. Any style more than 20 years old is “vintage” more than 100, it’s antique. These styles have already proven that they can stand the test of time.

 

 

4. Colored Gemstone Engagement Rings

model wearing Blue sapphire cabochon (smooth domed cut) set in hammer textured 22K yellow gold

Blue sapphire cabochon (smooth domed cut) set in hammer textured 22K yellow gold

Not into diamonds? No problem, you have lots of great colored gemstone options in every color of the rainbow and then some. The earliest known engagement rings were diamond free, later colored gemstones became the norm. Diamonds did not become widely popular until the 1940’s.

According to GIA’s excellent article about the history of engagement rings:

“Starting from the Medieval Times, wedding rings began to be set with precious gems. Medieval Europeans used rubies to symbolize passion, sapphires to symbolize the heavens and diamonds to symbolize steadfast strength.”

“Up until the 1940s, diamonds were just one among numerous gems used as engagement ring stones. Their wild popularity is mainly due to De Beers, the diamond giant that controlled the majority of the world’s diamonds at the time. When people stopped buying diamonds during the economic downturn of 1930s, De Beers launched an epic marketing campaign.”

 

 

5. Custom Designed Engagement Rings

“Cone and Sheet” Custom handmade engagement ring with cognac diamond that incorporated part of a Ferris wheel ridden on the couple’s first date

“Cone and Sheet” Custom handmade engagement ring with cognac diamond that incorporated part of a Ferris wheel ridden on the couple’s first date

What will you never get tired of looking at on your finger? An engagement ring custom designed and made by hand just for you. Custom engagement rings can incorporate the meaning and symbols of your love. They are made to be exactly what YOU want, not just whatever’s on offer.

To prepare for your design consultation, it’s a great idea to gather some pics for inspo. They don’t have to be exactly what you want. Maybe you like the shape of a center gemstone, how low to the finger another is. Or you spot a detail like milgrain or hand engraving that’s cool, but not quite “it.” A good designer will actively listen to you and pull together the things that are important to you and your story.

A fully custom jewelry shop can also incorporate your family diamonds and gemstones into the design for even more sentimental meaning (oh, and it costs less if you provide your own diamonds and/or gems).

Inspo pics next to wax model of custom designed engagement ring

Inspo pics next to wax model of custom designed engagement ring

Wrapping Up - Around Your Finger

No matter what the “in” thing might be, or what your friends or the influencers are wearing, you are the one that will be living with your ring every day. Your choice should be exactly that - Your Choice. While there are many styles to choose from, something will speak to you and be timeless, meaningful and special for you and generations to come.

 

 

about the author:

Mary Coleman wisely transplanted to Durham, NC from Brooklyn, NY over a decade ago. A serendipitous meeting led her to Jewelsmith in 2014, and she immediately fell in love with the creativity and innovation. She has used her design skills to help countless couples find their dream rings.

contact Mary


Need some help figuring out your ideal engagement ring style? Try our engagement ring style quiz.

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