There are many styles of engagement rings available on the market today. But how do you know which style to choose? If you want to get engaged, that’s a wise question to ask.
There are many different styles of engagement rings, and each have their own personality. One common misconception is that all round diamonds are the same, but there is more to consider. Continue reading for our guide to the various engagement ring styles.
The Four Cs
The four Cs are cut, color, clarity, and carat. The cut refers to how the facets of the stone were placed to reflect light. From round to oval engagement rings, there are a variety of cuts available. This can affect whether it looks more brilliant or more sparkly and ethereal.
The color of the diamond refers to how far from completely clear it is. A lower color rating means a less expensive stone; yellow gold will become muted if the diamond is too dark.
The clarity refers to the number and size of inclusions within the stone; the fewer and smaller they are, the pricier the diamond will be.
Finally, carats refer to weight. This is usually a good indicator of the stone’s size and appearance, but remember that sometimes you can have a small diamond with very high-quality facets that might look bigger than a larger one with lower-quality facets. Carat weight also doesn’t account for large differences in shape—a round 1-carat stone will look much different than an oval engagement ring.
What Shape Should You Choose?
Once you understand the four Cs, it’s time to decide which shape you want. The most popular styles include oval engagement rings and round cuts. Oval engagement rings are more unique and can have extra sparkle—but they’re also more difficult to match with settings. Round diamonds are typically more common as they have a clean and classic look that’s easy to match with different styles of settings.
Other Popular Styles
Solitaire
The solitaire is the most traditional engagement ring style and involves a single diamond, solitaire-style, set in the center of either a plain band or a more ornate one. It’s been around since the 14th century when it was originally known as “the circlet,” and it has been popular for decades for good reason: it’s elegant, classic, and timeless. It can be worn by itself, with other bands stacked on top, or next to it to create unique pieces that showcase different settings or diamonds.
A solitaire engagement ring is perfect for someone who appreciates simple, classic styles. They’re also great if your partner has a lot of rings already and you want your ring to stand out on its own merit. If the ring is a family heirloom or has some other sentimental value, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate that into the new design without changing the basic style of the ring.
Halo
The halo setting is one of the most well-known engagement ring styles. It applies small diamonds all around the main diamond, forming a halo effect. They can be set in prongs or held by the band. The halo adds a lot of sparkle and makes the center stone appear larger than it is. This setting is usually used for solitaire rings, although it can also be used on other styles. Halo settings can be made in platinum, white gold, and yellow gold. Some people opt to mix metals, such as a platinum halo with 18k white or yellow gold sides.
Three-Stone
For many years, the three-stone ring was a popular choice for engagement rings, and it seems to be making a comeback. It’s also called the trinity ring because of its three stones, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t necessarily mean there are three diamonds in the ring. Instead, those stones can be any combination of diamond, sapphire, ruby, or emeralds—or they could even be one large center stone with two smaller ones on either side. They’re typically flanked by a diamond on each side of the center stone. The three-stone style is sometimes associated with vintage rings as this was a popular design choice in eras past. However, today’s brides are also choosing this style because it adds a dynamic and fun look to their engagement ring.
Conclusion
With so many rings available, you’ll have lots of options to choose from. Take your time and consider what your partner’s style really is to ensure you get the perfect engagement ring for the big moment.
