Engagement Ring Styles: The Eight Most Popular Trends

I recently wrote a guest blog on Engagement Ring Styles for Pure Joy Catering. In typical Calla Gold fashion, I decided to update the blog and share it with you!

So you’re ready to tie the knot, but first you need the perfect engagement ring. This can be a tricky process! One of the hardest parts about choosing an engagement ring is finding a style that’s unique, stylish and elegant and that fits your personality and lifestyle. Or figuring these details out for your girlfriend.

Eight of the Most Popular Engagement Ring Styles

Use this list of popular engagement ring styles to identify the features you’d love to include in your own ring. You can then mix, match, and personalize the designs until you’ve got just the right ring!

1. Rose Gold

Also known as “red gold” or “pink gold,” rose gold is a beautiful gold alloy that can give your engagement ring a lovely touch of color.

While many people design rings entirely in rose gold, I think it really shines when used as an accent color. Rings designed in white gold are beautifully brightened with the addition of rose gold.

Rose gold is also more malleable and heat sensitive than yellow and white gold, so using it as an accent to these sturdier metals can allow you to have a ring designed for daily wear that requires less maintenance.

2. Halos

Are you proposing to an angel? Get her a halo ring to compliment the halo above her head. A halo on your engagement ring can create a beautiful frame for the centerpiece.

Regardless of the shape of your center gem, encircling it with a halo will draw people’s eyes to finer details of your ring. For an even more eye-catching effect, try using mixed metals in the halo.

Halo frames come in several different shapes, including square, oval, round and rectangular. They also are available with double or triple diamond halo effects, which can really create a spectacular ring!

3. Colorful Center Gem

A brightly colored gemstone can make for a beautiful centerpiece in your engagement ring. When a traditional white diamond is not your choice for a center gemstone, dive into color.

Pink and yellow diamonds, bold blue sapphires, and bright red rubies are all great options for unique center gemstones.

Fashion conscious brides are also opting for uncut gemstones, rose-cut diamonds and diamonds with an organic feel. For more on older diamond cuts. The third ring is a rose cut light grey diamond. Courtesy of Caysie van Bebber-Leslie.

Your options are limitless as the beauty of an engagement ring today is not dictated by traditional standards.

Find a gem in her favorite color, or choose one that matches the color of her eyes. Or incorporate birth stones like the final ring pictured. One caveat to mention is that not all colored gemstones are suitable for a daily wear ring. Read more about forbidden daily wear gemstones.

4. Vintage

Is thine lady enticed by designs of olde? Surprise her with a vintage style engagement ring.

Victorian, Art Deco, and Edwardian Era designs are particularly popular.

Some brides-to-be enjoy the thrill of shopping for a true antique piece, while some would prefer a new ring with a vintage look, known as a reproduction.

Today’s technology applied to yesterday’s designs allows for beautiful, durable engagement rings that will stand the test of time.

5. Split Shank

Using a split shank adds a pretty taper and a nice light feeling to your ring. By adding the openness, grace and elegance shine in this design choice.

A split shank can widen the look of your ring. When you widen your design by the center element for example with a halo, and it tapers down, that is very complementary to the hand. 

Whether you choose to fill the split with gems like the example above or leave it open, it’s sure to give your ring a unique and beautiful look. Split shanks highlight your center gemstone by drawing the eye up to its beauty and interesting detail.

6. Hand Engraving

Having a ring hand engraved gives you more options for personalized designs. Engrave her engagement ring with a design she’ll love that sets her ring apart.

Machine engraving is great for precision, but it relies on templates. Hand engraving is ideal for unique designs that can’t be replicated.

One of the nice things about hand engraving is that it can be done after the ring is finished.

Rings that may not have been designed with engraving in mind can in many cases have engraving added. It helps if they have flat edges that make it easier for the engraver to work on.

The third ring in the pictures, a white gold online purchase with a high polished finish, was found wanting in the style department.  It was later hand engraved. It gave the engagement ring new life and a great new look.

7. Black Rhodium and Oxidation Engagement Ring Style

Black Rhodium and Oxidation are finishes that create dramatic effects on the designs they are used with.

When variations of height and depth are used in your design as small elements within the larger look, the addition of black rhodium or oxidation will make these details stand out more. I like to say that with  the right design, these dark finishes, make your design ‘pop.’

These finishes are put on at the end of the creation of your ring. They are not permanent and you will need from time to time to have that finish re-done as a maintenance action to keep your ring looking its most awesome.

Engraving details look more epic with the black rhodium, and carved in facets of your design look more three dimensional with oxidation.

The top three rings are black rhodium treated. Read more on black rhodium and oxidation. The final two tone ring using colored diamonds with shapes on the shank is oxidized.

8. Special Gallery View Engagement Style

Does your bride-to-be have an eye for details? Impress her with a ring that’s says “I love you,” from all perspectives!

Many people are so concerned with how their ring will look from above that they forget about the detail  in this gallery view.

In the top image the gallery design allows for a straight wedding band to snug next to it. The side view of your ring under the main diamond or diamonds is called the gallery.

The detailed gallery of the second ring which bumps out, needed a contoured wedding band.

The third ring shows a yellow gold crown section holding three main diamonds with a balance of rose gold.
Engraving looks fantastic on gallery details when you go for a more elaborate story with your ring design.

What Will You Choose?

Whether you choose a simple or elaborate design, a ring created with the gallery-view in mind will look more beautiful from all angles.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas for your engagement ring styles!

Your Personal Jeweler,
Calla Gold