The options can seem endless when it comes to engagement ring designs, making it near impossible to choose a style you love. But if you're the type of person who's looking for something a little bit outside the traditional realm of engagement rings, you've come to the right place.
We spoke with independent jewelry brand Catbird, whose marketing manager, Sriya Karumanchi, shared, "For the past few years now, we’ve seen people really embrace rings with unexpected stones and cuts, a pretty significant departure from rings focused on the white diamond center stone. Opals, emeralds, deep sapphires, and gray diamonds in unconventional settings are some of our most popular this year."
We're noticing a major trend in ring designs that favor the unexpected and offbeat over the perfectly symmetrical. While design elements like clear diamonds and symmetrical settings have long been the standard for engagement rings, many people are shifting how they place value in an engagement ring. "I think the perspective has shifted. The value of a ring doesn’t have to solely come from a set of rules determined by the jewelry industry—cut, clarity, carat, and color being the common ones," Karumanchi explains. "The value is rooted in what you hold in the piece. It can be from the sentiment of a family heirloom or maybe a special stone and motif that really spoke to you when you tried the ring on."
Instead of simplistic placements, below you'll find ornate settings on vintage-inspired rings. Instead of regular diamonds, you'll see rich colors, and instead of round- or square-cut stones, it's the unexpected shapes you'll find on the following unique engagement rings.
Ornate Settings
From beautiful vintage-inspired settings to more modern diamond arrangements, people are opting for engagement rings with truly unique displays of stones.
Round- and square-cut diamonds are just stunning set on this vintage-inspired ring.
This vibrant ruby ring is so eye-catching.
The framing of the main stone is just stunning.
Price does not include center stone.
This ring is wonderfully unique.
The inside of the band contains a hidden pink sapphire.
Colorful Stones
Refreshing sapphire, warm yellow, and moody amethyst are all the unexpected colors that you'll find featured on many of the unique engagement rings trending right now.
An artfully stacked ring is a stylish alternative to a standard engagement ring, and the stones in refreshing shades of blue work so well with the nontraditional design.
This rose-cut black diamond is perfectly dainty yet totally one of a kind.
The clean lines and slender baguette diamonds frame this stunning purple sapphire.
Simply breathtaking.
This emerald makes for such a dreamy design.
A trio of brilliant aquamarine stones stuns on this nature-inspired ring.
Celestial Designs
The night sky is a major source of inspiration for these beautifully whimsical designs. You'll find stars, the moon, and constellations as motifs in a number of these unique rings.
This magical ring looks as if it were sprinkled with actual stardust.
This ornate design is both instantly compelling and stunningly dainty.
Designed in a reverse celestial motif, this diamond-and-yellow sapphire ring is titled Sunlight.
The diamond placements are reminiscent of stars in the night sky.
This asymmetrical arrangement is inspired by constellations.
The combination of smaller stones here makes a subtler impact.
Unexpected Shapes
While round- and square-shaped stones are the classic designs that will always stand the test of time, stones with a less common shape are the delightfully unexpected engagement rings that more and more people are opting for.
Modern yet timeless.
The pointed shoulders on this ring are unique.
Crafted with a single Slice Diamond that's framed by a halo of pavé diamonds and white enamel, this is an engagement ring unlike any others.
This chain design is so different for an engagement ring, and that's what makes it fun.
Signet-style rings have surged in popularity in recent years.
This twisty ring is so beautiful.
Thicker Bands
Traditionally speaking, diamond engagement rings have consisted of a single stone perched atop a medium-weight band. However, thicker bands are the unique engagement ring trend quickly coming into favor for their more substantial look and feel, and they could be either an engagement ring or a wedding band.
We love the mix of shapes in this one.
This stunning design speaks for itself.
This ring makes a beautifully bold statement.
The center stones really pop.
This shape though.
Simply stunning.
Easily stack this up with your other rings.
Up next: What the Average Person Considers a Big Engagement Ring
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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