Many couples want engagement rings that can't be found in just any jeweler's case. Engagements are full of the promise of a new life together, and many couples want a ring as unique as their love.
Unique Designs and Styles
What is unique to one couple may be commonplace to another, but exploring different ring styles and designs can help couples learn about the vast range of characteristics available so they can choose their own styles.
Celtic Design
Celtic rings are increasingly popular among engaged couples. Comprised of an intricate design of never-ending knots, these culturally influenced rings symbolize two people united in an everlasting love.
You don't have to be of Celtic or Irish descent to understand and appreciate the delicate and intricate Celtic knotting that makes up the primary design of each individual ring. Some jewelers will even incorporate personalized designs or initials into each ring, as well as gemstones or favorite knot patterns. Two-tone rings with different colored metals winding about one another are popular.
A few options include:
- Brilliant Earth: This online jeweler offers ready-made Celtic rings in a variety of styles, featuring numerous stone and metal options.
- Gemvara: This well-known jeweler carries an excellent selection of Celtic rings in several stone, metal and design options.
Mokume Gane
Mokume gane rings are highly patterned metal bands fashioned in a Japanese style using several different metallic alloys designed both with and without gemstones in styles for women and men. Because of their rarity, mokume gane rings must be specially ordered, and they are difficult to resize if fashioned incorrectly.
Jewelers where you can find this type of ring include:
- Andrew NYC Designs: This jeweler offers a nice selection of mokume gane rings featuring gemstones or diamonds, as well as metal-only bands.
- Krikawa: This company offers both elaborate and simple custom-made styles in options with and without stones in a variety of settings.
Gemstones
Diamonds are indisputably the most popular gemstone used in engagement rings. For a unique ring, consider an alternative stone such as tanzanite, mystic topaz, or aquamarine. Diamonds can still be used as glittering accents no matter what gemstone is highlighted as the center stone. For even more customization, many couples turn to birthstone rings that feature stones related to both the bride and groom, or to their special dates together.
Gemstone rings are a beautiful and colorful option, and can be considerably more affordable than diamond rings as well.
- Jewelry Point: This jeweler carries an outstanding selection of gemstone options, including garnet, green amethyst, quartz, tourmaline, and many other options.
- MySolitaire.com: Shop here for a great selection of gemstone solitaire and center stone rings in unusual options including citrine, peridot, topaz, coral and more.
Colored Diamonds
If a diamond is your choice but you want something a bit unusual, think about colored diamonds. Colored diamonds open up a whole world of choices. You can choose from pinks, reds, yellows, greens, and blues. Another choice for a colored diamond is to actually choose one of a lower grade, which would then have a yellow or brownish tint.
Many jewelry stores carry colored diamond selections.
- Leibish & Co: Leibish & Co. carries ready-made rings featuring colored diamonds in many different shades, as well as loose diamonds that can be used to create a custom ring. Choices include champagne, purple, pink and more.
- Jewelry Point: This jewelry retailer has a nice selection of colored diamond rings in shades of blue, green, brown, black, yellow, and pink. Many styles appropriate for engagement rings are available.
Antique or Vintage
Since most people don't have an antique engagement ring passed down from prior generations, they have to search for heirloom rings themselves. Antique rings can be found in many different places, including estate sales, pawn or consignment shops, or through online auctions. However, buyers should always exercise appropriate caution to ensure they get what they paid for.
A few places to look when shopping for vintage or antique rings include:
- Lang Antiques: This store is an excellent resource for finding lovely vintage and antique ring styles ranging from simple pieces to elaborate estate selections.
- Brilliant Earth: This jeweler carries an impressive selection of vintage and antique styles highlighted in an online gallery for easy viewing.
Figural Design
A figural design is one specifically arranged to mimic another shape, such as diamonds and gemstones arranged like the petals of a flower or in another recognizable pattern. Animals, plants, ribbons and initials are popular shapes and can be matched to the bride-to-be's personality for additional significance and appeal.
Examples include:
- Ross-Simons Bow Shape: This stunning bow-shaped ring featuring white diamonds is an excellent example of a figural design.
- Gemvara Flower Shape: This lovely flower-shaped figural ring from Gemvara features a white sapphire in a white gold setting.
Filigree Design
Filigree designs are intricate rings with engraved metal accents, similar to Celtic rings but without the cultural background. A filigree design can easily incorporate gemstones, significant shapes, or other meaningful symbolism.
Lovely filigree rings suitable for engagement jewelry are available from:
- The Marlene Harris Collection: Choose among a variety of filigree styles created in the fashion of rings gone by featuring diamonds or other stones.
- Stuller: Visit Stuller's website if you're looking for a two tone yellow and white gold filigree design with a diamond center stone.
Other Unique Options
For couples who are still interested in classic designs but who want some unique features in the engagement ring, there are many subtle options that can be used to create a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind design, including:
- Choosing a unique metal:. Tungsten is a rare choice for engagement rings, as is colored titanium. Unusual shades of gold, such as sage and rose, can also be used to create a stunning and unusual ring.
- Choosing an unusual stone shape: Round stones are the most popular engagement ring choice, followed closely by princess cuts, marquise stones, and emerald cuts. Choosing a trilliant cut, Asscher, pear, or cushion cut gives a classic ring style instant originality.
- Engraving the ring: A special sentiment, initials, or significant date can easily be engraved on most ring styles, giving it personal flair in a subtle way.
- Choosing a unique mounting style: The classic prong setting is the most popular, but for more unique styles, opt for a bezel, cluster, pave, flush, or tension setting.
- Skipping the engagement ring: Some couples opt to forgo the engagement ring for various reasons, and an eternity band or just the wedding ring can be a stunning alternative. A couple could also choose a necklace or pair of earrings instead.
- Designing your own ring: If you want to be sure your ring is truly unique, consider having a custom, one-of-a kind piece created either using stones and metal that you already own or with new materials.
A New Beginning
The key to a unique engagement ring is to try and capture the bride's personality and the love the engaged couple shares. Whether this is symbolized through an ethnic ring, a family heirloom, or a customized piece, the engagement ring is the beginning of the couple's unique and wonderful life together.
