As fun as it can be to scroll Pinterest or try on diamond after diamond in hopes of finding one of the best engagement rings, when it comes to ring shopping, it’s easy (and okay) to feel overwhelmed. These days, the options are endless. Choosing between the four Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight) is just the beginning. Do you want a natural stone or lab grown? Gold or platinum? Antique or new? Traditional or totally out there? Truly, how’s a girl to choose?
And what constitutes the best or perfect engagement ring, anyway? It may seem cliché, but it’s the one that reflects your distinct style and unique personality, the one that pulls at you. It’s the one you’ve always dreamed of, or maybe, the one you would ve never even initially considered, but in person, is so much better than you could have ever imagined (much like…the perfect partner?).
Vogue’s Favorite Engagement Rings
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It could be a classic iteration, with a single center stone plopped upon a gold band, or something traditional with a bit of a twist, like a two-toned ring or design with a tilt. Maybe you’re a vintage girly and dream of an antique ring or one with a vintage-inspired setting. Perhaps, you want something truly exciting, slightly quirky, or an avant-garde diamond creation–a piece that’s totally wild or totally bespoke! I mean, honestly, when else are you going to get the chance?
While many traditions surrounding a wedding now seem a bit dated (dare I say, tired?) and have since dropped off, the desire for the dream ring is still alive and well. After all, your wedding celebrations, whether your ceremony is a barefoot beach affair or a black-tie blowout, are short-lived, but your diamond is forever. Need some inspo? Perhaps, a brief jewelry history lesson will aid you in your search.
When they day comes that you get to look down and admire a hefty rock on your left ring finger, remember to thank the Archduke Maximilian of Austria and Mary of Burgundy. It’s because of them, (allegedly, anyways) that a pretty ring comes just before popping the question. In 1477, the Archduke spearheaded the tradition of proposing with an engagement ring when he gifted his bride-to-be with a solitaire diamond ring on a gold band. Centuries later, in 1796, French Emperor Napoleon gifted Empress Josephine with the first toi et moi ring, featuring two pear-shaped stones—one sapphire and one diamond. Ne parlez-vous pas français? It translates to “you and me” and describes a specific and highly romantic ring style where two stones are set beside one another, symbolizing two entities meeting as one. Jackie Kennedy also sported a toi et moi ring, though hers featured an emerald and a diamond, rather than a sapphire. Later, in 1840, Queen Victoria went a bit rogue, opting for a gold snake ring accented with a large emerald (her birthstone), rubies, and diamonds. Grace Kelly’s 10+ carat, emerald-cut, Cartier ring speaks for itself and Elizabeth Taylor’s engagement ring from Richard Burton goes down in history–a whopping 33.19 carat Asscher cut diamond. Lady Diana Spencer’s famous engagement ring contains 14 diamonds surrounding a blue 12 carat oval Ceylon Sapphire, which Kate Middleton now has–lucky girl!
If you learn anything from this retelling of engagement ring jewelry lore, let it be this: there is no one “best” or “perfect” engagement ring. Whether you end up with a classic ring, a traditional version with a twist, a vintage-inspired design, or something wildly unexpected, your ring will be as gorgeous, and, we hope, as long-lived, as the relationship it celebrates.
Classic Rings
There’s nothing wrong with being a traditionalist and wanting something, well, traditional. Rings with clean lines, simple settings, and pavé accents are classic for a reason. They allow the brilliantly cut center diamond to shine. They’re elegant, unfussy, and won’t go out of style.
Traditions with a Twist
When you want something classic, but not quite so cookie-cutter, try a traditional ring with a twist. These designs are spiced-up, reinterpreted takes on otherwise, simple styles–think two-toned and tilted settings, chunky bands, and metal accents.
Antique, Vintage, and Vintage-Inspired
For those who yearn for fashion’s glory days, perhaps an antique or vintage ring is the one for you. Or combine something old with something new and opt for a vintage-inspired engagement ring instead.
Not-Your-Average Engagement Rings
For brides-to-be looking to break away from tradition and truly bring the wow factor, these cool-girl alternative engagement rings embrace unconventional arrangements, unique shapes, and creative design details that make traditional diamonds feel fun, flirty, and fresh.
