A few weeks ago, we received a plea for engagement ring "design inspiration" from a devoted reader. With all the fabulous ring settings to choose from, she asked for some guidance to help focus her. She keyed us in on a few things she was drawn to:
- Halo rings with either a split shank, double band or a double halo.
- Colored gems specifically red, purple, blue and yellow.
- Something unique but classic and nothing too trendy.
She included this lovely three stone white and sapphire diamond ring as an example of a ring she loved. We searched through our galleries, scoured the engagement ring world from celebrity jewelers to small boutiques, and played with various stones, settings and accompanying bands. At the end, we came up with six looks that we think are ring-spiring.
1. Halo Setting with Split Shank: A round brilliant center stone paired with a halo split shank setting creates a feminine and elegant look without feeling too delicate. Depending on your taste, you can create a setting that has a more modern or antique style, as you can see below. Because of the unique nature of the setting, you can select a traditional pave wedding band if you like some "air" in-between your engagement ring and band, but if you prefer something more fitted, consider a simple, curved wedding band.
L-R Neil Lane Jennifer Hudson's Round Brilliant in Pave Double Halo Setting, Knox Jewelers Round Halo Cielo with Full Bezel, Tiffany Elsa Peretti wedding band, Knox Jewelers Valencia Band
2. Sapphire Accent Stones: White diamonds accented with colorful baguettes and side stones are another great way to play with color. We also like the slight but not overwhelming detailing that these rings have giving them a unique flare. We love the idea of flanking this type of ring with two delicate eternity bands, or a single shared setting diamond band.
L-R Tacori Dantela Collection 3 stone engagement ring with sapphire, Philip Press Sapphire Accent Diamond Ring, Tacori Dantela Collection Wedding Band,
3. Yellow: A colorful center stone flanked by white sidestones creates such a clean and classic look. However, you can work with the jeweler to mix the cuts and shapes of the diamonds for a unique style that speaks to you. The catch? Fancy yellow diamonds are very pricey so we would recommend either a yellow sapphire which is a gorgeous gemstone or a canary yellow diamond in a halo setting, which will make the stone appear larger than it is.
L-R: Harry Winston Fancy Emerald Cut Yellow with Trapezoid Sidestones, KingofJewelry.com Canary Yellow cushion cut diamond with micropave setting, Philip Press Yellow and Diamond Band
4. Double Stone: Modern and ultra-unique. Pair a white diamond with a gemstone for a dazzle of color. We adore aquamarine – it’s not something you see every day, but the blue and green hues are stunning. Add a round brilliant eternity ring to create a beautiful, sparkly set.
L-R Estrella del Norte 2 stone round brilliant , TIffany's Round Brilliant Shared Setting Wedding Band
5. Double Halo with Rubies: The double halo surrounding the cushion cut ring creates a very modern and symmetrical look. We recommend swapping out the ring's triple band for a single or double band (depending on how thick you want the ring to feel). And, to add some color, pair it with two with ruby and diamond wedding bands. We find this look to be very romantic and playful.
L-R: Double Halo Cushion Cut ; DiamondHarmony.com Ruby Stackable Ring
6. Stacked Rings: This is a non traditional choice, but we're somewhat obsessed with this look - forego the engagement ring and stack up to four rings of various styles and colors like the amazingly gorgeous Celebration collection from Tiffany's!
L-R: Tiffany's Celebration Rings
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