ENGAGEMENT RING STYLES

From the classic solitaire to the more unique halo, engagement rings can now be grouped into a broad range of styles. Whilst it may make the decision process of what style more complicated, it also allows for people's personalities to shine through within their jewellery choices. The main four styles of engagement rings are: Solitaire Halo Trilogy Shoulder Set SOLITAIRE Solitaire engagement rings are one of the most classic ring styles of them all due to their simplicity and beauty. Originating from the latin word ‘solus’ meaning ‘alone’ or sole’, solitaire rings feature just one single diamond or gemstone. Here at Ethica Diamonds, around 60% of the total engagement rings we sell each year are solitaire. The style has been around for centuries and loved by most so it means the likelihood of them going out of fashion is very slim. They also make a great option for those partners seeking an engagement ring for a loved one if they don’t know the preferred style. Having a solitaire engagement ring needn’t be boring. There are still plenty of options enabling you to have a unique piece of jewellery. It could be the setting – bezel set or basket? Prong setting? And if so how many prongs – 4, 6 or 8? It could be the colour – do you want a standard diamond colour between L and F or do you want a fully coloured stone, perhaps a birthstone. And potentially the most important choice – the shape! Solitaire rings are available in a variety of different shapes from oval to emerald or cushion to princess, however rounds are often the most requested. Here are some of our most popular solitaire lab-grown diamond rings. Lucille, Cyra, Poppy HALO Building on the classic solitaire, halo engagement rings feature tiny diamonds, known as pavé diamonds, around the centre stone. Halo diamond engagement rings have been around for centuries however their popularity has exploded in recent years. Dating back to the 18th century, halo engagement rings originally became popular in the Victorian era where coloured gemstones were used in the centre to imitate flowers. Nowadays, the style of halo diamond rings we have grown to know, and love, date back to the Art Deco era in the 1920's. Halo lab grown engagement rings can be great for people on a tight budget who want to have a larger looking ring, but understandably can't afford a huge centre stone on its own. Having the pavé or melée diamonds surround the centre stone helps to really enhance the size, but can also accentuate the beauty and simplicity of the centre gem. Our Kind, not Mined diamond halo engagement rings are made using lab grown diamond melee and a choice of either a sustainably grown lab grown diamond or the Ethica Diamond for the centre stone. Some of our most popular halo rings: Lovina, Rose, Posey, and Fleur THREE STONE Three stone engagement rings (also known as a trilogy or trinity ring) are beautiful but also have a lovely meaning behind them. The three stones are believed to represent the past, present and future of a relationship, symbolising eternal love. De Beers marketed trilogy rings in this way which lead to three stone rings making the perfect gift for anniversaries. Some people choose to have all three stones the same carat size for a more classic look, whilst some like to mix the different carat weights for a more modern take on this design. If that is the case we recommend designs where the centre stone is slightly larger and the stone each side is smaller. Here are some of our most popular multi-stone designs. Reverie, Elysia, Tessa and Nancy Can’t find one you like? We offer a fully bespoke service which allows you to create your dream ring. SHOULDER SET Shoulder set lab diamond engagement rings are one step up from the classic solitaire style that we have all grown to love. For someone wanting that extra bit of sparkle, shoulder set rings are the perfect choice. The lab grown melée diamonds lead the eye along the shoulders and up to the central stone of choice. Although shoulder set engagement rings are growing in popularity, a choice of diamond shape, cut, and colour, generally means you can still make a shoulder set ring super unique. Diamond set shoulders radiate extra sparkle and ultimately joy, hence their popularity! They are perfect for those who want a bit of glamour brought to their everyday lives. The lab-grown diamonds or stones set in the band are subtle and pretty, without taking any focus away from the central stone. Some of our most popular shoulder set rings include: Aesa, Nouveau, Estella and Piper. Still not come across a style you like/you think your partners will like? Lucky for you, engagement ring styles don’t end there! Yes, seriously - there’s more! VINTAGE Sometimes, the old ways are the best, and that can be said for the design of engagement rings. Halo’s and trilogies are just some of the styles that we associate with being vintage. The glamour and beauty they possess are timeless and often emote feelings of love and warmth, reminding us of the jewellery that loved ones from older generations would have worn and treasured. Typically, a vintage engagement ring means the piece of jewellery is at least twenty years old which typically has a specific design aesthetic. Of course the pieces we sell are not twenty years old however we have plenty of timeless, brand new, pieces that have the vintage looking charm. ACCENTED Accented lab grown diamond engagement rings come in a variety of designs and can create the perfect vintage aesthetic, as well as styles that are more modern. Lab diamond accents in diamond engagement rings are designed to enhance the overall beauty and delicacy of a piece of jewellery. They add class, elegance and personality to a wide range of different stone shapes and settings. Diamond accents refer to the small diamonds that are placed beside a larger stone in a piece of jewellery. Choosing the perfect accented engagement ring is slightly more difficult than selecting a classic round brilliant cut design, as this particular style can vary in so many different options. Accented rings are the ideal design if you want to break tradition and add a bit of colour to your engagement ring. However, it is best to not choose coloured stones based solely on aesthetics. It is important to consider other factors, such as a gemstone's durability, clarity, and overall performance. This is due to the fact that not all gemstones are as particularly hard as diamonds. Meaning they are more likely to scratch or chip which can lead to stones potentially falling out of their setting. One of our most popular rings by far is an accented ring known as ‘Natalia’. Other popular accented styles of ours include Amber and Sophie. TOI ET MOI ‘Toi et Moi’ is French for ‘You and Me’, a fitting title given this ring design’s sentiment and inspiration. Two lovers are represented by twin centre gemstones that sit side by side on the ring’s band. A Toi et Moi ring is different from traditional engagement rings as it always features two diamonds or gemstones on a coiled or twisted band, symbolising partnership and devotion. The gemstones meet together on the finger—a motif of two souls meeting as one. The Toi et Moi ring design can be traced back to the 17th century, first seen in French Empress Josephine de Beauharnais’s royal engagement ring. Napoleon Bonaparte met the young widow in 1795 and fell quickly in love. Much against his family’s wishes as she was a widow with two children, Napoleon proposed to Josephine and she accepted. The ring he proposed foreshadowed a trend that would return again and again over the next four hundred years: a pear cut sapphire and diamond Toi et Moi ring. Today, a Toi et Moi engagement ring can be crafted with any shape and colour of diamond or gemstone. Designs often feature either a set of twinned identical diamonds but can be made more unique by using gemstones of varying cuts and colours. Contrasting gems are often used, just like Josephine’s ring which featured a combination of sapphire and diamond. Popular occasions for giving a Toi et Moi ring A Toi et Moi ring is the ultimate romantic expression of love, however the style isn’t limited to engagement rings. This design can be given as an anniversary ring as the two entwining gemstones tell the story of two souls standing side by side through time. Two stone rings are also a popular gift for new mothers and new parents to celebrate the birth of a child. In this case the ‘toi et moi’ represents the unbreakable bond between parent and child, making it a perfect ring to pass down to the next generation. Celebrities including Megan Fox, Emily Ratajowski and Ariana Grande have chosen a Toi et Moi ring to mark their engagement. How to create your Toi et Moi ring At Ethica Diamonds, we offer a personal, custom ring service to help you design your dream engagement ring, starting from £2,500. Schedule an initial consultation to get paired with a design consultant and begin chatting about your ideas and inspirations. We’ll guide you to show you all the available options for your Toi et Moi ring, including diamonds, gemstones, shapes and styles. The design process can be completed in as little as twenty days, so get in touch today to begin the process.