16 dazzling engagement rings from real brides
When faced with a dazzling array of engagement rings it can be totally overwhelming and difficult to choose 'the one'. Picking your own engagement ring is an exciting prospect but it can be hard to narrow down your options from the myriad different cuts, stones and settings glinting at you from the jeweler's window.
So how do you go about choosing your dream engagement ring? Well defining your personal style is a great place to start as for something you'll wear everyday, your engagement ring needs to complement your personality, lifestyle and wardrobe. To help you on your way, we've curated a collection of stunning sparklers from some stylish real brides to help you choose an engagement ring that celebrates your own personal style.
Solitaire diamond engagement rings
If you’re a classic bride who favours understated timeless design, you can’t go wrong with solitaire diamond engagement ring. A solitaire, by definition, is a ring with just a single, central diamond or gemstone, unadorned with extra side stones or accent gems. This style is the most traditional of engagement rings, and solitaires have been traced back to ancient Roman jewelry where rough diamonds were mounted in metal bands.
Colored stone engagement rings
If your style is more alternative, there are plenty of options besides the standard white diamond. Whether it’s sapphire, ruby, pink quartz, or another gorgeous jewel, colored gemstones are on-trend right now. Their bold hues often make enough of a statement that the rest of the beautiful engagement ring can remain simple and minimal.
The blue-green color palette is a popular choice because there's a wide range of stunning shades, all of which are super wearable. We all know the distinctive blue sapphire, emerald and aquamarine, but there's many more beautiful choices for every style and taste, such as teal sapphires, blue-green tourmalines (indicoliths), brilliant emeralds and semi-precious stones in pastel colors, like prasiolite.
Pavé band engagement rings
If you like the idea of extra sparkle and detail, a ring with a pavé band could be for you. The pavé setting is a ring setting that features delicate small diamonds along the band of the ring, adding more bling without taking the spotlight away from the center stone. The French word pavé translates to "paved," and this jewelry technique was named as such because it resembles a paved or cobblestone road.
Halo engagement rings
Halo engagement rings feature a central stone surrounded by a ring – or halo – of smaller pavé-set diamonds or other gemstones. The purpose is to draw attention to the central piece, highlighting it and making it appear bigger than it actually is. Halo rings rose to popularity in the 1920s and '30s when the Art Deco movement celebrated symmetry and geometric patterns. You may also come across the hidden halo setting, which is a more modern taken on the design where the central diamond rests just atop of a halo of smaller diamonds. The hidden halo reflects light from beneath the main diamond, making it appear more brilliant.
