All About Engagement Rings: #4 The Style

Now that we've walked through the "how" and the "center stone" side of things, it is time to talk STYLE.

Many women have thought about what they have dreamed about for an engagement ring; however, there are a good number who haven't put time into considering design - and that is okay!

Style is when an initial appointment as a couple can really help you to get a good idea of what she likes, but it is not necessary. Pinterest can be a great place to check out her ring style, too!

Things To Consider

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right design:

1. Consider the style of her other jewelry. Does she like to make a big statement with her pieces, or does she choose daintier styles?
2. Though some women have the exact design they want in mind, they may want you to take charge and surprise her. It is a gift, after all, and may take some creativity springing out of your love for her & desire to honor her.
3. She will be wearing this every day for a good long while - make sure it's not too dainty of a design that it might bend or cause problems!
4. Trends are great and can have a lot of people swooning. However, you want to make sure that she is going to be happy with this for a good many years, unless you plan on doing upgrades often. Be trendy if you will, but consider longevity of style.
5. Make the design as fantastic as you'd like, but keep in mind safety - are there diamonds on the bottom of the band? Too lightly set stones? Edges of stones too exposed? We want to make sure that you don't experience any issues right away.

We're here to help you find the right ring, but also to offer you our industry-tested advice so that you can design the best ring that will last!

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General Style Options

In the overarching engagement ring design world, there are a few "basic" categories to get you started.

1. The Solitaire [Classic] - This refers to a ring that has a precious metal shank with one single center stone at the top. The band may be simple, or have more intricate design. These have been popular for ages, and carry a timeless look that many women love.

2. Organic/Floral & Filigree [Natural & Whimsical] - For the more natural women, nature lovers, or Disney princesses. There are many gorgeous designs that have a natural flow to them, whether depicting leaves & berries, flowers, vines, branches, or anything of the like.

3. Engraved/Carved [Artistic] - Engraving or carving designs into the metal can bring a whole other dimension to a ring. It can be geometric, floral, or any number of more customized options. These rings may have any number of stones on them, whether as a centerpiece or incorporated into the design.

​4. Vintage or Antique [Old World] - Maybe long ago she fell in love with her grandmother's wedding set, or perhaps she is an old soul. Vintage style rings often have beautifully combined elements of other categories that brings about memories of black and white movies.

5. Trendy [Of the Moment] - Right now, we are seeing a jump in rose gold & morganite center stone rings. Another couple trends that have been more popular (but we doubt will go out of style any time soon) are cushion halos with dainty bands and bands that have a twisty pattern to them, often with one twist being polished metal and the other set with diamonds.

Is this the end of the list? By no means! This is meant to give you an introduction into some of the more common styles so that you can start thinking about what might fit her personality the best.

Style Elements

There are many different elements in a ring design that combine to make the perfect ring for your bride-to-be. Let's talk through a few of them, and you can decide what she might really enjoy, or what you may need to avoid! Here are a variety of options:

• Wide band vs. Thinner band:  How wide of a ring might she like? These days, we are asked more often for thinner bands, but we do get calls for wider bands as well. This will depend partially on her style and partially on the shape of her finger/hand. What will look good on her?
• Halo or Double Halo:  This has to do with the center stone! A halo means ring of smaller stones around the center stone; this can involve some fun design as well, and can be any shape (round, square, cushion, pear, etc.). It can often make the center stone appear larger from a small distance, and adds some extra sparkle. Some even go with two rings of stones, or a double halo.
• The Height of the Center Stone:  Often this will depend on preference or career. If she works in a very hands-on industry, such as medical services or manual labor, we've noticed that many have asked for a ring with a lower profile (sits lower on the hand). However, some in these cases will wear a substitute ring for work hours, so this may not apply. 
• Diamonds On The Band:  Does she want diamonds incorporated in/going down the band of the ring? This doesn't have to mean a straight line of diamonds if there is some design involved.
• Band Style - Top:  There are many options here:  split shank, bypass, stone clusters on each side of the center stone, cathedral to the center or flat, two rows of design/stones or more/fewer, a twist, and on and on. Try searching for images on Google if you aren't sure what these terms mean!
• Band Style - Bottom:  This involves how the ring will feel on her hand. Does she want something a little squared on the bottom (called a Euro shank)? Rounded on the inside for comfort? If the ring is wider on the top, does she want the bottom to be tapered for more comfort?
• Three Stone/Five Stone/Two Stone:  Over the years and continuing now, the three (or five) stone options have been very popular. Usually the center stone is larger than the side stones. Two stone rings are less common, though they often represent the idea of two people (you and her) joining together - very symbolic.
• Side/Underbase design:  The design of the ring has more to do than with just the view from the top of the ring that others see. Often there is design that is only seen from the side. Sometimes this means a different tone of metal or a more floral design.
• Stone Setting Style:  This can also change the look of the ring quite significantly. The center stone and accent stones do not have to be set in the same way. The main options are channel set (rows of metal on each side of the stones), prong (thin metal pieces holding the stone at different places), pave (stones set with smaller prongs, down in high-polished metal), and bezel (a ring of metal all the way encompassing a stone). A less common setting style is tension-set; please AVOID this type of setting! It is not safe, especially for everyday wear.

​Have something else in mind that we haven't mentioned? No need to fear - this is not an exhaustive list! It can be really helpful to have pictures of ideas or elements that you or her like about a particular ring, and we can work to incorporate that into the ring design.

Style Accents

Hopefully now you are formulating the start of an idea for what she might like - if not, don't be too hard on yourself. That is what we're here for - to help guide you on this exciting journey!

Maybe there is more you'd like to add - perhaps something a little more unique. Some color? A secret addition, just for her?

We've got a few options:

• A Hidden Diamond (or two):  Right under the center stone, set into the underside of the band, or near the base of the band. This would be something that people looking at the ring from her finger would not necessarily see, and would be a "secret" just for you & her!
• Other Gemstone Accents:  Her favorite color, a significant gemstone, her birthstone, or a child's birthstone can be great ideas when considering another color. She might have even mentioned it to you! These can be placed on the band of the ring, as the side stones in a 3-stone ring, or even later in the wedding band.
• Engraving:  Some choose to have this done after getting married, but we've had quite a few gentlemen want to add a special note that she will see at the proposal. A special phrase, pet name, or significant date are great options.
• A Special Stone Property:  This one is much less common but extremely cool! Did you know that some diamonds have a fluorescent property to them? Yes - that means under UV/black light, these diamonds will glow a bluish/green color. If you enjoy going dancing or know that she would appreciate it, this is a unique addition to the perfect ring.

Whatever you would like to present to your special someone, we are here to help! Bridal is one of our favorite parts, as it is so exciting to get to know you and your bride-to-be and design something so special and meaningful.
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Check back tomorrow for the final blog post in this series:  Customization!