The hunt for an engagement ring is perhaps one of the most nerve-wracking of a person’s life. While most people don’t propose without being at least fairly confident about the upcoming answer, a proposal is still a question. And while the right engagement ring isn’t going to persuade someone to say “yes” if they weren’t planning on doing so, the wrong engagement ring can be something of a disappointment. In this day and age, a lot of people ask their partners for opinions on rings, or even go shopping for engagement rings with them. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, others still want to keep something of the mystery alive. Even if you’re able to subtly get your partner’s opinion on engagement rings, and even if they perhaps leave “hints” like ring catalogs with circled pictures lying around, the decision will ultimately come down to you. It’s hard enough to buy a gift for someone as it is. Bringing the extra pressure into the mix might make you even more anxious.
The best way to start your hunt is to understand some of the basic styles of engagement rings, and which ones are particularly popular right now. That’s why we’re looking into some of the most crowd-pleasing styles of engagement rings on the market, and the types of people they might be right for.
1. The Solitaire
The term “solitaire diamond” does not refer to a specific type of cut, but rather the way the stone is placed in general. As the term suggests, this type of ring has a stone sitting by itself. A solitaire diamond ring is extremely popular, with jewelers likely losing count of how many they sell each year. The beauty of the ring is that the stone is usually set high, which makes it easier for it to catch the light. As a solitaire features just the single diamond, it’s important that it features a high quality stone with a lot of luster, as it will be the only source of “sparkle”. If your partner has a more classic taste, the solitaire is probably for her. Ever since 1886, since style has been archetypal.
2. The Color-Accent
This particular type of ring is both a bit more classic and a bit more modern. It essentially involves taking a center diamond and accenting it with colored stones, usually surrounding the diamond but sometimes on the side. While a lot of people prefer diamond engagement rings, they might want something a bit different, recalling the days when diamonds weren’t the typical stones for engagement rings. The color-accent option allows people to have a bit more variety, and adds an extra element of personality to the ring. You’ll definitely need to know your partner very well to choose the right color-accent, but if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be proposing!
3. The Halo
Chances are that you’ve heard of a halo ring before. It’s definitely one of the most popular styles in recent years, though that certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t find a unique halo. A halo takes a larger center stone and surrounds it with a row of smaller stones. In a true halo, all of the stones will be sourced from the same type of gem. Therefore, with a diamond it will make the center stone look larger, and the light will play off of all of the different stones. It’s certainly a style for someone who loves a great deal of sparkle, and is quite modern.
4. Vintage
Vintage rings won’t be for everyone, and a lot of antique rings are quite expensive. However, if you know your partner wants something vintage, you can have a vintage-style ring designed by a customer jeweler. A good jeweler will be familiar with all different types of styles, and take your input as they create the design. You could go with something art deco, or maybe hearkening back to the 1950’s. It’s up to you!
Ultimately, a proposal isn’t really about the ring. It’s about you and your partner. However, the style of ring that you choose does show how well you know your partner’s tastes, and it’s a major token of affection. Consider with love, and you can’t go wrong.