Engagement rings are deeply personal. They’re a symbol of love, a promise of commitment, and a piece of jewelry you’ll wear on your hand for many years to come.
Choosing an engagement ring can feel daunting. While white diamond rings are the popular choice, there are so many other styles to consider. If you’re a non-traditional bride looking for a unique engagement ring, we rounded up a few alternative options to help you start the search.
Fancy Colored Diamond Ring
Color is one of the 4C’s of diamond quality. With traditional diamond rings, “color” usually refers to how colorless a white or yellow diamond is. Did you know that diamonds can be other colors? Fancy colored diamonds (yes, that’s actually what they’re called!) can be almost any other color or hue — even black.
A fancy colored diamond can be natural or lab-grown and requires the same care as white or yellow diamonds.
East-West Diamond Ring
Turn tradition on its head (literally) with an angled engagement ring. While it’s common for diamonds to be vertically aligned on an engagement band, an east-west ring places stones horizontally and adds more length and dimension to the ring.
Gemstone Engagement Ring
Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but they’re not the only option. There are over 300 gemstone varieties, many of which make for a beautifully unique engagement ring stone:
- Ruby
- Topaz
- Sapphire
- Emerald
- Pearl
Whether it’s your birthstone, favorite color, or simply takes your breath away, a gemstone can add the perfect pop of color to your engagement ring.
One note for the pearl girls: these stones are softer than diamonds and can easily scratch or dull. Use caution and be diligent about how you clean and care for the ring.
Toi Et Moi Ring
French for “you and me,” this style of ring features two stones placed side-by-side in the center of a band. It’s meant to symbolize two becoming one through marriage. The stones can be similar colors, shapes, and sizes or different styles to showcase the individual traits two partners bring to the joint union.
Toi et Moi rings were first popularized by Napoleon Bonaparte and more recently by Megan Fox.
Vintage Engagement Ring
For something totally unique, go vintage. Scour antique shops, estate sales, and specialized jewelers for one-of-a-kind pieces that you can’t find anywhere else. Vintage engagement rings are not always cheaper than modern rings, but they are often higher quality and have higher carat value.
The downside, however, is that they require specialized care. Before you commit to a vintage ring, do your research and make sure you have a knowledgeable jeweler on hand for repairs and upkeep.
Shapes and Symbols
Round, oval, rectangle, hexagon — is it geometry class or your engagement ring shape? Think beyond the basics and choose a shape that brings you joy to look at each day:
- Heart
- Flower
- Sun
- Moon
- Moth
You can also add shapes and symbols on the band itself for a little something extra. Details like vines, branches, moths, or stars are popular options for nature and fantasy lovers alike.
Choosing an Alternative Engagement Ring
It can be tempting to choose the biggest, boldest design for your engagement ring. If that feels true to you and fits your lifestyle, go for it! Or, ask yourself what you like about that specific ring and how you can incorporate it into something more realistic for everyday wear.
Traditional or non-traditional, the right engagement ring is one that you can wear with comfort and confidence.
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
