The Ultimate Guide to Engagement Ring Styles

An engagement ring is a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery that should be customised to perfectly suit the personality of the person you’re giving it to. At Lorel Diamonds, we help you to pick the best ring style and diamond shape to create a gorgeous and unique piece of jewellery that truly celebrates your love.

It doesn’t matter whether your partner loves a detailed vintage design or prefers a modern minimalist look, we can work with you to create the perfect engagement ring that they’ll love forever. To help you make the right choice first time round, here’s the ultimate guide to engagement ring styles.

Types of engagement rings

Solitaire

This is the ring that pops into most people’s minds when they picture an engagement ring. It features a single diamond on a plain or embellished band. Because the diamond is the focus of the ring, it’s important to invest in a quality gemstone. Solitaire engagement rings are really simple, so tiny details, such as the number of prongs, matter a lot.

Halo

A halo engagement ring is similar to a solitaire ring, but the centre stone is framed by a structure of smaller diamonds. Choosing this style is a wonderful way of adding a bit of extra sparkle to a small gemstone and making it look bigger than it actually is. For an even bigger impact, choose a ring with two halos.

Shoulder

Shoulder engagement rings have a channel of diamonds that run down either side of the band. This is the only defining factor. All other elements, including the number of gemstones in the centre, can be customised.

Cluster

Detailed and dazzling, a cluster ring features a group of gemstones that sit close together, making them look like a single large gemstone. The centre of the cluster can be reserved for a large diamond or a cluster of diamonds of equal size. Cluster engagement rings come in a massive variety of styles and shapes.

Three-Stone

Also known as a trilogy ring, the three-stone ring usually features a large diamond in the centre framed by one smaller diamond on each side. However, some three-stone rings feature gemstones that are all the same size. The gemstones are meant to symbolise the couple’s past, present, and future together.

Bezel

A fantastic option if your partner likes modern jewellery, bezel rings are known for their contemporary design that supports an active lifestyle. Unlike traditional engagement rings which hold the diamond with prongs, bezel rings use a thin piece of metal to keep the gemstone in place.

Tension

Tension rings get their name from the tension that holds the diamond in place. This style of jewellery has tiny grooves cut into the side of the band to grip the diamond and keep it secure. A tension ring is a great choice if your partner likes modern, bold jewellery and is worried about the diamond in a traditional engagement ring falling out.

Vintage

Vintage rings aren’t genuinely vintage — they’re a new ring inspired by an antique style. This type of jewellery is often designed to look like it was created centuries ago. It typically features beautiful engravings and delicate metalwork. It’s a fantastic choice for someone who wants an engagement ring packed with charm and character.