Engagement Ring Styles: A Timeless Choice

Diamond engagement rings trace back to the late 15th century, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring to mark their betrothal, widely considered the first documented diamond engagement ring. 

For centuries afterwards, engagement rings remained the domain of the wealthy, often featuring a mix of gemstones and intricate designs, especially during the ornate Victorian era. Diamonds became more widely accessible in the late 19th century with the discovery of large mines in South Africa, paving the way for their rise in popular jewellery.

Nowadays, diamond engagement rings have gone from a luxury for the elite to a near-universal cultural norm, with so many unique styles and types of rings to choose from.

There are many different types of engagement rings, and choosing one will depend on personal preference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through different ring styles to help you discover your favourite.

A solitaire ring is an individual diamond mounted on a gold (or other metal) band. They are popular because of their simplicity and elegance, and versatile because they match most other jewellery. With a solitaire, the eye is entirely drawn to the centre stone, encouraging buyers to invest in one high-quality diamond over multiple smaller diamonds.

The symbolism behind solitaires also makes them popular — one stone, one true love. Marketing, film, celebrity culture, and social norms have reinforced the solitaire as the “classic” engagement ring.

Fyne Favourite: The Eterna Classic Solitaire, crafted with a round-cut diamond and a hidden halo setting on the basket, adds a touch of allure, perfect for those seeking beauty and comfort.

One of the different engagement ring styles is the three-stone. Three-stone rings feature a trio of gems set closely together, most commonly with a larger centre stone. They are popular because they are visually appealing, with a visually balanced design that adds sparkle, and space for personalisation through different stone shapes or types.

Three stones offer more sparkle and presence without necessarily increasing cost dramatically. Their symbolism can be interpreted in many ways, with past-present-future being the most common. But they can also mean friendship, love and fidelity, or you can make things extra personal and give the three-stone ring your own meaning. 

Did you know? Three-stone rings are coming to Fyne very soon, so watch this space..

One of our favourite types of engagement rings is the halo ring. In this engagement ring style, a centre diamond is encased by a complete circle of smaller diamonds, or sometimes just gold or other metal. The design enhances the sparkle and makes the centre stone appear larger, giving a dramatic, radiant look without significantly increasing the cost. A well-set halo can make the centre diamond appear up to half a carat larger.

Halo rings can have different meanings:

• Angelic, heavenly love 
• The outer stones protect the centre stone like a guardian.

Fyne favourite: The Solstice Classic Halo Diamond Ring offers all the elements of a classic halo, diamonds aplenty and a well-embraced centre stone.

Vintage-inspired rings draw on design elements from past eras (Edwardian filigree, Art Deco geometry, or Victorian romanticism) to create timeless, storied, and deeply personal pieces. They're often chosen by people who want something unique, expressive, and rich in meaning, rather than just flashy or trendy.

True vintage engagement rings are typically over 50 years old, but vintage-inspired rings are modern creations that mimic historical styles. Many see them as heirloom-worthy pieces connecting past, present, and future generations. They evoke a bygone era and the idea of enduring love, with an air of romance and nostalgia.

Fyne favourite: Inspired by vintage designs but can’t find what you like? We’ve designed many vintage-inspired rings over the years, so bring your inspiration to us, and we can make your dream a reality. Book a preliminary chat with our team to discuss your options.

When you’re browsing the different types of diamond rings, it can seem overwhelming with the number of variations on the market today. Understanding the symbolism behind them can help you make your choice, but remember, you can give your ring its own unique meaning. 

A split shank ring is one where the band divides into two or more strands as it approaches the centre stone, giving the appearance that the diamond is being held on either side at the top and the bottom. This design adds architectural interest and extra space for embellishments.

Split shanks can subtly represent two paths becoming one or mutual strength and support. They offer drama without overwhelming the ring’s proportions for a bold but elegant look. Additionally, split shanks provide greater comfort—the wider, split base is more stable for larger centre stones.

Tension-set rings are one of the types of rings that use pressure rather than prongs to hold the gemstone in place, creating the illusion that the stone is floating or suspended in mid-air. This sleek, modern design showcases the centre stone from nearly all angles, emphasising purity, precision, and innovation.

They represent different things:

• The stone is held by pressure alone, representing a relationship built on unwavering support and symbolising strength and trust.
• The tension of the ring reflects two forces perfectly in sync, holding love in place.
• The “floating” gemstone can signify being uplifted or elevated by love.

Asymmetric engagement rings break away from traditional, perfectly balanced designs by incorporating off-centre stones, mismatched shapes, or unexpected arrangements. This creates a bold, artistic look that feels contemporary, expressive, and often one of a kind.

Asymmetry in a ring design can reflect individuality and uniqueness, embracing imperfection as beauty and celebrating non-formulaic love. Another interpretation is that love is not static but evolving and layered. Asymmetry doesn’t mean chaos; it reflects harmony through difference, like two distinct individuals finding a perfect fit.

Fyne asymmetric favourite: The Lumine Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring brings a modern twist to a classic design, featuring a slightly off-centre diamond.

East-to-west designs offer a totally unique take on the traditional engagement ring, with a different diamond orientation. Where traditional engagement rings have the diamond placed vertically, ‘east-to-west’ rings rotate the diamond horizontally. This sturdy setting of east to west means you can have more carats while showcasing modern flair.

Fyne favourite: Our delicate East to West Emerald Cut Diamond Ring features six exquisite 0.10 ct emerald-cut diamonds, each set in an east-to-west setting.

Meaning ‘you and me’, Toi et Moi rings display two diamonds side-by-side — the perfect romantic symbolism for two people coming together as one. The design has a long history dating back to the 18th century, making it one of the more traditional and long-standing engagement ring designs. Toi-et-Moi rings particularly appeal to those who’d like to customise their ring, as you can choose complementary shapes and gemstones.

Fyne favourite: Our Toi et Moi Engagement Ring has two stones placed at diagonal angles and varying heights, adding a touch of individuality to a modern setting design. Choose a marquise diamond with an emerald-cut or a pear-cut diamond alongside an oval-cut one. Alternatively, customise your pairing with our bespoke service.

Coloured gemstone engagement rings offer a vivid, personal alternative to the traditional diamond. Whether it’s a royal sapphire, a romantic ruby, or a luminous emerald, each gem brings its own energy, symbolism, and story. These rings are especially popular with those who want to express individuality, heritage, or deeper emotional meaning through their ring choice.

While diamonds can come in coloured hues, other gemstones carry their own lore and significance:

• Sapphire (blue): Loyalty, wisdom, and truth. Famously worn by Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton.
• Emerald (green): Rebirth, intuition, and eternal love.
• Ruby (red): Passion, vitality, and courage.
• Aquamarine (light blue): Serenity, clarity, and calm.
• Morganite (blush pink): Tenderness, joy, and emotional healing.
• Amethyst (purple): Protection, peace, and spiritual depth.

Fewer people choose alternatives to diamonds or coloured diamonds, which make them stand out as a unique and original choice, often with a personal sentiment. That said, they’re not as popular for engagement rings as some gemstones can be quite soft and rank low on the Mohs Scale (hardness ranking). This is something to consider if you’re choosing a ring for daily wear.

Although there are many different ring styles, engagement rings all have one thing in common: the centre stone is the star of the show. However, the ring band plays a crucial supporting role, as it adds (or takes away) from the overall aesthetic. 

The classic plain band is still one of the most popular choices. It’s understated and puts all of the emphasis on the centre stone. Modern minimalists and traditionalists alike love this look on their ring.

Why Fyne loves plain bands: Practicality. One of the best things about plain bands is how easy they are to maintain and resize.

Pavé is the French word for ‘paved,’ which is the perfect name for these types of diamond rings. This kind of ring has smaller diamonds encrusted in the band as if it were paved, offering more sparkle and a touch of opulence. The size of the diamonds can vary, with smaller diamonds adding a more discreet look and larger diamonds making a bold, dramatic statement.

Why Fyne loves Pavé bands: Brilliance. The more diamonds, the more eye-catching your ring is. We recommend opting for half pavé, as it’s more comfortable and can be resized.

Channel-set bands offer a sleek and secure way to showcase diamonds or gemstones, neatly nestled into a groove between two metal strips. They are sleek and neat, making this type of band architecturally sound.

Why Fyne loves channel-set bands: Security. You have all the sparkle of a pavé, but with the peace of mind a channel-set band gives. Great for people with active lifestyles that also want as many stones as possible.

We can craft twisted and braided bands in plain metal or adorn them with diamonds or other stones. The weaving design adds texture and movement and often carries symbolic meaning, with the intertwining of two lives being one of the more popular interpretations.

Why Fyne loves twisted bands: Artisanry. This is where jewellers like us can get really creative and give the wearer something out of the ordinary with a personal, romantic touch.

More often than not, people choose their engagement ring because they love the design, knowing that this is a piece they’ll rarely take off. Your engagement ring will carry great sentimental and monetary value, so, understandably, we don’t recommend wearing your ring in a high-impact environment like the gym, cleaning or working.

We know you’ll want to wear your ring as often as possible, so here are some considerations that might sway your decision-making:

Work

• If your job means you use your hands a lot or come into contact with products that can negatively affect your jewellery, you may prefer not to wear your ring to work. 
• If you are the type of person who never wants to take their ring off, which is also understandable, it’s sensible to opt for a minimalist design such as a plain band and bezel-set diamond, which is one of the more secure settings.

Sport

• When choosing your engagement ring style, consider how often you do sports, cleaning and other manual activities. Ideally, you should remove your ring during sports to avoid deterioration or damage to the metal or stones.

Social Calendar

• Your social calendar is another aspect to consider. If you regularly attend galas or black tie events, your ring will be your signature accessory. 
• Under the evening lights and against elegant ball gowns, pavé and channel-set bands work well with solitaire diamonds and halo diamonds.

Travel

• If you regularly travel, you’ll want a ring that’s both secure and easy to wear.
• A channel-set band is ideal here: the stones are snugly set and less prone to snagging. Any of the classic engagement ring styles work for this lifestyle, just beware of catching your ring on luggage handles! 

As we always say, the ring you choose ultimately comes down to your aesthetic preferences, and we believe you can make your ring work for you, whatever your lifestyle. It’s easier to figure out what you do and don’t like by going through a process of elimination. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

1. Do I prefer a larger carat weight or one that looks larger for a smaller price? If it’s the former, a solitaire ring would work for you. If it’s the latter, look at oval or marquise rings.
2. Do I like yellow, white gold, or platinum more? Yellow sparks a contrast between the metal and the diamond, white gold offers unity between the stone and metal, and platinum has a naturally white shine that requires minimal repolishing.
3. Do I prefer a minimalist feel or ornate rings? Minimalist style rings, like plain band solitaires, work well for people who change their wardrobe often, as this classic look combines well with any outfit. Ornate rings can fit well with your individual style and speak about you.

Budget is an important factor, no matter what walk of life you’re from. Even for those with cash to splash, there are other expenses and luxuries to designate a portion of your budget. That said, an engagement ring is a one-off purchase that can be yours forever, hopefully passed down through generations! 

At Fyne, we use lab-grown diamonds in our engagement rings, offering a more accessible option that works with any budget. Better still, they’re chemically and physically identical! Our engagement rings start from AED 4000, making them a savvy investment; you can potentially purchase the ring of your dreams below budget.

Did you know? At Fyne, you can pay for your engagement ring in instalments. This gives you the freedom to buy something that you really love.

Stackability is essential when pairing your engagement ring with different wedding ring styles. Here are Fyne’s favourite pairings:

Solitaire engagement ring and pavé wedding band

Solitaire rings, especially with raised or cathedral settings, are stack-friendly stars. They sit well with pavé bands for extra sparkle, but also work well with twisted bands for romantic texture. 

Halo engagement ring with pavé wedding band

Halo rings usually sit relatively low, making them more difficult, but not impossible, to stack. To counteract this, we make custom pavé wedding bands to suit the height of your engagement ring. We also offer V-shaped bands. Try a wedding band like the Amara Diamond Eternity Ring, with a minimal yet luxurious design perfect for stacking.

Shopping Tip: One of our most fun and engaging designs is the Marquise & Round Brilliant Eternity Ring. This unique eternity band showcases an alternating pattern of dazzling marquise and round brilliant lab-grown diamonds, creating a harmonious blend of shapes and sparkle.

Three-stone ring with plain band

Three-stone rings can dominate the finger with their width, so pairing them with slim, low-profile bands is the best bet.