How to pick an engagement ring: a guide to buying the best wedding jewellery that fits your personality, from De Beers’ heart-shaped diamond to Elizabeth Taylor-inspired gems
And just as the engagement ring and the wedding band show the world that you are happily ensconced in a lifelong relationship, it is also a miniature representation of your personality and style. Says Jonathan J. Abram, director at Ronald Abram: “The engagement ring is an ultimate form of self-expression. In one piece, it communicates your preferred style and taste.”
Here, we present a guide to the different types of engagement rings and what they say about the wearer’s style and personality.
12 best – and worst – wedding dresses worn in Hollywood films
1. Classic
A stunning example of a Graff Promise engagement ring with a round brilliant-cut diamond includes one accompanied by two pear-shaped side stones. Another design in this setting pairs the diamond with side stones in a baguette cut, with the angular lines of the baguette cut offering a nice contrast to the round diamond. For brides who want to add more sparkle to their ring, the round brilliant-cut diamond in Graff’s Icon setting is surrounded by smaller diamonds and matched with a pavé band.
Wedding dress trends for 2022: how has Covid-19 changed bridal fashion?
2. Contemporary
The cushion-cut diamond is ideal for the modern day Cinderella who favours a more contemporary twist on the classics – whether in fashion, furniture or food. The cushion-cut diamond adds a unique element to the round brilliant-cut diamond while still retaining its classic elegance. With the cushion-cut diamond, the sharp points of a square-cut stone are rounded off, which is why it is also sometimes known as a pillow-cut diamond. “For a more contemporary setting, our signature cushion-cut diamond is quite popular,” says Abram. “If your tastes run more avant-garde, yellow diamonds are the go-to engagement stone.”
At Ronald Abram, one of the designs features an impressive 14.16-carat cushion-cut yellow diamond, while another is a 5.21-carat cushion-cut diamond encircled with smaller diamonds and a pavé band, in a design inspired by antique jewellery. “In my opinion, the antique cushion-cut engagement ring is representative of the fashion-forward bride, someone who wants something that is unique and timeless, and with its own character,” says Abram.
The princess-cut diamond, featuring a square or rectangular-shaped diamond, is also a popular choice for a modern engagement ring. Pieces such as the DB Classic solitaire with a princess-cut diamond and a pavé band, by De Beers, are ideal for the bride who wants something elegant but less traditional – the same bride who will be drawn to the sleek, architectural designs of a Viktor & Rolf wedding gown. The simple, geometric lines of a princess-cut diamond make it quite suitable for sporty, active personalities as well.
5 most dazzling Hong Kong celebrity wedding dresses
3. Glamorous
A ring featuring an emerald-cut stone is an eye-catching choice that is suitable for brides with bolder personalities. The wide table and style of the emerald-cut amplify the colour and clarity of the stone, resulting in a ring that is out to make a glamorous statement. The geometric style of the cut will also appeal to brides who are lovers of art and design. If further proof is needed that an emerald-cut diamond is for the bride who loves glamour, look no further than Elizabeth Taylor, who received a jaw-dropping emerald-cut diamond ring from her engagement to film producer Mike Todd.
Brides who are a little more down to earth can go for the Bridal Couture emerald-cut engagement ring by Harry Winston, which features a 5.51-carat emerald-cut ring embellished with a cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, in a design that was inspired by Chantilly lace.
4. Romantic
Any bride who chooses a heart-shaped ring is, without a doubt, a romantic through and through. The bride who loves flowers and all shades of pink, and tags gowns by Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier for consideration when leafing through bridal magazines. The DB Classic solitaire ring with a heart-shaped diamond by De Beers is an elegant option, where the platinum band is kept plain so it doesn’t distract from the pretty cut of the stone. Another style that is ideal for the romantic at heart is one that features a pear-shaped diamond, such as the Cartier Destinée Solitaire ring with its pavé band. Resembling a dew drop, the centrepiece looks like it was made for a romantic fairy tale, while its shape is particularly flattering in that it helps create the illusion of longer fingers.
5. Distinctive
For the bride who takes pride in marching to the beat of her own drum, anything goes when it comes to the engagement ring. While the unique element usually lies in the design or choice of stone, Abram says there is also a new trend for the precious metal. “Black platinum is the newest style of engagement ring right now and signifies a real shift away from the classic styles we’re used to. Brides are looking for different ways to express themselves and a unique metal alloy is one way,” he says.
K-pop idols’ most epic wedding dresses, from Lee Hyori to Hyerim
For the bride who wants to shy away from all the designs commonly associated with engagement rings, there is the Tilda’s Bow collection by Graff. The art of tying a silk ribbon into a pretty bow is encapsulated in the collection, with the Tilda’s Bow pavé diamond ring offering a romantic option for a bride who wants something different.
- Round brilliant-cut diamonds by Graff are the perfect option for the classic bride, while a cushion-cut gem makes for a great contemporary alternative
- Brides who opt for Oscar de la Renta gowns would love a heart-shaped ring, while Tilda’s Bow collection by Graff is made for those looking for a more unique option