When they’re ready to level up from “boyfriend” to “fiancé,” we’ve noticed that men become increasingly interested in jewelry, specifically the important ring they will present on bended knee. Finding the right engagement ring is exciting, but it can feel like a daunting task. With this guide to finding a unique engagement ring, you’ll learn the tricks to make sure you pick a ring that stands out and highlights your special someone.
Why Seek Out a Unique Engagement Ring?
An engagement ring is one of the most important pieces of jewelry a person will ever buy. A symbol of your love accompanied by a request to spend the rest of your lives together deserves careful thought. Every person and every relationship is unique, and it only makes sense to have a unique engagement ring to symbolize your one-of-a-kind love.
Considerations for Engagement Ring Shopping
There are many factors to consider when choosing an engagement ring. These include:
- Budget
- Gemstone color and quality
- Metal type
With these components, the engagement ring possibilities are endless. Fortunately, with creative jewelers and a plethora of materials, there is a unique engagement ring available for every couple.
While the history of engagement rings is long, and women have been wearing them for centuries, there is something special about a woman receiving her own ring that was explicitly chosen by her beau with her in mind. Each man preparing to propose should take the time to find the perfect ring, but the process does not have to be intimidating. You’ll just need to do a bit of research and find a great jeweler.
Reflect on Her Personality When Choosing a Unique Engagement Ring
As you approach a proposal, you will likely have many conversations with your sweetheart about marriage. Be sure to slip in questions to asses her personal style when it comes to jewelry. These conversations — no matter how sly or open they are — will help you determine what kind of ring to seek out.
If you are unable to find out what she wants directly, employ the help of her friends and family. Have her mom or sisters casually bring jewelry into conversation or encourage her friends to show her some unique rings to gauge her interest.
No matter her style, you will likely be able to find a unique engagement ring to suit her. If she is very traditional and sentimental, a vintage ring or a ring that incorporates a family piece might be a good fit. If she is daring and individualistic, consider a unique engagement ring that breaks the mold, perhaps with an asymmetrical design or bold colors.
Design Your Unique Engagement Ring with a Trusted Jeweler
When it comes time to purchase a unique engagement ring, a custom ring might be the way to go. Nothing is as unique as something tailor-made for your sweetheart. Find a trusted jeweler with a custom design service to create a one-of-a-kind ring that’s perfect for your loved one. Come in with ideas on what your bride-to-be would want in a ring, and work with your jeweler to make her dreams come true.
Before visiting the jewelry store, prepare yourself with the knowledge to have a productive conversation about the pieces you are looking at. Many engagement rings include diamonds, so know how to discuss the quality of the diamonds when you arrive.
Also, ask about the jeweler’s repair services. Many engagement rings need to be resized to fit perfectly, and over time, it is possible your unique engagement ring could need a fix. Jewelry stores will often work on pieces purchased elsewhere, but it is nice to go back to a shop that is familiar with your specific ring, especially if it is a unique design.
9 Ways to Secure a Unique Engagement Ring
The important decision of purchasing a unique engagement ring does not have to be overwhelming. There are many ways to choose or design a ring with your own flair. You may want to consider current trends to build off of or work solely on conversations between you, your loved one, and your jeweler.
A unique engagement ring can be as extravagant or simple as you would like. While you can add gems, hand-select gem size, or swap in higher-quality materials to your heart’s content, a wide variety of engagement rings under $3,000 are also available. Your creativity and personal spin on your special piece can fit almost any budget.
It is easy to find a ring as special as your relationship. Choose one or several of the following unique elements to have a ring that will stand out.
1. Add a Hint of Color
Who said engagement rings have to feature clear stones? Adding different colored gems as accents will make your engagement ring unique. This look can be achieved with different gems such as sapphires, emeralds, or rubies, or you can use fancy-colored diamonds.
For example, a bridal set with two treated blue diamond side stones flanking a center diamond gives enough color to differentiate itself as a unique ring without taking away from the center stone’s brilliance.
Consider incorporating your sweetheart’s favorite color or a meaningful birthstone to give your ring a special connection to her. These looks can also be achieved with wedding bands and anniversary bands, so there is a lot of room for customization. Choosing these details will show how much you care and pay attention to her likes and dislikes.
2. Build Your Ring Around a Different Gemstone
If just a pop of color isn’t enough, consider using a colorful center gemstone instead of a traditional clear diamond as the centerpiece for your unique engagement ring. This is becoming increasingly popular as couples want rings that look like no one else’s, and many gems are less costly than the more popular diamonds.
Different precious stones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and amethysts have different meanings, which may be attractive to brides. Depending on the cut and setting of the gems, an engagement ring with a colorful gemstone can be an elegant yet bold alternative to traditional diamonds.
When choosing something daring and outside of the norm, like a non-traditional gem for your center stone, we recommend that you consult with your loved one before making the purchase. You’ll want to be sure this is the route they would like to take before choosing something anything other than a classic diamond for her forever ring.
3. Choose a Fancy-Colored Diamond
Diamonds are the traditional gem for engagement rings, but that doesn’t mean your diamond has to look like everyone else’s. Diamonds come in a variety of colors, making it easy to customize your look for a unique engagement ring.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, diamonds in the normal color range are colorless through light yellow. Fancy color diamonds, however, run all facets of the color wheel. Some popular fancy-colored diamonds include:
- Yellow
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- Red
Yellow diamonds are especially popular for romantic jewelry, symbolizing optimism and a loving life together. Yellow diamonds are marginally more accessible than other fancy-colored diamonds, with pink, red, and blue diamonds being very rare and, therefore, very expensive. A yellow diamond engagement ring would stand out as a piece of timeless beauty, much like the love between you and your fiancé.
4. Mix Geometric Shapes
Diamonds and gems come in many different shapes and sizes. Mixing stone shapes is one way to get a beautiful look that will make your engagement ring unique. It is common to include several gems in an engagement ring, and finding a ring that mixes and matches shapes can lead to a special ring for her left hand.
Most refined gems used in jewelry come in one of the standard shapes, which include:
- Round
- Oval
- Cushion
- Princess
- Pear
- Emerald
If you want to mix shapes, consider a three-stone ring, like one with a radiant-cut center diamond with two trapezoid side diamonds. Each stone shines on its own, but when paired with other shapes that reflect light in different ways, your unique engagement ring will shine even more.
5. Use A Distinctive Band
Thinking beyond the gems, consider bringing your own flair to a unique engagement ring by choosing a band with a non-traditional look or shape. For example, an engagement ring with a floral band design would stand out as a thoughtful variation of a traditional engagement ring.
An embellished band brings a different look without having to incorporate more gems. This could save money in the long run without sacrificing style.
It might be wise to seek complete bridal sets to ensure a wedding band will fit a non-traditional engagement band. While there are many wedding band styles to choose from, it may be difficult to find one that perfectly fits a unique engagement ring. Fortunately, jewelers often make bridal sets with these kinds of engagement rings to alleviate the search for a wedding band later on.
6. Choose an Asymmetrical Design
Not everything has to be balanced and neat, even when it comes to engagement rings. Asymmetrical designs — either in the band itself or the cluster of gems — give a fresh look to a traditional piece.
One stylish design incorporates a partial halo with an asymmetrical diamond cluster around part of the larger stone in the middle. These rings are elegant and unique, and they often mimic vintage designs that are dainty yet striking. In other asymmetrical rings, the band itself is not a perfect circle, sometimes hugging the center stone in a unique way.
Again, it would be prudent to find a bridal set or a hand-crafted wedding band to match your engagement ring when going with an asymmetrical design. Working through this obstacle on the front end will save headaches later on.
7. Incorporate Different Metals
Most engagement rings come in platinum, white gold, or yellow gold, but choosing other metals can add a unique spin to her engagement ring. Rose gold, for example, is increasing in popularity and might be a beautiful choice for a woman with a feminine style.
Mixing metals is another way to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. Instead of sticking with one metal type, consider incorporating different colors of metal to create a beautiful ring. This can be done with a band made with both white gold and yellow gold, or you can choose a ring with rose gold peeking through the gemstones of an otherwise white gold ring.
8. Build Off of a Sentimental Piece
For a unique engagement ring with a story attached, consider a ring with sentimental value. This can mean using a gem from a family heirloom or repurposing another ring as an engagement ring. This is a particularly great choice if your bride-to-be is sentimental.
When using vintage rings like an heirloom from a family member, be sure to find a jeweler you trust to take care of the special piece. Explain your vision for your own unique engagement ring and find out the best way to make your idea come to life. It may be difficult or impossible to size an older ring depending on the band’s original size and design, but you could use a component of the original ring for your creation.
A jeweler who makes custom pieces will be able to evaluate your sentimental piece and work with it to make a new ring she is sure to say “yes” to.
9. Find a Vintage-Inspired Ring
Even if you don’t have a precious heirloom jewelry piece to transform, your bride-to-be may prefer a vintage or vintage-inspired ring. As engagement ring styles have shifted over the years, we are left with a plethora of gorgeous styles to choose from. Art Deco, retro, mid-century, and Victorian are just a few of the popular vintage ring styles to seek out.
A marquise shape diamond center stone ring might be the perfect solution to your vintage engagement ring dreams. Even if the piece isn’t from the past, the style and charm will last a lifetime.
Finding a unique engagement ring doesn’t have to be intimidating. By exploring your options and talking with your future bride, you will be able to find the ring that will impress her and showcase your love for one another in its own special way.
