Choosing the perfect engagement ring is such an exciting moment, but it can also feel overwhelming. With endless styles, settings, and gemstones available, it’s easy to get lost in the options. That’s why doing research can make all the difference as it helps you discover designs you love, find inspiration, and make sure the ring you choose truly reflects your partner’s style.
The right resources can make the search exciting, and there are plenty of social platforms filled with engagement ring inspiration and wedding inspiration to help you along the way.
Why is it important to research engagement rings?
Before making a purchase, understanding what goes into choosing the perfect engagement ring is crucial. As it’s such a big purchase, proper research allows you to make a thoughtful decision rather than an impulsive one.
Everyone has their own unique style, and researching a range of engagement ring ideas helps you discover what best suits your partner. Whether they love vintage ring designs, minimalist styles, or colourful gemstones, taking the time to explore options ensures the ring reflects their personality and taste.
Not all engagement rings are created equal, and understanding aspects like diamond certification, metal durability, and setting craftsmanship can prevent costly mistakes. By learning about trusted jewellers and reputable brands, you can rest assured that you’re choosing an engagement ring that’s high quality and that will last a lifetime.
Prices for engagement rings vary widely but with the right research, you can find a ring based on your budget. Without research, it’s easy to overspend or underestimate costs. It’s also worth researching what brands have to offer, as engagement rings by Tiffany & Co. are quite popular but come at a higher price point. By comparing prices, understanding factors that affect value, and setting a realistic budget, you can find a ring that is both beautiful and within your financial means.
Walking into a jewellery store or browsing online can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Researching engagement ring inspiration equips you with the knowledge to ask the right questions, evaluate options confidently, and make a choice you feel great about.
Photo by Kendall Scott on Unsplash
Research helps you discover plenty of engagement ring ideas
A well-researched decision leads to a ring that aligns with your partner’s preferences, lifestyle, and personality. So, what specifics do you need to research?
When looking for engagement ring ideas, it’s important to explore various styles and settings to see what suits your partner best. The solitaire ring setting is a classic choice, featuring a single diamond that offers timeless elegance. If your partner prefers extra sparkle, a halo setting might be ideal, as the centre stone is surrounded with accent diamonds.
The prong setting, also known as the Tiffany Setting, elevates the diamond and allows maximum light reflection. You might also want to learn more about engagement ring cuts and the most popular diamond shapes for engagement rings to see what options are available.
While diamond engagement rings remain the traditional choice, alternative gemstones are becoming increasingly popular. Lab-grown diamonds and moissanite provide a stunning, ethical, and budget-friendly option without compromising sparkle. For those who love colour, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies offer a unique and personal touch, symbolising different meanings and adding a distinctive charm to the ring.
Adding a personal touch also makes an engagement ring even more meaningful. Many couples engrave special messages, initials, or important dates inside the band to create a sentimental connection. Incorporating birthstones is another thoughtful way to personalise a ring, making it unique to your love story. Bespoke engagement rings that reflect shared memories or significant moments can turn an engagement ring into a deep personal keepsake.
Top social platforms for the best engagement ring inspiration
With so many engagement ring styles and wedding themes to choose from, having a place to explore different ideas can make all the difference. Fortunately, several online platforms serve as a treasure trove of inspiration, making it easy to browse trends, compare designs, and visualise the perfect ring or wedding aesthetic.
Pinterest is one of the best online resources for gathering engagement ring inspiration and discovering the latest wedding trends for 2025. This platform is designed for visual discovery, making it ideal for exploring different ring styles, gemstone options, and trending designs. Users can search for specific terms such as ‘vintage engagement rings’ or ‘unique diamond cuts’ and instantly access a range of images curated by other users, jewellers, and wedding planners.
One of the biggest advantages of Pinterest is the ability to create personalised mood boards. By saving pins to a dedicated board, you can build a collection of engagement ring ideas that reflect your preferences and aesthetics. This makes it easier to compare different styles and narrow down what resonates most with you and your partner.
Key features that make Pinterest an excellent platform for research:
- Create your own wedding inspiration board.
- High-quality images showcasing a range of ring inspiration.
- Easy-to-use search and save functions for collecting your favourite designs.
- Direct links to jewellers and online stores.
Instagram is another fantastic resource for gathering engagement ring inspiration and keeping up with the latest trends in the jewellery world. As a highly visual platform, it provides endless opportunities to explore engagement rings in real-life settings, through beautifully curated feeds, influencer recommendations, or real proposal stories. Whether you’re looking for classic designs, unique gemstone choices, or custom settings, Instagram is filled with engagement ring ideas that reflect real-life preferences and styles.
One of Instagram’s greatest advantages is its use of hashtags and curated content. Searching for hashtags like #EngagementRingInspo and #WeddingInspiration gives instant access to thousands of photos and videos featuring different ring styles and settings. Instagram Reels and Stories provide a more dynamic view of engagement rings, allowing you to see how they sparkle from different angles. Many jewellery brands, designers, and influencers regularly share their latest collections, helping you stay updated on trends and discover exclusive designs.
Key features that make Instagram an excellent platform for research:
- A visually-driven platform showcasing real engagement rings.
- Easily discover new styles using hashtags.
- Instagram Stories and Reels allow you to see rings in multiple ways.
- Follow jewellery brands, influencers, and wedding accounts for inspiration and expert wedding advice.
TikTok has quickly become a go-to platform for wedding and engagement ring inspiration, offering a fresh and dynamic way to explore the latest trends. TikTok’s short-form videos bring engagement rings to life, allowing you to see their sparkle and brilliance in motion. Whether it’s jewellers showcasing their latest designs, real couples sharing their proposals, or influencers revealing their dream rings, the platform provides engaging content to help refine your search.
One of the key advantages of TikTok is its ability to highlight unique and alternative engagement ring ideas. From non-traditional gemstones to vintage-inspired settings, users can discover countless ideas through personalised feeds and trending videos. The platform’s algorithm curates content based on user interests, making it easy to find videos tailored to specific styles and preferences.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez ?? on Unsplash
Key features that make TikTok an excellent platform for engagement ring research:
- Showcases rings in motion, offering a realistic view of sparkle, brilliance, and setting details.
- Engaging content from jewellers, influencers, and real couples.
- Popular hashtags like #EngagementRings and #WeddingInspo make it easy to explore trending designs.
- Behind-the-scenes jewellery-making videos, help users appreciate craftsmanship and customisation options.
Finding the perfect engagement ring requires careful thought and inspiration. By conducting thorough research, exploring styles, and using a variety of social platforms, you can confidently find the perfect engagement ring inspiration to help you find a ring that suits your partner’s personality and style.
Header image by Jake Pierrelee on Unsplash
Buying your engagement ring is one of the most exciting purchases of your life, but some of the technical descriptions can be a bit confusing – unless you’re a jeweller! While some are obvious, others are harder to work out so, Emmeline Smith from Infinity Diamond Jewellery shares her quick guide to help get you up to speed with the basics.
The main parts of a ring
Shank or band – is simply the part of the ring that wraps around your finger, in any metal and is the part that will bear any hallmark.
Side stones – also referred to as ‘accent stones’ and are usually smaller gems set either side of the centre stone. They can be the same or different type of gem, in any cut or size to complement and draw attention to the main stone and add a bit of extra dazzle!
Centre stone – is quite self explanatory! It’s the main and usually the biggest stone in the ring.
Head – situated at the top of the ring, the head holds the centre stone in place. There are various different styles and the one you pick will make a big difference to the appearance of the ring.
Engagement Rings
Prongs – also referred to as ‘claws’, these are situated on the head of the ring and are the thin metal strips that hold the gem in place. The amount of prongs varies are usually 4 or 6 and the ends are slightly bent inwards to securely hold the stone.
Shoulders – these are the top two sides of the band, just below the stones. Some shoulders change width as they near the stone setting. They can be super simple or intricate, adorned in stones.
Engagement Rings
Other useful terms
Mount or setting – The setting or mounting refers to how the gems are set onto the metal band.
Oval cut, art nouveau style lab-diamond engagement ring – prong setting
Split shank – is when the shank of the ring divides at the shoulders as it approaches the centre stone. The split leaves a visible gap and can give the illusion that the centre stone is bigger than it is.
Asscher cut, moissanite engagement ring, with split shank
Bezel – in a full bezel setting, the centre stone is set within a thin metal rim, which completely surrounds the stone, holding it in place. A partial-bezel setting covers just two sides of the stone.
Oval cut, three stone moissanite bezel engagement ring
Pavé (or micro-pavé) – this is French word for paved and means the surface of jewellery is literally paved with a series of small gems set close together, totally covering the metal below. This ensures the optimum opportunity for sparkle, ensuring every surface glimmers.
Round cut, moissanite engagement ring with Pavé band
Halo – is a ring, or border of smaller stones around the outside of the main stone, forming a ‘halo’. Not only are they super sparkly, but if it’s the same colour as the main stone, it gives the illusion of it being bigger, while if it’s a different colour, it draws the eye to the centre stone – a stunning and timeless feature.
Round cut, moissanite engagement ring with halo // Lab-grown ruby engagement ring with halo
Hidden halo – similar to above, a hidden halo’s a frame of smaller stones, but they aren’t instantly noticeable when looking at the ring from the top. The circle of gems are set around the base of the main stone, visible when viewing the ring from the side.
Pear cut moissanite engagement ring with hidden halo
Solitaire – as the name suggests, this ring contains a single gemstone of any cut. A solitaire ring is the most classic and timeless engagement ring style.
Round cut solitaire, lab-diamond engagement ring
Channel – stones are set inside a channel of metal, so they’re flush and not protruding, giving a smooth and clean finish. Channels are particularly popular for wedding bands.
Moissanite engagement ring, with channel set shoulders
Tiffany-style setting – characteristics include simple prongs that hold the main stone in place. The prongs use less metal, covering less of the gem, exposing more of the diamond and allowing more light to enter and exit the stone, which results in maximum sparkle.
Round cut moissanite engagement ring, Tiffany-style setting
Milgrain – is a metalwork technique of small bumps, creating a patterned border. Milgrain is a popular design feature on both engagement and wedding rings and adds a lovely finish.
Oval cut lab-diamond engagement ring with milgrain edge
If you’ve said ‘YES!’ and you’re currently choosing your engagement ring, you’ll know the choice is vast! If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start, fashion stylist Emmeline Smith shares her favourite ring styles to help inspire you.
Triple Stones
Triple stone rings, also known as a trilogy or trinity setting, are still experiencing a resurgence thanks to the fabulous ring Prince Harry gave Meghan Markle on their engagement in 2017. The beauty of this style is that you can have any stone shape or size to suit your personal taste.
Did you know that the three stones also have a wonderfully romantic meaning? They are said to represent the past, present and future of your relationship together, which is such a lovely touch.
Whether you go for a huge emerald cut main stone, flanked by two smaller round stones, or opt for 3 round cut stones of the same size, this classic design will never go out of style.
Oval Stones
Kourtney Kardashian got engaged in 2021 and her giant oval ring was simply stunning. Oval gems have always been popular but we’re seeing a real boom at the moment and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. On its own, or surrounded with a halo of smaller stones this is a pretty timeless style that will definitely catch the eye! And if you prefer a bit more sparkle, you can have smaller stones on the shoulders of the ring
Coloured Stones
Almost 20 years after they broke up, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back on and have tied-the-knot in Las Vegas!
This time round, Ben proposed to JLo with a trinity style, giant 8.5 ct green diamond ring, flanked by two diamonds, set in a platinum band – rumoured to be worth between $5 and $10 million! J-Lo specifically loves the colour green as she believes it gives her good luck.
And it’s not just Bennifer that are loving coloured gems. Long-gone is the old fashioned assumption that an engagement ring has to include a traditional diamond and you’re not in the market for a ring costing millions of pounds, a sparkly lab-grown gem can be just as striking and a realistic price that us mere mortals can afford. I just think coloured rings are so much fun – here’s just a few of my favs.
Emmeline said, “Celebrities often have insane budgets for their engagement rings, which aren’t realistic for the rest of us! We offer high quality, stunning rings at a much more affordable price.”
Practical considerations
Durability
Are you going to wear your ring every day? If so, you need something that’s robust such as a lab-grown diamond or moissanite, the two hardest minerals known, which will withstand most lifestyles.
Pick a reputable jeweller
An engagement ring is a big investment so make sure you buy from a brand you can trust. Check your seller offers IGI (International Gemological Institute) Certified gems and a lifetime warranty.
Your style
It’s not very scientific, but always go with your gut when it comes to style. What metal colour do you wear most? Have you seen engagement rings on anyone famous that you love? Creating a short-list of things you love is a great place to start your search and narrow down the choices.
Forget fashion
Trends come and trends go, but ultimately, an engagement ring has to be chosen from the heart. Pick a ring you totally love and you can’t go wrong – remember, you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life!
Written for English Wedding by Emmeline for https://www.infinitydiamondjewellery.com