Unique Engagement Rings: How to Choose the Right Ring

Finding the perfect ring can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. A unique engagement ring helps capture the personal story behind your love! But what makes an engagement ring unique?

Our Forsythe Jewelry experts share their insights to help you navigate engagement ring shopping. Discover: 

• Design elements that stand out

• Unique engagement ring ideas

• What you need to know before buying

For more specific guidance, consult our jewelry experts to find the perfect ring!

7 Unique Engagement Ring Details to Consider

The most popular engagement rings typically feature a colorless diamond in a classic solitaire or halo setting, round cut diamonds being a consistent top-seller. But there are so many customizable design elements that add personality and meaning to your ring. Explore non-traditional engagement ring ideas that reflect your partner’s tastes while enduring as a symbol of your love!

1. Gemstone vs Diamond Engagement Rings

Non-traditional center stones (i.e., not a diamond) are bold, colorful, and attractive. They’re also growing in popularity as more couples turn toward unique engagement ring options that suit their tastes. Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in: 

• Teal Sapphire

• Dark Blue Sapphire

• Opal

• Moissanite

• Salt and Pepper Diamond

• Aquamarine

On the other hand, colorless diamonds have a timeless look, pairing well with any style. Other considerations include:

• Cost – Diamonds are typically more expensive of an investment than some colored gemstones. However, the overall cost of the ring can vary based on gemstone rarity, cut, and add-ons. Gemstone pricing depends on standard market pressures.

• Lab-Grown vs Natural – You might have heard of lab-grown diamonds, but did you know there are many synthetic gemstone options? Lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from naturally formed diamonds and are a lower cost simulant. Likewise, lab-grown gemstones tend to be more affordable but some may have visual differences from their natural counterparts.
  Please note that lab grown diamonds are not necessarily a green alternative to natural diamonds as they take an incredible amount of energy to create.
  If purchasing a natural diamond or jewel is a priority, take the time to research how your jeweler sources jewelry and talk to their team!

2. Personalize the Ring With a Birthstone

Birthstone engagement rings are compelling because they’re personal. Each stone holds a symbolic meaning and hints at the wearer's virtues, such as devotion, security, and faithfulness. You could also include both of your birthstones to represent your connection. 

We like pairing birthstones with diamond centers as an unexpected but modern take on a classic! 

While birthstones are a fun place to start, don’t let them limit your choices! If your partner prefers a specific gemstone or has a favorite color, go with the option that brings the most joy!

Our favorite ways to feature birthstones:

• Under the Center Head – Place the birthstone beneath the center head to act as a semi-hidden accent stone.

• As Side Stones – Place the birthstone in clusters around the center head. Play around with different arrangements and shapes to highlight the center head. For a distinct look, explore asymmetrical side stone clusters that draw the eye.

• Along the Bridge – The bridge is the metal area beneath the center head, making it great for small personalizations. Line the bridge of the engagement ring with small accent stones.

Flush on the Ring Interior – Add a birthstone to the interior of the engagement ring as a hidden gem. It’s a special feature shared only with your partner.

3. Explore Stone Shape and Cut

Whether you stick to a traditional diamond or opt for a gemstone, veering away from a round cut can help your engagement ring stand out. After all, the cut of the gem substantially impacts the overall design.

Our top-selling engagement ring cuts include: 

• Round

• Oval

• Marquise

Other fancy cuts include but are not limited to:

• Emerald

• Asscher

• Princess

• Radiant

• Cushion

• Pear

• Kite

4. Textures & Finishes for Unique Engagement Rings

Adding textured finishes to your engagement ring band can shift the look and feel. Satin and polished finishes are classic looks, but we also like a brushed, sandblasted, or hammered finish to bring visual interest to engagement rings for men and women. Adding details like milgrain beading or hand engraving can add an elegant vintage flair with modern sensibilities.

5. Mix Metals to Create Contrast

Craft a striking look by mixing metals for your engagement ring! Traditionally, we like to mix white, yellow, and rose golds to create visual contrast. Green gold, also known as Electrum, is a combination of silver and gold, lending a subtle verdant tint to your ring band, though it’s a softer metal and requires skilled craftsmanship.

10k, 14k, and 18k metals can also feature different colorations to build contrast. For example, 18k gold is a brighter yellow than 10k gold.

If you prefer a yellow gold band, we can always set the diamond in a white gold head (like the image on the left) to make the center diamond look brighter and whiter. White gold is harder than yellow, making it perfect for durability and aesthetics.

If you prefer cooler tones, palladium and platinum are excellent choices. Palladium is a lighter material and can appear slightly darker than platinum. On the other hand, platinum is extremely durable and has a distinctive bright appearance.

We do not recommend using sterling silver in an engagement ring because it’s a softer metal that doesn’t stand up to daily wear as well as gold or platinum.

Combining metals works best with multi-element band designs such as: 

• Split bands (also known as a split shank)

• Infinity bands that braid two metals together

• Twists

As with the above section, remember to pay attention to the finish. If not creating contrast through color, build visual interest with pattern or texture instead.

6. Engrave Your Engagement Ring

The ultimate personalization is an engraving. Couples commonly engrave significant dates, names, and meaningful words on the inner band as a reminder of the love they share. At Forsythe Jewelers, we’ve even seen inside jokes and quotes. 

Truly unique engagement rings can even feature symbols tied to their relationship or shared experience. We’ve seen infinity symbols, fingerprints, and even a loved one’s handwriting.

There are three types of engagement ring engravings:

• Hand Engraving – A lost art, hand engraving creates a deeper, longer-lasting engraving and requires great skill and time. As a result, it’s the most costly engraving option. Hand engraving is typical for family heirloom rings thanks to their longevity.

• Machine Engraving – A shallow engraving style that works best for quick and easy lettering.

• Laser Engraving – A shallow engraving style that’s versatile enough for custom symbols or complicated details.

7. Vintage Engagement Rings

Vintage engagement rings are timeless relics laden with history, romance, and unmatched craftsmanship. Not only do they carry an enduring previous life, but they also evolve as you add your own story to their legacy. By default, this makes them incredibly unique pieces compared to similar designs.

Forsythe Jewelers carries vintage engagement rings in our estate case, with a unique collection available to browse on-site. We host an annual Estate Jewelry Event in October, so remember to check us out!

8. Vintage-Inspired Engagement Rings

Vintage-inspired engagement rings are modern rings that borrow older aesthetic elements to give a classic feel. We work with multi-generation engagement ring vendors who specialize in vintage styles such as incorporating filigree and milgrain. For a bespoke look, some clients work with us to craft custom pieces that combine old and new designs into a unique engagement ring.

What to Consider Before Buying an Engagement Ring

Let’s get this out of the way—it’s perfectly normal to shop with your partner to ensure you find a unique engagement ring that suits your style. Shopping for engagement rings as a couple also allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises such as an ill-fitted ring or differing design choices. More traditional proposals are equally romantic but require some planning to make sure you get things right.

On top of that, only women received engagement rings in the past, while the couple would purchase wedding bands together. Nowadays, more men wear engagement rings to match their partner or prefer to have multiple bands. (Why should women get all of the stacking fun!)

Regardless, keep these tips in mind to find the perfect engagement ring.

Shopping for Your Partner’s Engagement Ring

• Get Their Ring Size – You can check your partner’s ring size by going to a jeweler together or bringing in a ring that they already wear to measure. If the latter, make sure you know which finger your partner wears their ring on. Fingers are often different sizes, even from the right hand to the left.
  
  For a DIY approach, wrap a piece of string or paper around the base of your partner’s finger, marking where the ends meet and measuring the length with a ruler. Divide that number by 3.14 to get the ring diameter. Just make sure the string isn’t too tight or loose.
  
  If you’re being stealthy and don’t want to bring a ring in, try the ring on one of your fingers and mark where it stops. Our Forsythe Jeweler experts can then size your own finger at the mark to get a ballpark ring size.
  
  

• Ask About Their Preferences – Start with your partner’s criteria. Are there any metals, stones, cuts, or settings they prefer? Do they have any metal allergies that limit your material choices? Maybe they don’t want gold. Maybe they hate diamonds and prefer gemstones.
  
  Most importantly, how high does your partner want their ring to sit on their hand? Understanding their preferences will help you narrow down your selection without giving away the surprise.
  
  

• Consider Their Style – Pay attention to the jewelry your partner already wears as well as their overall aesthetic. A flashy ring that clashes with their daily wardrobe might feel less inviting. You want to choose a ring that works seamlessly with their look while still feeling elevated.
  
  

• Browse Unique Engagement Ring Collections – Looking at rings together before you propose can help you find reference points. Track which rings they like, then choose a similar engagement ring for the surprise! The advantage of searching together is that your partner might find choices they haven’t considered before.
  
  Most couples come in with a Pinterest board or a collection of saved reference images to get started. Our experts can then ask additional questions to understand what each person is drawn to and narrow their preferences.
  
  

• Check With Family & Friends – After compiling a shortlist of unique engagement rings, get a second opinion from your partner’s close family and friends. They know your partner as well as you do and can weigh in with a fresh perspective. Just be careful not to have too many cooks in the kitchen!

Shopping for Engagement Rings as a Couple (or for Yourself)

• Wear Your Normal Attire – Keep your attire and nails neutral when ring shopping to understand how your engagement ring will generally look on average.
  
  

• Try on Many Options – You never know what you might like, so it’s best to test different styles that might be outside of your comfort zone. Once you understand your preferences, narrow down your look.
  
  

• Think About Your Lifestyle – Different lifestyles can affect which unique engagement ring suits the wearer best. For example, delicate styles are only appropriate for those who treat their jewelry carefully or are willing to take their ring off from time-to-time.
  
  Ask yourself, are you an active person? Would a large or intricate engagement ring impede your daily life? Would the ring be at risk of damage? Additionally, are you the type of person to take off your engagement ring for dirty or at-risk activities or will you wear it 24/7? Are you willing to clean and check your jewelry every six months, or will you set it and forget it?
  
  Raise these concerns to your jeweler to understand which ring is appropriate.
  
  

• Check Your Stone in Natural Light – A gemstone’s appearance shifts with the light. Stand by the jewelry store window to see how the engagement ring looks under standard conditions.
  
  

• Ask About Aftercare Options – Keeping your unique engagement ring sparkling is easy if your jeweler offers comprehensive jewelry cleaning options. Be sure to follow basic maintenance practices between cleanings to protect your ring and visit your local jeweler for regular check-ups and cleanings!
  
  

• Take Advantage of Specials – Some jewelers provide discounts when you purchase a pair of engagement rings or include bonus add-ons. At Forsythe Jewelers, we offer a 20% discount on a wedding ring band to clients who shop both the engagement ring and wedding band with us. Ask if there are specials to make the most of your purchase.

Custom Unique Engagement Rings to Last a Lifetime

As you search for unique engagement rings, remember that the best ring should spark joy between you and your partner. Your ring symbolizes your one-of-a-kind love story, so take your time choosing between different engagement ring elements.

If you prefer a completely custom piece, work with Forsythe Jewelers to design a ring from scratch! Our expert jewelers will help you craft the perfect engagement ring, guiding you through each step to ensure you’re ready for this once-in-a-lifetime event! Schedule an appointment with our team today!