If you plan to pop the question this year, you’re in luck — 2023’s engagement ring trends are proving to be more meaningful than ever.
From designs that resemble both partners to eye-catching settings and colourful stones, these trending engagement rings are perfect for commemorating a couple’s love and commitment to one another.
Multi-stone rings
Rather than a single white diamond, many couples are instead opting for a constellation of stones.
Three-stone engagement rings are especially popular, offering a wow factor that dazzlingly catches the light. The three stones are also said to represent the couple’s past, present, and future, adding an extra layer of romantic symbolism to the unique piece.
Choose from multiple diamonds or mix up the ring with different types of stones in a variety of colours. The design should represent the wearer’s personality and set the couple’s choice apart from traditional engagement rings.
Large single stones
There’s no better way to showcase your love than with a single, impactful stone.
Standalone styles are rising in popularity, with many couple’s opting for large, eye-catching gems on their engagement rings. For some, there’s no better way to showcase your love than with a single, impactful stone.
Diamonds are the most common, with their light and shining unrivalled. However, coloured stones are an even more unique way to stand out from the crowd.
This design is a practical choice for couples who don’t plan to wear their engagement ring all the time, as they don’t want the large stone to restrict daily activities. Instead, the chunky, flashier gem provides a fantastic conversation starter and is perfect for dressier occasions.
Choose a well-cut gemstone that immediately catches the eye to have maximum effect.
Colourful styles
The start of the pandemic saw a rise in mood-boosting, colourful designs, and this engagement ring trend is only set to continue.
From brilliant yellow diamonds and deep blue sapphires to eye-catching emeralds, there are many gemstone colours to choose from.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, mixing multiple coloured stones for a rainbow effect is a popular style for engagement rings. Differing gemstones shine and dazzle in various ways, creating a bespoke design that provides constant intrigue.
Lab grown diamonds
An example of the lab grown diamond rings from Robert Gatward Jewellers.
Lab grown diamonds will be everywhere in 2023, and engagement rings are no exception.
Lab grown diamonds contain the same features as natural diamonds, but offer a wider variety of choices regarding ring size, cut, and colour.
Despite being identical in terms of physical, chemical, and optical properties, lab grown diamonds are around 70% cheaper than natural diamonds, making them an excellent choice for a stylish and affordable engagement ring.
Lab grown diamonds are still 100% real diamonds, just without the associated price tag. New engineering methods and updated technologies have seen demand for lab grown diamonds soar, as it becomes harder to identify the difference between natural and manufactured diamonds.
The result is a dazzling diamond engagement ring that suits a range of budgets.
Updated rings
While we may associate an engagement ring with a young or earlier relationship, the trend of updating designs to suit modern styles is set to dominate in 2023.
Personal taste changes over time and many engagement ring wearers may feel their current design no longer resembles them or their relationship. It’s common to have your ring resized as your fingers change, and many are now using this as an opportunity to update their ring entirely.
Whether opting for a better-quality diamond or changing the colour of the gems, giving your ring a refresh is a rewarding and worthwhile investment.
Chunky bands
Forget gemstones — for 2023, the most popular style of engagement rings focuses on the band.
Engagement ring bands are typically thin and slender, offering more space to the diamond it adorns. However, a recent trend of thick and chunky bands offers a unique approach to the modern engagement ring.
Wider bands feature gems of single or various colours, arranged in a simple design or artful pattern. The band provides a canvas to experiment with positioning and sizing — ideal for those looking for a ring to reflect their personality.
Pear and oval cuts
Fans of the classic engagement ring style will be pleased to hear that, in 2023, pear and oval cuts are going nowhere.
Said to resemble joyful ‘wedding tears’, a pear-shaped style is the perfect choice for an engagement ring and is the feature of many typical designs.
Oval engagement rings are another popular choice, the classic style maximising the size of the centre diamond.
Rounder-shaped diamonds like pear or oval also offer the most sparkle, as they have the most significant number of facets. The cuts heighten a diamond’s shine, offering an eye-catching, timeless engagement ring.
All-in-one rings
While it’s traditional to have an engagement and wedding ring, many couples are now opting for all-in-one style pieces representing both relationship milestones.
Also called union rings, these dual-meaning rings are used for the engagement proposal and during the wedding, often incorporating typical elements of each ring style.
They may feature a thicker band with a white diamond or an overlap design that allows for contrasting styles.
An advantage of the all-in-one ring is that there is no need for the engagement ring to fit against another band. This style creates more freedom when choosing the ring and offers an opportunity for a unique design.
Vintage-inspired designs
An example of a ruby and diamond halo engagement ring from Robert Gatward Jewellers.
Engagement ring trends often look back to the styles of yesteryear. In 2023, expect to see more soon-to-be-weds wearing vintage-inspired designs that mimic past popular styles.
Halo designs, scroll, bow, floral, and leaf motifs are some examples, and you’ll also find more angular styles when shopping for vintage-inspired rings.
Arguably timeless, there are some advantages to choosing a vintage-style engagement ring. No matter what’s trendy, classic pieces are still likely to stand out and be appreciated. Vintage-inspired pieces also complement various styles, suiting everyday and special occasion outfits.
Mixed-metal rings
Although platinum has long been the most popular choice for an engagement ring, many couples opt for a combination approach, mixing metals for a stylish, wearable look.
Couples enjoy a modern and refreshing take on the classic engagement ring by combining rose gold, platinum, yellow gold, or white gold. It’s a bold way to showcase the wearer’s personality and style and is an excellent choice if you plan to wear your engagement ring alongside everyday rings.
Go as eye-catching or as subtle as you desire, mixing the metals with various cuts and sets — a fashion-forward answer to the engagement ring.
