Best Engagement Ring Styles of All Time

People have been pledging their love with gorgeous rings for hundreds of years.

Best Engagement Ring Styles of All Time

Hailey Bieber shows her engagement at the 2022 Academy Museum gala in Los Angeles

Everyone’s talking about the massive diamond that Hailey Bieber’s been sporting everywhere and who can blame them? Rumored to be worth a cool half-million, the solitaire oval-cut diamond set on an 18K gold band has brought engagement rings into the spotlight yet again.

Although Hailey and her fellow fashionistas seem to have started a new wave of wedding chic, people have actually been pledging their love with gorgeous rings for hundreds of years. That’s a lot of history, but we’ve nailed down the best engagement ring styles of all time.

Here's what they are and what they represent.

This article is a partnership with Keyzar Jewelry.

Diamonds Really Are Forever

Marriage of Maximillian I and Mary of Burgundy

The first girl to wear a pre-wedding sparkler on her finger was Mary of Burgundy. Although it was 1477, we’re willing to bet that diamond was a doozie, as it came from Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Everyone took notice, and soon every noble lady had to have one.

Fast-forward to today. We’re still blown away by the unique engagement rings being used to signify love, devotion, and commitment. We’ve already talked about Hailey Bieber's sophisticated solitaire. What about Paris Hilton’s massive emerald-cut ring or Kourtney Kardashian’s 12-carat oval diamond with a platinum band? Those are only a few examples too.

A premium-quality engagement ring has such a "wow" factor that it’s easy to forget what it represents — the love and dedication of your significant other. Before we get into the best engagement ring styles of all time, let’s talk about the sentiments they represent, because they’re pretty special.

The Love Behind the Sparkle: What Engagement Rings Symbolize

If engagement rings are beautiful, the feelings behind them are even more so. With its circular shape, a ring symbolizes unending love as well as rebirth and renewal. Even before Mary of Burgundy got her diamond, Romans wore "betrothal" rings on their left ring finger, which was believed to hold the "vena amoris," a vessel that went straight to the heart.

When someone gets an engagement ring, the message is clear: "I choose you." It’s a major milestone for couples because it shows how far your relationship has come. That first Tinder date, introduction through friends, or "wow" moment has brought you here, and it’s an unforgettable moment.

In today's world, more and more couples are choosing rings together, which aligns with the modern concept of marriage as a partnership. Whether you’re ring shopping on your own or turning it into the ultimate date night, here are some options to inspire you.

Classic Engagement Rings That Never Go Out of Style

Trends in engagement rings come and go. Hailey wouldn’t have been impressed by Mary of Burgundy’s diamond and vice versa.

But classic styles remain popular. They may or may not carry some extra bling depending on the wearer’s taste, but you can’t go wrong with them.

Here's the scoop on the best engagement ring styles of all time.

Solitaire Engagement Rings

This is the iconic diamond engagement ring design, so it’s easy to see how Justin Bieber knew it would be a hit with Hailey.

Solitaire engagement rings feature one gemstone in the center, such as an emerald-cut diamond. Other stunning options include radiant cuts and pear-shaped diamonds. They look just as good with a simple or elaborate wedding band. If you love the minimalist vibe, you can go with a classic band, but don’t hesitate to go with something fun and funky if that’s your jam.

If you’ve got your heart on a solitaire, why not sport this gorgeous Pave Kamelie, a classic design with a hidden halo that highlights the center diamond from below. It looks amazing on its own or when stacked with bands or eternity rings.

Those who love an opulent and sparkling twist won’t go wrong with the Pave Alex. This hidden halo solitaire, combined with a chic pave band, can make you the center of attention even if you’re nowhere near the red carpet, making it one of the best engagement ring styles of all time.

Halo Engagement Rings

Halo engagement rings feature a center stone surrounded by a halo of stones, usually pave diamonds. This style is especially fun because you can indulge in your creativity. Some people make their favorite gemstone the centerpiece and surround it with diamonds. It sure worked for Kate Middleton and Katy Perry.

Halo rings are bigger and bolder than classic solitaire rings, so if you love mixing vintage with contemporary, join the club. It’s already got some super-cool members like Carrie Underwood, Cardi B and Bella Thorne.

Need some inspiration? Check out the Hidden Halo Penelope, a stunningly beautiful thin-band halo engagement ring with six pavé-set accent diamonds on the shoulders and four micro diamonds on the bridge. Its slender design showcases the center stone gracefully with just the right amount of panache.

If you love making a statement, a ring like the Nelly might be for you. It’s a hidden halo solitaire engagement ring that elevates the whole center diamond with four dainty claws. Solitaire-set diamonds make up the hidden halo, so if you want to highlight your center stone while illuminating it from below, this one is a big yes.

Pave Engagement Rings

Margot Robbie wearing her pave engagement ring

Pavé is the French word for paved, so these diamond engagement rings appear to be covered in diamonds, creating a glamorous expanse of sparkle and light. Each diamond is secured in place by a precious metal bead, with the goal of showing as little metal as possible.

Pave engagement rings, which include the Kamelie and the Alex listed above, are so versatile that they’re definitely one of the best engagement ring styles of all time. Choices include:

A band covered with pave accent stones to showcase the center diamond
A glittering halo of pave-set diamonds that provide luminous detail to the center stone.

We hear Margot Robbie is a big fan of pave engagement rings (have you seen hers?) so count us in too.

Artistic Band Engagement Rings

While some of us are fans of classic, streamlined bands, others are big on pizzazz. If that sounds like you, you’ll totally love the artistic band engagement rings taking the wedding industry by storm. By reimagining classic silhouettes, they channel your inner boho big time.

Looking for examples? The Twig has a stunning, nature-inspired design that symbolizes the branching out of your family tree. You’ll love the way the lustrous accent diamonds add to the unique twisted band without overwhelming it.

Equally inspiring is the Lindsey, whose singular silhouette includes a pristine row of sparklers. For extra flair, try stacking it with your other fave rings.

Three-Stone Engagement Rings

Three-stone engagement rings have been around a while, and it’s easy to see why: they have major sentiment involved. The big center stone symbolizes the couple's present, while side stones symbolize their past and future. Having the stages of your love story represented on your engagement ring makes it even more meaningful and special.

Some of our favorite celebs are adding their own take to the multi-stone tradition:

Megan Fox is sporting a two-stone emerald and diamond ring with magnetic gold bands.
Ariana Grande’s show-stopping band has an oval-shaped diamond with a pearl beside it.

Talk about a perfect opening act for a strong marriage.

Gemstone Engagement Rings

Kate Middleton and Prince William after announcing their engagement in 2010

We totally swooned when we saw Blake Lively’s $2 million solitaire-set oval pink diamond. If you did too, we can’t blame you. If anything, it shows that colorful gemstones can also be a girl’s best friend.

Popular gemstone engagement rings include:

Aquamarine: Aquamarine is the vibrant color of a tropical ocean. As a symbol of courage and communication, this gemstone reminds you to express your love for one another every day.

Blue Sapphire: Princess Diana and Kate Middleton made this regal gemstone a thing when they picked it over traditional diamonds. Blue sapphire is said to symbolize happiness, luck, loyalty, and love — a perfect combo for an engagement ring.

Emerald: Symbolizing happiness and success, emeralds are considered one of the most auspicious gemstones for wedding rings. We hear Victoria Beckham’s a fan, and so are we.

Ruby: As a gemstone that represents love, devotion, integrity, courage, vitality, and happiness, rubies are an ideal choice for an engagement ring. Rubies are believed to nurture love and passion in a relationship and keep a marriage strong.

What makes these rings extra-special? Certain stones have their own unique meaning. When you pick one that matches your personality and relationship, you’re golden. No wonder they belong on this list of the best engagement ring styles of all time.

Speaking of which.

Now You Know the Best Engagement Ring Styles of All Time

So which one is your favorite? If you can’t pick one, we understand. They’re all so amazing. Besides, you’ll know the right one for you when you see it.

The perfect engagement ring is a magical way to start a lifelong journey with your loved one. You don’t need to be an A-lister to deserve a ring that turns heads and lets the world know how much you’re loved.