Which Engagement Ring Style is Right for You?

Engagement ring possibilities are endless these days, meaning there’s a style out there to suit you whether you lean more modern or super classic. But with so many options to choose from, figuring out what your ideal ring might look like is important—especially if you need to convey it to your partner at some point in the (hopefully) near future.

To help, we zeroed in on five distinct styles and found gorgeous engagement rings from online retailer JamesAllen.com that fit each category. Not only do they have thousands of styles you can customize, but you can select the actual diamond, and see it up close with their 360-degree diamond display technology. Our tip: Pick an engagement ring style below that feels most like you—and casually drop a hint or share a few examples to help your partner ultimately find the perfect ring.

engagement ring styles

classic engagement rings

Classic engagement rings are often simple, with a thin band and one dominant center stone. While halo engagement rings—the hallmark of which are tiny pavé diamonds that encircle the center gemstone—have been a trend over the last decade or so, they still exude an elegance that’s synonymous with classic-style rings.

Pavé crown diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comPavé halo and shank engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comComfort-fit diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comSolitaire engagement ring with oval-cut diamond center | Shop now at JamesAllen.comPavé halo and shank engagement ring with pear-cut diamond center | Shop now at JamesAllen.comTapered baguette diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Shop more classic solitaire and halo diamond ring styles.

glamorous engagement rings

Glamorous engagement rings are detailed, intricate and often noticeably large. (We’re not just talking the center stone, but the entire ring itself—band or shank, side stones, halo and all.)

Pavé split shank engagement ring with emerald-cut diamond center | Shop now at JamesAllen.comProng-set diamond engagement ring with side stones | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Double shank halo diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comFrench cut pavé blue sapphire engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Double row pavé engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comEmerald-cut three-stone pavé-set diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Shop more luxe three-stone rings here.

vintage engagement rings

Vintage-style engagement rings are also fairly intricate, with details that reflect the era the ring was inspired by. For instance, jewelry from the art nouveau period featured organic, curved forms that took their cue from the natural world, while rings reminiscent of the ritzy art deco period are more geometric and angular.

Emerald-cut three-stone pavé halo and split-shank diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comArt deco inspired Fleur-de-Lis pavé engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comVintage-inspired floral bouquet diamond engagement ring with milgrain details | Shop now at JamesAllen.comArt deco geometric pavé halo and shank diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comPavé step and halo round-cut diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comOctagonal pavé halo round-cut diamond engagement ring with milgrain details | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Shop more vintage-style rings here.

modern engagement rings

Modern engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes—split shanks, cable bands, bezel settings and hints of color are common—though clean lines and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic are a must.

Pavé crown bezel-set diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comBezel-set princess-cut diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comPavé twist diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Diamond engagement ring with round and marquise side stones and milgrain details | Shop now at JamesAllen.comCriss-cross diamond solitaire engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comCable diamond solitaire engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Another modern style we love? Channel-set rings, which feature a row of small diamonds embedded into the band. Shop more of this elegant style here.

unique engagement rings

Unique engagement rings often incorporate different metals, less common diamond shapes, and intricate band details. When considering this ring style, look for a version with no more than two unconventional features—one that has a lot of different details can be tough to match with a wedding band.

Abbraccio-swirl cable round-cut diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comLeia swirling double halo and shank diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comFloral diamond engagement ring with pavé and sapphire flower buds | Shop now at JamesAllen.comRound-cut diamond and sapphire baguette engagement ring with milgrain details | Shop now at JamesAllen.comArt deco-inspired flower halo diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.comRadiant-cut channel-set diamond engagement ring | Shop now at JamesAllen.com

Tension rings are another type of unique engagement ring. Shop more examples of this cool style here.

We hope this helps you figure out the engagement ring style that feels right for you. We know, we know—there’s a ton to choose from! Luckily for you, JamesAllen.com offers a huge range of styles, many of which you can customize yourself with your choice of metal, center stone and carat weight. Not only that, but their diamond display technology means you can closely examine—with vivid, 360-degree views—every gem’s cut, color, clarity and sparkle as if you were viewing it in person. Happy shopping!