The best engagement rings How to choose an engagement ring
Imeh Akpanudosen/NBC//Getty ImagesTiffany & Co
There are engagement rings, and then there are Tiffany engagement rings. One of the world’s most iconic designs, the ‘Tiffany Setting’ features six elegant prongs that allow the diamond to seemingly float upon the finger; it doesn’t come much more classic than this. A Tiffany ring also comes with another advantage: that iconic little blue box.
18-karat yellow gold and diamond ‘Tiffany Setting’ ring, £POA, Tiffany & Co
Van Cleef & Arpels
First founded in 1906 in Place Vendôme, the hallowed high-jewellery-making hub of Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels is authoritatively placed to create precious engagement rings with great prestige – its master gemologists select every stone. The maison’s ‘Romance Solitaire’ ring features a scintillating diamond band – it doesn’t come much sparklier than this.
Platinum and diamond ‘Romance Solitaire’ ring, £POA, Van Cleef & Arpels at Harrods
Garrard
The ring that has propelled sapphire engagement rings to the top of millions of brides’ wish lists for the last 40 years – Garrard’s iconic 1735 design is, of course, most famous for its royal pedigree. First worn by Princess Diana in 1981, the traditional sapphire cluster ring is now worn by the current Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and remains just as enchanting. The timeless design is available in various carat sizes, each lovingly crafted by this behemoth of British jewellery making.
Sapphire engagement ring, £14,500, Garrard
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Harry Winston
Widely celebrated as the ‘King of Diamonds’, there are few jewellers on a par with Harry Winston when it comes to sourcing stones. The designer first garnered fame by collecting important diamonds from notable American estates and setting them within more modern, delicate settings. The ‘Belle’ engagement ring is an ultra-feminine, faintly floral design, inspired by wealthy philanthropist Arabella Belle Huntington’s remarkable collection of jewels from the early 1900s.
Platinum and diamond ‘Belle’ ring, £POA, Harry Winston
Dior
For those seeking a fun and frivolous take on an engagement ring, few designs say ‘yes’ better than Dior’s charming ‘Dioramour’ ring. Crafted from 18-karat gold, this is a simple, chic design with just a hint of a diamond as a final flourish.
18-karat gold and diamond ‘Dioramour’ ring, £1,000 Dior Joaillerie
Bulgari
Despite the connotations between red and romance, rubies tend to be a less common choice for engagement rings, but there are some A-list examples that stand out – Eva Longoria, Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry have all received ruby rings. Hailing from Mozambique, this 10-carat pear-shape ruby is an enticing example that illustrates Bulgari’s signature flair for bold, dramatic colour.
Platinum, ruby and diamond ring, £POA, Bulgari
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De Beers
As the maison responsible for establishing diamonds as the go-to stone for engagement rings, De Beers is the ultimate destination for a classic, round diamond with natural fire and brilliance. The perfect choice for those focused on the quality and credentials of a stone, small tweaks and twists can be made to modernise the setting – such as this rose-gold style, paired with a pink pavé diamond wedding ring.
18-karat rose gold, white diamond and pink diamond ring, £POA, De Beers
Cartier
Certain that you don’t want a round diamond, but still seeking a traditional solitaire? Consider an oval-shaped stone, which offers contemporary classicism in spades. Cartier’s ‘Destinée Solitaire’ design can house a diamond ranging in size from 2.00 to 3.99 carats, amplified by a delicate diamond halo. Those who err towards timelessness over trends will appreciate its elegant curves.
Platinum and diamond ‘Destinée Solitaire’ ring, £POA, Cartier
Valani Atelier X Gemfields
Choosing ethically sourced gemstones is vital for peace of mind when making such an important purchase, and Gemfields ensures that all its coloured gems boast a rigorous, fully traceable provenance. A collaboration with the New York-based brand Valani Atelier, this design shakes up any preconceived ideas of emeralds feeling old-fashioned – its sharp angles and seamless stone setting exude modernity.
18-karat white gold, emerald and diamond ring, £POA, Valani Atelier x Gemfields
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Lark & Berry
Lark & Berry specialises in cultured diamonds, created in a lab and selected for their superb cut and top-tier credentials. The result? Super sparkly stones with sustainable manufacture, housed in a range of 14-karat white gold, 18-karat yellow gold and platinum settings. This ‘Wild Cherry’ design offers a topsy-turvy take on a classic solitaire.
18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond ring, £POA, Lark & Berry
Gucci
If wearing a formal engagement ring doesn’t come easily, a discreet stacking ring with just a touch of sparkle could be the perfect choice. Gucci’s minimalist ‘Link to Love’ design can be slipped into a stack of plain polished gold rings – mix your metals for a truly fresh feel.
18-karat rose gold and diamond ‘Link to Love’ ring, £2,380, Gucci
Graff
Sapphires make an excellent companion to diamonds as they are almost as hard-wearing, meaning your ring will always remain just as beautiful. Here, however, it’s the sapphire that steals the show. The Mayfair-based jewellery behemoth Graff is famous for some of the world’s most historic diamonds and gems; this 11-carat sapphire is a spectacular example of its peerless pedigree.
Platinum and sapphire ring, £POA, Graff
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Kiki McDonough
If you err towards green gems but emeralds are slightly out of budget, try a tourmaline – Kiki McDonough works with a kaleidoscopic array of precious and semi-precious gemstones, showcasing their nuanced hues within gleaming 18-karat gold. This pale, elegant green shade will complement all skin tones.
Green tourmaline and diamond ‘Special Additions’ ring, £6,200, Kiki Mc Donough
Chanel
While perhaps not a traditional purveyor of engagement rings, Chanel’s ‘Bague Bouton de Camélia’ ring is a modern alternative to traditional floral cluster designs. You won’t struggle to work out which wedding jewellery to wear with it on the big day – explore the entire collection of earrings, pendants, and bracelets dedicated to this iconic motif.
18-karat white gold and diamond ‘Bague Bouton de Camélia’, Chanel
Piaget
A smart choice for those wanting an innovative interpretation of a traditional diamond engagement ring, Piaget’s ‘Possession’ design celebrates the simplicity of a round diamond, amplified with a double halo that gracefully turns at your touch. A symbol of everlasting love, its spinning streams of diamonds are impossible to leave alone.
Platinum and diamond ‘Possession’ engagement ring, £POA, Piaget
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Tasaki
Forget dusty pearls in old-fashioned settings, Tasaki’s designs are avant-garde; its ‘Balance Class’ ring places a brilliant white diamond alongside one of its signature, shining orbs. But be sure to take great care, as pearls can’t endure daily wear and tear like diamonds – making them feel even more precious.
18-karat white gold, South Sea pearl and diamond ‘Balance Class’ ring, £15,700, Tasaki
Pragnell
It is easy to spot imperfections within emerald-cut diamonds because they have such striking internal planes, so only the highest quality stones should be used. This is no problem for Pragnell – a family-owned jeweller with an illustrious history of sourcing unique and rare gemstones for elite connoisseurs. Its ‘Kingdom’ collection showcases epic diamonds and coloured gems in bold, bezel settings; this is a ring designed to turn heads.
18-karat yellow gold and diamond ring, £59,000, Pragnell
Messika
Minimalists need look no further than Messika Paris. Founder Valérie Messika comes from a long family line of expert diamantaires, and has dressed the A-list in diamonds since launching her own brand in 2005. The maison has an offering of ‘neo bridal’ engagement rings, where split bands and dynamic diamonds reign supreme – the brand’s ‘toi et moi’ design lets the diamonds do the talking.
White gold and diamond ring, £POA, Messika Pari
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Stephen Webster
Toi et moi’ engagement rings have a strong celebrity following - Emily Ratajkowski, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner and Solange Knowles all opted for ‘toi et moi’ designs, where two stones represent each half of a betrothed couple. Make like Megan Fox and choose a design that features both of your birthstones; her Stephen Webster engagement ring showcases a daring emerald and diamond pairing.
White gold, diamond and emerald 'Thorn Embrace' duo band rings, £POA, Stephen Webster
Jessica McCormack
The London-based jeweller Jessica McCormack has become known for her 'party jackets' – statement-making designs made to fit around your current ring, which can be removed when required; because what's more fabulous than a diamond wearing diamonds? It's ideal if you're looking for an upgrade, to breathe new life into an existing design, or for something transformable depending on your mood.
White-gold and diamond 'New York' Party Jacket ring, £POA, Jessica McCormack
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