Ideas to Consider for Nontraditional Engagement Rings
Ring design is one of the most essential things to consider before you propose. How do you choose an engagement ring style that suits your partner’s taste? How do you make sure it stands out? If your future spouse isn’t into tradition, it may be worth exploring some alternative engagement ring ideas that speak to their personality.
Traditionally, the most popular engagement ring style boasted a solitaire diamond with a round cut. Nontraditional engagement rings move away from this classic style in favor of unique elements that speak to the wearer’s identity. This guide will help you choose a one-of-a-kind engagement ring for your special someone.
Why Choose a Unique Engagement Ring?
An experienced jeweler can help you design an alternative engagement ring that’s unique, handmade with love, and truly representative of your journey together. Custom engagement ring design lets you choose the perfect gemstone, metal, setting, and ring width for your love.
Nontraditional Engagement Ring Ideas
The ring you choose should be one that both of you love and that represents your life together. Here are some unique, nontraditional engagement rings to explore when searching for an exceptional engagement symbol.
Rings With Colored Gemstones
Using colored gemstones is one way to break with tradition. For a unique look, try using light and dark gemstone shades together. Black diamonds have a color richness that can draw your eye in and offset a white stone, creating a design perfect for unconventional and alternative engagement rings.
Traditional rings often have a round-cut diamond, so if you want to create something different with more impact, consider unconventional shank shapes and gemstone cuts. Think meandering or twisted shanks with accented diamonds running around the band. Alternatively, explore unique gemstone geometry such as oval, triangle, hexagon, pear, baguette, crescent, half-moon, and cushion cuts.
Pearl Rings
Pearls make beautiful center “stones” for unconventional engagement rings. They are elegant and regal and were the betrothal gem of choice during the Victorian era. If your partner loves vintage jewelry and historical romance, a pearl engagement ring may be the right choice for you. Look for quirky, nontraditional engagement ideas to set the scene for your pearl proposal and bring your partner’s romantic daydreams to life.
Unique Metal Combinations for Nontraditional Rings
Your metal selection can change the tone of your ring. If you want to move away from traditional gold, you can readily soften the look of your ring with rose gold. For an alternative appearance, consider mixing metals within one design. Interwoven yellow and rose gold can enhance your engagement ring and set it apart from other styles. You can use the same logic to create nontraditional wedding rings that match the engagement band.
Antique and Vintage Styles
Surprise your spouse-to-be with a nontraditional engagement ring that celebrates romantic eras of the past. Edwardian engagement rings come from 1900–1915 and often feature delicate metal filigree and diamonds in a marquise or old mine cut. If you prefer something a little bolder and more alternative, consider art nouveau or art deco engagement rings studded with blue opals and floral bands or emerald-cut diamonds with enamel accents.
Toi et Moi Rings
Toi et moi means “you and me” in French. This unique style has become especially popular for women’s nontraditional engagement rings. It is essentially a double-stone ring with two central gems that tell a story about your relationship. You can give these unconventional rings even more whimsy by cutting the stones into unusual shapes or fitting them together like puzzle pieces.
Diamond Bands as Engagement Rings
Choose an infinity or eternity band with multiple small diamonds instead of one large solitaire for an understated, nontraditional engagement ring. Diamond bands like these maintain a classy look and feel without being flashy. You can use stones of different sizes to create rhythm along the band or weave the diamonds between strips of plain metal to break up the sparkle. Whatever you choose, remember the Four C’s whenever you’re buying diamonds.
Rustic Rough-Cut Diamonds
If your true love is all about natural beauty and organic living, they may enjoy a rough-cut diamond in their engagement ring. Raw diamonds come unpolished and milky white with unique, irregular edges. They make beautiful, untraditional engagement rings when paired with vintage gold bands and delicate floral designs. Try using raw, uncut diamonds with black onyx for nontraditional wedding rings of the ethereal kind.
Asymmetrical Engagement Rings
Asymmetrical rings are engagement rings with nontraditional settings that don’t put all the focus on a central stone. Instead, they cluster a few gems together to create a unique style. A good jeweler can create an asymmetrical design that feels balanced. For example, you might place a pear-shaped diamond diagonally across the ring and complement it with different stones on either side. These nontypical engagement rings are perfect for modern couples looking for jewelry with a contemporary twist.
Customize Your Engagement Ring for a Nontraditional Look
Ultimately, the best way to get precisely what you want in a ring is to design it yourself. Our in-house designers and jewelers provide a comprehensive service and take you through the process step by step to help you choose designs, gemstones, and metals that will give the engagement rings that nontraditional look and feel you’re after. We also create a wax model so you know what to expect with the final piece. The custom engagement ring process at JPratt Designs will leave you feeling confident about designing nontraditional wedding bands for your special day. For more alternative engagement ring ideas and advice, please get in touch. Alternatively, schedule an appointment to start planning a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry you’ll treasure for years to come.