Stand out from the crowd with these unique engagement rings

Engagement season is upon us. While wedding rings tend to be simple—a pared-back band of gold or platinum that slips easily into the everyday—the engagement ring is where there is more room for indulgence, and ample scope to inject one’s personality into the design.

Celebrity engagements of the recent past are a great inspiration as to the possibilities when customising an engagement ring. Take Ariana Grande’s toi-et-moi for example, which paired an offset oval diamond with a sentimental round pearl, or Gabbriette’s bespoke five-carat black diamond ring framed with white diamond pavé on a sculptural triple-split shank. The potential for a beautiful, unique engagement ring that looks distinctly your own extends well beyond a classic solitaire.

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Take British jewellery brand Dyne, which conceals personal details on the inside of the band so they wear closely and intimately. Founder Sarah Ysabel Narici is particular in her process, especially when meeting the ring’s future wearer. “I ask my clients to prepare for our first meeting to bring memories, places, objects or seemingly insignificant details that hold meaning for them. We go quite deep into their story: where they come from, what connects them, and the private language that exists between two people,” she tells Vogue Singapore.

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And then there are jewellery houses and designers that create engagement jewels with a twist. The German house Niessing pioneered the tension setting, which causes a diamond to appear as though it were levitating—a simple way of making a solitaire look different. “An engagement ring no longer has to follow a traditional formula; it can be distinctive, pure and deeply personal,” says Nina Georgia Friesleben, Niessing’s head of design.

From futuristic shapes to unconventional uses of diamonds, there is a wide world of possibilities outside the classic solitaire. Have no fear, though, with this Vogue-curated guide to unique ideas for an engagement ring.

Customised engraving and champlevé enamel define the signature look of Cece Jewellery’s celebrity-favourite rings. Courtesy of Cece Jewellery

The art of the unexpected diamond

The diamond does not merely have to be the centrepiece. Consider designs where they stud the band, fancy colour diamonds, or even ones where gemstones are hidden on the inside. Dyne, for example, considers the best parts of an engagement ring the ones kept out of sight. “I like to tell hidden stories through jewellery, from the outside of a ring to the inside of the band, through an engraving, an unexpected stone, a glyph or a detail known only to the wearer,” she tells Vogue.

dyne diamond engagement ring — Dyne ring in white gold set with an Asscher-cut diamond. Courtesy of Dyne

fernando jorge orbit ring — Fernando Jorge Orbit ring in rose gold with lapis lazuli and diamonds. Courtesy of Fernando Jorge

ara vartanian gravity ring — Ara Vartanian Gravity two-finger ring in white gold set with a fancy light yellow-brown diamond and two white diamonds. Courtesy of Ara Vartanian

POMELLATO nudo ring — Pomellato Nudo Petit ring in white and rose gold with diamonds. Courtesy of Pomellato

Defy gravity with a moment of levitation

The classic six-prong setting is meant to elevate and lift a diamond off a ring—but more innovative settings can take things further. By skipping the prongs or moving it off the top of the band, these designs give a diamond the look of suspension as thought it were floating above the finger. It’s a distinct alternative to the traditional method, and particularly beautiful for those who want the centre gemstone itself to command attention.

For inspiration, look towards the tension-set rings of Niessing, which has a reduced but no less elegant look. “For us, true minimalism is not about having less for the sake of less. It’s about removing everything unnecessary so that the essential can speak for itself—the material, the form, the craftsmanship, and ultimately the person wearing it,” says Friesleben.

niessing engagement ring — Niessing Spanring Lucia in yellow gold with diamonds. Courtesy of Niessing

damiani ring — Damiani Minou ring in platinum with diamonds. Courtesy of Damiani

repossi engagement ring — Repossi Serti Inversé ring in white gold with diamonds. Courtesy of Repossi

jessica mccormack engagement ring — Jessica McCormack Georgian Loop ring in yellow and white gold with a diamond. Courtesy of Jessica McCormack

Biomorphic forms and sculptural shapes

Engagement rings have an archetypal shape and silhouette, but broadening one’s horizons can open the doors to a world of personality. The shape and design should suit and match your style—sharp, pointed silhouettes might suit an edgy style, while organic curves might enhance a more delicate, feminine look.

Biomorphic shapes can also reflect a one-of-one approach. Singapore brand Twomorrow, for example, works with champagne diamonds and lets the gemstones guide and influence the shape of the ring itself. “In our bespoke work, we allow the natural character of the diamond to guide the design, creating a setting that responds to the stone,” explains founder Evelyn Chung. “The craftsmanship lies in finding that balance, preserving character while considering every proportion, setting and detail with intention.”

nikos koulis ring — Nikos Koulis Look ring in white gold and enamel with diamonds. Courtesy of Nikos Koulis

ara vartanian ring — Ara Vartanian Pulsar ring in white gold with diamonds. Courtesy of Ara Vartanian

twomorrow — Twomorrow Untamed ring in platinum and yellow gold set with a champagne diamond, and with white and salt-and-pepper diamonds. Courtesy of Twomorrow Jewellery

annoushka — Annoushka ring Courtesy of Annoushka

Make your own ‘vintage’

The perfect vintage ring doesn’t have to be found—why not design it from scratch instead? From chunky bombé styles to bezel or collet settings, these vintage details can still be crafted by jewellers today; and there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to the past without dedicating yourself to a hunt. Cece Jewellery, for instance, takes a unique pictorial approach with the centuries-old technique.

“Champlevé enamel allows us to tell the most intricate stories in miniature. As many as eight craftspeople can work on a single ring, from goldsmiths and engravers to enamellers and stone setters, so every piece carries the unmistakable touch of the human hand,” explains founder Cece Fein-Hughes. Her work, which lends itself perfectly to personalisation, is beloved by the likes of Margot Robbie, Gigi Hadid and Dakota Johnson.