Alternative engagement rings are becoming more “normal” in the sense that people don’t want the traditional ring. Which makes sense, considering not everyone has the same tastes as Princess Diana or Elizabeth Taylor. Practicality, pricing, and self-expression are some of the reasons people either design their own custom rings or purchase a ring that’s less-than-traditional. Either way, here are some ideas to consider when looking at your own.
1. Raw Stones
Many people get finished stones, which usually costs more than unfinished. The great things about unfinished stones is that they still look beautiful in their raw form. Diamond, rose quartz, and emerald are just a few of the more common raw stones in these types of rings.
2. Pearl
Pearls were traditionally used for a period of time, but many people argue they still make for very alternative engagement rings. You have to be very careful when it comes to
3. White Sapphire
White Sapphire is a great alternative to diamonds. While there is a bit of a
4. Moissanite
Moissanite is another
5. Moonstone
Moonstone is similar to opal in the sense that it carries quite a few different colours in it. It often holds more pastels tones but still makes for a gorgeous centre stone. There are some great ways to utilize moonstone for engagement rings, so be sure to research what your options are before settling for one setting.
6. Opal
Opal has become a popular choice for alternative engagement rings. It’s available in many different shapes and colours, and because of that it leaves a lot of room for creativity. Many people choose white opal as their centre stone, but that doesn’t mean you have to.
7. Morganite
The pinker the better! Morganite is a popular choice for alternative engagement rings because of its romantic colour. While it does look lovely on a silver coloured band, you can’t deny that it’s gorgeous on a rose gold one. This is a great choice for anyone who’s looking for an engagement ring that has a soft and romantic feel to it.
8. Meteorite
While very expensive, using pieces of meteorites are a great way to make your own engagement ring. Some people use the stone as the main attraction while others make a band out of it. It’s a neat idea to sit on if you’re looking for something unusual.
9. Onyx
When people think engagement rings, they don’t usually think of onyx as an option. Maybe that’s why this stone makes for such cool alternative engagement rings? The great thing (especially with black onyx) is that this stone can provide very cool, art deco-like aesthetics, so if that’s your style, give onyx a try.
10. Sapphire
Sapphire is a very popular stone for engagement rings, however, mostly among Millenials. The deep blue colours of this stone look best on a gold or silver coloured band, but many people are putting different shades and even colours of sapphire on rose gold bands.
11. Quartz
When people think of quartz, they usually imagine a light pink stone. While using rose quartz on an engagement ring is a great idea, remember that there are other types of this stone, too. As mentioned in another blog post, amethyst is a type of quartz. Amethyst is another great choice for alternative engagement rings, but also consider citrine, smokey quartz, and agate.
12. A Stone within a Stone
We’re not just talking about making a halo out of melee diamonds around a larger diamond. Have you considered putting a diamond in a pearl or a
13. Recycled/ Refurbished Jewellery
Using old stones isn’t anything new, but it hasn’t been popular for a while. Refurnishing or recycling stones is a great way to help the planet and incorporate important pieces into ones that reflect you and your relationship at the current moment in time. An example of this would be to take a ring and reuse the band or a necklace and take the gemstone off it. It’s also a great way to have a custom ring that you won’t find anywhere else!
14. Tri-Stone Rings
What’s better than one stone? Three! The tri-stone ring concept has been trending for some time now, and each ring is more creative than the last. You can have the more common style with a large centre stone and two smaller ones on the side, or the three same-sized stones in the shape of a triangle. There’s also the asymmetrical look that’s been appearing on everyone’s Instagram feeds (especially the designs with three different coloured stones).
15. Knotted/Love Knot Rings
These rings are especially great when it comes to alternative engagement rings because of the symbolism behind them. Typically, these rings either have a knot built into them or they have a love knot on top of the band.
16. A Claddagh Ring
As you may remember from our previous post, the claddagh ring has a lot of symbolism behind it. The meaning and story behind this iconic ring makes it a great option for engagement rings. There are different ways to customize the ring to make it your own while maintaining the traditional design.
17. Natural Motifs
There are many natural motifs that can be incorporated into an engagement ring. Leaves, tree branches, and flowers are among the more popular motifs seen on the market, but clovers, snowflakes, and stars have also been made. Some rings don’t even have blatant symbols such as those, but more abstract shapes and designs loosely based on these things. It really depends on what you’re looking for.
18. Celestial Inspired Rings
Similar to nature-inspired rings, celestial ones are made in the image of the stars, moon, and galaxy. Again, some feature crescent moon and star shapes, while others are based on the loose concept of a large centre stone with a halo building into stacking rings. Others simply feature an opal since the gemstone itself is so mystical.
19. Mixed Metals
When it comes to jewellery, using mixed metals is a controvesial topic. Some people say it doesn’t look very good, but others say it’s a great way to get creative with jewellery designs. Nowadays, people want more unique and custom jewellery, and as a result, mixing metals has become more popular. This means you can combine any combination of silver, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or any other metal, to get a ring that’s one-of-a-kind.
20. Halos Made of Coloured Stones
This is one of our favourite ideas when it comes to alternative engagement ring ideas. Usually, halos are made with white stones. Using a different gem, such as ruby or sapphire, will set your ring apart from others. It’s unconventional, but it creates a fun and whimsical appearance while still remaining classy and elegant.
21. Band Rings for Women
Sometimes less is more – especially with engagement rings. Some women don’t want stones the size of a push-pop, the just want something meaningful. More often than not, we’re seeing women with engagement rings that band rings. Some are engraved or have stones set into them, so they’re not the average band ring. They leave a lot of room for creativity, so go wild!
22. Nesting/Stacking Rings
Stacking rings, also known as nesting rings, are a great way to add some character to your engagement ring. There are so many different styles and designs that no two are alike! You can use as many or as few stones as you want, have it engraved – the possibilities are truly endless with these alternative engagement rings.
23. Art Deco Rings
This may sound vague, but there’s a lot to be said about art deco-inspired (or actual vintage) engagement rings. This style isn’t as popular as it used to be, so you’ll be sure to get something unique, however, it’s popular enough that it isn’t hard to find. This style of ring is reminiscent of an aesthetic dedicated to class, sophistication, and above all, the self-expression that can only be released through art.
24. Uniquely Cut Stones
If you really want an engagement ring that’s going to be special, find a diamond (or any gemstone, for that matter) that has an unusual cut. Think of shapes like a perfect sphere, a trapezoid, hexagon, etc. Basically, all the unusual shapes you had to find x for in math class. These unusual shapes make for great alternative engagement rings.
25. Mix & Match Colours
Consider mixing colourful stones with different coloured bands. Think a ruby on a rosegold band or emerald with a gold one. Maybe even have additional metals and gemstones? Alternative engagement rings should be unique and different, they don’t have to conform to the norms of fashion.
26. Minimalist Engagement Ring
There’s something to be said about minimalist engagement rings. The saying “less is more” couldn’t be any more true. When people are shopping for large and flashy rings, minimalist engagement rings are the alternative.
27. Open Cuff Rings
Cuff rings are so underrated, especially when it comes to something as important as an engagement ring. Sure, you can go with the traditional round cut diamond, but you could also change the shapes or the type of stone. Again, alternative engagement rings don’t have to be typical.
28. Unique Prongs
First off, do you even want prongs? Do you want a bezel or something similar to the Nova Ring? There are different ways to set a stone in a ring, so research the different styles to find out what you want.
29. Unique Band Shape
Think about how you want the band to compliment your finger. Do you want it to dip in a “v” shape? Do you want a large, ornate gallery? How about a rope-style band? These are important aspects to consider when it comes to alternative engagement rings.
30. Designs on the Inside
Some engagement rings have designs or text inside. They may leave little imprints on your finger, or they have a special meaning to whoever is wearing them. Two of the most common dates imprinted are the date the couple met, the date of the engagement, and the date of the wedding.
