Picking the perfect engagement ring seems easy enough.
There are thousands of styles, settings, stone shapes… HOW do you know which one suits YOUR aesthetic?
Here’s a hint:
Most shoppers stress themselves out trying to decide. Walk into a jewelry store and suddenly you’re faced with a thousand glimmering rings. Then what? Or maybe you end up settling on something because it’s “okay” and not because you love it.
Luckily, we can make the process a bit easier for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Does Personal Style Matter?
- What are the 5 Different Aesthetic Categories?
- Match Ring Attributes to YOUR Style
- Test to Make Sure You Have the Right Aesthetic
- Mistakes People Make When Picking Their Ring Based on Personal Style
Why Does Personal Style Matter?
Let’s talk about why you shouldn’t let just anyone pick your next engagement ring.
An engagement ring should feel like an extension of yourself.
It’s not just a shiny stone on your finger. Your ring tells the story of you and your partner. According to The Knot, 77% of proposees want to be involved in the ring shopping process.
But how do you know which ring styles suit you best?
Just like with clothing, everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to jewelry. The “it” ring shape or style on Instagram might look gorgeous on that influencer, but what happens when you try to find that look for yourself?
You spend hours scrolling through photos only to find… nothing that suits you!
When you know your personal style, shopping for statement rings like Leon Diamond 3 carat engagement rings becomes much easier. Instead of starting at square one, you’ll have a good idea of what you like and what you don’t.
What are the 5 Different Aesthetic Categories?
Let’s go ahead and break down the main aesthetic categories that most people fall into.
Once you know these ring styles, you can shopping with more direction and confidence.
Classic
Love traditional and timeless styles? Classic is for you. Simple solitaire rings with diamonds as the center stone are always a safe bet.
Modern
If you prefer edgy designs with bold details, modern will be your new favorite. Asymmetrical lines and geometric patterns shine in contemporary jewelry.
Vintage
Give channel set diamonds some love. Vintage ring styles focus on intricate details and artistic craftsmanship. Milgrain and filigree are just a couple examples.
Minimalist
Less is more. If you’re a fan of simple and sleek designs, minimalist jewelry is your match.
Glamorous
Gotta go big or go home! Glittery diamond melee, center stone halo stacks, and anything with lots of “wow factor” fits into this category.
Match Ring Attributes to YOUR Style
Now it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of what makes up every premium engagement ring. There are three main attributes that you can align with your personal style.
Let’s dig in.
Ring Stone Shape
The center stone makes the biggest impact.
- Round brilliant – Classic, Glamorous
- Oval, pear – Modern, Romantic
- Emerald, Asscher – Minimalist, Vintage
- Marquise, cushion – pretty much any aesthetic
Keep in mind that this is just a general rule of thumb. Don’t be afraid to love a stone shape that others might say doesn’t typically fit your style.
Metal Type
Silver, gold, platinum… it all makes a difference.
Yellow gold recently surged 27% to now represent 36% of purchases. A lot of people associate yellow gold jewelry with vintage aesthetics.
White gold and platinum= modern, sleek, and timeless. Rose gold falls somewhere in the middle.
Take a look at your current jewelry collection. What type of metal do you gravitate toward naturally?
Ring Setting
Settings tie the whole darn ring together.
- Solitaire = time minimal
- Halo = vintage, glamorous
- Three-stone = romantic
- Bezel = modern
- Pave band = maximalist
Like with stone shapes, don’t feel forced into one setting type. The ring setting should complete the ring and enhance your personal style.
Test to Make Sure You Have the Right Aesthetic
Still stuck on what jewelry style suits you best?
Take our quiz!
Ok, fine. We don’t have a quiz. But how about this:
The Laundry Test.
Head to your closest pile of unfolded laundry and survey your wardrobe. What colors stick out to you? Neutral and earth tones? Minimalist!
Bright colors and crazy patterns? Statement maker.
The Jewelry You Already Own.
Look through all of the jewelry you currently own. What pieces do you wear the most? If you rock your statement earrings weekly, you’re probably a glam type of girl.
Maybe your delicate necklace gives you the most joy? Minimalist chic is more your style.
Pinterest.
Yes, we know we just said quizzes are boring. But what’s your excuse for not making a Pinterest board?
Create a new board called “RING BOARD” or something similar. Make sure to turn off comments so you don’t get distracted. Start pinning away!
After you have at least 25 pins, look through the board and take note of the styles that stand out to you. Was there a dominant style that popped up while you were browsing?
Mistakes People Make When Picking Their Ring Based on Personal Style
Picking out the perfect ring shouldn’t cause you any stress.
But here’s a list of silly mistakes we see shoppers make all the time.
They forget to consider lifestyle.
Your fiancé dreams about getting you the biggest diamond possible. But are sparkling rocks really your thing?
Just because you fall into a certain aesthetic style doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your daily activities into consideration.
Trying to pinpoint your style too much.
Guys, we get it. You want to find the “perfect” ring the first time you go ring shopping.
But your partner’s style could change over time (and that’s okay!). You don’t want to lock into one specific style if they happen to suddenly love minimalist style earrings.
Thinking about the ring as a standalone piece.
Yes, the engagement ring is special and will be worn by itself for a few months. But what about when it’s time to propose?
You should also spend time thinking about wedding band styles that will complement your fiancé’s new engagement ring.
Going too big right away.
We’ve all seen the pictures. HUGE diamonds that take up the whole finger.
Before you knock anyone for fancying a ginormous stone, remember that your lifestyle matters when shopping for a ring.
Someone who works a desk job may be able to get away with larger stones and settings. What about your future wife? Will she be able to hack wearing such a large ring to work every day?
Not doing your research.
You know how we mentioned there are three main attributes to every premium engagement ring?
Educate yourself on the 4 Cs of diamonds and different ring settings. Not only will you sound like a pro when talking to your salesperson, but you’ll avoid making a choice you’ll regret later.
Engagement Rings That Match YOUR Personal Style
We hope this guide helped you figure out your personal style related to engagement rings.
If you need a bit more direction, ask your best friend or sibling what styles they think you would gravitate toward.
Understanding your style language will make shopping for your next premium engagement ring way less stressful.
You’ll know what styles to keep and what ones to avoid. Don’t settle on just any ring.
Your engagement ring is a reflection of you and should make you excited to wear every single day for the rest of your life.
Comment below and let us know what YOUR style category is.