At Charles Rose, we believe an engagement ring should be as unique as your love story. Choosing the right one is a meaningful journey, filled with beauty, symbolism, and personal expression. Beyond symbolising love and commitment, it's also a reflection of personal taste and individual style. But with so many engagement ring styles available, how do you find the one that truly fits?
Whether you’re leaning towards a timeless classic or something uniquely you, this guide will walk you through the different styles of engagement rings and help you uncover the perfect match.
Understanding Engagement Ring Styles
When we talk about engagement ring styles, we’re referring to the overall design of the ring, its setting, structure, stone arrangement, and choice of metal. Each of these elements plays a role in shaping the ring’s character and how it reflects the person who wears it.
From refined solitaires to ornate halos and bold three-stone pieces, different styles offer different expressions. Whether they be classic, romantic, modern, or symbolic. The key is to choose a design that feels authentic to the wearer. Think about their lifestyle, personal style, and even their profession, these subtle cues can help guide the decision.
At Charles Rose, many of these principles come together in our signature engagement rings. These pieces represent the heart of our design philosophy, meticulously crafted to balance classic elegance with modern artistry, and loved by clients seeking something enduring yet distinct.
Popular Engagement Ring Styles
The Solitaire – Refined & Timeless Elegance
The solitaire is one of the most beloved styles of engagement rings. With a single principal diamond, this design offers timeless elegance and maximum impact. It's perfect for those who favour minimalist beauty and understated sophistication.
Our solitaire engagement rings celebrate this timeless style, crafted to let the diamond speak for itself, with refinement in every detail.
The Halo – Bold Radiance with Classic Charm
In a halo setting, a circle of smaller diamonds surrounds the centre stone, amplifying its brilliance and perceived size. It’s a style designed to catch the light and attention, from every angle.
Favoured by those who love a touch of glamour, the halo combines old-world elegance with modern impact. Whether paired with a round, oval, or cushion-cut centre stone, it offers both visual drama and timeless appeal.
Our halo engagement rings are designed to celebrate this balance. Elegant, eye-catching, and made to shine for a lifetime.
The Three-Stone – Rich in Meaning and Elegance
Also known as Trilogy rings, three-stone engagement rings are deeply symbolic, celebrating your past, present, and future together. This design offers a beautiful balance of sentiment and style, often featuring a larger centre stone flanked by two complementary diamonds or gemstones.
Its versatility makes it a favourite for those seeking something personal yet enduring. Whether through contrasting stone shapes or a mix of colours, there’s room to tell your story in a way that feels entirely your own.
Our three-stone engagement rings are designed to honour your story. Rich in symbolism, thoughtfully designed, and made to mark life’s most meaningful moments.
Coloured Gemstone Engagement Rings
For those seeking something beyond the traditional diamond, coloured gemstones offer a striking and expressive way to personalise an engagement ring. Each stone carries its own meaning through colour, symbolism and rarity, bringing richness and individuality to the final design.
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Sapphire engagement rings: Timeless and elegant, sapphires are known for their deep blue hues and enduring symbolism of loyalty, wisdom, and sincerity.
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Ruby engagement rings: With their rich red tones, rubies speak to passion, energy, and romantic intensity—perfect for those who want their ring to make a statement.
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Emerald engagement rings: Prized for their lush green colour, emeralds evoke growth, renewal, and timeless beauty.
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Coloured gemstone rings: Our broader collection features a range of vibrant and rare stones, from aquamarine to champagne diamonds, each offering something uniquely meaningful.
Coloured gemstones can be used as the focal point of a design or paired with diamonds for a more layered, personal effect. Whether set in vintage style halos or modern minimalist designs, these stones bring character and artistry to every ring.
Unique and Non-Traditional Styles
Beyond these timeless favourites, many couples are also drawn to engagement ring styles that offer something more personal and expressive. Nature-inspired designs, art deco motifs and vintage settings are just a few examples of how traditional craftsmanship can take on a more individual character.
Choosing the Right Metal
The metal you choose for an engagement ring shapes not only its appearance, but also how it lives with you over time. Each metal offers a unique aesthetic and practical advantage, so it’s worth considering how these qualities align with your partner’s style and lifestyle.
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Platinum is known for its strength and purity. Its naturally white tone enhances the brilliance of diamonds and makes it a popular choice for those seeking a sleek, modern look. Browse our full collection of platinum engagement rings to explore this timeless option.
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White gold offers a similar crisp finish with a slightly warmer undertone. It’s a versatile and elegant metal that works beautifully across classic and contemporary designs. Discover our range of white gold engagement rings to find your perfect match.
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Yellow gold brings a rich, traditional character that flatters many skin tones and pairs beautifully with vintage-inspired settings. It’s ideal for those who appreciate a timeless, romantic feel. Explore our selection of yellow gold engagement rings to see how this classic metal shines.
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Rose gold, with its soft, blush-pink hue, offers a fresh and feminine twist. Increasingly favoured for its romantic warmth, it pairs especially well with coloured gemstones and intricate designs. View our rose gold engagement rings to discover this elegant, modern favourite.
When choosing a metal, consider how it interacts with skin tone, complements the centre stone, and suits your partner’s daily lifestyle. For many, seeing the metals in person makes the decision easy and unforgettable.
Matching Metals to Skin Tone and Personal Style
The metal of an engagement ring plays a crucial role in how the entire piece comes together. While personal preference should always lead the way, choosing a metal that complements your partner’s skin tone can enhance both the stone and the hand it adorns.
Here’s a general guide to help refine your decision:
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Cool skin tones typically characterised by pink, red, or bluish undertones are beautifully enhanced by platinum and white gold. These metals emphasise brilliance and offer a sleek, contemporary finish.
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Warm skin tones with golden, yellow, or peach undertones tend to pair well with yellow gold and rose gold. These warmer metals bring a soft glow that harmonises with the skin rather than contrasting against it.
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Deep and rich skin tones offer a stunning canvas for all metal types, but yellow gold and rose gold especially stand out, creating a bold and luxurious contrast. White gold can also work elegantly when a cooler, more classic look is preferred.
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Olive and neutral tones offer flexibility. These complexions often suit both warm and cool metals, allowing the choice to come down to style preference or even a mix of metals for contrast and creativity.
Ultimately, the best metal is one that reflects your partner’s personality and feels right on their hand. When in doubt, draw inspiration from the jewellery they already love, or visit one of our showrooms to see the metals side by side on the skin.
Customising Your Engagement Ring
For those seeking something truly personal, a custom-made engagement ring offers the opportunity to create a piece that reflects your unique story. At Charles Rose, we specialise in designing handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to your story and style.
From selecting your ideal diamond to designing the setting and choosing custom features like hand engraving, our bespoke process ensures a ring is as unique as your relationship.
We also offer lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to mined stones, providing more flexibility while maintaining the same exceptional standards of craftsmanship and beauty.
Discover the Right Style for You
From solitaires and halos to more unconventional designs, engagement ring styles are as diverse as the people who wear them. Whether you favour tradition or want to craft something truly unique, there’s a perfect ring waiting to be found or created.
Explore our handcrafted engagement rings online or book a personalised consultation at our Melbourne or Geelong showrooms to begin designing a ring that’s uniquely yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular engagement ring style?
The classic solitaire continues to be the most sought after style, thanks to its timeless appeal and ability to showcase a single, dazzling diamond. However, halo and three-stone styles are quickly gaining popularity for those who want a bit more sparkle or symbolism in their design.
How do I choose the right engagement ring style for my partner?
Think about their personal style, do they wear minimal jewellery or prefer bold statement pieces? Consider their lifestyle: if they’re active or work with their hands, a low-set style or bezel setting might be more practical. Observe the metals and colours they wear most, and if you're unsure, discreetly ask close friends or family. Our experienced team is always available to guide you through this process with insight and care.
Can I customise an engagement ring to fit my budget?
Yes, absolutely. Our bespoke services allow you to tailor everything. From stone size and cut to metal type and setting, according to your desired price point. We also offer lab-grown diamonds, which are a beautiful and cost-effective alternative to mined stones. All of our diamonds, whether lab-grown or natural, are ethically sourced. If you want to learn more, you can read about our diamond sourcing and quality standards.
Are non-diamond engagement rings a good option?
Definitely. Many couples are embracing alternatives like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or aquamarine for their unique colours and symbolism. These stones can make your ring truly distinctive and often hold special significance for the wearer. We can help you explore gemstone options that reflect your personal story and style.