The Fashion Girl’s Guide To Alternative Engagement Rings

For jewelry buffs, it is a well-known fact that the trend for diamond solitaire engagement rings is actually a new phase. For millennials who grew up watching the A-listers of the 1990s and 2000s tie the knot with identikit round rocks, it seems impossible to think that a perfectly matched white-gold band and brilliant-cut diamond duo weren’t always the go-to symbol of getting hitched. However, it wasn’t until 1947, thanks to one of the most successful marketing slogans of all time, that diamonds became the gemstone of choice for engagement rings. Before De Beers declared in its now-legendary advertising campaign that ‘A Diamond Is Forever’, proposals featured a plethora of colored gems, clusters of miniature diamonds and even delicate pearls. Now, less than a century later, the tide is turning and brides-to-be are once again craving designs that deviate from the mid-century stencil.

Leading the charge are, of course, those whose rings are on show for all the world to see. Taylor Swift, who undoubtedly wins the award for most prominent proposal of 2025, famously chose a neo-vintage design featuring an antique Old Mine cut diamond with an elaborately engraved yellow-gold setting – a far cry from a basic round stone with a sparkly band. Her diamond’s gentle curves were echoed by Zoë Kravitz’s engagement ring, which has an elongated cushion-cut diamond framed by a minimalist yellow-gold bezel setting. Similarly, Zendaya said ‘yes’ to Tom Holland with a cushion-cut diamond positioned East to West in a Georgian button-back setting by Jessica McCormack, while Dua Lipa recently wed Callum Turner wearing her diamond cigar band engagement ring – a thick gold setting that sees the stone sit flush against the skin.

If you’re looking for a style that will similarly set you apart from the standard of left-hand ring selfies this summer, these are the unique wedding jewels that are perfect for the fashion bride.

Lucy Delius is a British fine-jewelry designer who turns to original Victorian artisanry to inspire her neo-vintage jewels, using blackened rhodium to create a contrast between white, gray and dusky diamonds and give them an authentic antique feel. Her ‘Insignia’ ring is one of her bolder designs, featuring a sensational oval step-cut diamond, bezel-set within an audacious, almost architectural 18-karat yellow gold band. For those seeking a piece that feels similarly antique but a little less bold, Ileana Makri is another brand that uses blackened gold settings to create pieces that look like they’ve lived a hundred years but are fresh off the bench, such as this ‘Atlantis’ style – a stunning design that spotlights an emerald-cut aquamarine surrounded by scores of diamonds.

The king of composing contemporary diamond creations, Athenian designer Nikos Koulis crafts engagement rings that feel as dynamic as they do dazzling. This exquisite piece features a pear-cut diamond that’s prong-set to appear as if it’s floating above the wide band and looks elegant stacked alongside a slim wedding ring. David Morris’s ‘Frozen Kiss’ engagement ring feels similarly kinetic with a slightly more heritage feel – its 18-karat white gold design is set with almost two carats of scintillating diamonds to celebrate every kind of love story.

The most popular colored stones for proposals? Blue and green-toned gems, such as sapphires and emeralds, which tend to suit everyone. Those seeking an ultra-imposing stone will be hypnotized by Marlo Laz’s ‘La Salina’ cocktail ring – a bombé-style setting that houses an enchanting indicolite jewel intended to echo the lapping waves of the Mediterranean – perfect for jet-set proposals. For those looking for a paler-toned piece, Irene Neuwirth’s brushed gold ‘Gem Drop’ ring features an emerald-cut emerald in a spring-green tone that can’t fail to prompt the perfect ‘yes’.