Are you curious about the engagement ring style that would suit you and your wardrobe the best? We’ve put together 6 beautiful setting designs, and one of them could be your perfect match. Tally up your answers to the questions below to find out what your engagement ring style is and get a quick history lesson on each of the styles featured. But hey—no cheating!
Questions
1. What do you usually have for breakfast?
A) A green smoothie (open shank)
B) Artisanal coffee (channel)
C) Oatmeal with fruit (three-stone)
D) Bacon and eggs (solitaire)
E) A full continental breakfast (halo)
F) Coffee with a croissant fresh from the bakery (antique filigree)
2. Which is your favorite smartphone app?
A) VSCO: I’m a visual person and I love playing with photographs
B) Snapchat: I love watching everyone’s Snapchat stories and seeing what they’re up to.
C) Twitter: It’s my favorite way to get my news and share my thoughts with my followers at the same time.
D) Facebook: Those viral videos keep me entertained and I like having all my contacts in one place
E) Tumblr: My aesthetic/poetry blog is my escape from the daily grind.
F) Instagram: I love looking through everyone’s posts and curating my own grid.
3. Choose your ideal city to vacation in:
A) Singapore: It’s such a beautiful, modern city and a less-common tourist spot.
B) Tokyo: The culture is so fresh and vibrant, and the efficient transportation system makes it easy to get around.
C) New York City: With all its different neighborhoods and its wealth of history, New York would be like visiting a dozen cities at once!
D) London: I want to dive into this city’s classically posh atmosphere.
E) Paris: The City of Love! I’d be remiss to pass up a vacation in such a lovely, romantic city.
F) Istanbul: This city has such a rich history, and the amazing art and architecture is a major plus.
4. What’s your favorite book genre?
A) Science fiction: Creative world-building is my weak spot.
B) Celebrity biography: I love knowing what my favorite artists are all about!
C) Mystery/Thriller: This is genre is a tried and true example of how gripping complex stories can be.
D) Poetry: I’m a fan of symbolism and I like paying close attention to form.
E) Romance: The mushy emotional stuff is right up my alley.
F) Classical fiction: Bring me back to the age of swordfights, balls, and fancy clothes!
5. Pick a puppy:
A) Borzoi: They have such a unique look!
B) Maltese: They’re adorable, and they’re hypoallergenic.
C) Cocker spaniel: What’s good enough for Queen Victoria is good enough for me.
D) Golden Retriever: Who can resist such an affectionate and playful breed?
E) Poodle: They’re such beautiful, refined dogs.
F) Chihuahua: They’re so small and cute!
6. Finally, where will your wedding take place?
A) Theme park: I want my guests to have fun!
B) Garden: Garden weddings are so elegant and beautiful.
C) Museum: I’d love to be surrounded by art on my wedding day.
D) Library: Books are such a comfort to me and I’d love to be wed in a room full of them.
E) Beach: A casual wedding at the beach would be perfect!
F) Castle: I can’t pass up the grandeur of a beautiful, historic castle
Tally up your answers!
MOSTLY As: The Split Shank Ring
The split shank ring refers to the style in which the band separates as it approaches the stone of the ring and puts the stone at the center of a fluid display. Like a split shank-style ring, you are the type to go with the flow. You’re a bold and unconventional person who likes taking risks. As such, your closet is full of bright colors and daring patterns. Your favorite pieces are regulars within the glossy pages of avant-garde fashion magazines, and like this lively-looking ring, your outfits are always camera-ready.
The split shank ring has only recently started receiving the attention that it deserves. This versatile engagement ring setting is thoroughly modern, and has been enjoyed by Hollywood A-listers like Queen Bey herself. The split shank trend started its upward trajectory in 2015 and continues to gain popularity because of the flexibility with which one could design this contemporary setting. An ultra-customizable ring like this one is a great fit for today’s personalization craze.
MOSTLY Bs: The Channel Set Ring
Full of geometric details and strong lines, channel setting rings have multiple stones held together by the band in an elegant row. Like a channel setting–style ring, you’re bold and versatile, which puts you at the forefront of every modern trend. You’re organized, concise, and practical without ever being boring, and the same goes for your wardrobe. You’re not afraid to play with unique textures, and stripes are your best friend. This ring’s robust geometric shape meshes perfectly with your edgy style.
The channel setting ring has been a popular choice for a long time; it has been in high demand since the age of Art Deco, when strong structures and bold lines reigned supreme, both in architecture and in jewelry. Over the years, the utilitarian design of channel rings has flexed to fit the proclivities of ring enthusiasts, much as the styles of the age evolved. Even Marilyn Monroe, a fixture of the 1950s, wore a classic, channel-set eternity band. These days, however, gone are the traditional rigid lines of classic channel rings: in their place come the curved, feminine designs that make modern channel setting rings unique.
MOSTLY Cs: The Three-Stone Ring
Three-stone rings are exactly what they sound like: instead of one large center stone, these rings feature three stones side by side. This classic style has been around for decades and because of the many ways it can be shaped and set, it has always been au courant. This versatile setting is always interesting without sacrificing its roots in tradition, just like you! You will always find a way to make a timeless little black dress or tailored suit interesting. Your personal touch is one of sleek sophistication, and you’re economic with splashes of color. This balanced but luxurious ring style will perfectly complement your wardrobe’s refined simplicity.
The three-stone setting has been used since Edwardian times, but it has only been used for engagement rings since 2001, when famed diamond company DeBeers marketed three-stone diamond rings as symbols of the “past, present, and future” of the couples who wear them. This genius marketing scheme has, in turn, become reality; three-stone rings are ascribed with significant meaning, often referring to the past-present-future idea, but also to “friendship, love, and fidelity”. Either way, this particular setting is incredibly sentimental and incredibly beautiful. Loved by the likes of Nicole Kidman and Sofia Vergara, this setting allows you to take advantage of the brilliance of three perfectly cut stones.
MOSTLY Ds: The Solitaire Set Ring
When people think of engagement rings, this is the style that often comes to mind. Solitaire rings are the epitome of classic engagement ring styles, and for good reason. Their simple style puts the focus on the center stone and gives it the attention it deserves. This timeless setting resonates with tradition, but allows for a personal touch in the details. Like a solitaire ring, you appreciate the simple things in life. While you might lean more towards a traditional, uncomplicated lifestyle, you never let that spark of individuality that decorates your character (and your wardrobe) fizzle out. Simple, classic pieces like white cotton blouses and trim suits lay the foundation for each of your outfits, but what really makes them pop are the items that you add to them that distinctly reflect your dazzling personality. Your wardrobe’s captivating minimalism, like the classic solitaire ring that complements it, will never go out of style.
This setting has been used practically since time immemorial, since it is the simplest and most effective way of showing off a beautiful center stone. The minimalism of the solitaire setting makes it easily customizable so that each iteration is deeply personal to whoever wears it. As such, some of the most famous rings in history are solitaire rings: Elizabeth Taylor’s 29.4-carat diamond ring was a solitaire, as well as Mia Farrow’s pear-shaped ring from Frank Sinatra.
MOSTLY Es: The Halo Ring
Halo rings feature a single center stone with a “halo” of smaller stones surrounding it. This vintage-style setting allows its precious stones to shine vividly and draws the attention of every discerning eye. With your feminine personal style, this ring’s brilliant sparkle will pair excellently with anything in your wardrobe. The simplicity and luster of this style works best with pieces with soft, romantic designs—think flowy tops, floral patterns, and lots of lace. Your wardrobe is a healthy mix of simple, classic items and more eye-catching statement pieces. You’re no stranger to playing with color, but the outfits you put together are always the perfect balance between sentimental and striking. Halo rings are perfect for the romantic fashionista with a taste for the limelight.
The halo setting has a long and storied history that began in the Georgian era, but the setting didn’t truly make its mark until it started increasing in popularity during Queen Victoria’s reign. It maintained its upward trajectory through the 1920s, when Art Deco designs were infused into the setting, then faltered a bit as World War II began. The halo setting was resurrected in the 1960s and plateaued for some decades until Princess Diana chose a stunning sapphire engagement ring with diamonds set in a halo around the generous center stone and cemented the halo setting’s classic status. This setting not only showcases the center stone and makes it appear larger, but it also maximizes the overall brilliance of the ring.
MOSTLY Fs: The Antique Filigree Ring
An antique filigree ring has ornate details soldered onto the band and often the setting of the center stone. These delicate curves give the ring a unique texture that evokes the romantic intricacy of the past. Like a filigree ring, you revel in the details. You’re an old soul who probably fancies themselves cut from the same cloth as one of history’s iconic figures, like Eleanor Roosevelt, for example. You tend to be attracted to vintage pieces with a delicate, worn-in feel to them. Your wardrobe is probably brimming with pieces from thrift shops, consignment stores, or vintage shops, but even with the modern inclinations of today’s crowd, you make that traditional style work.
Antique filigree rings are the most delicate and intricately-set pieces on this list. Their creation requires jewelers to spend countless hours engraving filigree details into the band or soldering tiny milgrain elements onto the metal. Because of the laborious nature of this setting, many jewelers stopped making them until the ability to entrust a computer to laser-etch the intricate motifs on metal became possible. Authentic, hand-carved antique filigree rings tend to date back to the 1910s and 1920s, which is when they were popular. Sometimes referred to as Edwardian or Art Deco rings, antique filigree rings are rather large so the elaborate geometric motifs evocative of the popular designs of the era can be incorporated into the band and head of the piece.
For more examples of different kinds of engagement ring settings, visit our guide here.