Non-Traditional Engagement Rings For Every Type Of Bride

When envisioning an engagement ring, many people instantly think of the classic gold or silver band with a large diamond front and center. This traditional engagement ring is a stunning choice, but it's certainly not the only choice. In fact, while this look has held its ground for decades as the classic idea of what an engagement ring is, many couples are choosing to throw it out the window and replace it with a nontraditional engagement ring. 

The beauty of weddings and marriage nowadays is that there's much more flexibility in personalizing it to reflect you and your partner. You can mold each moment and experience to align with your values and personal tastes. For example, many brides are swapping out wedding dresses for bridal jumpsuits for a more modern look. 

The same can be done with an engagement ring. It could be something as simple as off-centering a diamond or adding a second gemstone. Moreover, you could swap out a white diamond for an emerald, pearl, or aquamarine stone — or perhaps a jet-black diamond has always been the definition of nuptial ring perfection for you. The list goes on, but the most important thing is that the lucky person who gets to slip one of these alternative engagement rings onto their finger will adore that it feels more like them. 

Skip the classic white diamond and go for a blush-toned gem instead. Pink diamonds are playful and offer more color than plain white versions. This hue also looks lovely when placed in a gold, silver, or white gold setting. Bold enough on its own but equally gorgeous when complemented with other diamonds or stones, it's a great starting point for a partner who wants a non-traditional engagement ring and loves a little pop of color. 

A rose-cut diamond looks far different from the standard cushion, princess, and single-facet cuts you're used to seeing. Rather than a sole facet that takes the spotlight, this cut features multiple facets on the front, giving it ample dimension and plenty of opportunities for the light to hit it and make it glimmer. It's a stunning silhouette when set in a simple band but looks equally phenomenal when surrounded by clusters or a halo of diamonds. 

For the person who loves being outside, something inspired by nature will fit perfectly into their life. There are a variety of engagement rings that meet this brief and numerous ways to get creative with it. The ring could feature diamond leaves or petals wrapping around the band or the singular, show-stopping diamond that's front and center could be in the shape of a flower. A diamond can also be swapped out for an emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, or another gemstone that has colors reminiscent of natural objects like the ocean, flowers, or plants.

Opt for a pop of green in your engagement ring with an emerald. There's no better way to tweak a traditional engagement ring than by replacing the central stone. This is because it still reflects the style of a traditional version, but the components are completely customized. This stone was long ago believed to bring forward the truth and cast away false vows from partners, making it a lovely choice for asking someone to spend their life with you.

Can't decide on just one stone? Opt for two gems in different shapes for side-by-side contrast that catches the eye. Chunkier engagement rings are already trendy, so you might as well make it your own. When set next to one another, a ring is considered a toi et moi style, which translates from French into "you and me." It's a lovely way to signify the two of you entering a lifelong relationship.

Typically, one diamond is the center of attention on an engagement ring, but a ring encrusted with numerous jewels is flashy and bold. Dotting the outside of a band, the entire circumference of the finger gets a flashy accessory. It could be that a classic band is embedded with gems or that the band itself is comprised entirely of gemstones. Anything this glimmery and bright is perfect for partners who can't get enough sparkle. To take it up a notch, swap out the white or yellow gold band for a rose gold band.

Another way to gently adapt a standard ring into a non-traditional engagement ring is by playing with the size and layout of the diamonds. Instead of a sole diamond or one that's haloed with a smaller sprinkling of gems, try a cluster engagement ring consisting of various sizes of diamonds and/or other jewels. It looks more artistic and has more movement aesthetically but doesn't lose any elegance. Having the diamonds taper from the center onto the band is delicate and stunning, and in a way, it can feel less formal than using diamonds of the same size.

Wrap a classic white diamond with a halo of black diamonds for an engagement ring with a unique twist. This is perfect for treading into unique territory without committing to a fully black diamond (which is cool, too). A halo is usually comprised of a plain metal frame or made of diamonds, so this completely rethinks the look. You can also opt for a hidden halo, which sits just beneath the main diamond and can be spotted from a side angle. This creates a fun pop of contrast and color — and an element of surprise. 

Love the look of black? Skip the idea of simply opting for a black halo and select a black diamond as the main gem for some major drama. It may come as a surprise, but black diamonds are actually a natural stone, though jewelers often boost the colors of those found in engagement rings to make them look more enticing. They're still diamonds but much more saturated in color, making them a captivating option to propose with. 

Traditional engagement rings typically feature a central stone that's perfectly positioned alongside other gems in precisely identical sizes. To buck the trend and create something a little more intriguing, opt for an off-center diamond. This is a fresh spin on how diamonds are normally set and consists of one diamond (or several) floating off to the side of the band. What sounds like a very small edit results in a very impactful change that looks far more unique than what newlyweds-to-be often wear. 

Engagement rings tend to protrude from the finger, which is fine for many wearers but not ideal for others. This is when a flat-profile engagement ring comes in handy. Anyone who doesn't enjoy a bulky ring or folks in jobs that require less four-dimensional jewelry (like medical workers) may love a ring that lies closer to the finger. A ring in this style is less bulky but still brings plenty of sparkle. They also come in numerous styles, whether your partner loves vintage-inspired jewelry or something more modern.

Choose a ring that has artfully stacked diamonds for something that feels and looks different. This goes beyond the oft-seen halo or diamond-encrusted bands and includes designs in various abstract patterns or unique settings with stacks. To achieve this look, opting for a baguette-cut diamond can be a good choice due to its shape being easily stackable. The square-faceted shape stacks flawlessly and much more neatly than rounded gemstones. This look will appeal to soon-to-be fiancés who love antique-inspired twists on modern jewelry. 

Swap out the diamond for a pearl for a very different take on an engagement ring. Pearls come in a variety of colors and offer their own kind of muted glow  — perfect for sitting front and center on a ring. For buyers interested in something a touch flashier, additional gems can be added around the perimeter of the opaque gem to create a piece that's special and truly unlike a traditional diamond ring. 

Floral rings are an elegant and refreshing spin on a classic engagement ring. They're perfect for people who love nature or folks who love the regal and elegant symbol of a flower. Seek out a flower that means something to your partner or select the tried and true classics like a rose or magnolia. Symbolically, magnolias symbolize good fortune, which is useful for any marriage. Additionally, they point to strong feminine vitality, which is a lovely sentiment, too.

Shake things up with a ring that has flecks of black and a hazy hue. A smoky diamond is a fascinating stone to ogle over — it's not as opaque as a black diamond but has more interesting traits than a crystal-clear white diamond. It truly shines on a silver or white gold band. The stone catches attention by itself, but to level up the overall aesthetic, a salt-and-pepper diamond looks lovely with other diamonds hugging its shape. 

Neatly lined up, a ring with a row of diamonds is a cool spin on the one-gemstone ring tradition. It could be an engagement ring, a wedding band, or the perfect summation of both for partners who may not want to wear two rings. To maintain some traditional ring aspects, stick with the usual yellow and white gold band and diamonds. Or, you can mix things up with a band that holds diamonds or gems of different colors. The most important factor is having it match the tastes of your partner for a winning engagement ring.

This mixes two gorgeous types of gemstones into one ring for something your partner won't be able to stop staring at. You could opt for a toi et moi style, which has one of each type of stone set next to each other, or you could have something designed that uniquely incorporates the two stones in another way. This could be something Art Deco-inspired with baguette cuts stacked atop one another, or it could be a band lined with several types of gems.

This lavender-toned gemstone is a gorgeous alternative to a diamond. While a bright purple stone might come to mind, amethyst comes in various tones and shades, including reds and light and deep purple shades that are regal and attention-grabbing. An engagement ring featuring one (or many) of these stones will cater to a partner who adores color or craves something out of the ordinary. Folks born in February may enjoy this ring even more due to this gem being their birthstone.