Three-stone settings offer both personality and additional sparkle. With the ability to create an original design, a three-stone ring is a beautiful, unique choice. This round cut engagement ring from James Allen, for example, is a timeless design, while this diamond and ruby ring is modern and colorful.
No matter which style you choose, be sure to purchase your ring from a reputable vendor. Based on our experience in the industry, we recommend Blue Nile, James Allen and Brian Gavin Diamonds.
Three-stone engagement rings have long been a favorite thanks to their extra stones and style. The three stones represent the past, present, and future of a relationship, and many couples find them to be the perfect choice to represent their journey together.
”A three stone engagement ring typically has one center diamond bordered on each side by another gem of the same size or smaller.” “In some designs, the center stone is a colored gem.” Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Here are the best three-stone diamond engagement rings with winning styles from the world’s most reliable vendors.
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Featuring two emerald shaped diamonds on either side of the center stone, this ring feels like royalty. Consider a rose gold or yellow gold for contrast against your diamond, or choose white gold for a more understated look.
Crafted with an elevated design, this ring combines straight lines and robust character. It’s great for a partner who wants to highlight the center stone with brilliance.
For a modern look, consider this exquisite bezel setting. Three stones are securely held in place, making it great for those with an active lifestyle or hands-on job.
Small flourishes make this three-stone diamond ring the beauty that it is. With pear side stones and soft sweeping lines, this design is perfect for those who want a little extra feminine detail.
The juxtaposition of trapezoid side stones and a round center stone gives this ring alluring visual contrast. Choose a rose or yellow gold for added dimension or opt for platinum for a more subdued look.
Combine the brilliance of a halo with the texture and style of a three stone ring. Its bold design makes a serious statement.
Searching for the perfect ring involves knowing what you like, finding a quality design, and choosing a reliable vendor. Here’s how to narrow down your search and find the best three-stone engagement ring for your budget and style.
Whether you love halos, vintage detailing, or sleek lines, focus on what engagement ring style matches your tastes best. If you appreciate antique items or prefer modern flair, consider rings that complement that aesthetic. You might end up with a traditional diamond ring or one with more personality, and either is OK.
Keep your lifestyle in mind too. If you’re active outdoors or have a hands-on job, consider a secure, low-profile setting like a channel or bezel ring. It’s less likely to snag on something or get damaged.
The center stone shape and side stones shapes play a huge role in the design and style of your ring. Consider round brilliant and oval shapes for a more classic or traditional look. Opt for a princess or radiant cut if you want a modern vibe. Or play with other unique shapes like a marquise diamond or heart-shaped stone for something truly unique.
Be sure to match your stone with a setting style that offers safety and security.
Precious metal color accentuates the diamond in different ways. White gold and platinum offer a more cohesive look with a higher diamond color, while rose gold and yellow gold give contrast. 14K and 18K gold are both durable metals that hold up well with everyday wear. Platinum offers more durability but is also more expensive.
A colorless diamond is a classic center stone, while a colored diamond or gemstone offers an eye-catching element. White diamonds never go out of style, but a gemstone can also be a treasured piece.
More than any other feature, diamond cut plays the biggest role in a diamond’s beauty and brilliance. We strongly recommend only considering Excellent and Ideal cut diamonds for your center stone. Reducing your carat weight to get a better cut is a wise use of your budget. A smaller, more brilliant diamond far outperforms a large dull stone.
Choosing a trustworthy vendor is critical to ensuring you receive a quality piece of jewelry for the price. In our years of experience, we’ve found a few vendors that stand far above the rest.
James Allen and Blue Nile have huge inventories of beautiful diamond rings at excellent prices. Brian Gavin Diamonds is another reputable vendor with designer three-stone rings and super ideal cut diamonds. Leibish & Co. is great for colored gemstone and diamond alternatives.
Three-stone engagement rings differ from solitaire engagement rings in several ways, from their appearance to their price:
Solitaire Engagement Ring | Three-Stone Engagement Ring |
Simple yet elegant appearance with just one diamond or gemstone. | Contains one large center stone (usually a diamond) with smaller side diamonds or colored gemstones. |
Center diamond as the center of attention, with no side diamonds or gemstones to distract from its beauty. | Side diamonds or gemstones can often complement the center diamond but may clash with it if poorly paired. |
Almost always the least expensive type of engagement ring setting. | Significantly more expensive than a solitaire setting, especially if the setting features large side diamonds or gemstones. |
Available in all precious metals, from 14K and 18K gold to platinum. Doesn’t contain pavé or halo diamonds. | Also available in all precious metals. Many three-stone settings also feature pavé or halo diamonds. |
Easy to clean and maintain due to simple, single-stone design. | May require more maintenance and care than a solitaire engagement ring. |
A good choice if you want a simple, timeless engagement ring that looks elegant but won’t attract unwanted attention. | A good choice if you want to add your own personal touch, whether via a birthstone or colored gemstones, to an engagement ring. |
A three-stone engagement ring represents the past, present, and future of a relationship. Many three-stone designs feature diamonds, while others include gemstones such as sapphires or rubies. Three-stone rings are popular and offer an opportunity to make a personal statement.
The three-stone setting is a unique and versatile setting. Many people choose a three-stone setting because they can personalize it. You have the option to choose similar-sized diamonds, diamonds of different shapes and sizes, or colorful side stones like emeralds (such as this gorgeous 2.2mm wire basket ring setting from James Allen), rubies and other birthstones.
Three-stone settings work well with any shaped diamond but often look best with Round Brilliants, Radiant Cuts, Cushions, Princess Cuts and Emerald Cuts. When designing a three-stone ring, it’s important that the stones complement each other, rather than clash or distract from the center stone. If you’re unsure what three-stone ring to choose, reach out to our experts.
Three-stone rings can be stunning and beautiful but aren’t right for everyone.
Throughout our years in the industry, we’ve closely vetted diamond sellers to determine the best and most reliable in the business. Rather than worry that a vendor is overcharging you, you can rest easy.
The diamond dealers below are reputable. They have high-quality collections of diamonds and settings at excellent prices. All diamonds come with an AGS or GIA certificate—allowing you to trust what they’re selling you.
Three-stone engagement rings cost anywhere from $500 to $15,000 or more for the setting alone, depending on the precious metal, side stones, and detailing. The greater the carat weight of the side stones and the more intricate the craftsmanship, the higher the price tends to be.
A three-stone engagement ring is worth between $500 and $50,000 or more depending on the carat weight of your diamonds and the setting style. The better the cut quality of your stone and the higher the carat weight, the more your ring is worth.
But it’s important to remember that you won’t make money or break even when you sell your ring. On average, sellers tend to see a loss of about 12% of the price they originally paid.
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