A unique engagement ring is a ring with uncommon elements, such as a double halo, a fancy shaped diamond or colored gemstone. Unique engagement rings represent a specific personal style and look different than other engagement rings. For example, this unique three-stone ruby engagement ring from James Allen features emerald cut stones, diamond halos, and a split shank setting.
There’s a broad range of unique engagement ring styles, from vintage designs like this hexagon baguette diamond engagement ring from Blue Nile to tension settings like this intricate round cut engagement ring from James Allen. The most popular unique engagement ring settings are vintage and halo rings. You can also find designer engagement rings. Unique engagement rings may also feature colored diamonds or gemstones, like this fancy yellow cushion cut engagement ring from Leibish & Co. or this double ruby oval ring.
To find beautiful unique engagement rings, handpick your gemstones and setting. Depending on your budget, you can also request that a designer make you a one-of-a-kind ring.
For another example of a unique stone engagement ring, check out this stunner of a bezel set pavé halo engagement ring at James Allen:
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The oval 0.67 carat green emerald is surrounded by diamonds forming a simple halo in addition to a diamond-lined shank. What we love is that even though the setting itself is not that unique, the emerald in the middle gives it a far less traditional look. It’s a great example of how even the simplest change can be thoughtfully arranged into something completely original.
To determine which unique engagement ring is the best fit for you, consider a few main factors:
Here’s a breakdown of the most unique styles of Engagement Rings (with their features). These features will help you narrow down on the style you prefer and look for Engagement Rings in that Category.
Vintage engagement rings
Halo engagement rings
Tension engagement rings
Three-stone engagement rings
Designer engagement rings
The cost of unique engagement rings can be anywhere from $1,200 to $20,000 or more, based on your carat weight, setting style and other features. The prices for unique engagement rings can be similar to conventional engagement rings, but can also be more depending on the design. For example, if the setting is more intricate, you have big diamond halos, or include expensive side stones, your ring cost goes up. For example, this floral halo engagement ring from James Allen costs $1,730 while this larger carat weight designer ring costs $6,670.
The average amount a couple spends on an engagement ring remains the same with unique engagement rings: somewhere between $5,000-$7,500. Choosing a unique engagement ring is more about design preference than paying more. As with any engagement ring, the price depends on the diamond and its cut quality, precious metal, and setting design.
To help you narrow down unique engagement rings to choose from, we compiled a list of setting styles with price ranges. The price categories are based on the average amount a couple spends on an engagement ring, including the minimum and maximum costs for each setting type. No matter your budget, you can find an extraordinary engagement ring that matches your partner’s style.
From solitaire to vintage designs, here are the most unique engagement rings by price. For each ring, you can change the precious metal to white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum.
Note: Prices reflect the setting only. You’ll need to choose a specific diamond or gemstone to complete the ring and determine the total cost.
Add flair with a vintage touch. From simple to elaborate, here are the most unique vintage engagement rings. There are stylish options for every budget.
Vintage Rings under $1000
Vintage Rings between $1500-$2000
Vintage Rings under $3000
With a halo, smaller diamonds surround your center stone. Your central diamond looks larger and your ring has more character. Here are the most stunning halo engagement rings by price range.
Halo Rings under $1000
Halo Rings between $1500-$2000
Halo Rings under $3000
Renowned ring designers like Verragio and Jeff Cooper craft engagement rings that are stunning and unique. From simple rings to more complex styles, here are the best unique designer engagement rings.
Designer Rings under $1000
Designer Rings between $1500-$2000
Designer Rings under $3000
With a trio of stones, these engagement rings offer more options for personalization. You can choose colored gemstones as your side stones or diamonds of different shapes. Check out these three-stone engagement rings by price range for inspiration.
Three Stone Rings between $1500-$2000
Three Stone Rings under $3000
Solitaire engagement rings are timeless but they don’t have to be standard. With detailing like milgrain and etching, turn a classic ring into a standout piece. No matter your price range, you can find a solitaire your partner will proudly showcase.
Solitaire Rings under $500
Solitaire Rings under $1000
Solitaire Rings between $1500-$2000
Solitaire Rings under $3000
The best place to buy unique engagement rings is from a reputable online vendor. These vendors offer the lowest prices because they have low overhead costs. Throughout our years of experience, we’ve vetted several online and bricks and mortar vendors. The companies we recommend below offer top-quality diamonds, gemstones, and settings at excellent prices.
While it may seem trendy to find unique engagement rings on sites that sell vintage rings, the quality will simply not be there. With unique engagement rings, you want to be sure each component is built to last, especially with multiple diamonds or a pavé band.
Here are the top vendors for unique engagement rings:
James Allen (← Click to Visit Site)
Blue Nile (← Click to Visit Site)
Brian Gavin Diamonds (← Click to Visit Site)
Abe Mor (← Click to Visit Site)
Leibish (← Click to Visit Site)
Your ring choice may not be basic, but it’s still critical you follow all the proper steps, according to our experts. Time-tested advice holds true no matter the ring, stone or era:
While we certainly support taking a step off the beaten path, it’s still vital to stick with trusted retailers. No one wants to find out that perfect Art Deco piece is actually worthless. Have the ring appraised by a professional. James Allen is one such retailer who packages your ring with a lab report and appraisal.
Related content: Everything you need to know about diamond appraisals.
A new wave of ring buyers are seeking something more unique and personal without compromising on quality. Jewelers are responding, showcasing more varied, antique and vintage rings — or just plain one-of-a-kind rings — for every taste and budget.
For example, shoppers with online jeweler Blue Nile can now choose between a range of memorable details, from beaded-edge milgrain to hand-engraved elements. Even a quick tour of their site shows that while rose gold is an easy trend to scoff at, it’s still holding firm throughout 2018. There seems no better representation of this unusual color choice than Blue Nile’s Monique Lhuillier (of wedding dress fame) Petal Garland diamond engagement ring in 18k Rose Gold (1/2 ct. tw).
Related content: More vintage engagement ring choices at Blue Nile.
Joanna Hardy, a UK-based expert, tells the Telegraph newspaper that millennial ring buyers are driving the trend toward more unique engagement pieces, seeking greater individuality. The same shift has been noted among older couples who are getting married for the second time. With more maturity behind the buying process, these couples are also driving the need for more breadth of choice.
Still, traditionalists need not fear. “Brides aren’t necessarily pulling away from tradition, but more so are making tradition their own,” Gurki Basra, senior buyer of jewelry and watches at Barneys New York, explains to Glamour magazine.
Even Princess Diana, considered by many to be the ultimate storybook bride, wore a completely original — and even controversial — engagement ring.
Instantly recognized across the globe and now gracing Duchess Kate Middleton’s ring finger, Diana chose an iconic ring with 14 solitaire diamonds, a 12-carat blue Ceylon sapphire with an oval shape, and a distinctive white gold band.
What’s so interesting here to diamond experts is that it actually wasn’t custom made for the late Princess of Wales. It was expensive, to be sure, but in reality was simply “off-the-shelf” — featured in the ring maker’s catalogue — which really set royal tongues a-wagging.
When thinking ahead to what trends will be meaningful in 2021, we’re expecting many brides-to-be to show off more unusual shapes than colors like this 7.25 ct black and pave diamond flower ring at Leibish — a completely unique alternative to the typical solitaire.
And since we know that celebrity proposals (and rings!) make a lot of headlines and launch trends, we too watched as pop icon Justin Bieber proposed to model Hailey Baldwin. The 6 to 10 carat ring, according to People magazine, was custom made to best show off the shape of Hailey’s hands.
We’ve all heard the saying money can’t buy love, yet we tend to completely stress out when it comes to budgeting for engagement rings.
You definitely do not have to spend a mint to get a show-stopping ring. One way to find an affordable one-of-a-kind engagement ring is to build your own. This way you can focus more of your budget on the elements you and your partner actually care most about.
At Leibish & Co color is one element that is full display leading into 2019, from “argyle” to “chameleon” and many more options, including several for single diamonds under $1,000. In all, don’t be afraid to buck the phrase that you need two months salary in order to make a ring purchase.
Shape is also a factor you won’t necessarily need to compromise on when it comes to the ring of your dreams. You can also consider how the ring might interact with the wedding band, like an antique halo design that is “stackable” which allows it to fit snugly against the band for less than a grand.
On James Allen or Blue Nile you can browse endlessly for options, from heart shapes to euro cuts. We’re currently big fans of the yellow diamonds at Leibish, like this yellow cushion cut diamond pave style.
It manages to be slightly on the classic side but with a strong modern element reflected in the choice of color.
Unique engagement rings are here to stay. From east-west settings to unusual color choices, there’s never been a better time to step outside of the mainstream and focus on pairing your ring selection with deeply personal creative expression. And again, don’t be afraid to ask questions and insist on the same level of quality you’d expect from any gem-based transaction. Like your love, you’ll want this investment in time and money to last a lifetime.
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A diamonds' price is determined primarily by the 4 Cs of the diamond. On the wholesale level, diamond prices are first based on a diamond shape and s
Over the last ten years I have secret shopped thousands of engagement ring retailers (usually with Annie, or another one of our diamond consultants).
1ct round cut petite side-stone diamond ring in yellow gold from Blue Nile A wide range of 1 carat diamonds exist both in online markets and local
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