Classic Engagement Rings: 4 Styles To Know About

We often hear that our couples want a classic engagement ring. To some people, classic means simple, like a solitaire engagement ring or a three stone engagement ring. To others, classic means historic, like a halo ring or a pave diamond ring. However, I think what we can all agree on is that a classic engagement ring is the opposite of a trendy one. In other words, couples that want a classic engagement ring want something that will always be in style. So, let’s look at engagement ring trends over the years, and see why these four classic ring styles have stood the test of time!

Engagement Ring History

The first diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by the Archduke of Austria to his fiancee, Mary of Burgundy. I know, right? This goes way back! So, the first engagement ring trend was royal. However, as time went on, us common folk jumped on the bandwagon and wanted our own baubles too. Victorian couples (1837-1901) often chose colorful engagement rings, opting for amethyst, emerald, garnet, or sapphire in yellow or rose gold. Edwardian couples (1901-1910) began to increasingly favor mine cut diamonds, and often chose platinum. Our Art Deco era (1920s-1930s) continued in platinum, with Emerald and Asscher cuts reigning. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky, a Belgian mathematician, published a doctorate paper on the ideal faceting of Round diamonds. This paper helped diamond cutters all over the world maximize sparkle! Shortly thereafter, “A Diamond is Forever” really took off, and Americans have never looked back.

American Engagement Ring Trends 1950-Today

1950s & 1960s

Cocktail rings, platinum, & 3 stone rings

Americans in the 1950s & 1960s loved a great big cocktail ring. I’m talking HUGE. Big clusters of diamonds, giant gemstone boulders, you name it. Couples looking for a more classic appeal during this time chose three stone engagement rings, often with baguette side stones.

1970s & 1980s

Heavy metal, Marquise cuts, Yellow gold, & “Ballerina” Halo rings

The 1970s & 1980s brought on the Marquise craze and allll the Yellow gold. Most of the Marquise diamonds you see today were first given in the 1970s & 1980s – and they’re now reset into fabulous modern settings. The 1980s also sparked a huge trend for “ballerina” Halo rings, as Princess Diana was given her famous Blue Sapphire engagement ring in 1981!

1990s & 2000s

Clusters, Princess cuts, Pave diamonds, & Solitaire engagement rings

Couples in the 1990s and the early aughts favored square looks and flocked to cluster-style rings that gave a big look for less money. Vintage-inspired rings with pave diamonds, meant to look like those popular in the 20s, also regained attention. In the late 1990s, Tiffany announced a new square-shaped diamond called the Lucida, and paired it with a simple, thick, platinum band. This spurred a whole new appreciation for the Solitaire engagement ring, and people everywhere wanted it.

2010 – Today

Multiple halos, Rose gold, & Ideal Round diamonds

Couples today continue to want a big bang for their buck, but have moved away from the cluster style, in favor of a more classic Halo ring. Multiple Halos are currently all the rage. And Rose gold is having a moment! Princess cuts continue to be a popular choice – they are the second most requested diamond shape. Couples looking for a truly classic look, however, are returning to the Round brilliant. The technology we have today helps couples choose a diamond with perfect angles – Tolkowsky would be proud.

Classic Engagement Ring Style

So what we’ve learned from history is that you need the following in order to have a truly classic engagement ring:

• A center stone in a shape that isn’t “what everyone’s getting”
• A metal color that is always in fashion
• A style that is simple, clean, with high-end details

Shape

Two diamond shapes have been wildly popular for relatively brief periods of time in the past century: the Marquise and the Princess. The Marquise craze died in the early 1990s, and they have only recently begun resurfacing (in part due to high-end rings like Catherine Zeta-Jones’s). The Princess is still quite popular, though perhaps less so than in the 1990s and the early aughts. There have been no celebrity Princess cut engagement rings. As a result, the Princess cut could potentially lose its appeal in the future.

Bottom line: Couples looking for a classic engagement ring should stay away from “trendy” cuts, and instead choose a traditional shape, such as a Round, Cushion, or Emerald. These shapes have a long history of constant appeal.   

Metal Color

White and yellow metals have always been loved. That is because Gold is naturally yellow, and platinum is naturally white. So, these colors spark a feeling of quality and comfort. While Yellow gold was huge in the 1970s and 1980s, this was simply an increase from its typical fan base. Rose gold, however, has had a few peaks in popularity over the course of the last century, and then falls away.

Bottom line: Couples looking for a classic engagement ring should stay away from “trendy” color, and instead choose a traditionally colored metal, such as white or yellow. 

Ring Style

Because people so often want to express their personality or keep up with the Joneses, engagement ring styles over the years show a pattern of super-expressive style and over-done ornament. However, because these styles change so rapidly, rings which attempt these feats can look dated.

Bottom line: Couples looking for a classic engagement ring should stay away from anything that has multiple rows, multiple colors, or a lot of ornament. Instead, choose a clean, simple look with a special touch, such as engraving or a small “peekaboo” flair.

The Top 4 Classic Engagement Ring Styles

Classic Engagement Ring Style #1: Solitaire Engagement Ring

Of course, the number one classic engagement ring style is the Solitaire engagement ring. This style is simple and minimal, making the center stone the star of the show. Solitaire engagement rings for Round diamonds are regularly made with 4 prongs and 6 prongs. 6 prong Solitaire engagement rings will accentuate the Round shape of the stone, while 4 prong Solitaire engagement rings will give a more minimal look. Both are stunning!

Classic Engagement Ring Style #2: 3-Stone Diamond Ring

The three-stone diamond ring is another popular option, most recently chosen by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. A three stone engagement ring symbolizes your past, your present, and your future together. It may also symbolize the joining of two families into one, or the parents together with their children! Any way you slice it, three stone engagement rings are classic, timeless, and full of meaning.

Classic Engagement Ring Style #3: Pavé Diamonds

Another classic option is the pavé diamond ring. “Pavé” (pronounced pah-VAY) literally means diamonds paved into your band! As I originally hail from Boston, I tend to love this romantic notion, as it reminds me of my cobblestone streets. Pavé is a great choice for those who want a little extra sparkle in their engagement ring, but want to make sure the look remains timeless.

Engagement Ring Style #4: Simple Halo Ring

Some people think the Halo ring is a new trend, however, if you look back through history, it’s one of the most enduring designs out there. You just have to keep it simple. Overdoing a Halo can lead you to Joneses territory pretty fast. So, if you want a little extra bling, and like the look of a Halo ring, just keep it minimal. It will look gorgeous for the next century!

Can You Help Me Choose a Classic Engagement Ring?

For sure! I’ve been helping couples choose classic styles (and adding personal touches!) for about two decades at this point. My name is Corinne, write me here!