Selecting an engagement ring style may be the hardest part of buying an engagement ring. For guidance, think about the types of clothing and accessories your significant other gravitates towards—this should give you some clues as to whether they’d prefer a ring that’s classic, modern, unique, glamorous or some combination of those styles. Make sure to stay alert to any hints your partner might be dropping! If you two have discussed an engagement, there’s a good chance their preferences are saved to a Pinterest board or shared with one of their close friends.

How to Select a Setting

We highly recommend doing some sleuthing on your partner’s personal style preferences before purchasing an engagement ring, but we can say that the following ring styles are some of the most popular we are seeing going into 2021! If you are set on surprising your future fiancé with the ring and don’t want to accidentally hint that you will be proposing soon, the following settings are likely to be a hit.

Waverly Diamond Ring

This halo setting features scalloped pavé diamonds that encircle the center gem and adorn the band. A diamond-encrusted gallery makes this ring truly spectacular and adds extra sparkle to your center diamond.

Petite Twisted Vine Diamond Ring

This beautiful nature-inspired ring features a shimmering strand of pavé diamonds entwined with a lustrous ribbon of precious metal.

Luxe Viviana Diamond Ring

This classic engagement ring features sparkling scalloped pavé diamonds that extend three-fourths of the way around the ring. A diamond adorned gallery and graceful claw prongs embrace the center gem.

Should You Choose a Diamond or a Gemstone?

While most classic engagement ring styles feature a center diamond, you may not know whether your partner loves the dazzling look of classic white diamonds or wants something more unique and colorful. We can tell you this: close to 90% of engagement rings feature a diamond, and sapphires are the second most common engagement ring gemstone. Although you probably think of sapphires as being a deep blue, they also come in yellow, pink, white, and a variety of other colors. Pink and peach sapphire and diamond gemstones have been particularly popular recently, and they pair beautifully with the warm hues of rose or yellow gold. If your partner’s taste runs to the unconventional, then they may prefer something other than a diamond or sapphire engagement ring—but based on the numbers, a diamond or sapphire is a very safe bet.

Moissanites are also an increasingly popular alternative to diamonds and can be a smart choice for couples looking to optimize the size of their center gemstone within their budget. Moissanites are white like diamonds but Moissanites exhibit a different kind of brilliance than diamonds do, as their faceting pattern is different. The fiery, rainbow flashes emitted by moissanite are beloved by some, but others feel that moissanite’s heightened brilliance can create a “disco-ball” effect, especially in sunlight. The bigger the moissanite, the more likely it is that the difference will be noticeable.

Diamonds, sapphires, and moissanite are the hardest gemstones (Diamonds rank 10, moissanite rank 9.25, and sapphires rank 9 on a 1-10 mineral grading scale called the Mohs scale of hardness) meaning that they’ll hold up well to the everyday wear required of engagement rings. Sapphires and moissanite cost less than diamonds, so choosing a center for these gems allows you to get a bigger center stone for your budget.

How to Choose a Gemstone Shape

Diamonds are cut into ten standard shapes, and round is by far the most common choice, making up 75% of all diamond purchases. In part, because they’re so popular and brilliant, round diamonds cost more than other shapes. Some non-round shapes that are also very popular at the moment are elongated fancy shapes including oval, pear, emerald, and radiant diamonds. We’re seeing both celebrities and our customers choosing these elongated fancy shapes more and more frequently.

How to Choose a Precious Metal

The main choices for engagement ring metals are platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. Platinum and white gold are the most popular choices, but yellow gold has become increasingly popular over the past year. Platinum and white gold look similar, but platinum is naturally hypoallergenic and more durable than plated white gold, as well as more expensive. To get a sense of what type of precious metal your partner would prefer, pay attention to the jewelry they currently wear. If your partner frequently mixes and matches their precious metals, consider choosing one precious metal like yellow gold for their engagement ring and a contrasting color like white gold or platinum for their wedding band.