Go on, we know you're curious about this season's engagement ring trends. For those of us who go slightly weak at the knees for romance, there's little more thrilling than the world of engagement rings.
But, as is tradition, more often than not the one actually shopping for said ring is rarely the one who'll end up wearing it for (hopefully!) the rest of their lives.
Which is why, if you know what you like and feel you may be in the market for one in the near future, it doesn't hurt to hint… whether subtly or not.
Take it from someone who sent several hints – one in the form of a bullet-pointed list detailing the exact cut, clarity, setting and metal she would love one day (he was very generously allowed to decide on the prong setting; plumping for button, if you're interested) – if you have a strong vision you'd be wise to share it. No one deserves to be confronted by an even remotely disappointed face after having meticulously planned a proposal.
Because for me, splitting the bill is the most romantic thing you can do.
There's been many high-profile engagements this year, too, which means that there's no short supply of inspiration when it comes to the perfect ring! Zendaya debuted her ring at the Golden Globes back in January, whereas Taylor Swift dropped the news on Instagram in August with the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
“Celebrity engagement rings can often be a distilled version of what we have already started seeing gather momentum with our real clients in bespoke projects,” says Rachel Boston, founder of Rachel Boston Jewellery.
If you don't know exactly what you'd like but would like to be involved in the design in some way, we caught up with some of our favourite jewellery designers to discover the key engagement ring trends for this season. See for yourself, below.
EAST-WEST STYLES
What the experts say: “East-west settings like Miley Cyrus and Zendaya’s are a particular favourite of mine,” says Rachel Boston. “They challenge tradition but still feel understated and quietly cool. Turning a stone on its side instantly feels modern and considered, especially with elongated cuts like emeralds, ovals or lozenges.”
Mandy Sangster, founder of Heavenly London, adds: “East-west settings are having a moment because they feel fashion-forward without being impractical. They suit women who want something a little different but still timeless, and we’re seeing them chosen by brides who are very style-led and less traditional in their approach to engagement jewellery.”
What the experts say: “Since Dua Lipa’s engagement, chunky gold engagement rings have surged in popularity,” explains Eliza Walter, founder of jewellery brand LYLIE. “Bold gold bands and bezel (or ‘rub-over’) settings create a confident, personal look that stands apart from traditional solitaires. These styles are also highly practical: bezel settings fully encase the diamond, offering extra security for active lifestyles.”
“There’s a move away from delicate, minimal styles towards pieces that feel confident and intentional,” adds Maddy Sangster of Heavenly London. “It’s all part of a broader movement towards jewellery as self-expression rather than being purely symbolic.”
Grace Lee, founder and designer of her own modern jewellery label, agrees: “Many clients are now seeking a thicker gold band, as opposed to stacking multiple bands. Customers want one statement band, worn alone.”
Lisa Levinson, Head of UK at Natural Diamond Council concurs: “There is a continued trend favouring yellow gold, but we are moving away from daintiness toward chunky and heavy designs.”
CUSHION CUTS
What the experts say: “Cushion cuts have been overtaking ovals as the soft solitaire alternative for quite some time,” asserts Rachel Boston. “They can offer generous surface area and with the same brilliance as a round modern brilliant. We have noticed a preference towards an elongated cut like Taylor Swift’s (though hers is antique cut) which is timeless and flattering on the finger. I personally love cushions in modern settings, like bezel setting on a knife edge bands - where the contrast of the soft corned stone keeps them feeling contemporary.”
“We’ve seen a real resurgence in cushion-cut engagement rings over the past 8 months,” observes Heavenly London's Maddy Sangster. “They are that perfect balance between soft and romantic, but with enough structure to feel modern. They also perform beautifully in lab-grown diamonds and moissanite, which is increasingly popular with our customers.”
ELONGATED, OLD-CUT DIAMONDS
What the experts say: "High-profile engagements like Taylor Swift’s have driven renewed interest in old-cut diamonds," says Eliza Walter, founder of LYLIE. “Particularly cushions and elongated cushion-cuts, alongside elongated shapes such as marquise like Selena Gomez and oval cuts like Elsa Hosk. These silhouettes feel romantic yet distinctive. We’re increasingly seeing them paired with sleek gold bezel settings, which add a contemporary, architectural edge.”
OVAL CUTS
What the experts say: “Oval cuts such as Elsa Hosk’s engagement ring remain enduring for a reason,” says Rachel Boston. “They are flattering, elegant, and incredibly versatile but what feels fresh is how they’re set. We’re seeing more interest in bezels, double outlines, mixed diamond cuts and unexpected proportions that give a classic shape a sharper point of view.”
“Ovals continue to be incredibly popular,” adds Heavenly London's Maddy Sangster. “They’re flattering, elongating on the hand, and feel both classic and contemporary. We’re seeing them chosen by clients who want something timeless but with a softer edge than a round brilliant.”
“When it comes to diamond shapes, we are seeing an overwhelming desire for oval-shaped diamonds that have the essence of a classic round brilliant diamond but feels more unusual and flattering with its elongated shape,” says Lisa Levinson, Head of UK at Natural Diamond Council, a non-profit organisation committed to educating consumers on natural diamonds. “Overall, there is a yearning for elongation which is also reflected in an uptick in demand for marquise diamonds, that have a lip-like silhouette.”
It doesn't always have to mean one oval stone either. Cluster rings that form the elongated shape are equally popular. “Our 1735 oval cluster design still rules above all else, with both oval diamond and sapphire centre stones most in demand across a wide variety of carat weights,” says Sara Prentice, Creative Director at historic British fine jeweller Garrard. “This highlights the transcendence of the style and how it is just as relevant today as it was when first commissioned by Prince Albert in 1840.”
ANTIQUE STONES
What the experts say: “More and more our clients are asking for old-cut diamonds,” Lucy Crowther of Minka Jewels revealed, “and we feel that antique stones are the perfect choice for those who are environmentally conscious but don’t want a lab-grown stone. There is something very special about old cut diamonds; the beauty and mystery of these stones are very alluring; the fact that they have lived through many eras and have been cut by hand, they have a unique character and the bigger facets allow light to bounce around inside the stone differently which creates a beautiful warm candle-lit glow.”
Kimaï co-founder and GIA certified gemologist, Sidney Neuhaus, agrees, explaining: “Clients are increasingly drawn to rings that exude an old-world charm, featuring intricate details, filigree work and ornate settings reminiscent of bygone eras. The trend captures the essence of nostalgia and romanticism, offering a nod to the past while creating a distinctive and opulent symbol of commitment for the modern couple who seeks a touch of grandeur in their love story.”
Eliza Walter of LYLIE adds: “Antique diamonds – old-European, old-mine and cushion-cuts – are enjoying a resurgence, helped by the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce effect. Hand-cut rather than machine-faceted, they offer a softer, more organic sparkle. Their defining feature is a visible culet, which can appear as a soft white dot when viewed from above. With growing interest in sustainability and ethical sourcing, these stones offer both beauty and provenance – each carrying a story that spans generations.”
WHITE GOLD
What the experts say: “I’m getting more requests than ever for white metals to be used for engagement rings”, says Jessie Thomas. “This is especially true when the client is opting for a coloured stone ring, as they work well with the neutrality of white.”
“I'll often set diamonds into white gold, even in a predominantly yellow gold piece, as it shows of the stones more fully. It’s quite a cool, utilitarian look that I find people are looking for. I’m also black rhodium plating white gold a lot; it feels modern and really makes diamonds pop.”
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
What the experts say: “We have seen a rise in a much more conscious choice for engagement rings – the symbol of everlasting love also encourages you to look to the future you want to create together,” says Victoria Rickard, Head of Design & Development at innovative ethical fine jewellery brand Skydiamond. “This doesn’t need to cost the earth, literally and practically and the fact that you can buy a larger diamond for less also means you can opt for larger stones.”
“The popularity of lab-grown diamonds is set to continue to rise in 2025," shares Diamonds Factory jewellery expert, Ella Citron-Thompkins. “They providing consumers with the chance to purchase a more affordable and ethical diamond, without having to compromise on quality. Lab-created diamonds can be up to 30% cheaper than the natural variety.”
"Additionally, lab-grown diamonds are almost always colourless or nearly colourless, putting them on par with the more valuable natural diamonds on the market. A 49% increase in searches for the product has been recorded in the past year, and the market share of lab-grown diamonds is predicted to rise to 21.3% in 2025.”
COLOURFUL STONES
What the experts say: “Our clients cannot get enough of coloured stones,” reveals Emma Clarkson Webb, “whether it be sapphires in pink, teal, green or blue, emeralds or rubies or a coloured yellow diamond. Coloured stones always look more expensive if they're set alongside diamonds, to really help them pop.”
The Diamond Store revealed that they are “also noticing a trend of customers opting for gemstone engagement rings, which coordinate with their or their partners’ birthstones – mostly emeralds.”
Rachel Boston agrees, explaining that “as timeless as classic white diamonds are, we are getting more and more clients inquiring about alternative diamonds, and the two most popular are light yellow diamonds and champagne diamonds. These are subtly coloured diamonds that range from canary yellow to amber-like brown and peach-coloured hues – they've got the sparkle of a traditional diamond, with soft, buttery colours to boot. Each diamond will have its own unique colour and character, which we love. Champagne diamonds especially are a really nice compromise for people drawn to the classic elegance of diamonds, but who still want something a little bit different: they're subtle but eye-catching.”
SCULPTURAL BANDS
What the experts say: “Interesting shapes in metal is a big trend," says Ashley Zhang, designer behind her eponymous label. “Our clients want something that still feels simple and classic, but is not just a plain, straight band. Metal that wraps or curves with the stones create a unique design.”
“At Kimai, we love leaning into bold curves and have seen our wavy engagement rings rise in popularity, especially when paired with our matching wavy wedding bands to create a modern stacked look, ” says Jessica Warch, co-founder of Kimai. “We know our customers love to re-arrange and play with these stacks to keep their special piece feeling fresh and interesting, falling in love with the design again and again. We see this stacking trend for engagement rings to build in 2025 too.”
TOI ET MOI
What the experts say: “We’ve seen the revival of toi et moi proposal pieces, that is, rings that feature two stones instead of one,” says Tobias Kormind, MD and Co-founder of 77 Diamonds. “Meaning ‘You & Me’ in French, this design was very popular in the 19th-century. The stone combinations are endless; for example, many customers like seeing their own birthstone set alongside their partner’s, which allows for unique and uncommon ring designs.”
Valerie Messika, Founder and Artistic Director at Messika says, "In 2025, we’ll see engagement rings that blend timeless elegance with bold individuality. Couples are looking for designs that break tradition—think asymmetric settings or unexpected pairings of diamonds and coloured gemstones. Our toi & moi designs, like the My Twin collection, perfectly embody this trend, offering a balance of modernity and romance.
BAGUETTES
What the experts say: “Baguette diamonds are back on trend,” according to the team at Smiling Rocks. “We have launched a new collection called ‘Baguette Bridal’ rings with bypass baguette rings set in channel setting and a two-carat centre lab-grown diamond. The ring automatically becomes bold and elegant.”
PEARL RINGS
What the experts say: “Wedding rings are becoming increasingly diverse. In June this year, we saw a spike in search for pearl rings, especially those embellished with diamonds,” says a spokesperson from world-renowned Japanese pearl brand Mikimoto. “Our latest Mikimoto Lumière Perle collection features pearls accentuated by the sparkle of diamonds so the pearl really stands out.”
BESPOKE
What the experts say: “We have witnessed a higher demand for bespoke creations,” reveals Courbet's Marie-Ann Wachtmeister, “probably because jewellery, fashion, and luxury items in general are more and more tools for self-expression. Our customers want a unique piece, and are ready to pay more to have a ring that would reflect their personality and their lifestyle.”
Tobias Kormind of 77 Diamonds adds: “Toi et moi rings are also a popular style for bespoke rings. One client adored sunflowers, so we designed a sunflower-inspired ring with their eternity band doubling as a green leaf when placed beside it. These deeply personal touches make every piece truly one of a kind.”
