What Does Your Engagement Ring Say About You?

Your engagement ring: It's only the symbol of your eternal commitment, a piece of jewelry you'll wear every day for the rest of your life. No pressure there, right?! Here, some pointers to help you decide on an engagement ring that's ideal for your personality, whether you're a tomboy, traditionalist, fashionista, or something totally different.

If you want a sparkler that stands the test of time, go for a prong-set solitaire, which is as classic as it gets.

Cartier Solitaire 1895 Engagement Ring, price upon request; cartier.us

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Looking for something a bit ... quirkier? Put a spin on the classic engagement ring setting—literally! East-West engagement rings feature diamonds that are placed horizontally on the band, in comparison to a traditional setting, a vertically placed stone.

Erie Basin Pear Diamond Ring, price upon request, eriebasin.com

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Choose a design that embraces femininity with delicate sparkle, floral motifs, and/or rich color.

Grace, Claire Pettibone X Trumpet & Horn, $3,550, trumpetandhorn.com

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If you're outdoorsy and active, try a bezel setting, where the metal surrounds the gem, holds a stone securely, and won't snag spandex during workouts.

Satomi Kawakita Rose Cut Solitaire Black Diamond Ring, $1,475, satomikawakita.com

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Select a band that combines different metals, or choose a setting with a single metal and mix it confidently with your other jewelry.

McTeigue & McClelland Flora Diamond Ring, price upon request, mc2jewels.com

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With its rectangular shape and history dating back to at least 1477, an emerald-cut diamond engagement ring is time-honored yet unexpected.

Harry Winston Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring, price upon request, harrywinston.com

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If you're known for living on the edge and crave excitement, go for something with a shock of pizazz, like this surprising arrangement of baquettes around a center stone.

Suzanne Kalan's Devoted Collection 1.30ct White Diamond Baguettes, Surrounding a 1.13 ct White Diamond Center in 18K White Gold, suzannekalan.com

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Surf antique-jewelry sites to see offerings like this 1890 beauty. Browse by decade to learn about the styles of each era.

Vintage Diamond White Gold Ring (circa 1950), $10,900, doyledoyle.com

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A halo setting imparts the illusion that you have a larger stone. Small diamonds encircle—and augment—the center gem.

De Beers Aura Solitaire Ring, $5,500, debeers.com

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Sounds great! Just remember that, if going the band-only route, opt for a piece that works twice as well at expressing your sense of style.

Harry Winston Channel-Set Band, $18,100, harrywinston.com

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Not to sound obvious, but you can't get much more romantic than a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring.

Harry Winston, harrywinston.com

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We're guessing that only you think so! That said, a wider setting, such as a split shank, flatters any finger size.

Harry Kotlar "Crescendo" Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring, $51,355, harrykotlar.com

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Get the look with a sapphire—available in blues, browns, greens, oranges, pinks, purples, and yellows—at wallet-friendly prices.

McTeigue & McClelland Bella Flora Sapphire Ring, price upon request, mc2jewels.com

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From oval-cut diamonds to classic Tiffany solitaires, check out more engagement rings in our Jewelry Finder.