What Does Your Engagement Ring Say About You?

October 29, 2013
Kevin Cremens

How to decide on an engagement ring that fits your personality, whether you're a tomboy, traditionalist, fashionista, or something totally different.

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What Type of Diamond Fits Your Personality?

Credit: Kevin Cremens

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.

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I Want Something Timeless

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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I Want a Twist on the Traditional Engagement Ring

Credit: Courtesy of Erie Basin
See More East-West Engagement Rings

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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I'm a Total Girly Girl

Credit: Courtesy of Claire Pettibone
See More Rings in This Collection

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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I'm a Tomboy

Credit: Sherry Griffin

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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I'm Torn Between Silver and Gold

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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I'm a Traditionalist, But Don't Want Round

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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I'm a Bit of a Firecracker

Credit: Courtesy of Suzanne Kalan

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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I Love Vintage! Where Do I Look?

Credit: Courtesy of Doyle & Doyle
Get More Tips on Finding a Vintage Engagement Ring You’ll Cherish

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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I Want a Major Rock on a Minor Budget

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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I'd Like to Just Wear a Band

Credit: Courtesy of Harry Winston
Find More Unique Diamond Eternity Bands

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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I'm a Romantic

Credit: Sang An

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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I Have Large Hands

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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I Love Colored Diamonds, but They're Beyond My Budget

Credit: Russell Starr

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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There's More!

Credit: Sang An
Browse Engagement Rings in the Jewelry Finder

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

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