Top Types of Engagement Rings to Know Before You Shop

Quick Summary

Shopping for an engagement ring begins with understanding the two elements that shape every design: style and setting. From timeless solitaires to bold halos and vintage-inspired details, each ring offers a different expression of personality and everyday wearability. Solitaire rings feel elegant and understated, while styles like pavé or halo bring in extra sparkle and visual impact. Three-stone and side-stone designs add symbolism and shimmer, while vintage-inspired rings appeal to those drawn to heirloom beauty. Settings like prong, bezel, tension, and cathedral all influence how the ring looks, feels, and holds the center stone in place. With so many types of engagement rings to choose from, the perfect one is the ring that feels like it was made for you.

Shopping for an engagement ring is a truly exciting yet meaningful experience. You’ve found ‘the one’ and now you’re looking for a ring that will inspire them to say, “I do.” However, as you visit jewelry stores and browse online, it quickly becomes apparent how many styles are out there. With options that range from dainty solitaires to glamorous halos, how do you choose one that they’ll absolutely love?

In this situation, it helps to start with the basics. Style and setting are the two key elements that shape the entire look and feel of an engagement ring. Together, they create a piece that reflects your loved one’s taste and suits their lifestyle. Whether you’re leaning toward something refined or romantic, this guide will walk you through the most iconic types of engagement rings so you can find the one that feels unmistakably right.

What Defines the Types of Engagement Rings?

Every engagement ring tells a story, but what sets each one apart is how that story is expressed through design. Some feel delicate and understated. Others make a bold impression from across the room. These differences come down to two key elements: the style and the setting.

Style gives the ring its overall character, whether that’s timeless, ornate, modern, or vintage-inspired. The setting shapes how the center stone is presented and how the ring moves with you through daily life. When these two details come together just right, the result feels personal and meant to be. It’s the kind of ring you look down at and think, “That’s the one.”

Popular Engagement Ring Styles That Everyone Loves

Engagement ring styles are as varied as the people who wear them. Some are timeless classics, others bring a fresh perspective, but each one offers its own kind of beauty. Below are the styles that continue to captivate brides-to-be, along with a few ideas for who they suit best.

Solitaire Engagement Rings

The solitaire engagement ring is a study in simplicity and balance. With a single center stone and a clean, unadorned band, it has a streamlined look that feels both graceful and assured. It’s a natural choice for someone who values subtlety, tradition, and the quiet power of understatement.

Take The Kamellie, for example. This bestselling Keyzar design elevates the classic solitaire with a sleek silhouette and a hidden halo tucked beneath the center stone. That extra layer of sparkle stays out of view until the light catches it just right, adding subtle drama without disrupting the ring’s refined structure.

Halo Engagement Rings

A halo engagement ring is all about radiance. Tiny diamonds encircle the center stone, creating a luminous effect that makes everything appear larger, brighter, and more dramatic. It’s a favorite for brides who want something eye-catching without sacrificing elegance.

The Miley brings this style to life with a majestic split shank and a halo that feels like it’s glowing from every angle. The band is accented with diamonds that lead right into the halo, amplifying the presence of the center stone. It's a statement piece made for someone who loves glamor with a refined edge.

Three-Stone Engagement Rings

Three-stone engagement rings carry a quiet symbolism: one stone for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. This style feels timeless but layered, with meaning built right into the design. It’s perfect for someone who values tradition with a hint of storytelling.

The Liv is a standout example with its center stone framed by tapered baguettes on each side. The proportions are sleek, with clean lines that elongate the finger and add visual dimension. There's a sense of balance in the design, but also movement, like the ring is always catching the light from a new angle.

Side Stone Engagement Rings

Side stone engagement rings add a touch of brilliance without taking attention away from the center stone. Accent diamonds in stunning cuts like marquise, round, or baguette run along the band to create a soft shimmer that draws the eye inward. It’s an ideal choice for someone who wants classic beauty with just the right amount of extra detail.

The Lindsey blends modern elegance with classic appeal. Marquise and round diamonds are set along the band in a shared-prong style, adding dimension and sparkle without overwhelming the design. Paired with its hidden halo, the overall effect feels polished, luxurious, and effortlessly graceful.

Vintage-Inspired Engagement Rings

Vintage-inspired engagement rings bring a sense of romance and history to the hand. With details like milgrain edges, filigree patterns, and ornate metalwork, these styles feel rich with character. They're a beautiful match for someone who’s drawn to timeless elegance with an heirloom quality.

The Jasmine captures this feeling perfectly. Its Art Deco influence shows through in the repeating pattern of oval and round frames along the band, each accented with delicate diamonds. Milgrain detailing adds texture and depth, creating a ring that feels refined, sentimental, and ready to be passed down.

Pave Engagement Rings

Pave engagement rings are made for sparkle lovers. Tiny diamonds are set closely together along the band, creating a surface that catches the light with every movement. It’s a style that feels glamorous without being over-the-top, which is perfect for a bride who wants shimmer woven into every detail.

The Pave Sarah brings a modern twist to this look. The band is covered in delicate pavé diamonds, while the high-profile setting lifts the center stone for added drama. It pairs beautifully with stackable bands, making it a favorite for those who love layering, styling, and turning everyday moments into something a little more dazzling.

Key Engagement Ring Settings to Know

While style gives the ring its personality, the setting shapes the ring’s profile and the way the center stone is framed and secured. Whether you're drawn to delicate prongs or bold bezels, the right setting makes all the difference in both look and practicality.

Prong Setting

The prong setting is a classic for a reason. Small metal claws gently hold the center stone in place, allowing light to pass through from nearly every angle. The result is a look that feels open, balanced, and full of presence.

The Ashley shows how beautiful this setting can be. With a slender band and four delicate claw prongs, the center stone becomes the star without feeling exposed. The low-profile silhouette keeps the ring wearable and refined, which is perfect for someone who wants elegance that fits effortlessly into everyday life.

Bezel Setting

The bezel setting features a sleek, secure frame that wraps around the center stone, holding it snugly in place. It has a smooth modern look, making it ideal for those with an active lifestyle or a preference for low-maintenance elegance.

The Pave Charlotte takes this concept and adds a romantic twist. A delicate band with pavé-set diamonds adds sparkle, while the bezel setting creates a sense of calm strength. The result is a ring that feels both graceful and grounded, which is perfect for someone who values beauty they can wear every day.

Tension Setting

The tension setting creates a striking visual effect by suspending the center stone between the two ends of the band. With no prongs or bezels in sight, the stone appears to float in mid-air, highlighting its shape and brilliance. It’s a bold, architectural choice that appeals to those with a taste for modern design.

The Rebecca brings a vintage influence to this contemporary concept. With tapered pavé-set diamonds and milgrain detailing, it blends structure and softness beautifully. The medium-profile design adds practicality, making it a striking option for someone who wants bold design without sacrificing comfort.

Cathedral Setting

Inspired by the graceful lines of cathedral architecture, this setting lifts the center stone with arches that rise from the band. It adds height, drama, and a sense of majesty. For those who want their ring to make an impression without being overstated, the cathedral setting offers the perfect balance.

The Natalie showcases this setting style beautifully. Twin rows of diamonds add brilliance to the band, while the raised center stone is framed by a hidden halo tucked beneath delicate claw prongs. Every detail is intentional, creating a silhouette that feels both classic and refined.

Final Thoughts: Choosing What Feels Right

Engagement rings vary from clean and minimal to ornate and dramatic, and each one brings something different to the table. Understanding how style and setting work together is the first step in finding a ring that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels like you.

Whether you’re drawn to vintage details, bold halos, or the quiet elegance of a solitaire, your ring should reflect who you are and how you live. Ready to see what’s possible? Explore Keyzar’s full collection and find the ring that feels like yours from the very first glance. Shop now.