The Australian Engagement Ring Trends to Watch in 2026

Engagement ring styles shift as time goes by, with new styles and design elements bringing a freshness to designs. Unlike fashion which moves at a fleeting pace, engagement ring trends are more thoughtfully curated. The key is designing new elements into a piece, while also creating a timeless design that will feel as beautiful on your hand now as it will in decades’ time.

Here are 3 emerging trends I’m seeing at our Australian jewellery studio, to inspire your very own modern-yet-timeless engagement ring design in 2026.

1. Solitaire Engagement Rings with Unique Design Elements

Solitaire engagement rings have long been a favourite for custom diamond ring designs in various ways. While round diamonds are a traditional choice, we’re seeing more and more clients choosing a unique design elements for their solitaire engagement rings.

Even with a simple concept of one single stone in an engagement ring, it’s the detail of these elements that allow a piece to be made personal. Clients are increasingly customising their designs with alternative diamond shapes, band textures, and setting orientations to bring modern elements to their designs. Incorporated into a classic single stone design, it becomes a beautiful blend of modern design alongside timeless simplicity.

2. Engagement Rings with Local Australian Gemstones

Diamonds have been a loved choice of gemstone for an engagement ring for many decades, though Australian couples are increasingly looking for alternatives for their custom ring designs. We’ve seen a particular interest in locally sourced gems, and take great joy in incorporating Australian gemstones into beautiful handmade ring designs.

Australia is home to stunning gemstones, many of which can be incorporate into an engagement ring design that will be worn every day. We’re seeing a growing interest in Australian coloured diamonds in neutral shades, as well as Sapphires in shades of classic blue and unique green. Creating an engagement ring with Australian gemstones is a wonderful way of supporting our local industries, while also capturing an element of your engagement story in your design.

3. Trilogy Engagement Rings with Unique Shapes and Colour

Trilogy engagement rings have a long history, with their three gemstones thought to represent a couple’s past, present and future as they embark on their next chapter of life together. Traditionally, trilogy rings are made with three round white diamonds, though the three-stone framework creates so many opportunities to customise a design.

We’re seeing a growing creativity in shaking up the design elements of a trilogy ring in unique ways. Alternative diamond shapes, coloured gemstones, bezel settings, and gemstone proportions have all been incorporated into custom engagement ring designs to change the style and personality of a ring. Each of these combinations creates a personal design while also maintaining the classic essence of a trilogy engagement ring.

These trends have brought a fresh new shift to the custom engagement ring design realm, while keeping the timeless essence of a ring that’s going to be worn for many years. Whether you’ve found some inspiration for your own ring, or have sparked a new idea for a unique design, creating a ring that’s uniquely yours is a beautiful way to celebrate your engagement story.

To begin a conversation with a jewellery maker and bring your unique vision to life, book your complimentary appointment for our Canberra studio or virtual appointment.

5 Engagement Rings with Australian Gemstones

Australia is home to some incredible gemstones. Many are strong, durable varieties. perfect for creating a unique engagement ring featuring locally sourced gem. Here are 5 custom engagement ring designs from our Canberra jewellery studio that include Australian gems, to inspire your very own design.

1. Australian Champagne Diamond Engagement Ring

A diamond solitaire engagement ring has been a classic design choice for many decades. Choosing a natural Australian champagne diamond brings a touch of local flair to a classic design. With the same strength as a classic white diamond, and a neutral tone that complements any style, this piece is one to delight in every day.

2. Freeform Australian Sapphire Engagement Ring with Diamonds

For those who love creativity, freeform shapes offer endless design possibilities that defy traditional design. This incredible multi tone Australian Sapphire showcases flashes of green and blue as it catches the light, within a uniquely faceted gem. Variations in colours and shape within every freeform gem makes each ring made with this style entirely one of a kind.

3. Australian Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring

Coloured gemstones with exceptional colour make a statement in minimalist designs. This solitaire ring features an Australian blue sapphire surrounded by flowing shapes, creating a piece that is both unique and practical to wear.

4. Australian Pink Diamond Engagement Ring with Double Halo

Australia is renowned for its pink diamonds from the Arygle region of Western Australia. This radiant cut Australian pink diamond is complemented by a sparkling double halo of pink and white diamonds, creating a remarkable design to celebrate an engagement. With the Argyle mine now closed, gems like these are also a snapshot of Australian jewellery history.

5. Australian Green Sapphire Engagement Ring

While sapphires are commonly associated with the colour blue, they come in a wide range of colours both in Australia and throughout the world. The green sapphires found in Australia often display elegant forest green tones, making them an exceptional choice for a timeless engagement ring design. This one combines an elegant shape with brilliant cut faceting to showcase the wonderful natural colour.

Australian gemstones make for engagement ring designs that are both unique and beautiful. Home to gems in a wide range of colours and styles, designing a piece that’s perfectly yours is a true delight. To begin exploring Australian gemstones for your design, book an appointment to find your unique inspiration.

Thin Engagement Ring Bands

Thin bands on engagement rings are a style that some love in a ring design. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist style, or are seeking the gemstones to be the star of a piece, barely-there setting styles with delicately thin bands may be the designs you’re drawn to.

However, for an engagement ring, which is typically worn every day over many years, there are two important things to think about before deciding on a thin band in your ring design.

1. Precious metals bend.

First, the precious metals used to make high quality jewellery are not only rare, but also malleable. Gold and Platinum bend with force, which makes them excellent metals for creating hand-forged jewellery with. This malleability means they need a certain amount of thickness to be strong and durable enough for an engagement ring that will be worn every day. Too thin, and the ring can buckle even from everyday activities as simple as pulling a door handle.

This is particularly important for engagement rings that have diamonds or other gemstones set along the band. Allowances in the metal structure to incorporate the gems means that the thickness and width of the band must be well designed, to be structurally strong.

For durability reasons, I don’t make engagement rings with bands any narrower than 2mm at the Harlequin workshop. I want to make sure you can confidently enjoy wearing your ring for many years to come.

2. Ring designs need balance.

Second, a beautiful and timeless engagement ring style needs balance. A band on an engagement ring needs to be in proportion to the rest of the ring design for it to look like a great design.

The size of the gemstones in an engagement ring is one part of the design that will influence the band width you need. For example, a ring with a 5ct round brilliant cut diamond at its centre would appear disproportionate on a slim 1.8mm band. A wider band would better suit such a statement diamond, and provide the strength needed for the setting of the ring.

Similarly, ring size also dictates what width will suit your finger, to create an engagement ring you’ll love to wear. A band that is too narrow can appear out of proportion and reduce the strength of the ring. Instead, a ring width in proportion to the ring size creates a beautifully proportioned ring style that can hold up well to the demands of everyday wear.

So, if you’ve been looking for an engagement ring design with a thin style band, I encourage you to consider what will be best width for your unique ring. Your ring size, gemstones, personal style, and overall ring design, will all influence what band will best suit your custom ring design.

There are always ways to achieve the style you’re after, while also making sure your ring is well designed for balance and durability. Details like the setting style, metalwork, proportions, and gem choice all work together to create a style in an engagement ring. Beautifully delicate rings are achieved not only with a thin engagement ring band, but through all the details of the ring design as a whole.

For help designing your perfect engagement ring, book a time directly with a jeweller to get practical advice.

6 Vintage Inspired Engagement Ring Designs

Lovers of vintage style jewellery have a treasure trove of inspiration for their engagement ring design. From intricate metalwork, unique setting styles, and iconic layouts, there are so many beautiful design elements throughout the history of ring making to weave into a modern engagement ring.

Here are 6 vintage inspired engagement rings custom made at our studio, that bring the beauty of decades past to modern engagement stories.

1. Peach Gemstone Engagement Ring with Vintage Style Halo

The subtlest of details have a powerful impact on the look and feel of an engagement ring. Here, a modern halo engagement ring is given a vintage inspired touch with its elegantly shaped outline, reminiscent of a bygone era. The peachy pink of the centre oval gem (which can be found in Tourmaline, Morganite, or Sapphire) works beautifully with the rose gold band, alongside the bright white platinum and diamond halo.

2. Filigree Diamond Engagement Ring

A true vintage ring is a stunning treasure, though often presents with structural issues stemming from decades of wear. Here, a vintage heirloom was re-created, allowing the new wearer to keep all the incredible history and style of their family’s ring, while ensuring it’s strength for another generation of wear. Hand shaped filigree and milgrain-edged elements are the replicated in the new ring, true to its original design, with a custom designed wedding ring to perfectly match.

3. Art Deco Inspired Sapphire Engagement Ring

Few design periods throughout history are as instantly recognisable as the Art Deco era, with its signature bold geometric elements. Here, the gemstone selections, structural arrangements and finishing details bring a distinctly Art Deco inspired feel to a timelessly modern sapphire engagement ring design.

4. Illusion Set Diamond and Ruby Engagement Ring

Originally created to give the illusion of a diamond appearing bigger than it is, illusion settings evolved into a beautiful design element in their own right. Stunning shaping and carvings create light reflections in the ring itself and give a distinctly vintage style.

5. Floral Milgrain Halo Engagement Ring

Milgrain edging is the tiny raised metal beads applied to the edges of a ring element, which rose to popularity over a century ago. It’s a seemingly small detail, yet has a powerful impact on the texture and style of a ring. Here, it’s applied around the small round diamonds of the engagement ring halo, giving it a fancy, vintage inspired style.

6. Swirling Vintage Style Halo Engagement Ring

Before the rise of digital design tools and manufacturing methods, all jewellery was made entirely by hand, making the intricate designs and structures of vintage style engagement rings all the more impressive. This ring captures that fully, not just in style, but in how it was created. Entirely handmade, its vintage inspired swirls, details, and structure are a nod to the beautiful style and skilful metalwork methods of generations past.

These 6 vintage inspired engagement ring designs are beautiful ways to bring the designs of a bygone era to a modern engagement ring story. See our custom jewellery gallery for more designs, or book an appointment to begin designing your very own custom piece.

What you need to know when measuring your ring size

Choosing a ring size for an engagement ring seems like the simplest part of the process. It should be as easy as taking a measurement, and reading the size, right?

Not quite.

Getting the right size for your new ring takes some thought, judgement and planning to make sure it’s comfortable and secure on your finger. This can be trickier than it seems, especially if you’ve never worn a ring day-to-day before. Here are 3 key things to know to help make your decision with confidence.

1. Your ring size changes season to season.

How hot or cold you are changes your ring size. In warmer weather, your hands will swell a little, making your ring size a little larger than in colder weather. When you consider that a ring sizes are only around 0.5mm apart in diameter, these changes in finger swelling from the seasons do impact how well a ring feels like it fits.

The challenge is in finding a ring size that will be great for you all year round. You’ll need to find a happy medium where your ring isn’t too tight in summer, nor too big in winter.

2. Your ring size changes throughout the day.

Aside from seasonal fluctuations, your finger size also changes throughout the day depending on your environment, your activities, and your unique body. For example, you may wake with puffier fingers in the morning which settle in the afternoon. Your fingers will be larger when you exercise, and smaller when you’re restful.

Choosing a size that will be comfortable most of the time takes some judgement. Being aware of your own fluctuations in finger sizes throughout the day will also help to gauge when is best to measure your ring size.

3. The width of your ring changes the size you need.

Not all rings of the same size will feel the same. For example, an 8mm wide band will feel tighter than a dainty 3mm wide band, even if they’re exactly the same size. You’ll need a larger size in an 8mm ring compared to a 3mm wide ring in order for it to feel equally comfortable.

Take this into account when stacking rings too. A 2mm ring that feels comfortable on its own may feel a little tight when worn with another ring or two stacked with it. So when you’re choosing a ring to add to a custom ring stack, or one that will eventually be part of an engagement ring, wedding ring and eternity ring set, worn together on the same finger, be sure to consider the size you need.

4. Fingers on your dominant hand are larger than your non-dominant hand.

The hand you use for most tasks gets more of a workout in your day to day life. With that, comes more strength, more muscle, and a larger finger size than the equivalent finger on your non-dominant hand. This important if you’re basing a ring size of a ring you wear already on the opposite hand.

If you wear a ring on your right hand ring finger, for example, your left hand ring finger (where an engagement ring is most often worn) will need a slightly smaller size for it to fit comfortably.

So, which ring size should you choose?

Taking these tips into account will give you a good sense of when to measure your size, how your size may change throughout the year, and what to base your decision on. Though it’s perfectly normal to end up with a few ring sizes to decide between.

Having your ring size assessed by a professional jeweller can take much of the guess work out of the process. A jeweller will take into account these factors, and the experiences they’ve had with clients just like you, to recommend a size they think you’ll be most happy with. If you’re choosing a Harlequin ring, we’ll also happily resize your new engagement ring for a year, so you can be sure to find your perfect size while you get used to wearing it.

Looking for some help to choose the right ring size for your next piece? Book an appointment with our jeweller for advice.

How to Incorporate Colour in Your Engagement Ring Design

Coloured gemstones are a beautiful way to make your engagement ring entirely unique. While you might be sure that you want some colour in your engagement ring, it can be trickier to decide exactly how you want to incorporate coloured gems into your design.

We’ve got you covered.

From colourful statements, to subtle accents of colour, here are 5 ideas for how to include colour in your engagement ring design.

1. Solitaire coloured gemstone engagement rings

Coloured gemstones are a beautiful statement all on their own, in a ‘solitaire’ engagement ring design. Whatever its size, a single coloured gemstone makes for a personal, unique, and practical engagement ring. Solitaire engagement rings can feature coloured gemstones in claw settings, bezel settings, wraparound designs, or inset into a band.

2. Coloured gemstone engagement rings with diamond accents

Coloured gemstones pair beautifully with diamonds of all shapes, sizes and styles. Surround a centre coloured gemstone with a halo, include diamonds in the band, or choose matching side stones for a modern trilogy engagement ring design. All these options work beautifully alongside a personal coloured gemstone, keeping the colour the focus of the design.

3. Engagement rings with coloured gemstone accents

If you love the idea of colour, but want a white diamond as the main feature of your engagement ring, coloured gemstones can be incorporated as a secondary feature of the design. Use them as accent stones in your band, halo, or side stones for a diamond engagement ring that’s uniquely yours. 

4. Engagement rings with multiple coloured gemstones

You can steer away from white diamonds entirely, and incorporate multiple different coloured gemstones into an engagement ring design. Whether you’re looking to represent multiple meanings, or have multiple favourite colours to include, you can create a ring that uses multiple colours in a way that’s both beautiful and unique.

5. Engagement rings with hidden coloured gemstones

For a more subtle way of incorporating colour into an engagement ring, you can consider setting a hidden coloured gemstone into your engagement ring design. Whether embedded inside a band, or below a setting, it’s a beautiful way to incorporate a sentimental meaning that only you and your partner know about.

These 5 ideas are just the beginning of what you can design for your unique coloured gemstone engagement ring. Book a time to meet with me, to begin designing your very own design with colour.

The Australian Engagement Ring Trends to Watch in 2025

Like all things we wear, jewellery has trends that come and go with the times. While engagement rings are more resistant to the fashions of clothing (after all, they’re an item we wear for a very long time, not just one season), there are still shifts in styles that flow through engagement ring designs as times and generations change.

While you don’t want to choose an engagement ring based solely on a “trend”, new designs and styles are great inspiration for finding fresh ideas you haven’t thought of, to find something that is uniquely yours to love for many years to come. Here are the 4 engagement ring trends I’ve seen emerge in Australia, to keep your eye on if you’re designing your ring this year.

1. Asymmetrical Engagement Rings

While engagement rings are typically thought of as a straight band with a centre gemstone in the middle, there are so many ways to design an engagement ring that challenge classic profiles.

Fluid shapes in gemstones and band shapes have shaken up what has historically been thought of as an engagement ring in a way that’s fresh, elegant, yet still timeless and wearable. Asymmetrical designs are growing in popularity with freeform gemstone cuts, angled settings, and flowing wraparound bands, to create engagement ring designs that feel very different to those of generations past.

2. East-West Set Engagement Rings

Traditionally, engagement rings with longer diamond shapes are set with the gemstone vertically, with their longest side angled up-to-down on the band. Recent years have seen more and more gemstones set horizontally, or east-to-west, on the band.

This style is particularly great for oval cut diamonds and emerald cut diamonds, and allows you to have the simplicity and practicality of a solitaire engagement ring, with a profile that feels modern too.

3. Engagement Rings with Patterns and Colours in the Band

Most trends for engagement rings revolve around the centre gemstone, or shape as a whole, though there’s growing attention to bringing a unique spin to engagement ring designs through the detail in the band, or the wedding ring alongside it. Smaller gemstones seem like a minor detail, though have a powerful impact on the style and uniqueness of a ring.

Traditionally, engagement ring bands have either been entirely plain, or had all diamonds along the band. There’s a growing interest in fresh takes on these two options for band designs, by playing with diamond arrangements, patterning, and colour, which opens up endless options. This is a beautiful way to draw in meaning and personality to your design, for example by incorporating birthstones, favourite colours, or reminders of important moments together for your unique engagement ring.

4. Solitaire Engagement Rings

It feels like cheating to include a ‘classic’ engagement ring design in a ‘trend’ round up. However the interest in solitaire engagement rings has been so strong lately, it had to make my list. Many couples are opting for a single, beautiful gemstone for their engagement ring, in a classic solitaire setting to celebrate their engagement.

With such a classic design, the gemstone becomes the all important detail. Choosing your solitaire ring brings the focus to choosing just one wonderful gemstone that you love. While the classic round brilliant cut diamond is always a favourite for engagement rings, they’re not the only shape being sought for solitaire ring designs. Brilliant cut diamonds of all shapes, sizes, and proportions are making their mark as a subtle but beautiful way to make solitaire engagement rings unique.

There’s an art to bringing these trends to an engagement ring design that feels modern, timeless, and perfectly suited to the person who wears it. Looking at these 4 trends is a great starting point to finding your perfect design.

For help designing an engagement ring that’s both fresh, and uniquely yours, book your complimentary appointment to chat directly with a jeweller.

4 Coloured Gemstones for Engagement Rings

While white diamonds have been the dominant choice of gemstones for engagement rings for many years, there are many more gemstone options out there if you’re looking for an engagement ring with colour.

Engagement rings are often a piece of jewellery that’s worn every day, so it makes sense to choose a gemstone variety that’s durable. Luckily, there are durable gemstone varieties that are found in a stunningly diverse range of colours. Here are my 4 go-to coloured gemstone varieties for including in an engagement ring design.

1. Coloured Diamond Engagement Rings

White diamonds are the most well known of all diamonds, but they aren’t the only colour that diamonds can be. Coloured diamonds are just as strong and durable as their white counterparts, so are an excellent choice for a coloured engagement ring.

The range of colours, and the subtle variations within them make each coloured diamond stunningly unique. We often reach for Pink Diamonds and Yellow Diamonds as both feature gemstones, or secondary accents in engagement ring designs. Blue diamonds make for beautiful icy blue additions, and there are even diamond colours so unique that they defy conversational colour descriptions.

Coloured Diamonds also allow a choice of local Australian mined gemstones, with Pink, Cognac, and Champagne diamonds found locally.

2. Sapphire Engagement Rings

One of the most famous blue coloured gemstones for very good reason, Sapphires make for beautiful features in engagement rings. They’re one of the strongest coloured gemstone varieties, making them a sensible and stunning choice for an engagement ring that will be worn every day.

Blue Sapphires are found all around the world, including Australia, Sri Lanka, Montana, and Madagascar. They’re found in shades from deep rich blues, right through to pastels, and are faceted into a wide variety of shapes, giving you endless options for a unique feature gemstone in your engagement ring. Small blue sapphires are also beautiful bright additions as accents to a diamond engagement ring.

3. Fancy Sapphire Engagement Rings

While Blue Sapphires are by far the most famous, ‘Fancy Sapphire’ is the term used to describe all other colours Sapphire can be found in - and that spectrum of colour is huge. From bright yellows, to deep greens, to rare peachy pink Padparadscha sapphires, and even Parti Sapphires that feature multiple colours in one gems, there’s a colour for every taste in this magnificent gemstone family.

If you’re looking for a statement gemstone in an engagement ring, in a very specific colour, or one so unique that no one else will have, Fancy Sapphire is an excellent rabbit hole to explore for your perfect coloured gemstone.

4. Spinel Engagement Rings

If you haven’t heard of Spinel (pronounced spi-NEL), get ready to be in awe. It’s a lesser known, yet exquisite gemstone that’s perfect for a unique engagement ring.

Spinels are especially beautiful in big bold colours that make an incredible statement in a coloured engagement ring. Our favourite spinel colours include neon pink, rich red, peachy tones, and bright cobalt blues, though they are also found in a huge range of other colours.

There’s something about the way Spinels play with colour and light that makes them intriguing from the second you see one in real life. Plus, their relative obscurity in common gemstone knowledge makes them an excellent conversation starter every day that engagement ring is on your finger.

Looking to bring to life your very own coloured gemstone engagement ring? Book your complimentary appointment to begin exploring your ideas and the wonderful world of gemstones with our colour-loving jeweller.

Why are Solitaire Engagement Rings Popular in Australia?

A solitaire engagement ring is a ring style with one single gemstone, and is a popular and versatile style of engagement ring worldwide. Solitaire engagement rings most commonly feature a round brilliant cut diamond in a classic 6-claw setting, though they can also feature any coloured gemstone in any style of setting.

What makes solitaire rings a popular choice for engagement rings in Australia?

1. Solitaire engagement rings are timeless.

Like anything wearable in life, jewellery trends come and go. Diamond shapes, setting styles and design features all go through phases over time. For a piece like an engagement ring that will be part of your life for a long period of time, you may want a design you’ll love for many years, long after trends of today have passed. Solitaire engagement rings are a beautiful, elegant and timeless style for this purpose. Though there’s still plenty of scope to personalise your design to make it uniquely your own.

2. Solitaire engagement rings allow flexibility with your wedding ring design.

The simplicity of a solitaire engagement ring style gives you incredible flexibility when designing your wedding and eternity rings. Whether you’re hoping for a plain gold band, a sparkly diamond band, an intricately shaped piece, or a statement coloured wedding ring, a solitaire engagement ring matches well with them all.

3. Solitaire engagement rings are a safe choice for surprise proposals.

It’s no surprise that the versatile solitaire engagement ring is a popular choice for surprise proposals, particularly for buyers who are nervous about their partner’s style preferences. A solitaire style also allows you to maximise the size and quality of the diamond in a surprise engagement ring, given the simplicity of the design. Its flattering on any finger, and can be worn alongside other pieces of jewellery, no matter their style.

4. Solitaire engagement rings can be customised to your style.

While a solitaire engagement ring has only one gemstone, there are so many ways to personalise your ring to your own style. Solitaire engagement ring designs can use diamonds or coloured gemstones of any shape to create a unique engagement ring that best suits you. Find some inspiration in the solitaire ring gallery below, or explore solitaire setting styles.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Solitaire Engagement Rings

• What is a solitaire engagement ring?

  A solitaire engagement ring is any ring that has one single gemstone. A round brilliant cut in a 6 claw setting is the most common style, though a solitaire engagement ring can have any gemstone, of any shape, in any setting style.

• Are solitaire engagement ring styles popular in Australia?

  Yes, very! Many Australian couples choose a solitaire ring for their engagement ring. A round diamond in a 6 claw setting is the most popular solitaire engagement ring style, though a solitaire can also be made unique with different gemstones, gemstone shapes, and setting styles.

• How do you choose the perfect solitaire engagement ring online?

  Working directly with a jeweller (instead of a salesperson or online ring builder) can help take the overwhelm out of selecting your perfect engagement ring online. An experienced jeweller can provide expert advice to help you decide what option best suits your style and budget. You can book an appointment directly with an Australian jeweller here.

• How do you choose the perfect diamond for a solitaire setting?

  Choosing the perfect diamond for a solitaire setting depends on the specific diamond shape you’re looking for. Various diamond cuts also require specific setting styles to make them secure. Book an appointment with an Australian jewellery maker for expert advice on your diamond selection.

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Engagement Rings Without Claws

Claw style settings are the most common style of setting gems for engagement rings. However, claws settings aren’t for everyone, for a range of reasons. Some people simply don’t like claw settings. Others have an active lifestyle or hands-on work environment (such as a nurse or doctor) that makes a ring with claws impractical.

If this is you, here are 4 clawless engagement ring styles to inspire your design.

1. Bezel Set Engagement Rings

A bezel setting completely surrounds a gem to hold it in place. The metal of the setting encircles the gem right around, up over its girdle (or edge) creating a secure case for it. Bezels create a sleek, modern look to an engagement ring design.

Bezel settings are great for people who need a secure, claw free setting for practical reasons in their day to day life. A single round gemstone in a solitaire bezel set design is the ultimate in practicality. These settings can also be used in engagement ring designs that include multiple gemstones, for a more creative design that’s also practical to wear.

2. Half Bezel Engagement Rings

A half bezel setting (or semi bezel setting) partially encloses a gemstone, leaving some of the girdle (or edge) open. Half bezels can be used as a direct swap for claw settings in traditional design profiles, or they can be incorporated into curved wraparound bands for more unique engagement ring designs.

3. Inset Engagement Rings

For a style where the gems and the band are flush with each other, engagement rings with inset gemstones work beautifully with all precious metal and gemstone colours. This style of clawless engagement ring is best with gemstones in smaller sizes so that the band thickness can accommodate the depth of the gemstone (for larger gems, a bezel set design is a better design option).

Inset rings are delightfully practical to wear, with no raised settings in the piece. This style of clawless engagement ring is one you’ll enjoy wearing day in and day out for many years.

4. Illusion Set Engagement Rings

While technically a claw setting, an illusion setting wears more like a clawless design. An illusion setting surrounds a centre diamond with a patterned ring of metal. Beautiful bright cut patterns in the setting add dimension and interest in the piece.

Illusion settings are reminiscent of vintage engagement ring styles, with an elegant old world feel about them. They’re also excellent at making small diamonds appear larger than they really are, which makes them an appealing choice when incorporating small heirloom diamonds into a new engagement ring piece.

Design Your Own Engagement Ring Without Claws

These four beautiful gemstone setting styles can be used to create a custom engagement ring without using claws. If you’re ready to design your own clawless ring, meet directly with our jeweller maker in Canberra or online to get all the advice you need.

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