Jewellery

The 25 best alternative engagement rings

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, we explore engagement ring styles that are anything but conventional. From prized pearls to organic shapes, black sapphires and rainbow-coloured gemstones galore

By Joshua Hendren

Lovebird season is well and truly upon us, and so the hunt begins to track down the perfect engagement ring before February 14. But where to start? After all, selecting your dream gem in 2023 is no mean feat. And while the classic approach of a solitaire diamond on a gold band makes for a dazzling proposal, you might want to consider something a little different, a ring that best reflects your unique personality.

For some, this could mean switching up traditional diamonds for eye-catching coloured gemstones (look to the stop-and-stare sparklers of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Stone, and Halle Berry). Or perhaps you may wish to eschew embellishment altogether, like Kristen Stewart and her platinum signet that bends old-school rules.

Whether you’re after a contemporary cut, an off-kilter setting or simply something as individual as your own self, step outside the bridal norm and embrace the stunning unconventionality of these non-traditional engagement rings. Below are the styles we’re dreaming about.

Ara Vartanian

Ara Vartanian 18K white gold and rose gold, tourmaline, rubellite and white diamond ring, POA

Yoko London

Yoko London white gold ring set with freshwater pearl and diamond, £15,000

Shaun Leane

Shaun Leane 18K white gold and amethyst Aurora ring, £4,800

Patcharavipa

Patcharavipa Marquise Tushroom ring, POA

Fernando Jorge

Fernando Jorge 18K white gold, white diamond and chalcedony Orbit ring, £4,450

Gucci

Gucci Link To Love solitaire in 18kt white gold and diamonds, £2,340

G by Glenn Spiro

G by Glenn Spiro Important ring with cabochon opal, diamonds and emeralds in yellow gold, POA 

Almasika

Almasika 18K yellow gold and diamond Universum ring with centre diamond, £6,604.54

Lauren Addison

Lauren Addison purple sapphire ring, POA

Elhanati

Elhanati 18K yellow gold and emerald Evie ring, £1,190

Suzanne Kalan

Suzanne Kalan double short stack pastel sapphire eternity band, £11,028

Fabergé x James Ganh

Alternative engagement ring by Fabergé x James Ganh
Fabergé x James Ganh Flora and Fauna white and yellow gold oval cut emerald and multicolour gemstone transformable ring/earrings, POA

OUIE

Alternative engagement rings
OUIE 18kt white gold and diamond KEYRING RING, POA

Judith Peterhoff

Judith Peterhoff Orno wide commitment band with champagne and white diamonds, £2,490

Annoushka

Annoushka 18K yellow gold and diamond Yes ring, £995

Yvonne Léon

Yvonne Léon Alliance Vague Diamants Noirs Or Noir ring, $1,610.00

Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones Spectrum flecked opal and diamond ring, £4,450

Tasaki

Tasaki Balance Note ring in yellow gold and Akoya pearls, £2,110

Pomellato

Alternative engagement rings
Pomellato Nudo Solitaire Assoluto ring in rose gold, white gold and brown diamonds, £8,700

Deborah Pagani

Deborah Pagani 18K yellow gold Honey Heart ring with pink sapphire, £3,500

Ruth Tomlinson

Alternative engagement rings
Ruth Tomlinson wide decorative band with diamonds, £1,320

Bernard Delettrez

Alternative engagement rings
Bernard Delettrez gold Griffe ring, £1,050

Tiffany & Co.

Alternative engagement rings
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Rope engagement ring in 18K Gold, POA

Kasun London

Alternative engagement rings
Kasun London 18K yellow gold and black diamonds, £2,185

Maria Tash

Maria Tash diamond halo Teardrop Eye finger ring, £4,650

Like this? Shop the most beautiful engagement rings for Valentine’s Day