It's one of the most expensive—and significant—purchases of your life. Whether you and your partner go engagement ring shopping together or decide that the sparkler should be a complete surprise, much thought and careful consideration goes into the selection of this piece. And while such a diamond is an universal symbol of two people committing to one another, everyone's individual style and preferences are uniquely different, making this acquisition an incredibly personal decision. As a result, it's critical that you love the sparkler you pick. "My biggest piece of advice is to get a stone, diamond or gemstone, that you really connect with," says Caitlin Mociun, the founder of Mociun, a Brooklyn-based jeweler. "You can always reset a stone into a new design; and, generally, the stone is going to be the priciest part of your engagement ring purchase."
When you're shopping for such a piece, you may find yourself eyeing some of the latest trends from beloved celebrities or your Instagram algorithm. However, before you start saving such images to your inspiration board, consider your lifestyle. For example, if your job requires you to frequently work with your hands, you'll want to take the size and setting of the diamond into account. And, oftentimes, remember that what you see online can be vastly different from how a stone appears in real life. "It’s completely normal to change your mind about what shape you love once you actually see the ring on your hand," says Kegan Fisher, the CEO and co-founder of Frank Darling. "That’s why we always recommend trying on styles early in the process. You don’t want to fall in love with an emerald cut online, only to realize in person you actually prefer the sparkle of a round."
Below, the experts explain seven popular engagement ring trends you should avoid—and what to opt for instead when it comes to your sparker. Read on for everything you need to know.
Ultra-Maximalist Rings
This year, more celebrities appear to be gravitating toward statement-making, ultra-maximalist rings. However, Neil Dutta, the managing director of Angelic Diamonds, says couples should carefully consider their personal needs before purchasing such a sparkler. "Dua Lipa’s bold, chunky design has sparked a surge in interest for oversized stones, bold clusters, and statement settings," he says. "While they’re eye-catching, they’re not always the most practical for everyday wear. If you know your partner will love the look, go for it, but keep in mind that some couples choose a simpler band for day-to-day use later on."
Bubble Bands
Though bubble bands are a unique choice, they're far from a practical choice. For a ring you're going to wear every day, you'll likely want something a bit more low maintenance. "I would advise skipping the bubble band trend," says Nicole Wegman, the founder and CEO of Ring Concierge. "This style features diamonds all the way around the band that appear to float by using two prongs to hold each one in place. The downside with this style is that the diamonds are less secure and there is a higher risk of them falling out, especially over time. A pavé band is a great alternative for a similar look."
Semi-Precious Gemstones
Hear us out: Though semi-precious stones may seem like a great option for those shopping for an affordable bauble, multiple jewelers advise passing on these gemstones when it comes to your engagement ring. That's because they generally rank low on the Mohs hardness scale, making them susceptible to daily wear and tear. "I recommend skipping a semi-precious gemstone," says Olivia Landau, the founder and CEO of The Clear Cut. "While gemstones like amethyst, topaz, or tourmaline can be unique, they may not have the same timeless appeal as diamonds and will be less durable in the long run. If you want a colored gemstone, stick to a sapphire or ruby that has a Mohs hardness scale of 9 so it will be durable for everyday wear."
Four-Prong Settings With No Gallery Rail
This is one of the few designs that Fisher says she immediately says no to. "Not because we don't love the look (we do), but because structurally, it simply won’t hold up," she says. "The stone will almost certainly come loose, and much sooner than you'd like. That said, it's one of our most requested styles and is widely available online through other websites. There are variations that we'll approve, but they require additional structural tweaks to ensure the design works safely."
Ring Soldering
Ring soldering has gained major traction in the last few years—the process of fusing your wedding band and engagement ring together to keep them in place—but permanently combining your baubles isn't something many jewelers recommend. "While this can keep the rings perfectly aligned, it limits your flexibility to wear just the band for a more understated look or switch out bands to commemorate special occasions like anniversaries or the birth of a child," says Sarah Ortega, the founder of Sarah O. Jewelry. "Additionally, if one part of the set needs repair, you'll be without the entire set during the repair process, increasing the risk of damaging the undamaged piece. Keeping your rings separate offers more versatility and ease of maintenance."
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High-Set Rings
According to Wegman, while high-set rings tend to make diamonds appear larger, they aren't the most practical option for everyday wear, as they can easily get caught in everything. "I recommend avoiding high-set rings," she says. "If you look at a ring from the side and its center stone is particularly elevated above the band, that means it's high set. High settings are more prone to snagging as the raised stone can catch on clothing or hair, and they are more vulnerable to damage from accidental bumps or scrapes."
Traditional Halos
While popular, most experts recommend opting for something other than the traditional halo. "The halo has had its day, and while it lasted for longer than anyone thought possible, it is finally starting to fade," Zaven Ghanimian, the co-founder and CEO of Simon G., notes. "With the rise in lab diamonds, we see an increase in the size of the center stone, allowing the stone to stand on its own and not need any extra enhancements. If a halo is desired, opt for an under-halo style which adds a bit of sparkle from all sides but allows the center stone to stand on its own and command attention."
Colorful Gemstones
Dutta recommends approaching colorful gemstones with caution, especially if you're not ring shopping alongside your future spouse. "Unless you are absolutely certain your partner wants a non-traditional stone, such as a sapphire, emerald, or morganite, it can be a risky choice," he says. "Colored stones can be stunning, but they are not for everyone, and many are softer than diamonds, which means they may scratch or wear down over time."
Extremely Thin Bands
Keep the main purpose of your band in mind: Securing the stone's place on your finger. "We're deep into the chunky ring trend, but plenty of customers still ask for ultra-thin bands," Fisher says. "Every jeweler draws the line somewhere, for us, the minimum is 1.5 millimeters tall and 1.7 millimeters wide. That’s already considered delicate for daily wear. But we still get regular requests for bands as thin as 1 millimeters or 1.2 millimeters, and as tempting as that may be, they just don’t hold up in the real world."
