Best Ideas for Unique Non-Traditional Engagement Rings
While you can’t go wrong with a traditional engagement ring, sometimes it’s nice to think outside of the box, looking to something a little more unique. Just because the words “will you marry me?” are the same across the board, doesn’t mean the rings have to be too. Plus, unique, non-traditional engagement rings can be just as timeless, elegant and classy as traditional engagement rings. They just have a little more panache and they allow for a stronger expression of individuality.
So, if you are torn between getting a classic, traditional engagement ring or a big, bold unique engagement ring, this article is for you. We are going to discuss traditional vs non-traditional engagement rings, what makes an engagement ring unique, and where you can buy big, beautiful, unique engagement rings in South Florida at a great price.
TRADITIONAL VS NON-TRADITIONAL ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Traditional engagement rings are classic designs that have been around as long as the practice of giving engagement rings has been a ubiquitous thing. When someone says “traditional”, they are mainly talking about solitaire, halo or three-stone engagement rings that use a round brilliant, princess cut, or cushion cut diamond and a plain or pave diamond band.
These are timeless, simple designs that will never go out of style. However, they will never really standout among the rest either. Unless, of course, the diamond center stone is of a very substantial size.
Traditional rings are perfect for women who are conservative, traditional and romantic. They prefer a simple, elegant look. You can see this in the way they dress and by the jewelry and accessories they wear.
Non-traditional engagement rings, on the other hand, can be defined as anything that doesn’t fit inside the category of “traditional”. Engagement rings with split shanks, bypass settings, tension settings, colorful gemstones, fancy diamond shapes, and so on would all be considered non-traditional.
When we say non-traditional, we don’t necessarily mean modern either. Some “non-traditional” engagement rings have been around longer than even the round diamond solitaire setting. For example, the cluster setting, which would be considered non-traditional, has been around for centuries. Many vintage rings are non-traditional in the modern time.
Really anything that goes against the norm, with the norm being what the vast majority of people buy (simple solitaire or halo settings), is a non-traditional engagement ring…or, in other words, is a unique engagement ring. As such, if you want to stand out in a unique yet sophisticated way, you just need to think beyond these two main styles.
Are solitaire engagement rings boring?
Solitaire engagement rings should not be considered boring. It is a classic style that will always be in fashion. This is because the solitaire setting is absolutely stunning and graceful. It puts all of the attention on the diamond, and who can call a diamond boring?
That said, a solitaire setting is definitely not unique. They make up the vast, VAST majority of engagement rings on the market. Round brilliant diamond solitaire engagement rings don’t really express any real sense of originality. When you get a solitaire engagement ring, you are getting a style that more than 90% of women have.
So, boring, no. Unique, no, as well.
WHAT MAKES AN ENGAGEMENT RING UNIQUE?
If you’ve only ever thought about solitaire or halo engagement rings, you will be surprised by the plethora of engagement ring designs out there. The options for a unique look are endless. Every element of an engagement ring can be changed to make something that suits your taste.
All of the following aspects can make an engagement ring unique and stand out:
- Fancy diamond shape (note: any diamond that is not a round brilliant diamond is fancy diamond shape)
- Large diamond center stone
- Unique setting and band style
- Special styling details
- Use of colorful gemstones
- Use of fancy colored diamonds
- Mixing metals or two tone designs
- Step cut side stones
- Vintage or antique rings
- Special motifs
These are just general ideas. If we wanted to get more specific and cover everything, we would need to write a book. So, just to give you some inspiration, let us show you a few specific examples…
BIG BEAUTIFUL UNIQUE ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Here are some examples of stunning and elegant non-traditional engagement rings that will surely make you stand out from the crowd.
Double Halo Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
This ring takes a traditional setting and puts a major spin on it. For starters, it has a spectacular rectangular yellow diamond at the center, which is surrounded by not one but two halos of round brilliant diamonds. And as if that wasn’t enough, it has a split shank band with pave diamonds.
To top it all off, the ring is very sizable, and thanks to the use of a double halo, it is not as expensive as you’d think. The double halo gives it the appearance of the centerpiece being 1.5-2 carats bigger without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a single enter stone with the same volume.
Unique Vintage Ring
This engagement ring is so unique, the setting doesn’t even have a category. It is an elevated halo-style setting with a Victorian-esque structure. You could also consider it a three stone ring with the large round brilliants on the side. Those side stones are also haloed by small round brilliants. To amplify the shine even more, the band uses an open pave setting, so you can see the diamonds from the sides as well as the top.
All in all, this ring is extremely distinctive and it has a proper vintage look. It is an engagement ring that simply can’t be missed. It will sit high above the finger, as proud as the bride-to-be who dons it.
Three-Stone Sapphire Engagement Ring
For the colorful, regal-thinking divas out there, this ring combines a look of the past with modern brilliance. Sapphire three stone rings were a popular choice for royalty in the 1800s. Even in modern times, royals love sapphires. Princess Diana had a sapphire and diamond engagement ring that was passed down to Kate Middleton a few years ago.
This engagement ring is the perfect example of why sapphires and diamonds go so well together. The oval sapphire is of exquisite quality as are the step-cut side stones. The large sapphire center stone contrasts so beautifully with the white diamonds, making for a one-of-a-kind look. If you were to own this ring, you would be the only one with this style. For those who want something unique yet elegant, it doesn’t get more unique and elegant than this. This is an engagement ring worthy of a princess.
Pear Engagement Ring with Marquise Cut Diamond Band
While the pear diamond has been around for hundreds of years and its popularity has spiked over the last few years, it is still not a common diamond shape to see. To make matters even more interesting, this engagement ring has marquise cut diamonds set into the band with an east-west positioning. If you think the pear diamond is not all that unique, there’s no arguing the originality of the marquise diamond band. We can almost guarantee you have never seen that before. If you were to be the owner of this ring, you will never find another person with a ring like yours.
Pink Pear Diamond Double Halo Two Tone Engagement Ring
For the ladies who love pink, this is a dream engagement ring. It features a fancy pink pear diamond center stone and the first layer of the halo is made of fancy pink round brilliants. The pink diamonds are juxtaposed between a final pear shaped layer of white round brilliant diamonds. This contrast of pink and white is intensified even more thanks to the use of the rose gold settings for the pink diamonds. The two tone metal really loudens the beauty of the unique engagement ring.
The final element to note is the pave diamond band. Although this doesn’t add to the non-traditional aspect of the ring, it does add to its radiance. This engagement ring is completely encrusted with diamonds. It has so much brilliance. Pictures only do it a small amount of justice.
See the full sales listing for this pink pear diamond halo engagement ring
Pear Diamond With A Cluster Setting
You can see we have a thing for pear diamonds this year. Right now, pear shaped diamonds are one of the hottest “non-traditional” options. You can’t go wrong with this sweet flavored diamond.
That said, this is probably unlike any pear diamond engagement ring you have ever seen. It might also be the most unique engagement ring we’ve shown you in this article. The long cut pear diamond is surrounded by prominently tipped round brilliant diamonds. It makes the pear diamond center stone look like it has some form of crystallization along its edges. It’s absolutely breathtaking both on an aesthetic and brilliance front. The round brilliant diamonds react to the light in a different way than the pear diamond, so the light performance is all over the place. This ring beams light in the most incredible way.
What’s more to love about the ring is the thin straight edged bad, which also has a few accent diamonds on both sides. The dainty-ish band makes the already huge center piece appear even bigger and it places it at the center of attention, as it should be. It really is the perfect band for a centerpiece like this.
See the full sales listing for this cluster setting pear diamond engagement ring
Antique Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
If you sized this ring down to a “normal” engagement ring size and you saw it at glance, there really wouldn’t be anything too unique about it. It is a cushion cut halo engagement ring with a pave diamond band, right?
However, this engagement ring is not a normal size, it is has 10 carat diamond center stone, and that cushion cut diamond is actually an antique old mine cut diamond, both of which make this ring unbelievably unique.
The sheer size of this ring will make it stand out in any crowd. You will be hard pressed to find another person with a diamond of this size on their finger. It is pure celebrity status.
If you look at it from the side view, you will also notice how far the diamond stands up due to it being an old mind cut. It is like a crown or a dome on the finger. Most engagement rings are stunning from certain angles, this one will hit you no matter which way you are looking at it.
What’s more, it is not just any 10 carat diamond, it is an old mine cut. This was the most popular diamond cut of the 18th and 19th century, so it was used during the classic Georgian and Victorian jewelry eras. Today, old mind cuts are very hard to come by, which makes them extremely sought after and valuable.
This is more than just a unique engagement ring, it is a jaw-dropping show-stopper. If you can afford a ring like this, you are among the elite.
See the full sales listing for this antique 10 carat halo engagement ring
WHERE TO BUY UNIQUE NON-TRADITIONAL BIG ENGAGEMENT RINGS IN BOCA RATON & SOUTH FLORIDA?
At Raymond Lee Jewelers and Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton, we have a huge collection of both pre-owned and new traditional and unique, non-traditional engagement rings. The rings above are just a very small sample of what we have. So, whether you want a classic design or something distinctly you, we can take care of you. We will guide you and answer any questions you have so you can choose the engagement ring of your dreams. Moreover, we will work with your budget so you can get the best bang for your buck. This is why we are Boca Raton’s #1 choice for engagement rings year after year. We are known for providing the best engagement rings, the best prices, and the best service. Stop in and check for yourself. You can try on any ring your heart desires.
Check out our collection of engagement rings at Raymond Lee Jewelers
Check out our collection of engagement rings at Diamonds By Raymond Lee
Contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!