Not sure what engagement ring to get? Each press builds one in plain words: a center stone, a setting, a metal and a wedding band to go with it. These are ideas to compare, with no prices and no shops.
Read the full guide
Keep what you like, reroll the rest
Press New ring idea. Four rows then sit under the result, each with a lock at its end. Lock the stone or the metal you already want and press again: only the open rows change.
Learn the words before you shop
Every term has a one-line meaning in the lists below. A halo is a ring of small diamonds around the center stone, a bezel wraps its edge in metal, and a split shank is a band that divides near the stone. Print ten ideas and take the sheet to a jeweler.
Tips
The elongated cuts are the oval, pear, marquise and emerald. Try one in a split-shank or double-band ring.
White gold and platinum look alike until they sit side by side, so a wedding band in the same metal matches best.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a solitaire and a halo?
A solitaire has a single stone. A halo ring circles the center stone with small diamonds, which adds sparkle and makes the center look larger.
What is a toi et moi ring?
French for you and me: a ring with two main stones, typically the same size and shape. Some pairs match, and some mix two different gems.
Does the stone have to be a diamond?
No. Sapphire, ruby and emerald are the classic colored stones, and the list also holds morganite, aquamarine, moissanite and lab-grown diamond, which is the same material as mined diamond.
Which ring metals are white?
White gold, platinum and palladium. White gold is gold mixed with white metals and often coated with rhodium. Platinum is grayish-white and denser, so the ring feels heavier.
Does this page say what a ring should cost?
No. It names styles and nothing else: no price, no stone size and no seller. A jeweler can price a style in the stone and metal you choose.
cushion-cut diamondThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle.
cushion-cut yellow diamondThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Yellow is a fancy color of diamond.
emerald-cut diamondA step cut with its corners cut off, named for its use on emeralds.
Show all 48 center stones (45 more)
Diamonds, continued
emerald-cut lab-grown diamondThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Lab-grown diamond is the same material as mined diamond.
heart-shaped diamondA modified brilliant cut in the outline of a heart.
marquise diamondThe marquise is also called navette, French for little boat.
old European-cut diamondThe old European cut dates from around 1870 and has a rounded shape.
old mine-cut diamondOld mine cuts are the cushion-shaped brilliants common by the early 1700s.
oval diamondThe oval is a modified brilliant cut, close to the round in sparkle.
oval lab-grown diamondThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Lab-grown diamond is the same material as mined diamond.
pear-shaped diamondThe pear, or drop, is a modified brilliant cut that looks like a drop of water.
princess-cut diamondA mixed cut from the 1960s, square or rectangular seen from above.
radiant-cut diamondThe radiant cut is a mixed cut with 70 facets.
radiant-cut yellow diamondThe radiant cut is a mixed cut with 70 facets. Yellow is a fancy color of diamond.
rose-cut diamondA flat base and a crown of triangular facets rising to a point: a cut from the 1500s.
round brilliant diamondThe round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut, with 57 facets.
round brilliant lab-grown diamondThe round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut. Lab-grown diamond is the same material as mined diamond.
square emerald-cut diamondA square version of the emerald cut, which is a step cut.
trilliant-cut diamondA triangular cut, with curved or straight sides.
Sapphire, ruby and emerald 12
cushion-cut rubyThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Ruby is red corundum.
cushion-cut sapphireThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Sapphire is corundum, best known in blue.
cushion-cut yellow sapphireThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Sapphires also come in yellow.
emerald-cut emeraldThe emerald cut is named for this stone. Emerald is green beryl.
emerald-cut sapphireThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Sapphire is corundum, best known in blue.
oval emeraldThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Emerald is green beryl.
oval green sapphireThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Sapphires also come in green.
oval pink sapphireThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Sapphires also come in pink.
oval rubyThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Ruby is red corundum.
oval sapphireThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Sapphire is corundum, best known in blue.
pear-shaped pink sapphireThe pear, or drop, is a modified brilliant cut. Sapphires also come in pink.
round brilliant sapphireThe round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut. Sapphire is corundum, best known in blue.
Other stones 17
cushion-cut alexandriteThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Alexandrite changes color with the light.
cushion-cut moissaniteThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a diamond alternative.
cushion-cut morganiteThe cushion cut is a rounded square or rectangle. Morganite is a pink or orange beryl.
emerald-cut amethystThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz.
emerald-cut aquamarineThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green beryl.
emerald-cut citrineThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Citrine is a transparent yellow quartz.
emerald-cut tourmalineThe emerald cut is a step cut with cut-off corners. Tourmaline comes in a wide variety of colors.
oval aquamarineThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green beryl.
oval blue topazThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Topaz is often treated to turn it deep blue.
oval moissaniteThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a diamond alternative.
oval morganiteThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Morganite is a pink or orange beryl.
oval peridotThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Peridot is a yellow-green gem.
oval tanzaniteThe oval is a modified brilliant cut. Tanzanite is the blue and violet variety of zoisite.
pear-shaped aquamarineThe pear, or drop, is a modified brilliant cut. Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green beryl.
pear-shaped morganiteThe pear, or drop, is a modified brilliant cut. Morganite is a pink or orange beryl.
round brilliant garnetThe round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut. Garnets have been worn as gems since the Bronze Age.
round brilliant moissaniteThe round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a diamond alternative.
How this list was compiled: Own list of 48 center stones, each a cut and a stone in plain words, with one line on the cut and the stone. Read 2026-09-30. Cuts: English Wikipedia 'Diamond cut' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_cut: the round brilliant and its 57 facets; the modified brilliants marquise, heart, trilliant, oval and pear; the step cuts emerald and square emerald; the mixed cuts princess and radiant; the cushion, old mine, old European and rose cuts), 'Princess cut' and 'Trilliant cut'. Stones: the lead sections of the Wikipedia articles Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Morganite, Aquamarine (gem), Moissanite, Tourmaline, Topaz, Chrysoberyl (for alexandrite), Tanzanite, Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Garnet, Synthetic diamond and Diamond color, and 'Engagement ring' for moissanite as a diamond alternative. Under x: cutFamily is the category the Diamond cut article puts the cut in; shapeFamily is round where that article calls the outline round or circular, elongated for the four shapes the International Gem Society calls elongated (oval, pear, marquise, emerald cut; https://www.gemsociety.org/article/engagement-ring-setting/) and angular where a source calls the outline square, rectangular or triangular; colour is colourless or coloured where the stone's article states it. A tag no source supports is left out. The square emerald cut is listed under that plain name and not under the trade name that comes from a company. No price, size or seller is given. Licence: own work
Setting: all 24 settings
Solitaires 11
bezel-set solitaireA rim of metal wraps the whole edge of the one stone and protects it.
cathedral solitaireA cathedral setting raises the stone higher, so more light reaches it.
engraved solitaireOne stone on a band with a pattern cut into the metal.
filigree solitaireOne stone, with filigree: fine twisted metalwork that often looks lacy.
Show all 24 settings (20 more)
Solitaires, continued
four-prong solitaireOne stone held by four prongs, which let in more light than six.
half-bezel solitaireA bezel that covers only part of the stone's edge.
milgrain-edged solitaireOne stone, with milgrain: a border of tiny metal beads.
rope-band solitaireOne stone on a band of two or more strands twisted around each other.
six-prong solitaireOne stone held by six prongs, a more secure hold than four.
tapered-band solitaireThe band narrows toward the stone, which makes the stone look larger.
tension-set solitaireThe band itself holds the stone by pressure, so the stone seems to float.
With more stones 10
channel-band solitaireA center stone on a band with a row of small stones held between two strips of metal.
double halo ringTwo rings of small stones circle the center stone.
floral halo ringA halo shaped like a flower, a vintage look.
halo ringA ring of small diamonds circles the center stone and makes it look larger.
pavé-band halo ringA halo around the stone and small diamonds along the band as well.
pavé-band solitaireOne center stone on a band paved with small diamonds.
scalloped halo ringA halo with a curvy, scalloped outline.
side-stone ringMore than three stones in all: a center stone and small accents along the band.
three-stone ringThe center stone has a smaller stone on each side.
two-stone (toi et moi) ringTwo main stones, typically the same size and shape.
Shaped bands 3
bypass ringThe band ends pass each other, one high on the stone and one low.
double-band ringTwo bands, side by side or crossing in an X under the stone.
split-shank ringThe band splits in two as it nears the stone.
How this list was compiled: Own list of 24 settings and ring shapes with one line each, after the International Gem Society's guide 'Engagement Ring Setting: What's Your Style?' by Addison Rice, updated 8 July 2024 (https://www.gemsociety.org/article/engagement-ring-setting/, read 2026-09-30): prongs (four or six), bezel and half bezel, tension, pavé, channel setting, solitaire, halo (double, floral, scalloped), three stone, two stone or toi et moi, side stone, cathedral, bypass, split shank, tapered and rope bands, double bands, filigree, milgrain and engraving. The tension setting is also as English Wikipedia's 'Tension ring' describes it and the three-stone ring as its 'Trilogy ring'. Under x: stones is one, three or many as the guide describes the arrangement; height is high only for the cathedral setting, which the guide says raises the stone higher. Nothing else is tagged. The cluster setting is left out because it has no single center stone, and names the guide does not define (hidden halo, east-west) are left out. Wording is our own. Licence: own work
Metal: all 7 metals
Gold 5
rose goldGold mixed with copper, and sometimes a little silver. Also called pink gold.
rose gold with a white gold settingA pink band with white metal around the stone.
white goldGold mixed with white metals, often coated with rhodium for a silvery look.
yellow goldThe most common metal for engagement rings, with a warm yellow color.
Show all 7 metals (3 more)
Gold, continued
yellow gold with a white gold settingA yellow band with white metal around the stone.
Platinum family 2
palladiumA white metal of the platinum family, lighter in weight than platinum.
platinumA grayish-white metal, denser than gold, so the ring feels heavier.
How this list was compiled: Own list of 7 metals with one line each, after the International Gem Society's 'How to Choose the Best Metal for Your Engagement Ring', updated 8 August 2024 (https://www.gemsociety.org/article/ring-metal-options/, read 2026-09-30) and English Wikipedia's 'Colored gold' (rose gold is also called pink gold) and 'Engagement ring' (gold in yellow, white and rose, and platinum, are the preferred metals). Under x: colour is yellow, white or pink where a source states it. Sterling silver and titanium are in the guide but not in the row: the guide says silver is not often used for rings worn every day and that titanium is hard to work, so they would not suit every setting in the list. No karat, price or seller is given. Licence: own work
Wedding band: all 15 wedding bands
Metal only 9
brushedA soft finish made with a wire brush in place of a high polish.
engravedA pattern is cut into the metal.
filigreeDecorated with fine twisted metalwork.
hammeredA hammered texture in place of a high polish.
infinity-twistTwisted strands with open space between them, like the infinity sign.
Show all 15 wedding bands (10 more)
Metal only, continued
matchingMade as a pair with the engagement ring, so the two sit together with no gap.
milgrain-edgedA border of tiny metal beads runs along the band.
plain polishedA simple gold or platinum band, the classic partner for a solitaire.
twisted ropeTwo or more strands of metal twisted around each other.
Set with stones 6
bar-set diamondEach diamond sits between upright bars of metal.
channel-set diamondA row of diamonds held between two strips of metal.
full eternityAn unbroken line of matched stones runs all the way around.
half-eternityMatched stones run across the face of the band only.
half-pavéPavé diamonds that go only halfway around the band.
pavé diamondSmall diamonds held by tiny prongs, set close so the band looks paved.
How this list was compiled: Own list of 15 kinds of wedding band with one line each, after three pages read 2026-09-30: the International Gem Society's 'How to Match a Wedding Band and Engagement Ring' by Katy Tezak, updated 9 September 2021 (https://www.gemsociety.org/article/match-wedding-band-engagement-ring/: the simple gold or platinum band, the diamond band, the eternity band, the matching band), its setting guide (https://www.gemsociety.org/article/engagement-ring-setting/: pavé that goes fully or halfway around, channel and bar settings, rope and infinity bands, filigree, milgrain, engraving, brushed and hammered finishes) and English Wikipedia's 'Eternity ring' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity_ring: a continuous line of identically cut stones, or across the face only for a half eternity). Under x: band is plain or set (with stones) as the source describes it. Licence: own work