Engagement rings come in a handful of classic styles, and most rings combine two or three of them: a halo with a pavé band, say, or a solitaire with a split shank. Knowing the names makes it easier to find what you love. Here is each style, what it looks like and who it suits.
Solitaire
A single centre diamond on a band, with nothing to compete with it. Timeless and endlessly versatile. See solitaire engagement rings.
Halo
A circle of small diamonds around the centre stone, making it look larger and brighter. Beautiful around round and fancy shapes alike. See halo engagement rings.
Pavé
A band set with rows of small diamonds, so the whole ring sparkles and leads the eye to the centre. See pavé engagement rings.
Three-stone
A centre diamond between two side stones, often read as past, present and future. See three-stone engagement rings.
Split shank
The band divides into two as it reaches the diamond, giving the ring presence and an open, airy look. See split shank engagement rings.
Bezel
A smooth rim of metal holds the diamond all the way around: secure, modern and practical for an active life. See bezel engagement rings.
Swirl
The band spirals around the diamond in an embrace. It is DANHOV's signature, in our Abbraccio collection. See swirl engagement rings.
Vintage style
Hand engraving, milgrain edges and filigree give a new ring the soul of an heirloom. See vintage-style engagement rings.
Twisted
Rope, braided and crossover bands of strands turned together. See twisted engagement rings.
East-west
An oval, emerald or marquise diamond set sideways across the finger, like a horizon. See east-west engagement rings.
Tension
The diamond is held by the pressure of the band itself and seems to float. Read our guide to tension set engagement rings.
How to choose a style
- Look at her jewellery. Clean and modern suggests a solitaire or bezel; ornate suggests vintage or halo.
- Think about her hands and life. Low, smooth settings like a bezel suit an active life.
- Choose the shape too. Some styles shine with particular shapes; see our diamond shape guides.