Engagement ring styles, where to start?

If an engagement is on the horizon, you're already engaged and ready to pick the ring or you just like looking at sparkles, then you'll be interested in this expert's take on the most popular styles of ring at the moment. Pear shape or opal, princess or round, cushion or emerald...the list is endless and that's before you get started on the four C's (Cut, Clarity, Carat and Colour). There's a lot to take in and of course, it's an individual choice, what's right for you won't necessarily be the perfect fit for someone else. In case you're interested in a professional opinion though, we chatted with the experts at Weir & Sons to find out what engagement ring trends are popular right now. It seems that there's one ring style getting a lot of love of at the moment and it's a little bit different.

"We are seeing a perpetual surge in popularity for an oval halo with diamond shoulders, the average weight of the centre stone being around .50ct".

It's fair to say that the oval shape is a major hit and after getting engaged myself last year, I started to notice that opal rings were experiencing a surge in popularity. However, aside from this, the traditional solitaire ring, pictured above, remains a steadfast choice.

"We are seeing a continued trend for the classic and timeless modern round brilliant solitaire ring, average carat weight coming in around .70ct".

Gold rings are experiencing a resurgence in recent times with some jewellers suggesting that this may be due to Meghan Markle's engagement ring. However, we are told that currently, platinum is still the number one choice.

"We have seen a renewed and increased interest in yellow gold for engagement rings, however platinum remains our most popular metal choice for durability and timelessness".

As mentioned already, regardless of professional opinion, choosing an engagement ring is very much a personal choice and as long as you're delighted with your ring, that's all that matters. That said, we are sparkle magpies and love hearing about different types, shapes, and styles.