There's no engagement ring more classic than a diamond engagement ring. They've stood the test of time as one of the most popular choices to propose with, bypassing trends and seasons to remain a top pick for people proposing. This is one engagement ring stone that never, never, goes out of style and will look stunning on your wedding day, paired with your wedding band.
If you're in need of some diamond engagement ring inspiration, look no further because we've cherry picked the best diamond engagement rings, whether you're the proposer or the one being proposed to. You could even screenshot this and send to your partner as a little inspo, or leave your laptop around casually open on this webpage if you feel a proposal is on the cards. There's nothing like a heavy hint to get the thoughts process flowing...
From oval diamond engagement rings, halo, trilogy or your classic solitaire, there's an engagement ring peppered with a diamond or two to suit all tastes and budgets. It even topped the list as the most iconic engagement ring 2023, with Megan Fox's diamond sparkler taking the top spot according a Pandora report.
How I chose the best diamond engagement rings
Trusted brands: I shop for a living (and have done for over 10 years) and am au fait with the brands that are known and trusted, and that includes for pricier engagement rings. The brands listed all have brilliant warranties or returns policies, and the majority offer in-person or virtual consultations if that avenue suits too.
Price: Naturally, engagement rings are expensive - and I've made sure to include rings across the pricing scale, so cover all budgets.
Stone: It goes without saying that all of the engagement rings are diamond engagement rings, and I've included a few lab-grown diamond engagement rings. Some also use recycled metals, which I've pointed out where applicable.
Metal: Not everyone is a fan of white gold or platinum, which appears to be the most common metal used in engagement rings. As well as listing a few pieces using yellow gold, I've called out those where you can choose the metal. Many allow the buyer to choose their loved one's preferred metal, so make sure you know it before your big ring purchase too.
Variety: From halo to oval to emerald cut and more, the edit includes a wide variety of rings to cover all tastes. There's trend-led rings, classic cuts and unusual shapes too.
Wanting that diamond engagement ring inspiration? We've highlighted the top engagement ring brands, and chosen the best diamond engagement ring from their collection...
Also available in 18ct white gold and 18ct yellow gold
A timeless token of love, this Platinum Diamond Halo Ring is seriously stunning. It's hard not to fall in love with the beautiful round-cut diamond which sits at its centre.
2/12
Brilliant Earth Viviana Three-Quarter Coverage Diamond Engagement Ring
Available in platinum, 18k white gold, 18k yellow gold and 14k rose gold.
An oval shaped engagement ring is one of the most in demand at the moment, thanks to its classic yet clean vibe and this is a beautiful version of that trend, with scalloped pavé diamonds and graceful claw prongs
Brilliant Earth use 100% recycled precious metals and offer lab-grown, naturally mined and recycled diamonds.
Available in platinum, 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold
Created using recycled metals, this Marquise cut diamond engagement ring is a showstopper, with its contemporary, angular shape and yet classic design.
Handcrafted in London, and comes with a one-year warranty.
Mappin & Webb's solitaire diamond engagement ring is a beautifully traditional engagement ring, with the focus on one stunning round brilliant cut diamond.
5/12
Blue Nile Crescent Pavé Diamond Open Engagement Ring
Available in platinum, 18k white gold, 18k yellow gold and 14k rose gold, 14k yellow gold and 14k white gold.
For a unique engagement ring, this stunning design from Blue Nile is beautiful. This open engagement ring features a gorgeous crescent of pavé-set diamonds sparkling along one side, with a diamond on the other side.
6/12
Neil Lane 14ct White Gold 0.75ct Total Diamond Halo Ring
A go-to designer worn by everyone from Miley Cyrus to Jennifer Lawrence, you don't need a Hollywood budget to treat that special someone to a Neil Lane engagement ring. A highlight from his Ernest Jones collection is this diamond halo ring, currently half price.
7/12
Vrai Five Stone Heirloom Round Brilliant Engagement Ring
The go-to wedding dress designer for everyone from Rochelle Humes to Hailey Bieber, you can also snap up Vera Wang's designs from her Vera Wang LOVE jewellery collection.
This is a beautiful ring with an emerald cut diamond taking centre stage.
11/12
Astley Clarke Solid Gold Natural Diamond Interstellar Ring
Inspired by medieval jewellery, this engagement ring is beautifully distressed, with tactile textures and an oval-cut white diamond.
It's a modern take on a traditional style, and easy to wear everyday or stacked.
How much money should you spend on an engagement ring?
Past traditions dictate that three months' salary should be spent on an engagement ring, however, these days there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has a different idea of budget and with so many designers and high-street jewellers offering a wide range of stunning styles, price doesn't have to be a major cause for concern. Steven Stone’s Managing Director Zack Stone commented: "Though it emerged as a marketing tactic post World War II to boost diamond sales, people tend to follow the guideline that they should spend three months salary on a ring. As of 2024, the typical expenditure on an engagement ring falls within the range of £4,000 to £5,000.
"However, there’s no obligation to conform to this average - what’s most important is that you spend what you’re comfortable with and get the best possible value for your money."
If you're worried about making the wrong choice, a dummy proposal ring could be an option and you and your bride-to-be can go ring shopping together afterwards.
How many carats is appropriate for a diamond engagement ring?
"The average carat weight for a natural diamond engagement ring sold at Steven Stone in 2023 was 0.844," reveals Zack. "In line with the years rise in lab grown diamonds, the average carat weight for a lab-grown diamond engagement ring sold at Steven Stone was 1.358." Of course, there's no pressure to abide by a certain carat size as other factors such as budget and style can impact your final choice.
Buying a diamond engagement ring - the four C's
Don't hit the jewellery shops without arming yourself with the knowledge of the four C's, what to look for when buying an engagement ring:
Carat - This refers to the diamond's actual weight, not size. One carat equals 0.2g. The bigger the carat, the bigger the diamond.
Colour - With a white diamond, this refers to how white the diamond is. They're graded D to Z, with D being the most white. "An I colour is the average offered by high-street jewellers," explains one of 77 Diamonds in-house experts. "J, K and L have a slight tint to them and you can see it's quite yellow, so they're much more suited to rose gold or yellow gold rings because you have the warmth of the metal, so you don't see the colour of the diamond as much."
Clarity - When talking about clarity, it's about how flawed or flawless the diamond is. The top-level of clarity is flawless or internally flawless – that means inside the stone there's nothing wrong with it whatsoever
Cut - A lot of the time, cut is mistaken for shape but shape refers to just that, whether it's an oval, emerald, square etc. Cut refers to the light reflection within the stone, and is graded excellent, very good, good, fair or poor.
What's the most popular diamond engagement ring trend?
At Steven Stone, 44% of engagement rings sold boasted a round cut diamond, which Zack calls "a timeless cut that exhibits exceptional symmetry and brilliance."
"The round cut diamonds enduring popularity is a testament to its unmatched brilliance, adaptability to various settings, and deep-rooted symbolism of everlasting love. As couples continue to seek timeless and elegant symbols of commitment, the round cut diamond remains a steadfast and beloved choice for generations to come," he adds.
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