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Black Diamond Princess Ring: A pair of black diamond rings with intricate detailing, featuring a square-cut black diamond centerpiece.

Contemporaty and Modern Engagement Ring Styles

Published October 29, 2015

Every romance has its special moments. Every love is unique. Every engagement celebrates a relationship. And sometimes an unusual engagement ring shows another side.

With these sentiments in mind, we searched for engagement rings with contemporary designs, those that were far off the beaten path. The eclectic pieces we picked share a few themes: they speak of eco-awareness, feature alternative materials, and are for couples looking to make a statement.

If you’re searching for the perfect modern engagement ring style for your bride-to-be, you may find some interesting ideas here. And even if these rings aren’t the right fit, you may find some unusual inspiration.

The Covet engagement ring features a 4.53 ct rough octahedron diamond with a halo mounting in platinum. Courtesy: Diamond in the Rough.

The Covet engagement ring features a 4.53 ct rough octahedron diamond with a halo mounting in platinum. Courtesy: Diamond in the Rough.

If you like conversation pieces, this ring will ignite discussion. Take the quintessential platinum engagement ring with a halo setting. Then for the dramatic surprise: instead of a classic round brilliant, set a 4.53 ct rough diamond in its natural octahedron shape. Although it’s bold and contemporary, this modern engagement ring design still retains its classic charm.

Image Courtesy of Anna Sheffield

Hazeline Solitaire Ring with Blackened Rutilated Quartz. Image Courtesy of Anna Sheffield

In a nod to both traditional and modern styles, a blacked rutilated quartz is set in a six-prong setting with black diamond accents set in 14k gold. 

An unpolished rough diamond crystal is the focal point of the Diamond Orbit engagement ring by Krikawa. Courtesy: Krikawa.com

An unpolished rough diamond crystal is the focal point of the Diamond Orbit engagement ring by Krikawa. Courtesy: Krikawa.com

It’s an unusual design. In this yellow gold ring, a single continuous curved prong holds a rough diamond crystal in place, an innovative design element. Yet fourteen diamonds, 0.14 carat total weight, flush set in the shank link this contemporary engagement ring to its more traditional counterparts.

Selda Okutan’s Drop of Tear ring literally turns convention on its head. Courtesy: Selda Okutan

Selda Okutan’s Drop of Tear ring literally turns convention on its head. Courtesy: Selda Okutan

This modern design features a zircon mounted upside down with the culet pointing up. Just two pieces of blackened metal make up the shank and setting. The result is a minimalist ring that looks like a piece of modern art – or a medieval weapon. This is not for the faint of heart, but for those who want to make a truly avant-garde statement.

What a difference color makes – 1.63 ct black princess cut diamond set in 14K blackened gold. Courtesy: Front Jewelers, www.frontjewelers.net

What a difference color makes – 1.63 ct black princess cut diamond set in 14K blackened gold. Courtesy: Front Jewelers, www.frontjewelers.net

Search for “princess cut engagement rings” and you’ll find many with strikingly similar designs – except they’re in platinum or white gold with colorless diamonds. Use a 1.63 ct princess cut black diamond and 14K blackened gold, and you’ll end up with a contemporary design that emphatically states that black is the new black.

Jewelry changes with society. In our brave new world, there are no rules. And that means there’s an incredible variety and choice in engagement rings. So find that one that’s perfect for your sweetheart.

Designers debuted engagement rings for 2016 this spring and summer. See what styles are trending.