Rock your romance: Why you should consider a non-traditional engagement ring

If the idea of a classic solitaire diamond leaves you feeling less than inspired, you’re in the right place.

For decades, we’ve been told by movies, magazines, and big-name brands that engagement rings, weddings – and even love – look a certain way. But let’s toss aside the rule book for a second. Today we’re challenging the notion that the traditional white diamond engagement ring is the only way to symbolise your love.

From bold colours to unexpected materials, here are five reasons that a wild and wonderful engagement ring might be right up your alley.

1. Break from tradition

Your engagement ring isn’t a fashion statement or a status symbol. And despite what convention might have you believe, the size of your stone doesn’t correlate with the depth of your love. Instead of a round white diamond, these modern choices are a great way to turn a classic design into your own personal statement:

• Coloured diamonds in shades like champagne, cognac, yellow and grey, as well as the rare pink diamond and the blatantly anti-traditional black diamond
• Perfectly imperfect salt and pepper diamonds
• Sapphires (which come in almost all the colours of the rainbow)
• Alternative shapes like emerald cuts, hexagons or freeform gems
• Antique cuts with an old-world charm, like old mine cut diamonds

Remember that the gem is just one part of the ring. If you’re loving the sound of a timeless white diamond, more power to you. To put a modern spin on a classic gem, think of ways to subvert the format of the traditional engagement ring. Add asymmetry, experiment with colour, mix your metals or play with different-shaped settings.

Book a complimentary consult and we’d be happy to go through some options with you.

2. Tell your story

You and your partner have a story. And it’s probably a damn good one. Use the moments and memories that mean the most to you as inspiration, from hidden messages inside the band to a gemstone that reminds you of the place you first met. Instead of telling a story that’s just like everyone else’s, your ring becomes a conversation piece that captures the magic of your partnership.

Answer these questions to find your engagement ring story.

3. Make it yours

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably keen on a ring that is unmistakably yours (not one that would get lost in a line-up of stock-standard engagement rings). The key is to personalise, personalise, personalise. Like a ring band cast from the stem of a flower your partner gifted you. Or a song lyric engraved on the inside of your band. Think of your ring as a unique and irreplicable fingerprint (and yes, you can even personalise it with your fingerprint).

4. Embrace sustainability

While not always the case, the majority of traditional retailers don’t have sustainability as a key consideration. If sustainability is a priority, look for a jeweller who can supply ethically sourced gemstones and precious metals, or recycle your heirloom jewellery. Note that vague statements about conflict-free diamonds and lab-grown diamonds being more ethical don't always consider the full picture. Be sure to ask deeper questions like “how do you define ethical sourcing?” and “what measures are taken to ensure responsible mining practices?”. Not all gemstones will have this information available. However, a sustainability-focused jeweller should be able to offer options that are more aligned with your values.

5. Enjoy the experience

This is one of those times where the journey is just as important as the destination. When you break from tradition with a custom-made alternative engagement ring, you get a behind-the-scenes insight into the process of bringing your piece to life. After all, creating a bespoke, story-worthy engagement ring is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy it.

What are the most popular untraditional engagement rings?

We've worked with customers all over the world. Couples who want a distinctly different engagement ring often choose one of the following:

• Coloured diamond centre stones in rare and hard-to-find hues
• Sapphire engagement rings in a plethora of beautiful shades, including gems that change colour in different lights, or parti sapphires with multiple colours in one stone
• Rustic or salt and pepper diamonds with interesting inclusions and features
• Bold black diamond rings - the antithesis of everything a traditional engagement ring stands for
• Sustainability-rated lab-created diamonds that have the durability and sparkle of mined diamonds, without the carbon footprint
• Moissanite, a lab-created gem that’s even more sparkly than diamonds
• Tourmaline, spinel, aquamarine or morganite cluster rings for unique colours and a splash of individuality

Check out the Design Gallery for unique jewellery inspiration.

So there you have it. Five rule-breaking reasons to consider a non-traditional engagement ring.

By choosing a piece that reflects your values around individuality, sustainability and love, you’re turning your ring into more than just a fashion statement.

If you need a sign, here it is. Book a call or send an email to start the conversation.