Few possessions carry the emotional weight of an engagement ring. In Britain, this cherished emblem is more than an ornamental gesture — it marks a profound commitment, capturing love, hope, and the start of a lifelong journey. Whether a simple solitaire or an intricately embellished band, each ring chosen reveals not only personal taste but something more profound about the values and story shared by the couple.
Despite wider economic pressures, the tradition of exchanging rings remains remarkably resilient. The UK jewellery market is forecast to reach an impressive £6.1 billion by 2030, with engagement rings leading growth. Recent industry figures show that the average British couple spent £5,750 on an engagement ring in 2024, a sum that has remained stable thanks in part to the widespread embrace of lab-grown diamonds. These stones, offering both ethical appeal and exceptional value, have made larger carat weights more accessible, without driving prices upwards.
Notably, rings account for more than 40% of bridal jewellery sales worldwide, and the UK continues to be a core market for both luxury and sentimental jewellery. With tradition evolving alongside style, today’s couples are blending timeless designs with contemporary interpretations. Below, we explore the most popular engagement ring styles in the UK for 2025, based on real sales data, jewellers’ insights, and the search trends shaping this year’s bridal market.
Fun Fact: According to Queensmith, a leading London jeweller, 73% of solitaire ring buyers in 2024 opted for lab-grown diamonds, marking a decisive shift in consumer priorities.
The UK’s Most Sought-After Diamond Shapes in 2024
Before diving into ring styles, it’s useful to consider diamond shapes — a major influence on overall design and feel.
Diamond Shape% of 2024 Sales (UK) Characteristics Common Styles
Round 45% (↓ from 55.5%) Brilliant sparkle, timeless classic Solitaire, Halo, Trilogy
Oval 33% (↑ from 23.9%) Elongating effect, perceived larger size Solitaire, Toi et Moi, Halo
Cushion 6.3% Soft edges, vintage charm, Vintage-Inspired, Halo
Emerald 6% Step-cut, mirror-like clarity Solitaire, East-West
Pear 3.6% Teardrop shape, dramatic effect Toi et Moi, Hidden Halo
Radiant 2.25% Trimmed corners, high brilliance East-West, Halo
Marquise 1.8% Elongated with points, regal look, Vintage, Solitaire
Princess 1.2% Square brilliance, contemporary appeal, Trilogy, Solitaire
Solitaire Rings
The solitaire ring remains a true icon of British engagement jewellery. Defined by a single prominent stone, its simplicity allows the diamond’s quality and cut to shine without distraction.
Why It’s Popular: In 2024, solitaire rings accounted for 47% of all engagement ring sales — a ten percent rise over the previous year. Amid a cost-conscious climate, the design offers excellent value. Couples are prioritising longevity and meaning, and the solitaire, with its classic, uncluttered appearance, resonates deeply.
Best For: Those who value clean lines, versatility, and enduring beauty. Minimalists and traditionalists alike find comfort in its familiar silhouette.
Most Chosen Cuts: Round brilliant remains dominant, though oval, cushion, and emerald cuts are growing in popularity, especially among buyers seeking vintage-inspired or finger-elongating designs.
Metal Pairings: Platinum and white gold remain top choices, but yellow gold has seen a resurgence, particularly with oval cuts, adding warmth and a nod to retro styling.
Cultural Context: High-profile engagements — including those of Phoebe Dynevor and Emma Roberts — have helped reaffirm the solitaire’s place as a style statement as much as a traditional symbol.
Halo Rings
The halo ring is instantly recognisable for its central stone surrounded by a border of smaller diamonds. This halo not only boosts the central gem’s appearance but adds considerable sparkle.
Why It’s Popular: Although halo designs dipped slightly in 2024 (just under 10% of sales), forecasts suggest a rebound. The style aligns with the revival of the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic, a taste for elegant glamour. It also offers excellent visual impact, allowing a smaller stone to look larger.
Best For: Those who want a ring that catches light and attention. It suits wearers who appreciate elaborate detail and visual drama.
Most Chosen Cuts: Oval diamonds are especially popular in halo settings, outperforming round stones in many recent UK designs.
Metal Pairings: White gold and platinum dominate, but rose and yellow gold are on the rise, offering vintage-inspired contrast.
Buying Insight: Only 58% of halo ring buyers in 2024 opted for lab-grown diamonds, suggesting that many prefer to amplify a natural diamond using a halo rather than invest in a single larger stone.
Trilogy Rings
A trilogy ring, also known as a three-stone ring, features one main stone flanked by two side diamonds. This design strikes a balance between visual appeal and symbolic resonance.
Why It’s Popular: The trilogy represents a couple’s past, present, and future — a sentiment that’s clearly struck a chord with British buyers. Sales rose by 16% year-on-year, making up 20% of all engagement rings sold in 2024.
Best For: Storytellers and romantics. This is the ring for someone who wants meaning layered into every element.
Most Chosen Cuts: Round, oval, and emerald centre stones dominate, often paired with pear-shaped or tapered baguette side stones.
Metal Pairings: Platinum and white gold are popular for a unified look, while yellow gold adds warmth. Mixed metals are also trending, such as platinum settings on yellow bands.
Cultural Influence: Prince Harry’s engagement ring for Meghan Markle — a trilogy with lab-grown diamonds — sparked renewed interest in this traditional yet personal design.
Vintage-Inspired Rings
Vintage-style rings draw on historical motifs from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods. These designs are prized for their detail, character, and old-world charm.
Why It’s Popular: In an era where mass production often dominates, vintage-inspired rings offer unique character and an artistic touch. These styles also complement broader trends in weddings and fashion, where vintage themes are thriving.
Best For: Wearers who seek individuality, craftsmanship, and a piece that feels like it has a story. Lovers of heirloom aesthetics and ornate detail will find this style deeply satisfying.
Most Chosen Cuts: Emerald, Asscher, and Old Mine cuts are often used in Art Deco designs. Rose cuts and cabochons are popular in Victorian revivals.
Metal Pairings: Art Deco pieces often favour platinum; Edwardian styles lean towards lacy platinum filigree; Victorian reproductions typically use yellow or rose gold.
Cultural Influence: Celebrity endorsements from the likes of Pippa Middleton and Kate Middleton, whose sapphire ring is steeped in royal history, have brought vintage styles back into the limelight.
Pavé-Set Bands
The pavé ring uses many small diamonds set closely together along the band to create a continuous sparkle. These settings enhance the main stone or can form a centrepiece themselves.
Why It’s Popular: Rings with pavé bands accounted for 22% of UK engagement ring sales in 2024, second only to solitaires. The style offers a luxurious feel without the cost of a large centre diamond, and its continuous shimmer appeals to those seeking subtle opulence.
Best For: Individuals who want an elegant, glittering ring without necessarily featuring a large centre stone.
Most Chosen Cuts: Round brilliant cuts are used in pavé bands for maximum sparkle. The centre stone can vary depending on the overall design.
Metal Pairings: White gold and platinum are favourites, helping to reflect light and amplify sparkle. Yellow and rose gold bring warmth and vintage character.
Consumer Insight: The appeal lies in “distributed brilliance” — a sparkle that doesn’t rely on a single diamond but is shared across the band, making the ring feel rich and full of life.
Hidden Halo Rings
Hidden halos, sometimes referred to as under-halos, add sparkle where it is least expected. Rather than encircling the centre stone in a visible diamond ring, these tiny pavé stones are set beneath the crown, typically along the gallery or basket. The effect is a discreet shimmer that reveals itself only when the ring is viewed from the side.
Why It’s Popular: Hidden halos are quickly becoming one of the UK’s fastest-rising engagement ring features. In 2024, rings featuring hidden details saw a 58% surge in popularity, with hidden halos comprising over a quarter of these purchases. Their appeal lies in their refined glamour — a subtle nod to luxury without overpowering the ring’s silhouette.
Best For: Buyers who enjoy hidden detail and elegant understatement. This style is ideal for those who want a traditional top-down look but crave a modern twist.
Most Chosen Cuts: Ovals, rounds, emeralds, and pears are the most commonly enhanced with hidden halos.
Metal Pairings: The halo itself is usually made in white gold or platinum for maximum sparkle, though the ring’s band may be in any precious metal. This versatility allows for highly personalised designs.
Design Insight: The additional diamonds not only elevate brilliance but can make the centre stone appear larger. For couples seeking something timeless yet quietly contemporary, this design checks both boxes.
Toi et Moi Rings
Translated as “You and Me,” this design features two prominent stones nestled side by side. The style dates back centuries but is enjoying a bold revival in the UK.
Why It’s Popular: The Toi et Moi ring combines symbolism with strong visual character. It is a direct expression of partnership and duality. In 2024 and early 2025, its popularity soared thanks to high-profile celebrities such as Megan Fox and Ariana Grande flaunting distinctive variations.
Best For: Romantics with a flair for the unconventional. This ring suits wearers who want to celebrate the individuality of both partners, often opting for asymmetric cuts or bold gemstone combinations.
Most Chosen Cuts: Pear and emerald cuts are often paired. Many opt to contrast a brilliant diamond with a sapphire, emerald, or coloured lab-grown stone.
Metal Pairings: Yellow gold is a common choice, bringing warmth and vintage charm. Platinum and white gold are used to frame more contemporary designs.
Cultural Context: The historical link to Napoleon Bonaparte’s engagement ring for Josephine adds a layer of legacy to what otherwise feels like a thoroughly modern ring.
East-West Settings
Turning the diamond sideways is a subtle change that radically transforms a ring’s personality. In East-West settings, elongated stones like ovals or emeralds are set horizontally rather than vertically.
Why It’s Popular: This setting is having a breakout moment in 2025. It provides a minimalist aesthetic with maximum visual impact. Celebrities like Zendaya have helped propel this style into fashion headlines.
Best For: Design-savvy individuals who appreciate understated novelty. It appeals to those who want something non-traditional without being flashy.
Most Chosen Cuts: Oval, emerald, radiant, and marquise diamonds work especially well due to their natural elongation.
Metal Pairings: Yellow gold highlights the unique orientation beautifully. Platinum and white gold offer crisp contrast and a modern edge.
Design Insight: This orientation can be more comfortable for some, particularly with pointed shapes like marquise or pear, and may offer better protection during everyday wear.
Coloured Gemstone Rings
For couples looking to break from tradition, coloured gemstones provide a bold and meaningful alternative to diamonds. These centre stones bring vibrant hues and rich symbolism.
Why It’s Popular: Interest in gemstone rings is accelerating in the UK, fuelled by both aesthetic and ethical motivations. Coloured stones often carry deep personal or cultural significance, and lab-grown options are making them more affordable and ethical than ever.
Best For: Couples who want to express their personalities through colour. Gemstone rings are favoured by those who value symbolism, storytelling, and uniqueness.
Most Chosen Gemstones:
- Sapphires: Symbolising loyalty and wisdom. Their royal associations — particularly with Princess Diana’s and Kate Middleton’s engagement rings — remain a driving force in the UK.
- Emeralds: Represent hope and renewal. Currently, emeralds are the most searched gemstone for engagement rings in Britain.
- Morganite: Loved for its soft pink hue and romantic associations.
- Yellow Diamonds: Growing in popularity for their cheerful, golden tone and perceived rarity.
Metal Pairings: Yellow gold pairs naturally with emeralds and morganite, while platinum and white gold enhance the crisp tones of blue sapphires. Rose gold is increasingly chosen for softer pink stones.
Design Insight: Coloured stones often appear in vintage-inspired or halo settings. More recently, they are being used in trilogy and Toi et Moi designs, reinforcing the trend toward expressive, meaningful jewellery.
Cultural Influences Shaping the UK Market
The UK’s engagement ring preferences are shaped by more than style alone. Culture, ethics, and history all play their part.
Royal Traditions: From Diana’s sapphire to Meghan Markle’s trilogy ring, the British Royal Family’s jewellery choices continue to ripple through the market. Diana Garrard’s sapphire sparked a threefold increase in global sapphire sales after Kate Middleton was seen wearing it. That impact still resonates in 2025, as more couples seek meaningful designs with historical weight.
Ethical Buying: Consumers are increasingly scrutinising the origins of their rings. Lab-grown diamonds now account for over 80% of diamond sales at some UK jewellers. With lower environmental impact, ethical sourcing, and greater affordability, they are redefining value in the engagement ring market.
Celebrity Influence: Engagement rings are no longer private. Social media and tabloids broadcast every celebrity proposal, making ring styles visible and aspirational. Oval diamonds gained traction from Hailey Bieber and Lady Gaga. The Toi et Moi design saw a boom after Kylie Jenner wore it. This immediacy of visibility has sped up style cycles, creating a highly trend-sensitive market.
Dual Loyalty: British couples exhibit a rare blend of loyalty to tradition and openness to global trends. Royal heritage remains a strong influence, but so does red carpet glamour. This balance reflects a mature, style-conscious consumer base with a refined understanding of jewellery’s symbolic and aesthetic power.
Why Bespoke Rings Are on the Rise
For many couples, an off-the-shelf ring no longer suffices. In 2025, the UK is seeing a surge in bespoke engagement ring commissions.
Why It’s Popular: Customisation allows for greater meaning and personal input. Couples can co-design a ring that tells their story, from gemstone selection to setting style. It also offers a surprising level of flexibility in terms of budgeting and ethical sourcing.
Process Overview: A typical bespoke journey begins with consultation and design, followed by gemstone selection, digital modelling (often with 3D previews), and handcrafting by skilled artisans. London’s Hatton Garden remains the epicentre of this movement, with jewellers like SmithGreen noted for guiding couples through each step with clarity and care.
Sustainability Link: Many bespoke commissions now incorporate recycled metals, ethically sourced or lab-grown stones, or heirloom reworkings. Bespoke does not only mean ‘made-to-measure’ but increasingly ‘made-to-conscience’.
Final Considerations When Choosing Your Ring
The right engagement ring blends aesthetic joy with practical sense. While current trends are helpful, the most important factors are durability, comfort, and personal significance.
Lifestyle Compatibility: Those with active careers or hobbies may prefer lower settings like bezels to prevent snagging. High-prong settings, though beautiful, can be less suitable for daily wear.
Style Observation: Consider what jewellery your partner already wears. Do they favour modern lines or antique flourishes? Yellow gold or platinum? Subtle sparkle or bold colour? These clues matter more than fleeting trends.
Long-Term Thinking: A ring should last decades, both physically and stylistically. You might opt for a classic setting with a fashionable cut, such as an oval solitaire, or a traditional trilogy ring with a modern hidden halo. Trends can be incorporated into adaptable elements rather than the entire structure.
Wedding Band Pairing: Always think ahead to the wedding band. Certain designs, especially halo or pavé settings, may require custom-fitted bands. Trying on rings in person is key to visualising the full set.
Budgeting and Research: Set a realistic budget that suits your financial comfort. The old “two-month salary” rule is outdated and widely ignored in the UK. Focus instead on understanding the Four Cs — cut, clarity, colour, and carat and make informed choices from there.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. The ring should feel like you or more specifically, like the two of you.
