The Short Answer
The solitaire remains the most chosen engagement ring style worldwide, and it has held that position for decades. Halo settings and three-stone designs are the next most popular. In terms of diamond shape, oval has surged in recent years, though round brilliant still leads overall.
The Solitaire Is Still King
There is a reason the solitaire has never fallen out of favour. A single diamond, set cleanly on a band, puts the stone at the centre of attention without competing elements. It is elegant in its simplicity and adaptable to virtually any diamond shape or metal colour.
The endurance of the solitaire is not about a lack of imagination. It is about clarity of purpose. The ring exists to showcase the diamond, and every design choice serves that aim. This is why it continues to outsell more elaborate styles year after year.
What Is Trending
Trends in engagement rings move slowly compared to fashion — a ring is worn for a lifetime, so most buyers instinctively favour designs with staying power. That said, certain shifts are visible:
Oval diamonds have grown significantly in popularity. The elongated shape creates a flattering look on the finger and offers a larger face-up appearance relative to carat weight. Oval solitaires and oval halo designs are both in high demand.
Hidden halo settings — where a ring of small diamonds sits beneath the centre stone rather than around it — have gained ground among buyers who want subtle sparkle without the visual bulk of a traditional halo. From above, the ring looks like a solitaire. From the side, there is an extra layer of detail.
Pavé bands continue to be popular as an accent rather than a statement. A thin line of small diamonds along the band adds brightness without overwhelming the centre stone. This works across solitaire, halo, and three-stone designs.
East-west settings, where an elongated diamond is set horizontally rather than vertically, are a quieter trend but one that appeals to buyers looking for something subtly different. Marquise and emerald cuts work particularly well in this orientation.
Yellow and rose gold have regained ground after decades of white metal dominance. Warmer metal tones pair naturally with lower colour-grade diamonds and offer a distinctive, vintage-influenced look.
Popularity Is Not a Prescription
The most important thing about trends is knowing when to ignore them. The ring your partner will love is the one that reflects their taste — not the one that appeared most often on social media this year.
A halo design that felt fresh five years ago may feel dated to some buyers in another five. A solitaire that some might call "plain" will look as beautiful in thirty years as it does today. This is not an argument against trending styles — it is an argument for choosing based on personal preference rather than what is currently popular.
If your partner has expressed a preference for a specific look, that preference outranks every trend report. If they have not expressed a preference, classic designs are the safer foundation.
The Arete Diamond Perspective
Because Arete manufactures every ring to order, you are not limited to what is in stock or what a designer decided to produce this season. If you want a hidden halo in rose gold with an oval centre diamond, we build it. If you want a traditional round solitaire in platinum, we build that too.
Our HD video and detailed diamond data let you evaluate stones thoroughly before committing to a design. You can see exactly how a diamond performs in light and make your choice with confidence — no need to follow the crowd.
Trends are useful as a starting point. Your partner's taste is the destination.
Cross-References
- Diamond Shapes Overview — how shape affects the look of the ring
- Halo Setting — the anatomy of a halo design
- Pavé Setting — how pavé accents work