12 Engagement Ring Trends Jewellers Predict Will Be Huge In 2026
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2 months ago
From coloured gemstones to antique heirlooms, the new wave of engagement rings shine bright
Ready to pop the question? (Or ready to drop a few hints?) Britain’s top jewellers share their engagement ring picks for the upcoming year, diving into the trends set to shape 2026.
See Last Year’s Top Trends Here
The Engagement Ring Trends Taking Over 2026
So far, 2026 is looking pretty colourful. Champagne stones, Art Deco details and maximalist bands stand out as some of the key design notes for the upcoming year, with couples searching for rings that feel personal and unique – and tell a great story, to boot. These are the top engagement trends for 2026, as told by leading jewellery experts:
Trends At A Glance
- Coloured Gemstones
- Warm-Toned Diamonds
- Chunky Bands
- Mixed Metals
- Vintage Styles
- Old Meets New
- Handcrafted Details
- Elongated Solitaire
- Step Cut
- Ashoka Diamonds
- Personalised Touches
- Remodelling
1. Coloured Gemstones
One trend returning for 2026 is the colourful engagement ring – think bold, bright stones in an array of dazzling colours. ‘Over the past year I have noticed that more and more brides are looking for coloured gemstones,’ notes fine jewellery designer Kiki McDonough. ‘The next generation is becoming more daring, and their choice of stone reflects that.’
‘We consistently see modern couples seek out something unique that reflects their own style and personality,’ adds Charlie Pragnell, Managing Director at Pragnell. In particular, he’s spotted a rise in the popularity of ‘large, coloured stones over traditional white-diamond designs. Clients often choose designs based on a coloured stone for sentimental reasons or are drawn to a particular stone for the properties it represents.’ A birthstone for the bride? Sounds like the perfect way to personalise a ring.
Pragnell
2. Warm-Toned Diamonds
And amongst all the colours to choose from, jewellers have spotted a real trend for warm-toned stones. Think diamonds cast in shades of coffee, champagne and butter yellow. ‘We’ve seen a real shift towards warmer-toned diamonds,’ confirms jewellery designer Rachel Boston. ‘These range from soft shades of fancy yellow and champagne to cognac stones.
‘There is a real understated elegance with these hues,’ she adds. ‘They feel unique and quietly luxurious. I’ve noticed our clients are looking for diamonds with character rather than perfection, and these warmer tones bring a sense of depth and individuality. Set in yellow gold, they create this beautiful low-key glow, almost like the stone is lit from within.’
Rachel Boston
3. Chunky Bands
As for the band itself, it seems 2026 follows the motto of ‘the bigger, the better’. This is a trend that jewellery designer Laura Vann has certainly noticed crop up over the last few months. ‘I think the chunky engagement ring trend will continue with customers wanting complex stone cutting and setting – something to add a decadent finish to a bold design,’ she tells C&TH. ‘Think tapered baguettes nestled into a thick gold setting – more is more.’
Laura Vann
4. Mixed Metals
Stuck between gold and silver? That shouldn’t be an issue for much longer. ‘I’m seeing a real surge in requests for mixed metal,’ explains Laura. ‘I think this is a perfect trend for engagement rings, as it feels modern yet rooted in the past. So many traditional rings had yellow gold bands with stones set in platinum or white gold. Customers might be a little more playful with this combo – one take I’ve loved is inverting the design, so the diamonds are set in yellow and the band is white.’
Laura Vann
5. Vintage Styles
Speaking of tradition, it seems today’s brides and grooms also have an appetite for antique styles. ‘Vintage engagement rings are highly sought after,’ notes Charlie. ‘Our clients are increasingly looking for authentic pieces that express individuality – something inherent to a vintage ring. They are sensitive and discerning about whether jewellery is authentic vintage, and seek out pieces that have greater history or sentimental value.’
‘Antique and “antique style” cuts continue to thrive,’ adds Rachel. ‘The irregular facets and the hand cut element feel wonderfully human in this increasingly machine led age.’
Pragnell
6. Old Meets New
And when the original isn’t available, you’ll find couples opting for vintage styles with modern details. ‘I can see couples pairing historic cuts with very modern and architectural settings,’ says Rachel. ‘It’s this tension between old and new that people are responding to. The history of an antique stone set within a modern or sculptural silhouette. It creates a ring that feels both timeless and completely personal.’
Rachel Boston
7. Handcrafted Details
With the above in mind, it makes sense to see a rise in demand for designs with a human touch. ‘People are placing increasing value on the craft in the creation of a piece of jewellery, wanting it crafted by people that truly care,’ says Sam Stirrat, founder and Creative Director of B Corp jeweller Blackacre. ‘The skills of the highest quality craftspeople take decades to form, often carried and learned through generations. Pieces that include unique elements of craftsmanship – such as engravings, enamelling or gold inlay – will be desired most by those in the know.’
Blackacre
8. Elongated Solitaire
The biggest celebrity engagement ring of the last year – the sparkling solitaire centrepiece – is also set to become mainstream in 2026. ‘This is a trend helped along by Taylor and Travis,’ notes Eliza Walter, founder of LYLIE Jewellery. ‘Old cuts – namely cushion cuts – and elongated shapes – think marquise and oval – have surged in popularity for their elegant, romantic appeal. A sleek gold bezel setting beautifully frames these more unusual cuts while adding contemporary contrast.’
LYLIE Jewellery
9. Step Cut
A more playful trend treading the 2026 waters is the step-cut ring. The design features a large, rectangular stone at the centre, with parallel facets arranged in ‘steps’ – creating something akin to a ‘hall of mirror’ effect on either side.
‘Step-cut diamonds are having a moment,’ confirms Eliza. ‘The emerald cut remains the standout choice, often paired with channel-set baguette shoulders on substantial gold bands.’ The style also taps into the ongoing demand for vintage rings – in particular Art Deco-inspired designs with symmetrical, geometric details.
LYLIE Jewellery
10. Ashoka Diamonds
An overarching theme for 2026 engagement rings is the want for uniqueness – which makes rarer cuts, like Ashoka, all the more popular. The team at Boodles recently identified ‘a growing desire among clients for engagement rings that are distinctive. Our signature engagement ring features an Ashoka cut diamond, a rare cut featuring 62 facets available in the UK only through Boodles, made possible by our longstanding relationship with the William Goldberg family in New York City. It responds directly to a growing demand among clients seeking something extraordinarily special and rare.’
Boodles
11. Personalised Touches
This search for something ‘special’ has also encouraged many couples to seek out wedding jewellery with personalised details. ‘Clients increasingly desire designs that are tailored to their own story,’ explains Sam. ‘Jewellery has always been about meaning, purpose and memories. Pieces that imbue these qualities will hold a greater value to those lucky enough to wear them. From hand carved engravings to the setting of hidden diamonds or gemstones with a meaningful provenance, these mementos are becoming a bigger priority for brides and grooms.’
Blackacre
12. Remodelling
More couples are also revisiting the design of their engagement rings further down the line, notes Charlie. ‘We have seen a trend over the past few years of couples upgrading their engagement rings as their circumstances have changed,’ he notes. ‘Often, this means resetting the original stone from a white-metal setting into a yellow-metal setting, but can also involve new stylistic changes.’
The royal family are particularly fond of this trend; Meghan Markle is known to have tweaked her ring at least three times since her 2018 wedding, while Kate Middleton has added small platinum beads inside the band of her ring to make it a more secure fit.
‘We can remodel an original design, or a client can commission a bespoke piece unique to them that may still include the original stone amongst the new elevated design,’ explains Charlie, who adds that these tweaks and changes are simply one chapter in the ring’s lifetime.
Pragnell
