On the hunt for something fuss-free and elegant? We challenge you not to fall in love with these simple engagement rings...
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We know we’re not meant to have favourites, but if you made us choose we’d probably have to say simple engagement rings come somewhere near the top of the engagement ring pack. There’s something so effortless about a simple design, and we can’t help being drawn to their clean lines and clear-cut stones.
Here, we’ve rounded up our favourite simple engagement rings that modern to-be-weds will love. We know not everyone’s idea of a simple engagement ring is the same, so we’ve included a whole host of designs for you to choose from. We’ve got delicate rings with hardly any bling to pieces with one stone at their centre.
Despite lots of the options below looking gold-only, quite a number of them are customisable, meaning you’re able to tweak the size of your diamond or change the metal it’s set in. We love a bespoke engagement ring, and they’re not always as expensive as you might think. Plenty of jewellers are willing to help you make little changes to designs in order to give you the perfect end result.
Now, time for a little browsing of some seriously envy-inducing simple engagement rings.
1. Diamond Oval Solo Ring – £3,090, The Cut; London
When it comes to simple engagement rings, there’s no better place to start than designs with a slender band which let the stones do the talking.
The sleek setting on this oval diamond ring is beautifully delicate, and would look perfect paired up with a similarly sized wedding band for a gorgeous set. The diamond is really a unique shape, too, giving this ring a lovely point of difference.
If you prefer something a little weightier, take a look at this three stone ring from Carat* London.
Choose a yellow, white or rose gold setting and rock the look that Meghan Markle has made so popular for the last three years. With a dazzling emerald cut diamond at its centre and two brilliant cut diamonds either side, this ring is totally unique but elegantly simple.
3. Hexagonal Blue Montana Sapphire Engagement Ring – £2,300, Tom Foolery
Just because you’re going for a simple engagement ring, it doesn’t mean you have to go for a classic design. We love this contemporary ring.
Made from sapphires rather than diamonds, it’s less sparkly than typical engagement rings, making it a bit more understated. The geometric, hexagonal shape is perfect for someone looking for a piece that’s going to stand out from the crowd.
The diamond here is one carat, giving you a good dose of sparkle as well as a generous size. We love that there’s a mix of white and yellow gold in this ring giving you the best of both worlds.
5. Charlotte Diamond Engagement Side Stone Ring – £1,889, The Diamond Store
If you love sparkle as much as you love simplicity, may we suggest the Charlotte engagement ring?
This beautiful solitaire features pave diamonds on the band that add plenty of fire without bulk or fuss, perfect for those looking to dazzle with a slender and simplistic design.
6. Modern Eternity Diamond Baguette Ring – POA, The Cut; London
Who said an engagement ring had to feature just one or two main stones? This gorgeous ring shows you can have as many stones as you like.
This eternity band isn’t a traditional choice for an engagement ring, but we love that. The baguette diamonds have that pretty elongated shape, giving this ring a vintage 1920s look. It’s perfect for anyone who loves classic design, as a ring like this one is sure to never go out of fashion.
What could be more elegant than a solitaire diamond ring with a simple four claw setting?
A yellow gold band adds classic feels to this simple ring from Tom Foolery, while a white gold head ensures the stone is showcased without a tinge of colour or warmth.
8. Take Flight Feather Ring – £125, Phoebe Coleman
There’s no reason to go for a glitzy stone if you never would have worn something sparkly before. How about a simple gold heirloom band to mark your engagement instead?
This dreamy feather design feels almost fairytale-like, and we love that it’s crafted from one single piece of metal for a unified finish.
Dainty rings are having a moment and we're here for the trend. With rings like this pear rose cut diamond beauty from Tom Foolery, it's no wonder. 18ct gold encases the stone while leaving the base clear, allowing plenty of light to get to the sparkle. We'd totally pair this with a dainty wedding band and eternity ring too.
10. Emerald Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring – £12,300, De Beers
This engagement ring might be simple, but it still has a big impact. We love an emerald cut on a diamond, giving it those gorgeous angular lines that reflect a whole lot of light for an eye-catching sparkle.
The yellow gold setting ensures this statement piece has a classic, vintage look that is sure to stand the test of time.
11. Five Baguette Diamonds Engagement Ring – £1,380, Tom Foolery
How unique is this baguette diamond engagement ring? If you love modern styles and like to stand out, we reckon this is a great pick. Made with 18ct gold and white diamonds, you can flip this ring on your finger and wear it either way. You can also buy another as an eternity ring and use them to frame your wedding band!
12. Cherry Blossom Fairtrade Ethical Ring – £2,634, Not On The High Street
This ring combines a simple design with a slightly quirky look, giving you the best of both worlds. We love that this design isn’t symmetrical, so depending on which way you look at it, you’ll always see something a bit different.
This piece is also ethically sourced, so not only will it look gorgeous, you’ll know that the production to get it to you has been a fair one. Everyone wins.
13. Lauren Engagement Ring – £3,445, The Diamond Store
Classic and elegant, a princess cut diamond sits at the centre of the stunning Lauren ring. Perfect for to-be-weds who want a practical ring with a diamond that doesn't sit too far above the band, this ring won't get in the way of your activities but will sparkle and attract plenty of admirers.
15. White Gold Half Moon Salt & Pepper Diamond Claw Set Ring – £1,450, Tom Foolery
A salt-and-pepper diamond creates a half moon in this stunningly unique ring. We love the daring take on a simple design, which will be sure to attract compliments right and left.
This would be beautiful, we think, paired simply with a white gold wedding band for a stacked set.
16. Leah Engagement Ring – £4,025, The Diamond Store
Simple engagement rings like Leah are far from plain and boring, just check out that incredible setting!
We love how the 18ct gold encases the brilliant cut stone, offering an alternative to traditional solitaire settings. This is the perfect pick for lovers of contemporary jewellery.
There’s nothing like a solitaire when it comes to simple engagement ring design, whatever the shape of the stone.
A teardrop can be worn whichever way you like and, as an elongated shape, boasts one of the biggest spreads of any fancy diamond shape, giving you plenty of bling for your buck. We love the three prong rose gold setting on Florence by Carat* London - it really lets the diamond take centre stage.
19. Art Deco Marquise Diamond Ring – £4,440, Tom Foolery
Even if you’ve decided on a simple engagement ring, you might still like the idea of multiple diamonds (because hello, you’re only human). This little chap is a gorgeous example of a clean design with more than one stone.
We love the marquise cut rocks on this gorgeous ring, giving it a fairy tale look and feel.
21. Genevieve Engagement Ring – from £2,185, The Diamond Store
Three stone rings are seriously popular and with stunners like Genevieve on the market, it's no wonder.
What we love about this beauty in particular is the emerald cut centre stone framed by two baguette cut shoulders. The design makes for an unusual alternative to the super-popular Meghan Markle style cushion cut teamed with round brilliants (not that we don't love that ring) and so it's perfect for those looking to set their own trends.
23. White Gold Diamond Ring – £1,750, Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham certainly knows a thing or two about timeless bridal style, so it's no wonder one of her jewellery designs has made our list.
Set in 18ct white gold, the baguette diamonds on this stunner add subtle sparkle to the band and perfectly frame the round brilliant stone at its centre.
Triangular diamonds are a quirky choice but they still give a clean and simple look to engagement rings, especially when paired with an emerald or princess cut centre stone.
We adore this elegant and unusual three stone design from Goldsmiths. Set in platinum, it's a great piece to wear for the rest of your life.
The stunning sapphire is a great alternative to the traditional diamond and the bezel setting is a practical choice for to-be-weds with a hands-on lifestyle.
31. Black Diamond Trilogy Ring in White Gold – £1,072, Lilia Nash Jewellery
This contemporary and delicate ring is not only beautiful, but entirely one-of-a-kind. With its trilogy of rose cut black diamonds, it will appeal to to-be-weds with a taste for the gothic or macabre.
The ring is sure to turn heads with its classic design and unique colour.
33. The Cherish-Diamond Ethical Ring – £868, Shakti Ellenwood
How cute is this Shakti Ellenwood ring? The heart shaped design makes it thoroughly unique, while the single round brilliant CanadaMark diamond gives it a simple elegance.
Made from ethically sourced and fully traceable gold, you can enjoy this ring totally guilt-free.
35. Gold Bezel Diamond Engagement Ring – £685, Antonia Lawes
Another delicate and dainty pick (honestly, we're obsessed), this bezel set design from Antonia Lawes is a great choice for those looking for something lightweight.
It can be stacked up with other bands or simply left to dazzle alone in modern, unfussy style.
The shield cut stone is truly unique and you're unlikely to see anyone rocking this design. Set within a five prong setting, this ring is as minimal as it is eye-catching.
42. Kismet by Milka Diamond Heart Rose Gold Ring – £395, The Alkemistry
If you're a true romantic at heart, we reckon you'll be tempted by this dainty heart design from The Alkemistry.
With a rose gold beaded band design and three diamond heart, this ring is a contemporary piece that will look great with everything - an essential for an engagement ring!
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