Best Alternative Engagement Rings: Non-Traditional and Contemporary Ring Inspiration

Introduction

Choosing the perfect engagement ring for you may be a daunting task. Maybe your here because the average looking engagement ring either makes you yawn or just seems so not you. Do not fret my friend! Because you do not have to settle for a ring that doesn't make you gasp or a ring that everyone else has. Welcome to the world of Alternative Engagement Rings where non-traditional designs meet contemporary aesthetics. The only creative limitations with unconventional engagement rings are your imagination (with the exception of a few tiny rules to make your design last forever). 

Read on to discover our current Alternative engagement ring inspirations. These engagement rings are sure to stand out from the crowd and have everyone asking the story behind your ring. Who knows, maybe your future dream ring is just a click away!

Alternative Engagement Rings Do's and Dont's

When I was in art school my professor told me that you have to learn the rules to break the rules. And that motto applies to alternative engagement rings as well. If you are like most people and plan to wear your ring everyday then there are a few design details to watch out for. 

Alternative Engagement Ring DONT'S

• Band thickness or shank thickness needs to be 1.6mm or wider.  The dainty look is certainly feminine but thin shank rings are just asking to bend or snap very easily. 
• Your gemstones needs to have a 8 Mohs rating or higher to prevent scratches and cracks over time, this means that opals, pearls, moonstone, and agate are a no go. Don't worry there are many more gemstone options out there that fit the bill!
• Your gemstone settings need to be sturdy, how sturdy you ask? It is a fine science really and comes down to the ratio of gold and gemstone size. Things like a cross bar, thicker prong sizes and extra support will help your settings stand up over time and prevent frequent trips to your jeweler.
• There is such a thing as many stones. Melee or tiny stones mean that the metal holding them gets very small, this small piece of metal easily wears down over a few short months or years causing the smaller stones to fall out the easiest. Jewelers advise against heavily melee designs for pieces you wear everyday. 

Alternative Engagement Ring DO'S

• Wide bands are great, they are the most sturdy design, though some people may find that too wide will feel uncomfortable wearing everyday. Think tight 100% denim jeans, you know that feeling when it is hard to sit in a chair.
• Diamonds of course are a great options, but also diamonds come in so many other colors like yellows, oranges, browns, blues, pinks, and greys. These alternative colors are stunning and just as sturdy as their colorless cousin. 
• Sapphires have to be the best stone for alternative engagement rings because they come in vibrant unique colors, can be cut into unique shapes and lastly they are super strong and will take a beating without chipping or scratching. 
• Unique settings like asymmetrical, celestial, bypass, tot et moi are fair game for alternative engagement rings and prove that form and function can be so unique. 

Isobel Ring with aSalt and Pepper Diamond

First off on our Alternative Engagement Rings list is a beautiful ring with salt and pepper diamonds. Maybe diamonds are not your thing I get it, but have you ever stared into a salt and pepper diamond? It is like looking into a galaxy of sparkle, a completely mesmerizing experience. Salt and pepper diamonds get their name from the carbon deposits and unique crystal structure that naturally occur with diamond formation. These alternative diamonds are also called Galaxy Diamonds and are a little bit rock and roll because they come in many shades of soft icy white to inky black and have an edgy sparkle. Our favorite salt and pepper diamond ring is the Isobel Ring with a 1 and a half carat center stunning icy grey diamond and accent of colorless diamonds. She has a very bold sparkle and a unique dark fantasy meets punk vibe. 

Nebula Celestial Ring

This is the celestial ring made with cluster crown design and is actually inspired by stars and galaxies. The Nebula ring has a unique design for those fond of starry nights and features ethically sourced diamonds set in fairmined gold. The unique crown shape makes an amazing statement ring (yes, it’s also perfect for an engagement ring). As far as the gemstones are concerned, you can opt for champagne diamonds, and colorless lab diamonds and your choice of gold color.

Elain Marquise Diamond Ring

If your partner is fond of anything celestial or fairytale themes, then the Elain ring is the perfect option because this ring design is inspired by fairytales and the mystery of the cosmos. Featuring a 1 and a half carat marquise center diamond and marquise diamond accents, this ring is absolutely extraordinary and sparkles from across the room. Marquise diamonds represent love and abundance and the original cut was commissioned to represent a kings lover's lips.  Elongating and feminine this fairycore setting will make you swoon every time you stare at your hand. 

Atlahua Emerald Cut Ring

This is indeed a perfect alternative engagement ring if you don’t like the conventional designs. That’s to say because the Atlahua ring is set with an emerald cut sapphire and emerald cut colorless diamonds. By far our most popular setting, our customers love the Atlahua because it is timeless, minimal and modern. Check out our current collection of emerald cut sapphires to create your customized ring from scratch. 

Custom Alternative Engagement Ring

Maybe you need an engagement ring that is veryyyyy unique, like so unique it does not even exist yet! We have designed custom rings based on zodiac signs (like the above set) or custom rings incorporating heirloom stones and family stories. The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and originality. 

Our custom engagement ring design service with our founder and designer Brittany will take you through every step of the process so that you can get your dream ring. Plus this bespoke service has no additional cost. 

These are just a few of our favorite non traditional engagement ring designs. Love to see more Alternative Engagement rings? If you head over to our collection page we have so many more alternative engagement ring ideas. Or click this link below to build your alternative engagement ring from scratch!