Engagement Ring
Styles Guide
Discover the key ring styles — from timeless solitaires to sparkling halos — and find the design that best tells your love story.
Where Every Style Begins with a Story
Selecting a ring style is one of the earliest — and most exciting — decisions on your engagement ring journey. At Bond Jewellery & Diamonds, we group our engagement rings into five distinctive styles: solitaire, diamond band, halo, trilogy and toi et moi. Each of these carries its own personality and charm, and every design can be refined further with your personal touches.
Start with the style that resonates most — whether that's quiet elegance or maximum brilliance — and let the finer details follow naturally. This guide will walk you through each style so you can make an informed, confident choice.
Jump to Style
Solitaire, Halo or Three-Stone — What's the Difference?
If you're weighing up different ring styles, it helps to understand how each one differs in the way it frames the central stone and how much additional detail surrounds it.
A solitaire ring presents a single gemstone on its own — no accent stones, no surrounding halo. It's the purest, most understated choice, celebrated for its clean, timeless character. For anyone who values restraint and longevity of style, the solitaire is unbeatable.
A halo ring centres its main stone within a frame of smaller accent diamonds. This surrounds the gemstone with extra light and sparkle, and can also create the appearance of a larger centre stone — making it an ideal choice for those who want a more show-stopping, detailed finish.
A trilogy ring (also called a three-stone ring) features a central diamond flanked by two complementary stones on either side. The result is a ring with presence, balance and meaningful symbolism — commonly associated with a couple's past, present and future together.
Solitaire
Classic & minimal — the spotlight belongs entirely to the centre stone.
Halo
Maximum sparkle — a halo of accent diamonds amplifies the centre stone's brilliance.
Trilogy
Three stones, one story — symbolising past, present and future.
Our Collection
Explore the Main Ring Styles
Style 01
The Solitaire Ring
At its heart, a solitaire engagement ring is the art of letting one diamond speak for itself. Featuring a single precious stone — typically a diamond — set without additional accent stones, the solitaire is the most celebrated and enduring ring style in the world. It appeals to those who prize clean lines, effortless sophistication and a design that will never feel dated.
What makes the solitaire particularly special is its flexibility. An oval solitaire carries a sleek, contemporary edge; a round brilliant cut delivers timeless radiance; a cushion cut solitaire evokes a sense of vintage romance; and a pear-shaped stone adds a subtle hint of the unconventional. Every diamond shape creates a different character within the same foundational design.
You can also personalise your solitaire through the choice of claw setting — four claws, six claws, a rubover or demi-rubover. For those who want to add a quiet flourish, a hidden halo or a diamond-set bridge beneath the stone are popular finishing touches that remain subtle yet distinctive.
Starting price: From £895 (plus the cost of your chosen centre diamond or gemstone)
Solitaire Oval
Solitaire Round
Solitaire Cushion
Style 02
The Diamond Band Ring
Think of a diamond band engagement ring as a solitaire elevated — a central stone takes pride of place, while the band itself is adorned with a continuous line of smaller accent diamonds. The result is a ring that radiates brilliance in every direction, combining structure with spectacular detail.
Sometimes referred to as a pavé ring, the term "pavé" technically describes the setting method rather than the ring style itself. At Bond Jewellery, every accent diamond used on the band is individually hand-selected by our craftspeople to ensure consistent colour and clarity — because even the smallest stone should be exceptional.
Starting price: From £1,395 (plus the cost of your chosen centre diamond or gemstone)
Choosing Your Band Setting Style
The way accent diamonds are set into the band affects both the look and the amount of light the ring catches. Three primary setting styles — scallop, pavé and channel — each create a different aesthetic. Here's how they differ:
Scallop Setting
Each diamond is secured with scalloped metalwork that exposes the sides of the stones, allowing light to flood in from multiple angles. Many feel the scallop setting produces the most intense sparkle of the three options.
Pavé Setting
Tiny ball claws alternate between diamonds to hold them in position, with a fine strip of metal running along the band's edge. Pavé lends itself beautifully to vintage-inspired designs, especially when paired with milgrain detailing.
Channel Setting
Diamonds are set flush between two parallel metal walls with no claws between them, resulting in a smooth, sleek and thoroughly modern look. Channel settings work particularly well with princess cut and emerald cut diamonds.
Additional setting options include shared prong, fishtail, flush set and rubover — each offering its own distinct character. Our team is on hand to help you explore all the possibilities.
Style 03
The Halo Ring
A halo engagement ring wraps the central gemstone in a close-set frame of smaller diamonds, creating a dazzling crown of brilliance. The halo's visual effect is immediate — your centre stone appears larger, more radiant and impossible to ignore.
The halo style is one of the most versatile in our collection. A round halo delivers a classic, refined finish; a square or elongated halo introduces a more geometric, architectural quality. You can even opt for a double halo for further drama, or pair the halo with a diamond-set band for an all-over sparkle effect.
Halo rings are a wonderful choice for anyone drawn to statement jewellery or those who want their ring to maximise the appearance of their centre stone without stretching the budget on a larger diamond.
Starting price: From £1,595 (plus the cost of your chosen centre diamond or gemstone)
Style 04
The Trilogy Ring
Also known as a three-stone ring, the trilogy brings together a central diamond and two side stones — typically set symmetrically to either side of the main gem. This arrangement gives the ring a strong, balanced silhouette that sits beautifully across the finger.
Beyond its beauty, the trilogy ring carries one of the most meaningful narratives in jewellery — the three stones representing the past, present and future of a relationship. It's this combination of visual impact and personal significance that has kept the trilogy style so enduringly popular.
You can choose matching diamond shapes for all three stones, or opt for contrasting shapes — for example, a round centre stone with tapered baguette sides for a more sculptural, art-deco feel. The side stones can also be coloured gemstones for a truly personal touch.
Starting price: From £1,495 (plus the cost of your chosen diamonds or gemstones)
Style 05
Toi et Moi
French for "you and me," the toi et moi ring is one of the most romantic and distinctive styles available. Rather than a single central stone, two gems sit side by side — often angled towards each other — to represent two individuals and the bond they share.
Historically worn by figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine, the toi et moi has experienced a significant revival in recent years, beloved by those who want an engagement ring that feels genuinely individual and romantically charged.
The two stones can be identical for a harmonious look, or deliberately contrasting — a diamond paired with a sapphire, emerald or other coloured gemstone for a striking contrast. This is a ring that invites creativity and personal meaning in equal measure.
The Details
Claw Styles & Collet Settings
Once you've settled on a ring style, one of the next decisions is how the centre stone will be held in place. The choice of claw or collet setting affects both the look and the security of your gemstone.
Four Claw
Four claws expose the maximum amount of the diamond to light, enhancing brilliance and giving the stone a cleaner, more modern appearance. A popular choice for round, oval and cushion cuts.
Six Claw
Six claws offer greater security and a more traditional, rounded silhouette. The extra claws create a subtle "crown" effect around the stone, lending a classic and regal quality to round brilliant diamonds.
Rubover / Bezel
A rubover or bezel setting wraps a band of metal fully or partially around the stone. It offers maximum protection and a smooth, low-profile look that suits contemporary and minimalist aesthetics.
Collet / Gallery
A collet is a tube or cup of metal that holds the stone in place without claws. It sits flush against the gemstone and offers a very sleek, architectural look — often seen in more design-forward and bespoke rings.
Finishing Touches
Band Design & Profile
The band itself is far more than just a functional part of the ring — its shape and profile contribute significantly to both the ring's comfort and its overall aesthetic. The most common band profiles include:
- Court (Comfort Fit): Rounded inside and outside — the most comfortable for everyday wear. A favourite for those who are new to wearing rings.
- Flat Court: Flat on the outside with a rounded interior. A clean, modern look that combines visual sharpness with wearing comfort.
- D-Shape: Flat inside, rounded outside — classic and sleek. Works especially well with wider bands.
- Knife Edge: A ridge runs along the top of the band, creating a sharp, defined profile. More of a statement look, ideal for those who want their ring to stand out.
- Flat: Uniformly flat on all sides. A contemporary, architectural look that pairs well with geometric diamond cuts like emerald and princess.
Band width also matters. Narrower bands allow the stone to take full focus; wider bands add presence and feel more substantial on the hand. Our team at Bond Jewellery can help you trial different options to find the combination that feels right.
Related Guides
Explore more of our engagement ring guides, written and curated by the experts at Bond Jewellery.
