2026 Engagement Ring Trends Will Break From Tradition in the New Year: What Experts Say About the Shift
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With the new year comes new jewelry trends to look forward to. While some of 2025’s favorite styles won’t be going anywhere (yes, we are talking about the charm craze), 2026 engagement ring trends are shifting focus with more design-forward pieces that favor metal, color, and shape.
2026 Engagement Ring Trends at a Glance
- Chunky, Gold-Forward Bands: Helzberg Marquise Solitaire Wide Band Engagement Ring, $4,500
- Old Mine-Cut Diamonds: Brilliant Earth 1.01 Ct., G Color, Old Mine Cut Diamond, $3,490
- Lab-Grown Colored Diamonds: Plum Diamonds Colored Bezel Ring, $1,890
- Elongated Shapes: Marrow Fine The In-Orbit Oval Engagement Ring, $6,000
- Smaller Stones: Kay Jewelers Now + Forever Emerald-Cut Halo Engagement Ring, $1,000 (was $1,900)
How to Shop for Trendy Engagement Rings
When shopping for trendy engagement rings, one concern is, of course, if the ring will remain in style for years to come. One of the best ways to ensure your trendy ring won’t go out of style is to make sure that it fits your personal style—after all, personal style is timeless. However, there are a few other details worth considering.
“The key to longevity is pairing a classic center stone shape with a more trend-driven setting,” says Annie Chen, the senior vice president of merchandising at Brilliant Earth. “Styles like solitaires, three-stones, chunky metal, and yellow gold are cyclical by nature, which makes them feel both current and timeless.”
Olivia Landau, the founder and CEO of The Clear Cut, says investing in the diamond is one of the most important things you can do when picking out an engagement ring, since most diamond shapes and sizes will stand the test of time. “You can always reset your diamond in a different style ring down the road, so design the ring you love right now.”
If you love trendy jewelry designs but are seriously concerned about how they will hold up over the years, Kegan Fisher, the co-founder and CEO of Frank Darling, says the most enduring choice is a more timeless engagement ring, paired with bands that let you build a customizable, trend-forward stack that can evolve with you over time. “And if you still really want that delightfully unhinged moment east-west, half-bezel moment, that’s what pinky rings are for!”
2026 Engagement Ring Trends
To find out exactly what engagement ring styles are popular in 2026, we tapped diamond and jewelry experts for their insights. Here’s what they say to propose to your partner with in the new year.
Chunky Gold-Forward Bands
The new year is all about gold—but not just in tone. “In 2026, engagement rings will continue to be bold and intentional,” says Fisher. “Think chunky, gold-forward bands [with] bezel and collet settings,” she adds. This is the time to let your band shine through, with a more cigar style and—of course—a diamond front and center.
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Old Mine-Cut Diamonds
For the vintage and antique lovers, an old mine-cut diamond is the perfect engagement ring stone. “Driven by celebrity influence (e.g., Taylor Swift’s elongated cushion) and a desire for character, the old mine-cut is surging with this historic cut’s warm fire and chunky facets without the antique premium,” says Kristy Cullinane of Plum Diamonds. Old mine-cut diamonds boast hand-cut facets and are usually a square or cushion shape with rounded corners.
Lab-Grown Colored Diamonds
Colorful stones are so back, baby. “Colored diamonds, especially green, pink, blue, and yellow, are moving from niche luxury to an accessible staple,” says Cullinane. The stones look gorgeous on their own, but Cullinane says we’ll also see lots of styles with these stones “set in bezels and surrounded by a complementary gold color [yellow, white, or rose].” Colorful diamonds are pricey, so you can also get away with a colorful gemstone that looks like a diamond, such as a pink sapphire or a blue topaz.
Elongated Shapes
Round diamonds will always be in style. However, things are getting some length in the new year, with elongated shapes taking center stage in our settings. “Ovals, marquises, elongated cushions, pears, radiants, and emeralds continue their strong popularity since they’re universally flattering, look larger for their carat weight, and offer exceptional value,” says Cullinane. “Whether set in a classic north-south or modest east-west orientation, these rings will look timeless.”
Smaller Stones
With lab-grown diamonds making larger stones more affordable, larger centerpieces remain in style. However, Cullinane says people are increasingly favoring smaller stones when choosing an engagement ring. “Focusing on holistic design, the singular focus on maximum carat weight is shifting to a design-forward approach,” she explains. “Prioritizing artistry and balance, smaller center stones allow surrounding details (accent diamonds, unique metalwork, etc.) to shine, making the ring a complex piece of jewelry rather than just a large stone on a band.” She goes on to say that, instead of being framed by its setting, the center stone is “actually part of the style.”
