Engagement Ring Trends for 2026

Modern romance, confident design, and enduring craftsmanship.

Discover the most sought-after styles defining engagement rings this year, from vintage-inspired designs to modern minimalist settings.
Vintage Revival

Cushion Cut Elegance

Vintage-inspired yet undeniably current, cushion cut diamonds are one of the most romantic choices of 2026. Their softly rounded corners and broad facets create a gentle glow rather than sharp brilliance, lending warmth and character to the stone. Geometric patterns and intricate milgrain details bring timeless sophistication to our Aurelia cushion cut engagement ring.
The Aueria Engagement Ring
Coloured Gemstones

Beyond Traditional Diamonds

Coloured sapphires continue their rise in 2026, offering depth, individuality, and extraordinary durability. From deep royal blues to soft cornflower, teal, blush pink and golden yellow, sapphires allow couples to express their unique story through colour — without compromising on durability. Their hardness makes them suitable for everyday wear, while their rarity and character make them unique choices for engagement rings.
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Pear Wave Diamond Ring - Appleby Jewellers Dublin
Contemporary Design

East-West Settings

East-west settings were popular in the Art Deco era and are experiencing a resurgence in demand over the past few years. For those who love a solitaire, but are seeking a less traditional style, an east-west setting is a modern approach that feels unique and stylish.

A New Era

Here are some distinctive, design-led ideas for couples seeking an engagement ring that feels truly personal and modern.

The engagement ring landscape is shifting. Gone are the days when delicate pavé bands and traditional prong settings dominated every jeweller's window. This year, a new aesthetic has taken hold—one defined by unique gemstones, distinctive side diamonds, coloured sapphires, asymetrical bands, bold bezel settings and substantial, chunky bands that make an unapologetic statement.

Oval Diamonds Re-Imagined

The oval diamond remains one of the most loved engagement ring cuts in Ireland — flattering, luminous, and timeless. For the past few years, the classic oval solitaire reigned supreme, but in 2026, its look is evolving. The classic oval solitaire is giving way to more considered, design-led settings, where side stones play a defining role. In 2026, we are seeing a clear shift toward pairing oval centre stones with trapeze and pear-cut side diamonds, creating engagement rings that feel distinctive, architectural, and beautifully balanced.

The Year of the Bezel

Bezel settings, where the metal encircles the stone completely, offer a sleek, modern alternative to traditional prongs. Originally favoured for their security and low-profile design, bezels have evolved into a style statement in their own right. The clean lines and contemporary feel appeal to those seeking something different from the classic solitaire.

Elongated Diamonds

Round and oval diamonds remain ubiquitous, but elongated shapes will define 2026: elongated antique cushions, marquise cuts and emerald cuts. East-west settings in marquise and emerald cuts will be everywhere in 2026, a twist on tradition that feels modern, elegant and effortlessly cool.

Sculptural Bands

This year, slim bands are taking a step back as couples turn towards asymmetrical, bold, sculptural settings. Two styles stand out in particular: curved bands and chunky bands. While very different in feel, both reflect the same shift away from delicate minimalism and toward rings with presence, designs that feel intentional, wearable, and made to last.

The Wave Diamond Bezel Ring
Oval diamond ring with trapezoid sides.
Pear Cut diamond in east-west bezel setting, with the on trend curved band.
Teal Sapphire Corrine Ring
Bezel set 18ct gold chunky band with hand-engraved detailing.
Oval diamond with pear-cut sides to give a unique style.

Modern brides want rings that reflect their personal style—bold, confident, and built to last a lifetime of wear.

Coloured Gemstones Continue To Rise

For brides-to-be looking to break away from tradition, these colourful alternative engagement rings feel fun and fresh. From vibrant yellow diamonds to rare sapphires and romantic rubies, these stones bring character, individuality, and undeniable wow factor. Each gemstone carries its own symbolism, allowing your engagement ring to tell a love story that is entirely your own.

Teal Sapphire (3.95ct) & Diamond Trilogy Ring - Appleby Jewellers Dublin

Teal Sapphires

A mesmerising blend of blue and green, teal sapphires are perfect for the modern romantic who seeks something truly distinctive. Their unique colour evokes the depths of the ocean and the mystery of the sea.

Ring with a yellow diamond and two smaller diamonds on a white background

Yellow Diamonds

Yellow diamonds are a joyful symbol of warmth, optimism and enduring love. Their golden glow feels celebratory and full of life, reflecting a partnership rooted in happiness and shared moments of light. Chosen for an engagement ring, a yellow diamond speaks to a marriage filled with confidence, positivity and lasting joy.

Ruby Diamond Halo Ring – 3.12ct Ruby - Appleby Jewellers Dublin

Passionate Rubys

The ultimate symbol of love and passion. Rubies have captivated hearts for centuries with their intense red colour and fiery brilliance.

Ascot Green Sapphire - Appleby Jewellers Dublin

Green Sapphire

Rare and enchanting, green sapphires are unique engagement rings that symbolise growth, harmony and new beginnings.

Pink Sapphires


Soft, romantic and quietly distinctive, pink sapphires feel modern yet timeless, symbolising love, warmth and individuality. Exceptionally durable and beautifully expressive, pink sapphires are perfect for engagement rings.

Tangerine Sapphire Ring

Rare and joyful, tangerine sapphires are associated with optimism and lasting happiness, making them a beautiful symbol of a bright, loving marriage. Their warm golden glow reflects warmth, generosity and shared laughter. Chosen for an engagement ring, a yellow sapphire celebrates a life together filled with happiness, hope and sunshine.

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FAQ

Appleby jewellers offer lifetime aftercare, including complimentary cleaning and regular maintenance checks. This ensures your engagement ring remains as brilliant as the day it was purchased. We will resize your engagement ring complimentary on purchase.

The price of an engagement ring depends on the ‘4 Cs’ — clarity, cut, colour and carat. Each of these influences value in different ways, and it is a common misconception that the size of the diamond alone is the most important factor. For example, a two carat diamond with a lower clarity or cut grade may cost less than a one-carat diamond that is colourless with an excellent cut rating.

At Appleby, our highly experienced team take the time to explain these details and work with every budget and preference. Whether you are seeking a classic solitaire or a bespoke design, we ensure every customer leaves with the ring of their dreams — chosen with confidence and care.

We will size the ring for you professionally. If there are any issues with the ring size after proposal, we will happily resize it.

Since this is a jewelry piece you could wear for the rest of your life, it's important to take the proper precautions to ensure it can last for decades to come.

At Appleby, we provide a complimentary lifetime cleaning and inspection service with every diamond engagement ring purchased. This includes a close professional examination of the ring to check for any loose stones, followed by a careful polish to restore its shine. It’s part of our promise to ensure your ring remains as beautiful as the day it was placed on your finger.

Yes, it is important to have financial peace of mind if your engagement ring gets lost, stolen, or broken.

An engagement ring should be a timeless, classic symbol of your love that will last forever, so the goal should be to find a diamond that is the perfect match for your future fiancée. Trends can offer great inspiration, but authenticity is paramount. We give you plenty of time to try on various styles that suit your budget, and you will know which one feels right.

We always recommend 18ct gold and platinum. Both are precious, durable metals designed to last a lifetime. Platinum is naturally white and exceptionally strong, hypoallergic and that resists wear and retains its colour without the need for re-plating. 18ct gold and blush rose gold offers a rich, luxurious look with excellent durability. Its higher gold content gives a warm tone and a timeless appeal.

Yes, Applebys have a state-of-the-art laser engraving machine and we are always happy to engrave your ring.

While diamonds are classic, some people love colored gemstones like sapphires and rubies. These add personality and can make the ring truly unique. Always inquire about the durability and care of alternative stones.

The Round Brilliant Cut diamond sparkles the most — it’s designed with 58 perfectly angled facets that maximise light reflection and create that unmistakable fire and brilliance.

Other shapes, such as Oval, Cushion, and Radiant, also offer exceptional sparkle while giving a more distinctive, modern look.

At Appleby Jewellers, our gemologists hand-select only the highest-grade diamonds for every shape, ensuring a dazzling sparkle in any light.

Aim to start looking for your wedding rings about 3-6 months before your big day. This way, you have enough time to explore different wedding ring styles, consider custom designs, and make any necessary adjustments.