The most popular engagement ring styles as Molly Mae Hague debuts oval-shaped rock
Molly Mae Hague is engaged to Tommy Fury. The former Love Island stars shared their news earlier this week, and Hague has since debuted her impressive oval diamond engagement ring on Instagram.
The ring, estimated to be worth a cool £600,000, is a seven to eight carat oval cut diamond in a solitaire setting with a white gold band.
Oval cut diamonds have seen a steep rise in popularity in recent years, with celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Blake Lively and Hailey Bieber each sporting the style on their ring fingers.
Read more: 10 engagement rings under £1k from coloured stones to diamond cuts - Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
In fact, recent research from jeweller Ritani found that the retailer saw a 200% increase in oval shaped rings being sold in 2022, while wedding website The Knot found that the oval shape grew in popularity from 2% in 2015 to 19% in 2021, and is now the second most popular shape behind the classic round diamond.
"You can’t go wrong with an oval cut diamond," Bristol-based jewellery designer, Lara Stafford-Deitsch, says. "This timeless take on an engagement ring is all about simplicity and keeping the focal point on the beautiful diamond.
"The elongated oval cut optimises the carat weight of the stone, meaning that the stone looks bigger than other shaped stones of the same weight. The perfect option to get that extra big sparkle and within your budget."
The most popular engagement ring styles
We asked jewellery designers Stafford-Deitsch and Arabel Lebrusan of Lebrusan Studio what the most popular engagement ring styles are. Here are their picks:
1. Round cut diamond solitaire
Stafford-Deitsch says this style remains the most popular due to its “simplistic and timeless nature”.
"First created in the 17th Century, as technology has developed, the cutting of the round brilliant diamond has been mastered in a way that they offer the perfect sparkle and outstanding light performance," she explains.
Beyond Brilliance 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Ring | £3,750 from Beaverbrooks
2. Cushion cut diamonds
Lebrusan is a fan of the cushion cut diamond, which she says is commonly found in jewellery from the Georgian and Victorian eras.
"Whilst modern round brilliant cut diamonds offer serious surface sparkle, old cut diamonds scintillate deeply, dancing under candlelight and drawing the eye inwards," she adds.
18ct Gold Art Deco Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring | £9,350 from Liberty
3. Asymmetrical gems
Lebrusan says she has seen an increasing number of requests for gemstone cuts in contrasting shapes.
"Think trilogy engagement rings that combine a round brilliant cut central diamond with pear cut side stones, or a toi et moi engagement ring that rests a marquise sapphire against a princess cut neighbour," she adds.
Mixed Cuff Ring | £878 from Vrai
4. Halo rings
Halo rings, such as the Princess of Wales’ oval sapphire and diamond engagement ring, have an enduring appeal.
"These have been popular for centuries, tracing back to as early as the Georgian era with no sign of them going out of fashion anytime soon," Stafford-Deitsch says.
"This is a fantastic option for anyone looking for an extra level of sparkle and drama, as the smaller diamonds make the central stone appear bigger."
Platinum Flower Halo | £1,499 from H. Samuel
How much to spend on an engagement ring
Once you’ve decided on the style of engagement ring you love, now’s the hard part: how much should you spend?
According to recent research, 90% of Brits would spend up to £3,000 on an engagement ring, but the ideal amount would be just under £1,500.
Read more: How to propose: How much to spend on a ring and the dates and locations to avoid - Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
Both Stafford-Deitsch and Lebrusan say that their customers spend anywhere between £2,000 to £3,000 on average.
Do diamonds still reign supreme?
Lebrunsan says she’s seeing an increasing number of shoppers drawn to coloured stones like sapphires and rubies.
"Almost as tough as the diamond but generally a fraction of the price, these varied cardinal gemstones offer an exciting opportunity for budget and ethics-conscious couples to create symbolic and expressive ‘forever’ jewels," she adds.
Read more: Wedding expert's strict dos and don'ts list divides social media users - Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read
However, diamonds are still the firm favourite as they are the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, which is why they are so popular for rings that are meant to last a lifetime.
"Diamonds are timeless; resilient natural wonders charged with intrigue and unshakeable romantic connotations," Lebrusan says. "For as long as there are sustainable sourcing options that align with the preferences of increasingly ethics-conscious engagement ring shoppers worldwide, we’ll never see them go out of fashion."
Watch: Love Island stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury announce engagement
