Non-Traditional Engagement Rings

Move over Princess and Brilliant cut solitaires - here are some non-traditional engagement rings that will still sparkle and shine!:

1. Different shaped/cut diamonds

Emerald cut:

The Tiffany Heart Bezet:

2. Coloured diamonds

Black diamond, like the one Carrie Bradshaw (from Sex and the City) received from Mr. Big:

Yellow diamond:

3. Other precious gems

Sapphire rings made popular by Kate Middleton's engagement to Prince William:

 

Jessica Simpson's ruby engagement ring:

 

4. Custom-designed rings - Some people prefer a ring that is unique and personalized, and enjoy the designing process where they can choose the specific cut, colour, clarity, size, and style of the ring. A friend of mine even specified to his jeweller that he wanted heart-shaped prongs for his girlfriend's ring:

5. Man-made/Cultured diamond rings - Some brides would like the assurance that their ring is completely conflict-free by being made in a labratory. These stones differ from cubic zirconia (CZ), as CZ is made with zirconium dioxide and is not as hard as a man-made diamond. Man-made diamonds normally costs 35% less, but share an identical internal crystalline structure as diamonds found in nature.